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.
The Creighton Kodiaks have been hitting the gym for the past three weeks to prepare for the track and field season. Things look promising for the Creighton Community School athletes as they have competitors running, throwing and jumping. Forty-seven athletes between grades 9 and 12 are participating this year and are working hard. 'I think 47 is the highest we've had,' said running coach Ryan Trumbley, though the number 50 rang a bell for a previous year. The cold weather has played a key factor in track and field training this year. While it's been cold in the Creighton area lately, schools across the province are experiencing the same conditions _ if not worse. This past Thursday marked the first outdoor running practice the athletes have held _ two weeks later than most years. Cold winds cut the practice short due to the risk of athletes getting sick or being injured. And while Trumbley says athletes have to get used to being outside at some point, rushing into a practice isn't the way to go. Trumbley, along with fellow running coach Jason Straile, jumping coach Janel Pearson and throwing coach Vince Cable, hopes for better weather when it comes to competition time. 'We're hoping for good weather. The last few years have been bad, so we're hoping for a hot day of competition,' Trumbley said. Of the 47 athletes competing, the group includes plenty of young faces with plenty of experience. All of Creighton's track and field athletes competed last year, whether it was in senior or junior track. Returning runner Sydney Morrisette earned herself a big title last year when she broke the record at NEESACs for hurdles in bantam by a full second. The Kodiaks have plenty of success stories, Trumbley says, as they continue to work hard in practices. 'The kids want to work hard, do well and improve,' said the coach. Previously, Danny Suchoplas, who has since graduated, brought home the school's first provincial banner for track and field. 'I think because Danny did so well others want to try and bring home a banner, too,' said Trumbley. 'Success breeds success.' Former school track and field 'stars' Krystal Kawa and Corey Dupre are in the gym with the athletes as they are helping to coach this year. 'We've got a really good group of kids this year,' said Trumbley. 'They are strong athletes that like to work hard and I think they'll have success this year.' Trumbley says the athletes have really 'hit the ground running' this year as they are remembering where they left off last season. The Creighton athletes will compete in NEESACs this year on May 27-28 in Melfort. From there, athletes who advance will compete in Provincials the weekend of June 1 in Moose Jaw. '...we hope to be competitive and do well,' said Trumbley, though he says it's not about who you stack up against. 'It's all about personal bests and (you) hope their best day is on a competition day.' Due to current weather conditions and the amount of snow on the ground in Melfort, the NEESACs were pushed up a week in hopes of warmer weather.
