Melissa Ray, Queens Cross Country Running. (RDP Athletics)

By RDP Athletics

Next Grand Prix in Lethbridge September 21

Red Deer Polytechnic Cross Country Running team on track for impressive 2024/2025 season

Sep 11, 2024 | 2:05 PM

When Jenna and Michael Schnare were announced as head coaches of the Red Deer Polytechnic (RDP) Cross Country Running team in June, they wanted to strengthen the group beyond training and fitness.

“Once again, this year’s team has a family-like atmosphere to it,” says Jenna. “We have a mix of seasoned and new student-athletes and we prioritize cultivating a bonded community within our team.”

The RDP Queens have seven student-athletes returning from 2023/2024 – Emily Barritt, Myah Cota, Justine Larson (captain), Zoey Longman, Kammy Park, Georgia Sawchuk and Loami Rautenbach, the 2024 Red Deer Bottling RDP Female Athlete of the Year. Melissa Ray has returned to RDP after previously competing for the Queens.

Last season, Larson was one of the Polytechnic’s leaders, placing sixth at the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) Cross Country Running Championships and helping the RDP Queens earn silver. Larson, a Bachelor of Education Elementary student, also received All-Conference honours. Hadley Guenther, the 2024 Hunting Hills Senior Female Athlete of the Year, is a new addition to the Queens this season.

As a talented returning member to the men’s team, Grimshaw’s Jordan Coen has been named Kings captain. Owen House, Leland Lusk and Taelum Henfrey round out a promising RDP Kings squad that also earned ACAC silver last year.

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Jordan Coen, Kings Cross Country Running. (RDP Athletics)

Leading up to the 2024/2025 ACAC season, the Kings and Queens have collectively advanced their skills while strengthening the fabric of the team.

“Summer training went very well. We saw a lot of improvement in our athletes,” says Michael. “We also held our training camp over the September long weekend to get to know each other better. Along with discussing nutrition, strength training and recovery, we participated in team challenges to help build cohesion.”

The Red Deer Polytechnic Kings and Queens’ dedication and hard work during the past few months paid dividends at their first competition on September 7. At Running Room Grand Prix #1, the Queens finished first and the Kings were third in Edmonton.

The RDP Cross Country Running team will not participate in Running Room Grand Prix #2, but will compete in Running Room Grand Prix #3 in Lethbridge September 21.

“We want to run smart,” says Jenna. “The season’s biggest races are at provincials and nationals and our best is yet to come.”

On October 26, St. Mary’s University will host the ACAC Cross Country Running Championships in Calgary.

For more information about Cross Country Running, including the schedule, please visit: rdpolytechathletics.ca.

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