Kodiaks runners off to Calgary

Lethbridge College Kodiaks head into their first multisport action of the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference season this weekend.

As the Kodiaks men’s and women’s soccer teams head into their second weekend of play, the cross-country team hits the trail and laces up for its 2018 campaign.

The runners toe the line at the first ACAC Grand Prix, taking place in Calgary and co-hosted by the SAIT Trojans and the St. Mary’s University Lightning today.

The Kodiaks boast a nice mix of returnees who made their mark last year, combined with some new faces looking to do the same this season.

A couple of familiar names are back in the women’s ranks with second-year Sophia Nowicki and thirdyear Emily Spencer.

On the men’s side, Timothy Kimaiyo and Connor Jackson are two Kodiaks making their way into their first ACAC season.

Nowicki had a 2017 to remember, placing third at nationals as a rookie, an honour that also earned her the ACAC Rookie of the Year.

Spencer placed sixth in the conference last season as the duo helps the women’s team in their bid for an ACAC title.

Kimaiyo continues the tradition of Kenyan runners joining the Kodiaks. Six Kenyans have previously won ACAC individual men’s titles for the Kodiaks.

Meanwhile, Jackson — who hails from Surrey, B.C. — makes his college debut in Calgary today.

The women’s race is slated for noon with the men to follow at 1 p.m. Both races are at St. Mary’s University.

The Kodiaks will host an ACAC Grand Prix next weekend with the “Run for the Pumpkin” at Nicholas Sheran Park.

Meanwhile, the Kodiaks soccer squads are on the road for one game as the teams head to Medicine Hat to face the Rattlers Sunday.

The Kodiaks men look to make it two wins in a row following a 2-1 win over the Olds Broncos last weekend in Olds that improved them to 1-1.

The women also look to build on their first point of the season following a 1-1 tie with the Broncos that puts them at 0-1-1.

Third-year Kodiak Wilson Ntignee and second-year Jimmy Bukuru each scored twice for Lethbridge in the weekend-opener that also included a tough 3-2 loss to the SAIT Trojans.

The Rattlers men also lost to SAIT, but beat Olds on the opening weekend, each by 2-0 scores.

Fresh off their 1-1 draw with the Broncos Sunday, the Kodiak women clash with the 0-2 Rattlers.

Kodiaks rookie Bryce Sherring scored the lone Lethbridge goal last weekend.

The women’s game Sunday goes at noon with the men’s game to follow at 2 p.m.