Season Preview: Kodiaks cross-country teams look to take a step forward in 2023
The Kodiaks men’s and women’s cross-country program are gearing up for the new season of the ACAC.
September 14, 2023 – The Lethbridge College Kodiaks men’s and women’s cross-country program are gearing up for the new season of the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC).
For the upcoming season Lethbridge College will take part in hosting multiple events. Starting with the Running Room Grand Prix #3 on Sept. 30 at Nicholas Sheran Park found on the city’s west side. Later followed by the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) cross-country championships, the event will take place on Oct. 28 at Nicholas Sheran Park.
Last season the men’s team claimed a bronze medal as they finished third overall at championships. The women had a small team but were still able to break some ground throughout the season. This year both teams have added some fresh legs to its roster for the upcoming season.
“We have a strong group of runners joining us this year. I expect a strong performance from newcomer Katrina Michel and second-year runner Owen Stewart. Both athletes should be capable of finishing in the Top 5 in the ACAC.” – Simon Schaerz
HEAD COACH:
Simon Schaerz (fifth year, ACAC men’s and women’s coach of the year in 2019)
ASSISTANT COACHES:
Ricardo Quesada, Aaron Hernandez, Taren Hayward, Dylan Brown
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2023 women’s roster: Rosie Bouchard (fourth year, Bachelor of Ecosystems Management, Okotoks) Hannah Smith (second year, Exercise Science, Raymond) Katrina Michel (first year, Practical Nursing, Okotoks) Kate Block (first year, Exercise Science, Waldheim, Sask) Megan Gubbins (first year, Business General, Rainier, AB)
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2023 men’s roster: Justin Fisher (fourth year, Nursing Bachelors Degree, Claresholm) Jonah Hennig (second year, Correctional Studies, Blackfalds, AB) Kaysan Mohamed (second year, General Studies, Picture Butte) Owen Stewart (second year, General Studies,Lethbridge) Ethan Grasmeyer (first year, Natural Resource Compliance, Smithers, B.C.) Conner Van Den Hoek (first year, Business Management, Business Management) Joshua Nielsen (first year, General Studies, Lethbridge) Drew Armener (first year, General Studies, Raymond)
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COACH IN HIS OWN WORDS:
“We're looking forward to competing at home. It's been several years since we were last able to do that, the last time we hosted both a Grand Prix and ACAC championships was in 2016. I believe that both teams are capable of achieving a Top 3 finish in the ACAC, which would qualify them for the CCAA XC Championships in Truro, Nova Scotia.” – Simon Schaerz
On Saturday Sept. 16 the teams will race in its first Running Room Grand Prix of the season hosted by the SAIT Trojans in Calgary.