Pep rally to help Kodiaks Make Some Noise

The Lethbridge College Kodiaks are encouraging the campus community to get loud in support of mental health. The Kodiaks are hosting a pep rally on Thursday in the college’s Centre Core as part of their RBC Make Some Noise for Mental Health initiative.

Students can play games and win prizes, while also learning about mental health resources available to them. Student ambassadors will also speak to build excitement ahead of the Kodiaks volleyball games against Ambrose University later that day.

RBC’s Make Some Noise for Mental Health is an ACAC-wide initiative intended to encourage empathy, understanding and open-mindedness while promoting resources and support available on campuses and in their communities. The Kodiaks began their Make Some Noise events at last week’s basketball games and will wrap them up at the volleyball games on Thursday night.

Last week, RBC presented the Kodiaks with a $1,000 cheque to be used for on-campus mental health initiatives. RBC has also arranged for Kodiaks student-athletes to take part in a Learning Success session, where they discuss life skills such as finances, long-term planning and preparing for life after college.

The volleyball games against Ambrose University will feature giveaways, games and prizes courtesy of the Lethbridge College’s Wellness Services department.

“Our college’s Wellness Services department has really come on board in a big way to sponsor Thursday night’s games,” says Todd Caughlin, manager of Kodiaks Athletics. “This is a chance for our college community to come together, speak about mental health, learn what is available in terms of supports on our campus and watch our Kodiaks in action. We want to beat the stigma surrounding mental health and our student-athletes have taken a leading role in making that happen.” 

VOLLEYBALL

MEN’S

Kodiaks (13-3) vs Lions (1-17) – 8 p.m. Thursday at Val Matteotti Gymnasium, 8 p.m. Friday at Ambrose University

The Kodiaks men’s volleyball team has cemented itself as one of Canada’s top college volleyball programs as the team sits second in the CCAA national rankings. With a 13-3 record, the Kodiaks have the best winning percentage in the ACAC south division. While the team is six points behind the SAIT Trojans for first in the division, the Kodiaks also hold four games in hand.

Carter Hansen (fifth year, General Studies, Magrath) continues to have an outstanding season as he is fourth in the ACAC in kills, averaging 3.79 per set. Zach Wikenheiser (fourth year, General Studies, Lethbridge) continues to be an effective set-up player as he is third in the conference in assists, averaging 8.56 per set.    

While the 1-17 Lions are at the bottom of the ACAC south division, they have proven to be a scrappy team that can’t be taken lightly. The Kodiaks swept two first-semester meetings, but needed to rebound from a 2-0 deficit to earn a five-set win in their last meeting.

WOMEN’S 

Kodiaks (4-12) vs Lions (10-8) – 6 p.m. Thursday at Val Matteotti Gymnasium, 6 p.m. Friday at Ambrose University

The Kodiaks women’s volleyball team is coming off its most successful weekend of the season as the team swept Olds College last weekend. This weekend, the Kodiaks face the 10-8 Lions. The Kodiaks slim playoff hopes are dependent on catching the Lions in the standings, so these are virtually must-win games for the Kodiaks.

The Kodiaks received an offensive boost as Jamie Brown (third year, Natural Resource Compliance, Fort Macleod) was shifted from setter to the outside against Olds and responded with a combined 22 kills. Mack Lewicki (third year, General Studies, Taber) leads the Kodiaks in kills and is among the top 20 in the ACAC, averaging 2.35 per set.

The Lions have lost four straight games coming into the weekend, but swept the Kodiaks 3-1 and 3-0 during two first semester meetings. 

BASKETBALL

MEN’S

Kodiaks (15-0) vs Trojans (10-3) – 8 p.m. Thursday at SAIT

The Kodiaks men’s basketball team continues to be the class of the country. The team is ranked first in the CCAA national rankings and is the only undefeated team in Canada. But it will be a marquee matchup this week as the Kodiaks battle the fifth-ranked SAIT Trojans on Thursday in Calgary.

The Kodiaks are among the ACAC leaders in nearly every category, but it’s the team’s offence that truly shines. The Kodiaks are averaging over 97 points per game, more than five per game higher than any other team in the conference. The Kodiaks have three of the top 10 scorers in the conference in Brock Dewsbery (first year, General Studies, Raymond), Orin Porter Jr. (fourth year, Computer Information Technology, Incline Village, Nev.) and Chase Bohne (first year, Business Administration, Raymond) all averaging more than 17 points per game.

In two first semester meetings, the Kodiaks swept the Trojans in impressive fashion, winning 118-95 in Lethbridge and 99-83 in Calgary. The Kodiaks are responsible for two of the Trojans three losses this season.  

WOMEN’S 

Kodiaks (8-7) vs Trojans (3-10) – 6 p.m. Thursday at SAIT

With only six games remaining in the regular season, the Kodiaks women’s basketball team is in desperate need of points to stay in the playoff picture. The Kodiaks 8-7 record currently places them in a tie for third place in the south division with Medicine Hat. The Rattlers, however, are hosting the ACAC championships, so they are already guaranteed a playoff berth. That leaves the Kodiaks in a battle with Briercrest for the final playoff position, and while Lethbridge is two points ahead of the Clippers, Briercrest holds two games in hand.

The Kodiaks received a boost as mid-season addition Millay Johnson (second year, General Studies, Barnwell) made an impressive debut against Red Deer College last weekend. The former University of Lethbridge guard scored 22 points in her debut on Friday, and added another 11 on Saturday, giving another weapon to the Kodiaks offence.

The Kodiaks swept a pair of games against the Trojans in the first semester, and would love another win against 3-10 SAIT this weekend with three straight games against St. Mary’s and Olds – the top two teams in the south division – on tap in their schedule.

Admission for home Kodiaks games is free to students with Lethbridge College ID cards; $10 for adults; $5 for seniors, youth and alumni; and $4 for college employees and students with University of Lethbridge ID cards. Local junior and senior high school students are free on Friday as part of Junior and Senior High School Appreciation Night.

All Kodiaks home and away games can be viewed on ACAC-TV and results will be available on the ACAC website.