The Lethbridge College Kodiaks cross country team will get the benefit of a home course this weekend, as the team hosts the Run for the Pumpkin.
Running in conjunction with the annual community event, the ACAC Grand Prix marks the first time since 2015 that the Kodiaks will host a conference race. Teams from SAIT and St. Mary’s University will join the Kodiaks in the race on Saturday at Nicholas Sheran Park.
Even though the Kodiaks will be without some of their top runners this weekend due to other commitments, the team still expects to challenge for the meet championship.
Led by one of the top runners in the ACAC, the Kodiaks women’s team looks to be in a position to challenge for a conference title. At a season-opening meet in Calgary last weekend, reigning ACAC rookie of the year Sophia Nowicki (second year, Nursing, Bragg Creek, Alta.) won that event by a minute over her nearest competitor.
Teammates Emily Spencer (third year, Nursing, Calgary) and Salma Moreira (third year, General Studies, Lethbridge) finished fifth and seventh, and with Nowicki led the Kodiaks team to a first place finish.
Comparing results across the ACAC can be an inexact measuring stick, but head coach Bertil Johansson, in his 32nd and final season as Kodiaks head coach, feels the results bode well for the team this season.
“Our team is both skilled and experienced, as all of our female runners have ACAC experience,” says Johansson. “That competitive maturity will help us as we aim to win a banner at the conference championships.”
On the men’s side, the Kodiaks have just five runners this season, but boast some top-end talent that will make the team competitive this season.
Making their ACAC debuts in Calgary, both Timothy Kimaiyo (first year, General Studies, Eldoret, Kenya) and Connor Jackson (first year, General Studies, Surrey, B.C.) had strong showings. Kimaiyo finished sixth in Calgary, while Jackson was eighth. Those performances helped the Kodiaks to a third place finish.
“There are some powerhouse teams in the conference,” says Johansson. “But I think that our small but mighty squad has a chance to be right in the mix once again. Our goal is to finish top three in the conference and earn a spot in nationals.”
The Kodiaks host the Run for the Pumpkin on Saturday at Nicholas Sheran Park. The women’s 6 km event begins at 1 p.m., followed by the men’s 8 km race at 1:45 p.m.
LISTEN: Head coach Bertil Johansson previews the upcoming Kodiaks cross country season:
2017 results: Third place in ACAC team standings. Sophia Nowicki earned ACAC and CCAA bronze medals.
Coaches: Bertil Johansson (head coach, 32nd year), Simon Schaerz, Caylee Vogel
Head coach in his own words: “The Kodiaks women won the Calgary Grand Prix to open the season, showing the strength of this all-returning squad. The Kodiaks will bring both skill and experience to the ACAC field this season.”
Runners to watch:
- Sophia Nowicki – the 2017 ACAC rookie of the year won bronze medals at both the ACAC and CCAA championships last season. She opened the new season with a strong win in Calgary, showing she’s ready to improve on her stellar rookie campaign.
- Emily Spencer and Salma Moreira - placing fifth and seventh respectively at the St. Mary’s University Grand Prix to open the seasons, these two runners showed they will join Nowicki as the core of a very competitive team this season.
What to keep an eye out for this season: The competitive maturity of several Kodiak women as they are all returning and have a goal set for a banner at the ACAC championships at Vermillion at the end of October.
2017 results: Fourth place in ACAC team standings.
Coaches: Bertil Johansson (head coach, 32nd year), Simon Schaerz, Caylee Vogel
Head coach in his own words: “We have a small team, with just five men, and only one of our runners raced in the ACAC last season. We’ll be in tough trying to match powerhouse teams from SAIT and Red Deer College, but our goal is to finish in the top three at the ACAC championships and make the trip to CCAA nationals in Toronto.”
Runners to watch:
- Timothy Kimaiyo – Continuing the proud Kodiaks tradition of bringing in top athletes from Kenya, Kimaiyo finished sixth in his first ACAC race, despite suffering a minor injury. He has the ability to challenge the top athletes in the conference.
- Connor Jackson – a top recruit from Surrey, B.C., Jackson finished eighth in his ACAC debut. A multi-time winner in B.C. high school competition, Jackson’s goal is to compete for an ACAC medal.
What to keep an eye out for this season: Last season, the Kodiaks surprised at the ACAC championships, putting in a great showing to tie Red Deer College in points, while earning a trip to nationals. The team hopes for a similar showing this year as the inexperienced roster is expected to improve as the season goes on.