RDP Athletics teams set for a busy weekend

The Red Deer Polytechnic Games of the Week are sponsored by Larkaun Homes.

Here is a summary of what is happening this week:

Cross Country Running | Nationals | Saturday, November 13 | 1 pm | St. Mary’s University

With ACAC silver and bronze, the Red Deer Polytechnic Kings and Queens Cross Country Running teams stamped their tickets to the CCAA National Championships.

“At the Conference Championships, we were the only team to have both men’s and women’s teams place in the top three and win medals,” said Kari Elliott, Red Deer Polytechnic Cross Country Running Head Coach. “We are proud of this accomplishment, particularly with two new, young squads. This is a great foundation to build upon for future seasons.”

Nine of the 12 student-athletes participating in the national championships are first-years.

“Preparing for CCAA’s is new for many of our student-athletes,” said Elliott. “Devin Saunders is the only member of our team who has previously been to nationals. This experience is very exciting for our rookies.”

First-years Jenica Swartz, Justine Larson, Myah Cota, Kammy Park and Halle Reid, along with third-year Lauren Pasiuk, will represent the Queens at the national championships. Running for the Kings are first-years Jayden Wildcat, Ethan Duret, Daniel Humbke and Wyatt Grainger, second-year Axsivier Lawrence, and third-year Devin Saunders.

The Red Deer Polytechnic Cross Country Running team experienced the national championship course at Running Room Grand Prix #3 in Calgary, which was hosted by St. Mary’s University. At that race, the Kings finished second and the Queens placed third.

“Having already raced the same course is a confidence boost for our athletes. The course is flat and fast which favours most of our student-athletes. Since it is a two kilometre loop, there is plenty of opportunity to work on pacing,” said Elliott. “The goal is to start well, settle into a good pack, and finish strong. We had a very strong showing on the men’s side on this course a few weeks back, so we will look to repeat. A few of our ladies were under the weather last time. I expect a stronger showing from the women’s team this time around.”

The Queens will race at 1 pm and the Kings will follow at 2 pm.

For more details about the competing teams at the national championships, please refer to the online list. A webcast of the races, along with the results, will be available online.

Kings Basketball | Friday, November 12 | 6 pm | Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre

The Red Deer Polytechnic Kings Basketball team will host the Lethbridge College Kodiaks to begin the new campaign.

“We are super excited to play in front of fans and capitalize off that energy,” said Darren Graham, Red Deer Polytechnic Kings Basketball Head Coach. “We are working to bring our best game forward – 40 minutes a game, each and every night.”

For more information about the 2021/2022 Kings Basketball team, please refer to the online season preview.

Kings Basketball | Sunday, November 14 | 3 pm | Lethbridge College

The Kings and Kodiaks will battle in a weekend rematch.

Queens Basketball | Friday, November 12 | 8 pm | Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre

The Red Deer Polytechnic Queens Basketball team will face the Lethbridge College Kodiaks to kick off the 16 game regular season.

“Our goal is to be in the ACAC Championship game, ideally winning it. Our conference gets two berths to nationals with a wild card spot,” said Mandy Botham, Red Deer Polytechnic Queens Basketball Head Coach. “We want to gain that valuable experience and use it as a stepping-stone to help build on our program’s success moving forward.”

Please refer to the online Queens Basketball season preview for more information about the team.

Queens Basketball | Sunday, November 14 | 5 pm | Lethbridge College

The Queens and Kodiaks will cap off the two game set.

Kings Hockey | Friday, November 12 | 7 pm | Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre

The Red Deer Polytechnic Kings Hockey team will face-off against the Briercrest College Clippers at home.

“There’s no question we want to win our league. That’s our expectation and everyone here wants to win. I can see it,” explained Trevor Keeper, Red Deer Polytechnic Kings Hockey Head Coach. “The student-athletes are a tight group that way. They are here for a purpose – to go to school but they also want to be on a championship team. We want to work hard and take one game at a time.”

For more information about this year’s Kings Hockey team, please refer to the online season preview.

Queens Hockey | Friday, November 12 | 7 pm | NAIT

In Edmonton, the Red Deer Polytechnic Queens Hockey team will play its division rival, the NAIT Ooks.

“We have to work hard and improve every day – think the game, pay attention to small details, and show consistency,” said Kelly Coulter, Head Coach of the Red Deer Polytechnic Queens Hockey team.

Please view the online Queens Hockey season preview for more information about this year’s squad.

Kings Volleyball | Friday, November 12 | 6 pm | Lethbridge College

The Red Deer Polytechnic Kings Volleyball team will challenge the Lethbridge College Kodiaks in a rematch of the 2019/2020 ACAC gold medal match. The Kings won in four sets.

“I told the student-athletes at the start what my goal was. The conference championship is the first step and then national championships,” said Aaron Schulha, Red Deer Polytechnic Kings Volleyball Head Coach. “We had a good goal setting session about core values and what’s it going to take to accomplish those goals. I think the guys are dialled in and committed.”

For more information about the 2021/2022 Kings Volleyball team, please refer to the online season preview.

Kings Volleyball | Sunday, November 14 | 3 pm | Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre

The Kings and Kodiaks will wrap up their weekend series in Red Deer.

Queens Volleyball | Friday, November 12 | 8 pm | Lethbridge College

The Red Deer Polytechnic Queens Volleyball team will play the Kodiaks in Lethbridge.

“I think everyone is looking forward to the season. We have the opportunity to show gratitude for being able to play volleyball this year, and I think that will come out in our play,” said Chris Wandler, Head Coach of the Red Deer Polytechnic Queens Volleyball team. “I am very happy with where we are at this stage. I am really looking forward to our first weekend against the Lethbridge College Kodiaks.”

Please view the online Queens Volleyball season preview for more information about the team.

Queens Volleyball | Sunday, November 14 | 5 pm | Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre

The Queens will host the Kodiaks in this Sunday tilt.

Red Deer Polytechnic continues to welcome spectators to its sporting events. All fans and guests will be required to follow the COVID-19 health and safety protocols outlined by the Government of Alberta and the Polytechnic, which include wearing a face covering indoors and providing proof of one’s vaccination status.

Further details on Red Deer Polytechnic’s COVID-19 Vaccine Program can be found online.

For more information on Red Deer Polytechnic Athletics, the student-athletes and teams, please visit: rdcathletics.ca.

by RDP Athletics

RDP Athletics teams set for a busy weekend

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