Cross country running banners hang from the roof in the Val Matteotti gymnasium in Lethbridge College.
The men’s and women’s cross country running teams are looking to add another this year.
The Kodiaks have a chance at a national title after both the men’s and women’s team came in second place in the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference this past weekend in Grand Prairie.
From Grand Prairie, Alberta, to Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, the Kodiak Cross Country team is spending a lot of time on the road this season.
This past weekend has earned the Kodiaks the right to represent the ACAC at the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association national championships on Nov. 11 and 12 in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.
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Not only did the Kodiaks claim second place in both men’s and women’s, but Rachel McKenzie, a fourth year runner claimed her first ever ACAC medal.
Jennifer Kubos is a second year runner and believes that McKenzie will definitely help the team at CCAA’s.
“Rachel won first in all of her grand prix and provincial races. She’s a very strong runner,” said Kubos.
Kubos also has faith in others in the team as they have improved a lot over the season.
Carlos Mena, captain of the cross country team, also believes the team will do well in Ontario.
“It’s hard to predict what the outcome will be, but I believe that with a strong, healthy and driven team it is possible for us to place with in the top three for men and women,” said Mena.
He knows both the team and the college is well known for running.
“Everyone just gave their heart out to represent the college as the running powerhouse that we are known for. We are a name that is recognized and revered by many,” said Mena.
Team dynamics also played a role in how the team did this year, according to Kubos.
“We hadn’t had much time training together… but we connected very well and have done a lot of other functions as a team and that was a little more exciting,” said Kubos.
Logan Gechter is a first year runner with the Kodiaks and was excited to be part of the winning team this year.
“It was an honour and it’ll be an experience I’ll never forget,” said Gechter about the chance at the CCAA event coming up.
The top six men and the top six women from the Kodiaks cross country running team will compete in the CCAA’s.
This isn’t the first time that the cross country team has made it to CCAA national championships.
The 2015 CCAA Cross-Country Running National Championships were held in Brockville, Ontario, in 2015 and both of the Kodiak teams went after claiming first at the ACAC championships held here in Lethbridge.
