Red Deer Polytechnic Athletics is proud to announce its RDP Athletes of the Week:
1. Sandra Garcia-Bernal
Hometown: Valencia, Spain
Educational Assistant (4th year)
It was a historic weekend for Sandra Garcia-Bernal as she broke the ACAC record for most steals in one season by a single player with a total of 121 on the year. She was able to achieve this record in five fewer games than the previous record holder who was 115 held by Marie Lupe of the Olds College Broncos.
Entering a tough game against the Concordia University Thunder, who was ranked number eight in the country, Garcia-Bernal was just one steal away from tying the record. The guard from Spain picked up two steals in the first quarter to break the record and would pick up five more throughout the game as the Queens defeated the Thunder 76-56. With this win, the Queens finished the season in second in the South Division and headed into championships ranked 12th on the national rankings. This was the first time the women’s team was ranked nationally.
(RDP Athletics)Garcia-Bernal has been a workhorse and a crucial piece to the puzzle as they turned the corner since Christmas. Ever since the winter break, the Queens have not lost a game yet and head to Lethbridge College for the championships on a 12-game winning streak. The Educational Assistant student averaged 32 minutes, 13.6 points and just over six steals per game. She will be a vital player down the stretch as the Queens look to win their first championship since the 1991/1992 season.
Congratulations Sandra and keep up the good work as you head into the championships!
2. Ethan Duret
Hometown: Red Deer, AB
Bachelor of Commerce (2nd year)
Ethan Duret was all over the podium on Saturday afternoon at the Running Room Grand Prix #2 hosted by Red Deer Polytechnic. The Red Deer native put on quite the show in front of his hometown crowd receiving two first-place finishes, and a gold and bronze medal in both relay events.
He started his day running in the 1000m, where he edged out a Trojans athlete by just one second with a time of 2:36.10. A couple of hours later he would help out his fellow Kings teammates to a bronze in the 4x200m relay. In the 600m, he would earn his second gold of the day with a time of 1:26.30. Capping off the day was the thrilling 4x400m relay where Duret anchored the Kings for a gold medal finish, five seconds in front of the second-place team.
(RDP Athletics)With Duret’s impressive finishes alongside his teammates, the Kings were able to win the team event with 64.5 which was 21 points ahead of the Lethbridge College Kodiaks, who were in second. On top of this, combining both the Kings and Queens scores, they were able to attain the top spot overall. Head Coach Douglas Spicer indicated that the team is well on their way to peaking at the ACAC Championships next month in Edmonton.
Congratulations Ethan and we look forward to cheering you on at the championships!
