Justine Larson, Ethan Duret, and Kari Elliott. (RDP Athletics)

By rdnewsNOW Staff

Larson, Duret and Elliott receive awards

Red Deer Polytechnic Indoor Track recognized by the ACAC

Apr 1, 2022 | 12:52 PM

Two members of the Red Deer Polytechnic Indoor Track team and their head coach have been honoured by the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) for their accomplishments this season.

Justine Larson of the Red Deer Polytechnic Queens has been named the 2021/2022 ACAC Women’s Indoor Track Rookie of the Year. Ethan Duret, who is a member of the RDP Kings, has been selected ACAC Men’s Indoor Track Rookie of the Year and Kari Elliott has received the distinction of ACAC Indoor Track Coach of the Year.

Officials with RDP Athletics say there were many strong individual and relay performances that contributed to the Kings’ team gold and Queens’ silver at the ACAC Indoor Track Championships in Edmonton. Over two-days, Red Deer Polytechnic student-athletes won two gold, five silver and two bronze medals. In addition, the Kings and Queens 4 x 200 m and 4 x 400 m relay teams impressively combined for three gold and one bronze.

Individually, Larson contributed 19 points to the Queens’ total of 67, earning silver in the 1,500 m final (5:32.54), bronze in the 3,000 m (11:44.00), and a top five placement in the 1,000 m (3:28.42) at the championships. The Bachelor of Education Elementary student from Strathmore combined with teammates Halle Reid, Lauren Pasiuk and Kammy Park to earn a pair of gold medals in the 4 x 200 m and 4 x 400 m relays, adding another 20 points to the Queens’ overall score.

“Justine is a fierce competitor and has progressed at a profound rate. She is a multi-dimensional student-athlete who also participated with the Queens Cross Country Running and Basketball teams this season,” said Randy Stewart, Manager, Red Deer Polytechnic Athletics and Student Life. “Justine balanced academics with training and competing, and showed dedication to all facets of being a Red Deer Polytechnic student-athlete.”

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Red Deer’s Duret was described as an integral member of the Kings at the ACAC Indoor Track Championships. He individually contributed 18.5 points to the RDP Kings’ conference leading 78.5 points. The Bachelor of Commerce student finished fourth in the 600 m (1:28.46), in tie for fifth in the 1,000 m (2:47.95), fourth over 1,500 m (4:26.55), and fourth in the 3,000 m (9:34.37). Duret was also a participant on the Kings 4 x 200 m relay team that won gold (1:37.12), adding another 10 points to the squad’s total. He comprised that top relay team with Daniel Humbke, Kevin Edmondson and Axsivier Lawrence.

“Ethan has continually improved throughout the season,” explained Stewart. “It will be interesting to follow his development next season as the Kings look to defend their championship title. Ethan has a very promising future.”

With Elliott’s guidance, the Red Deer Polytechnic Kings made history this season and the Queens solidified their third silver medal in the past four years of competition at the ACAC Indoor Track Championships.

“Since assuming the head coaching duties in 2016/2017, Kari has done an excellent job of recruiting student-athletes and developing the Polytechnic’s Indoor Track program into one of the elite ones in the ACAC,” said Stewart. “Kari’s passion and expertise have resulted in the Kings winning their first gold medal in the team’s history and the Queens earning silver with only four competitors. Three of the team members were first-years.”

This season, the Red Deer Polytechnic Kings and Queens had a total of eight first-year student-athletes, one second-year and three third-years.

“Kari’s ability to connect with student-athletes and coach them to new heights is second to none,” added Stewart. “The Indoor Track team is young, and it will be enjoyable to follow the Kings and Queens’ ongoing progression next season.”

On March 27, the prestigious awards were announced at the 2022 ACAC Indoor Track Championships co-hosted by Concordia University and St. Mary’s University at the Universiade Pavilion in Edmonton, Alberta.

For more information on Red Deer Polytechnic Indoor Track and the student-athletes, please visit: rdpolytechathletics.ca.