Even by the Kodiaks cross country program’s own lofty standards, the 2018 season was one to remember. Heading into a new ACAC season, the most successful athletics program in Lethbridge College history hopes to once again reach those same heights.
It’s certainly possible as the Kodiaks most dangerous weapon returns for her third season. Sophia Nowicki won both conference and national gold medals as part of an undefeated season in 2018. Her efforts helped lead the Kodiaks women’s team to an ACAC gold medal and a CCAA silver, giving her valuable experience as she prepares to defend her titles.
“She’s so determined and self-motivated that we know she’s going to be ready and do very well,” says Simon Schaerz, Kodiaks head coach. “Other commitments over the summer limited her ability to train as much as she wanted, but she’ll be fine once she’s back in her regular routine. Come our first competition, she'll be right at the very front – I'd be surprised if it was anything but that.”
The Kodiaks depth will be tested with the departures of Emily Spencer and Salma Moreira – the team’s second- and third-ranked runners last season – but internal improvements and a strong recruiting class led by last year’s Alberta high school champion Rosie Bouchard leave Schaerz optimistic that the women’s team can again contend for an ACAC championship.
“There's no doubt in my mind that we will contend for a provincial championship and try to get on the podium again at nationals,” says Schaerz.
The Kodiaks men’s team finished on the podium last season, earning an ACAC bronze medal. Last season’s top performer, ACAC all-conference team member Timothy Kimaiyo, is not returning. But, the team is led by Connor Jackson, who will look to improve on his eighth place finish at last year’s ACAC championships and help boost the Kodiaks back towards the top end of the conference.
“Our goal is to come in the top three and qualify for nationals,” says Schaerz. “It would be good to get our newcomers that nationals experience, because for a lot of them, it would be their first kick at the can.”
Schaerz represents a new era for the Kodiaks as he takes over the cross country team from the legendary Bertil Johansson, who retired last fall following 32 years with the program. Schaerz joined the Kodiaks as an assistant coach in 2015 and was promoted to co-coach in 2017. He was the Kodiaks head coach for last year’s indoor track season.
The Kodiaks open the ACAC season on the road at Concordia University in Edmonton on Saturday. The team will then have three more races this season ahead of the ACAC championships on Oct. 26 in Calgary.
Learn more about the Kodiaks at gokodiaks.ca and follow along all season on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. High-quality photos are available to download from the Kodiaks Flickr account.
HEAD COACH:
Simon Schaerz (first year)
ASSISTANT COACH:
Caylee Vogel
2018 ACAC SEASON:
Sophia Nowicki won ACAC women’s championship
Won ACAC team championship
2018 CCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS:
Sophia Nowicki won CCAA national women’s championship
Team won CCAA silver medal
2018 INDIVIDUAL HONOURS:
Sophia Nowicki: ACAC runner of the year and ACAC all-conference team
Emily Spencer: ACAC all-conference team
DID YOU KNOW?
The Kodiaks women’s cross country team has won ACAC medals in six straight seasons and has
won the individual ACAC championship in two of the past three seasons.
KEY RETURNEES:
Sophia Nowicki (third year, Nursing, Bragg Creek, Alta.)
Brooklyn Vogel (third year, Nursing, Turin, Alta.)
Rebecca Sweeney (third year, Nursing, Regina)
Vildana Rekic (fourth year, Ecosystem Management applied degree, Lethbridge)
KEY ADDITIONS:
Sydney Crowe (first year, General Studies, Vermillion, Alta.)
Kayla Munro (first year, Criminal Justice – Policing, Kennedy, Alta.)
RUNNER TO WATCH:
Rosie Bouchard (first year, Renewable Resource Management, Okotoks, Alta.)
For the first time in recent history, the Alberta high school cross country champion has committed to
the Kodiaks. Schaerz feels the extremely skilled Foothills High School runner has the ability to
challenge for an ACAC medal as a rookie and should provide a strong presence to support Nowicki at
the front of the pack during races this season.
SEASON OUTLOOK:
The Kodiaks have the pieces in place to repeat as ACAC champions. Nowicki will once again be the
runner to beat every time she is on the course. Rookies Bouchard and Crowe possess the talent to
place in the top 10 and veterans Vogel and Sweeney could be due for breakout seasons after very
strong indoor track campaigns last spring. If they can put it all together, the Kodiaks will once again be
among the very best teams in both Alberta and Canada.
COACH IN HIS OWN WORDS:
“It will be interesting to see where we are at the end of September, and we’ll also know better how the
other schools are shaping up. But there's no doubt in my mind that we will definitely contend for a
provincial championship and we will try to get on the podium again at nationals.”
– Simon Schaerz
LISTEN:
Coach Simon Schaerz discusses the upcoming cross country season
HEAD COACH:
Simon Schaerz (first year)
ASSISTANT COACH:
Caylee Vogel
2018 ACAC SEASON:
Won ACAC bronze medal
2018 CCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS:
15th place at CCAA nationals
2018 INDIVIDUAL HONOURS:
Timothy Kimaiyo: ACAC all-conference team
DID YOU KNOW?
The men’s cross country team is the most decorated program in Kodiaks history, with 10 national
team and individual champions and 20 provincial team and individual champions.
KEY RETURNEES:
Tyler Larkin (second year, General Studies, Lethbridge)
Danny Robdrup (third year, General Studies, Lethbridge)
Tanner Rent (second year, Exercise Science, Lethbridge)
KEY ADDITIONS:
Cooper Cheshire (second year, Agricultural Enterprise Management, Trochu, Alta.)
Justin Fisher (first year, General Studies, Claresholm)
RUNNER TO WATCH:
Connor Jackson (second year, Business Administration, Surrey, B.C.)
An up-and-down rookie season saw Jackson place eighth at the ACAC championships, and he is
determined to improve on that placing this season. The new captain of the Kodiaks men’s team, he
comes into the season in excellent shape after a vigorous off-season training program. Schaerz feels
Jackson can challenge for the podium in the ACAC and a top-10 placing at nationals.
SEASON OUTLOOK:
The Kodiaks boast a small but mighty roster, with only six runners. Jackson will lead the way, and a
high placing from him would help the Kodiaks towards their goal of a podium finish at the ACAC
championships. Behind him, the Kodiaks boast depth that will focus on peaking for the ACAC
championships. Former captain Robdrup will participate on a limited basis as his schedule allows,
but is due for a bounce-back campaign after battling injuries in 2018.
COACH IN HIS OWN WORDS:
“We’re excited about the newcomers – Cooper Cheshire and Justin Fisher – and what they can
provide. Cooper has ACAC experience as he transfers from Red Deer College and Justin has been
away from the sport for a couple of years, but is in great shape, so I think they can give us some
strong performances as the season goes on.”
–Simon Schaerz
LISTEN:
Coach Simon Schaerz discusses the upcoming cross country season