The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Jenna Rudd is making a name for herself in the sport of cross-country skiing. The student from Creighton was a member of the zone nine team during the Saskatchewan Winter Games in Melfort, SK, from February 12-18. "It was a great experience," said the 14-year-old, who competed in two higher age groups. "I'd like to do it again. I made friends and improved my skiing." The experience of the atmosphere was better than she expected too. "It was so much fun," Jenna said. "The cheering was great, and other zones cheered for each other too." Jenna gained knowledge in the areas she needs improvement, which turned out to be her technical aspects and glide. "I was not very good at the traditional method of skiing," she said. Al Ritch, who is one of Jenna's coaches, is impressed with what she achieved. "When you consider that she didn't try for the Winter Games, people were very impressed with her skiing and attitude," Ritch said. "She had to get to the games on her own so her father drove her." Jenna earning a spot in the games happened when Bill Jeffrey, manager of zone eight, and Gabe Andrews, who coaches zone nine watched her during a practice. They made the arrangements for her participation. After her success at the games, Jenna is now training to go to provincials. "I'm willing to sacrifice most of my time," she said, though it's something she doesn't have a lot of. Jenna's also involved in synchronized swimming, a member of the school choir and plays soccer during the summer. "I like to keep busy." Jenna never thought she would be able to do what she's accomplishing, but she knows there is a lot of effort ahead of her. As for Ritch, he sees his role being to keep up with her. "With Jenna, I have no worry," he explained with a smile. "I can't even keep up with her skiing. "We'll work on her technique and do dryland training. Jenna hopes to return to the Winter Games as a 16-year-old. She loved everything about the games experience.
