Twelve inducted into new Kodiaks Hall of Fame
As part of its 60th anniversary celebrations, Lethbridge College celebrated its decorated athletic history with the creation of the Kodiaks Hall of Fame. The inaugural class of 12 inductees were recognized during ceremonies at the Kodiaks basketball and volleyball games in November.
The class of 2017 will honour four outstanding athletes, three foundational coaches and five championship teams from throughout the college’s history. This year’s inductees included:
Athletes
- Sharon (Davies) Fogtmann - women’s badminton
- Laurie Ann Hockridge – women’s basketball
- Kip Kangogo – men’s cross country running
- Sai Wong – men’s volleyball
Coaches
- John Jasiukiewicz – women’s basketball
- Alvin Tietz – women’s soccer
- Tim Tollestrup – men’s basketball
Teams
- 1988-89 and 1989-90 women’s basketball
- 1988-89 men’s basketball
- 1993-94 women’s soccer
- 2002-03 women’s cross country running
- 2004-05 and 2005-06 cross country running
The Kodiaks Hall of Fame is an initiative of the Kodiak Athletic Association, a group of boosters committed to preserving and celebrating the college’s athletic history, while finding opportunities to support current and future Kodiaks student-athletes. Plaques of the inductees will be permanently placed on display in the mezzanine area of the Val Matteotti Gymnasium.
Thirty-three Kodiaks named CCAA National Scholars
Truly putting the “student” in student-athlete, a total of 33 Kodiaks were named CCAA National Scholars in July in recognition of their efforts during the 2016-17 years. To qualify for the honour, students need to achieve a GPA of at least 3.3 while performing as an athlete in an official college sport. Every Kodiaks team had at least three athletes achieve National Scholar honours. Proving that athletic excellence and academic success can go hand-in-hand, the undefeated CCAA national champion women’s basketball team led all Kodiaks teams with eight players named National Scholars. Women’s volleyball was close behind with seven, followed by cross country with six.
Kodiaks medal at ACAC cross country championships
Rookie runner Sophia Nowicki continued her impressive season, running to a bronze medal and rookie-of-the-year honours at the ACAC cross country championships this fall in Red Deer. Emily Spencer was close behind, finishing in sixth place to help the Kodiaks women’s team to a bronze medal, to qualify for the CCAA national championships on Nov. 10 in Lionel-Groulx Blainville, Que. The Kodiaks men’s team finished tied for third, but lost a tie-breaker to Red Deer College to officially finish fourth. Still, the effort was enough to also qualify for nationals. Evans Korir was the top-placing Kodiaks runner, finishing 11th, while Spencer Jackson and Durell Rots finished 15th and 16th respectively.
Women’s basketball national champions celebrated
The Kodiaks women’s basketball team celebrated its undefeated, national championship season on Nov. 4 by unveiling the 2016-17 CCAA championship banner and presenting the coaching staff and players with their championship rings. Former head coach Brad Karren and most of the players from the team were on hand.
Kodiaks honour Cherweniuk
Before the start of their ACAC season, the Kodiaks women’s volleyball team paused to honour the life of Emmalee Cherweniuk on Friday. Cherweniuk passed away suddenly last spring, following her rookie season with the Kodiaks. With her family on hand, the Kodiaks unveiled a banner in the Val Matteotti Gymnasium that retired her number 15 from use, and also announced the creation of a memorial scholarship in her name.
Nowicki wins bronze at nationals
Saving her best effort for the last race of the season, Lethbridge College Kodiaks rookie sensation Sophia Nowicki earned a CCAA cross country bronze medal in November and was named a CCAA all-Canadian. Racing through the frigid air of the Blainville Equestrian Park in Quebec, she posted a season-best time of 22:01. The women’s team finished sixth overall at nationals, while the men’s team finished 16th.
Kodiaks men’s soccer returns to conference playoffs
After qualifying for the ACAC championship tournament, the Kodiaks men’s soccer team was shocked in the ACAC quarterfinal, surrendering a late 3-1 lead, before losing 4-3 to Concordia in a game decided by penalty kicks.
