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 Though the Creighton Kodiaks didn't bring home any medals from the SHSAA Track and Field Provincials, they did meet their goals. Heading into the competition, where the athletes went against those from all over Saskatchewan, the Kodiaks hoped to stay in the top 20. Five Kodiaks competed in seven events, finishing in the top 20 in four of them. 'It really wasn't too bad,' said running coach Ryan Trumbley. 'Especially for a year with tough weather and a younger team.' The Kodiaks have roughly a month to prepare for Provincials, while athletes from larger cities practice year-round indoors. All athletes were hindered from last year's strike, 'but it turned out to be a pretty good year,' said Trumbley. Goals The Kodiaks keep their goals realistic as they compete well in the NEESACs regional meet and then hope to stay in the top 20 of the province. 'We don't ever really set goals for medals in provincials,' said Trumbley. 'If that happens, that's phenomenal, but we really focus on top 20 in (Saskatchewan).' In Saskatchewan, athletes compete in rural provincials. In Saskatchewan, once the athletes have competed in NEESACs, they all compete at the same Provincials. 'You're up against Saskatoon, Regina, Prince Albert, Swift Current and Yorkton. Those guys train all year long,' said the coach. 'For us, training for a month and to go up and expect medals, it's just unreal expectations.' The Kodiaks competed hard in Saskatoon two weekends ago. Mason Antoniuk finished 12th in the junior boys javelin. 'That was really good. He had a great couple throws,' said Trumbley. 'We're really, really happy with that.' Throwing or running a season best is a personal goal for each athlete who competes. It's ensured that athletes know as long as they compete with everything they have, their end result is something to be proud of. Competing against the elite athletes of the province, Kristal Kawa was 18th in hurdles, 28th in the 100-metre dash and 28th in the long jump; Kaden Antoniuk finished 17th in shot put; Riley Reynolds placed 19th in shot put; and Kaitlin Kirk was 25th in hurdles. 'Shooting for top 20 in the province and saying that you're one of the best 20 athletes in your event in the entire province, that's just great,' said Trumbley. But at the end of the track and field meet, Grade 12 students Kristal Kawa and Kaden Antoniuk were less than satisfied with the result. 'They think they should have done better, but that's what makes them such great athletes,' said Trumbley. 'As coaches, we were really happy with how it went.'
