By Mikala Carson

Edmonton was the place of victory for Lethbridge College Kodiaks cross-country teams on February 27 and 28 at the ACAC Indoor Track Championships.

Many achievements varying in different degrees were accomplished over the weekend, from personal bests to strong team showings.

The men’s team walked away from the championships with the first place medal and the women with the third, making the college ranked first overall in the province.

Sylvia Von Gunten, a first year track member, was injured for part of the event, but managed to reach the times she’d hoped for.

“I placed 10 in 1000, and 12 in the 1,500,” says Von Gunten. “It was my first track meet and I was injured for one of our pre-races so I didn’t really know what my times were at, so we did have goal time and I did reach my seed times.”

Von Gunten says she will know the ropes better for when she returns to the team next year.

“Now that I know what track is all about, my goals are to increase my times and move up in my placings.”

Assistant Coach Simon Schaerz says the team had their strengths and a few weaknesses that were present during the event.

“With the current team that we have, it’s just the ability to show up when the pressure is on and perform at a very high level,” says Schaerz.

“There’s a few things we could certainly improve on, but I don’t think anything to the point right now that would’ve made the difference between coming first and coming second.”

Track member Caylee Vogel says she overcame her personal bests from last year in her events, and is proud of the team she is a part of.

“I got first place in the 300, second place in the 600 metre and as a team event, they have the four by 400 metre relay race, and I got second in that,” says Vogel. “I did better than last year. I got third in both of the events, and this time I got first and second, so that’s better and it was just nice to see the team come together.”

The Kodiaks won 13 medals with seven gold, three silver and three bronze.