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.
Kelly Carrington Staff Writer Students at Creighton Community School are jumping the hurdles on more than just school work as the track and field team is set for another season. The Kodiaks offer junior track for those in Grade 7 and 8 as well as track and field for those from grades 9 through 12. In junior track, the Kodiaks are training 35 athletes, who will compete in Hudson Bay. For the high school level, Creighton has 30 athletes preparing for NEESAC's in Prince Albert. Due to track complications in Melfort, the Kodiaks, of the North East division, will team up with the North Central division for one big meet in Prince Albert. With the track being resurfaced in Melfort, this year, the two divisions will join for one meet. "It's a nice opportunity as Prince Albert has a beautiful track that is rubber," said Kodiaks running coach Ryan Trumbley, noting that the meet will feel like Provincials, based on the track. More competitive "Also, the meet will be more competitive and much larger as we are combined with another district," said Trumbley. Districts are limited to the number of participants they can send to Provincials. Trumbley says, with the combination of North East and North Central, the numbers will remain the same for each division. Next year, the track in Melfort should be completed and the format should return to normal for the North East and North Central divisions. Trumbley says when it comes to the younger athletes, he's glad there is a meet in Hudson Bay for the junior track team. "It's nice that the Grade 7 [athletes] are getting involved earlier and nice for the younger students to have their own meet," said the coach. Bonus It's a bonus from a coach's point of view, also, said Trumbley. "It's nice for coaches to be able to concentrate on smaller groups of students at each of the meets," he said, noting that junior track athletes are not able to attend Provincials. However, Trumbley says the downside is the limited numbers. "...we cannot send as many athletes this year as in the past, due to the number of people attending. So our kids have had to have mini competitions here to see who goes," said Trumbley. See 'Events...' on pg. 9 Continued from pg. 4 Competition-wise, all events are the same this year for the Kodiaks; running, jumping and throwing. Their potential at Provincials rests with younger athletes this year as the Kodiaks don't boast an older team. Only four students who attended Provincials last year are returning to the team. Returning are Krystal Kawa, who competed in long jump; Lia Nasselquist, who competed in high jump; Jessie Manns, who competed in high jump and hurdles; and Morgan Grant, who competed in javelin but was unable to compete in Provincials due to an injury. "They certainly will benefit from having that experience," said Trumbley, "and their focus will be on the performance itself." With that focus on the performance, Trumbley says it will help calm the nerves of the athletes as well. Looking at the younger end of the roster, the coach says the Kodiaks have a number of talented Grade 9 and 10 athletes. This is "definitely the youngest team we have had. We are expecting some growing pains, but also a lot of talent to work with," said Trumbley, adding he was "very excited to see how they do." Trumbley says the Kodiaks should have a strong group of 15- and 16-year-olds. "We do not have many senior athletes, but the ones we do have are of high caliber and have a shot at Provincials," he said. "However, the tough aspect with the senior level is now you are up against the best of the best and it is very difficult." Preparation In previous years, the track and field team spent their time warming up by running to local landmarks, using them as distance guides. This year, the athletes are able to take advantage of Creighton's new running track. "The track built around the soccer field has been a huge help already. Athletes can go on their own and train and know how far they are running," said Trumbley. "It simulates what they will be running on in meets. It is much safer than running on the road and it just makes training so much better." Overall, Trumbley says he's most looking forward to seeing "our athletes compete hard and achieve personal bests." Personal best "We always preach that track and field is not about winning a medal, it's about setting you personal best," he said. "If you can do that, then that's a success. "If that personal best results in a medal or Provincial berth, that is just icing on the cake." Another high point for the coach is the actual competition. "...track and field is a lot of fun to coach because something is always going on, someone is always competing," he said. "Our athletes have a reputation for being the loudest cheerers and it's exciting to watch our students perform with cheering in the back ground." Along with Trumbley, the following people help coach the Kodiak track and field team: Jason Straile (long distance); Vince Cable (throwing); Janel Pearson (jumping); Jen Janzen (junior track and field); and Corey Dupre (runners).5/25/2011
