Kodiaks XC adds LCI product Stewart
Owen Stewart has signed with Kodiaks XC.
Feb. 13, 2020 – Lethbridge College Kodiaks XC/Indoor Track head coach Simon Schaerz is already gearing up for next fall.
Schaerz recently introduced his first recruit for the 2020-21 season, securing a commitment from local LCI product Owen Stewart.
Stewart promises to be double threat for the Kodiaks. Schaerz sees him as a strong contender to compete for a cross country conference medal, as well as a mid-distance threat during the indoor track season.
“We are very excited to have Owen with us next year. He comes with an impressive running resume and we expect him to be in the top five at the ACAC championships this fall,” says Schaerz.
The Kodiaks women’s XC team captured the national championship last November, although the men’s team had a rare down year as they failed to qualify for CCAA nationals for the first time in many seasons. Stewart hopes he can quickly help the team reverse those fortunes.
“Coach [Schaerz] and I had some good meetings earlier in the year, I was interested in staying home and running for the college and I’m excited to see how I can help the team out,” says Stewart. “Hopefully we can do some great things in the fall. I’m looking forward to winning and hopefully going to nationals and succeeding there.”
While he loves cross country, Stewart says indoor track is his real passion.
“The 1000m is my favorite event,” he says.
The decision to stay close to home and run for the college also has some family significance for Owen. His dad, Bruce Stewart, was previously an assistant coach with the Kodiaks.
The Kodiaks current indoor track season will resume on March 7, when they travel to Red Deer for the second ACAC Grand Prix event of the season.