Perennial medal threats in the ACAC, the Lethbridge College Kodiaks cross country teams begin a new season this weekend. The clubs are heading for Calgary for a meet co-hosted by SAIT and St. Mary’s University.
“We are just one year removed from pulling off the rare feat of having both our men’s and women’s teams winning ACAC gold,” says Bertil Johansson, Kodiaks cross country head coach. “Our top individual runners from last year’s men’s and women’s teams have both graduated, but we expect that our returnees and excellent recruits can fill that gap and help get us back to the top of the ACAC.”
The Kodiaks will race in three ACAC Grand Prix events this season, before taking part in the ACAC championships on Oct. 28 in Red Deer.
Last year’s men’s team finished second in the ACAC championships, led by a silver medal from the now-graduated Boaz Korir. To help them challenge for a championship, the team will look to a varied recruiting class that includes Robert Germscheid, a top-15 finisher in last year’s Alberta high school championships; Spencer Jackson, an NCAA transfer; and Danny Robdrup, a high-level triathlete. Kodiaks runners have won 10 of the last 12 ACAC individual men’s gold medals.
The women’s team graduated ACAC gold medalist Rachel McKenzie, but returning ACAC bronze medalist Emily Spencer and freshman Sophia Nowicki, who finished second in the 2016 Alberta high school championships, are each expected to contend for a conference gold medal.
“With the dynamics of this team, we believe it is our time to return the trophy to Lethbridge,” says Johansson.
The Kodiaks cross country season preview is available here
This weekend’s 6km ACAC women’s race begins at noon, followed by the 8km men’s race at 1 p.m.
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Kodiaks soccer looks to build off excellent openers in Medicine Hat
Sept. 14, 2017 – Both Kodiaks soccer teams opened the ACAC season in style, with undefeated opening weekend on their home turf. Now the men’s and women’s teams look to continue their strong play as they visit Medicine Hat College for games on Saturday.
The Kodiaks men (2-0-0) opened the ACAC season with a 3-0 win over Red Deer and a 2-1 triumph over Lakeland College last weekend. Their performance earned them a number 11 ranking in the CCAA national rankings of the season. Jimmy Bukuru leads the Kodiaks with two goals through two games. Something has to give this weekend as the Kodiaks visit the also-undefeated Rattlers (1-0-1) on Saturday.
The Kodiaks women’s soccer team (1-0-1) has yet to allow a goal through two games, after a scoreless draw against Red Deer and a 3-0 win over Lakeland. Goalkeeper Brittany Klein has been tremendous, stopping every shot she has seen this season, while Vicki Noronha leads the team with two goals. It will be a solid battle this weekend with the Rattlers (1-0-1) as the teams are tied for first place in the ACAC south division.
Lethbridge College visits Medicine Hat College on Saturday, with the women’s game at noon, followed by the men’s game at 2 p.m.
Follow the Kodiaks all season on the new-look gokodiaks.ca, Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Game information at a glance
Saturday, Sept. 16
- Cross country running at Calgary – women run at noon and men at 1 p.m.
- Kodiaks women’s soccer (1-0-1) at Medicine Hat (1-0-1) – noon at Medicine Hat College
- Kodiaks men’s soccer (2-0-0) at Medicine Hat (1-0-1) – 2 p.m. at Medicine Hat College