Weekend Preview: Cross-country nationals and all court sports in action

The Lethbridge Polytechnic Kodiaks have an exciting weekend ahead, with all court sports in regular-season competition and cross-country heading off to nationals.

Kodiaks volleyball is back at home this weekend to host the NAIT Ooks and the University of Alberta – Augustana Vikings.

Kodiaks basketball is on the road and headed north to play the NAIT Ooks and the University of Alberta – Augustana Vikings.

Kodiaks cross-country will be in Windsor, Ont. to compete against the best runners in the Canadian Colleges Athletic Association (CCAA).

Cross-Country:

XC | 2024 CCAA Cross-Country Nationals (hosted by St. Clair College)

On Saturday, the Kodiaks men’s and women’s teams are competing at the 2024 Canadian Colleges Athletic Association Cross-Country Nationals in Windsor, Ont. at St. Clair College. The women’s six-kilometre race begins at noon followed by the men’s 8k at 1 p.m.

The Kodiaks women qualified for the race by placing second at Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) Championships two weeks ago. The team is ranked seventh according to the CCAA’s current standings. First-year runner Hannah Pilling (first year, Academic Upgrading, Cardston) has consistently led the Kodiaks in ACAC races and will be looked to once again in hopes of securing a victory.

The Kodiaks men’s team also qualified for the race by placing second at ACAC Championships two weeks ago. The CCAA has the men’s team ranked fifth going into nationals. This year’s lineup has only one new runner, Wacey Smith (first year, Digital Media and Communications, Bentley, Alta.) who doesn’t already have national running experience. The team will be looking to Owen Stewart (third year, Business Administration – Accounting, Lethbridge) to finish strong for the Kodiaks to help them onto the podium.

For updated information on the CCAA Cross-Country Nationals, visit: https://www.ccaa.ca/sports/xc/championship/index

Basketball: You can watch games live at https://acactv.ca/

Women’s basketball: 

Kodiaks (3-1) vs NAIT (0-4)

• Friday, Nov. 8 | 6 p.m. | at NAIT

Kodiaks (3-1) vs University of Alberta – Augustana (1-3)

• Saturday, Nov. 9 | 6 p.m. | at University of Alberta – Augustana

The Kodiaks women’s basketball team is hoping to build on their back-to-back wins last weekend as they travel north to face the NAIT Ooks and the University of Alberta – Augustana Vikings. They will be missing one of their few veterans, Annah Westrop, as she’s competing at cross-country nationals in Ontario, so the team will be looking to Courtney Deemter (fourth year, Bachelor of Nursing, Calgary) to guide them. Deemter currently leads the team in points per game, averaging 12.5.

Men’s basketball:

Kodiaks (3-1) vs NAIT (2-2)

• Friday, Nov. 8 | 8 p.m. | at NAIT

Kodiaks (3-1) vs University of Alberta – Augustana (0-4)

• Saturday, Nov. 9 | 8 p.m. | at University of Alberta – Augustana

The Kodiaks hit the road again this weekend as they are set to play the NAIT Ooks and the University of Alberta – Augustana Vikings. The team is coming off a hot weekend, picking up two big wins at home that moved them into third spot in the south. A leader on the team, Cole Lake (fourth year, Business Administration, Eagle, Idaho), was named Kodiaks Player of the Week for his outstanding performance last weekend. He’ll be aiming to stay consistent with another solid weekend for the Kodiaks.

Volleyball: You can watch games live at https://acactv.ca/

Women’s volleyball: 

Kodiaks (1-3) vs NAIT (2-2)

• Friday, Nov. 8 | 6 p.m. | Val Matteotti Gymnasium

Kodiaks (1-3) vs University of Alberta – Augustana (1-3)

• Saturday, Nov. 9 | 3 p.m. | Val Matteotti Gymnasium

The Kodiaks are set host two teams from the north division this weekend. They will be looking to their first-year hitter Robyn Austin (first year, Business Administration – Accounting, Lethbridge) who has started the season strong by leading the Kodiaks. She was recently named Kodiaks Student-Athlete of the Week. Emma Blumenschein (third year, Bachelor of Nursing, Spruce Grove, Alta.), is another strong leader and attacker who has intensified the Kodiaks offence with the number of shots she has in her arsenal.

Men’s volleyball:

Kodiaks (4-0) vs NAIT (2-2)

• Friday, Nov. 8 | 8 p.m. | Val Matteotti Gymnasium

Kodiaks (4-0) vs University of Alberta – Augustana (1-3)

• Saturday, Nov. 9 | 5 p.m. | Val Matteotti Gymnasium

This weekend will be a defining moment for the Kodiaks, as they face the defending ACAC and CCAA champions, the NAIT Ooks, tomorrow night, followed by the University of Alberta – Augustana Vikings Saturday. A strong performance could set them on the right path, while a tough weekend could leave them with a lot to overcome.