The Red Deer Polytechnic indoor track team is set to get its 2022 Alberta Colleges Athletic Association season underway.
The first event of the year is Grand Prix #1 in Edmonton, hosted by Concordia University on Saturday.
The Kings and Queens will be mostly rookies this year, with eight of the 12 athletes in their first year at RDP.
“I am thrilled to have our student-athletes from cross country running competing on the polytechnic’s Indoor Track team,” said Kari Elliot, Red Deer Polytechnic indoor track head coach. “Like other sports, it’s been a slower start to the season as we continue to navigate safely through COVID-19, but our athletes are excited to train and compete.”
Devin Saunders, a third-year student-athlete from Red Deer, will lead the Kings as captain. He’s joined by returning third-year Daniel Szucs and second-year Axsivier Lawrence.
First-years Ethan Duret, Kevin Edmonson, Wyatt Grainger, Daniel Humbke and Jayden Wildcat round out the Kings’ roster.
Queens captain Lauren Pasiuk, a Bachelor of Science Nursing student, is the only returning member of the women’s squad. First-years Justine Larson, Kammy Park and Halle Reid occupy the remaining spots on the team.
“On the women’s side, Jenica Swartz was poised to break some ACAC Indoor Track records this season, but she suffered an ankle break which changes the complexion of the Queens,” says Elliott. “Justine will look to step up in the distance events. Halle is capable of taking charge in the sprints – the 200 metre relay and 300 metre race.”
The team started getting ready for the season before the fall exam period.
“Before the break, we held an informal time trial to gauge the student-athletes’ base fitness levels,” explains Elliott. “We also identified who showed the most promise in each event.”
In ACAC Indoor Track, there are six different races - 300 m, 600 m, 1,000 m, 1,500 m, 3,000 m, and the 4 x 200 m relay.
On Feb. 19, Grand Prix #2 will take place at the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre. The season will wrap up at the ACAC Championships on March 26 in Edmonton.
byron.hackett@reddeeradvocate.com
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