ACAC Hall of Fame Team Inductee: Grande Prairie Regional College Wolves Cross-Country Running
HONOURED TEAM INDUCTEE
The Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) is thrilled to announce the Grande Prairie Regional College Wolves Cross-Country Running team as a 2024 inductee into the ACAC Hall of Fame in the Team category.
The 2014 Wolves Women's Cross-Country Running team etched their place in CCAA history with an unparalleled display of dominance. Undefeated in three ACAC Grand Prix races, they stormed through the season, culminating in a resounding victory at the ACAC Championship, securing an impressive 16 points, a remarkable 21 points ahead of the SAIT Trojans, the closest competitors. All four scoring runners garnered ACAC All-Conference status, solidifying their individual and collective prowess.
Their success didn't stop at the conference level; at the 2014 CCAA Cross Country Championships in Calgary, the Wolves continued their winning streak. Placing all four scoring runners in the top 11, they set a CCAA championship-record school team score of 19 points, leaving the host SAIT Trojans trailing by 53 points. Guided by rookie standout Mirelle Martens, who remained undefeated in five CCAA races, the team showcased their dominance on the national stage.
Martens' stellar performance extended beyond the CCAA realm. She secured a third-place finish in the U20 race at the Athletics Canada Cross Country Championships and represented Canada in the World Cross Country Championships in China in March 2015.
Transitioning to the indoor track, the Wolves women continued their triumphant run at the 2015 ACAC Indoor Track Championships. Winning five of the six races, including a stellar performance by Jamie Wigmore with victories in the 600m and 1000m races, anchoring the winning 4 x 400 team, and clinching a bronze in the 300m. Their track success paralleled their achievements in academics, as the team clinched the 2014-15 GPRC Academic Team Award for the highest team GPA, with Amanda Patteson earning the title of 2014-15 Academic All Canadian.
Adding to their unique narrative, six out of the seven team members hailed from Grande Prairie. Remarkably, only two had competitive running backgrounds in high school, while the others brought diverse experiences from sports such as soccer, basketball, volleyball, and synchronized swimming, showcasing their versatility and commitment to excellence on multiple fronts.
The 2014 Wolves Women's Cross-Country Running team, with their undefeated season, academic achievements, and diverse athletic backgrounds, stands as a remarkable example of success. Their induction into the ACAC Hall of Fame is a fitting acknowledgment of their exceptional accomplishments.
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About the ACAC: The ACAC is the governing body for intercollegiate athletics in Alberta. Its mission is to provide competitive collegiate sport experiences, promote academic achievement and be a leader of sport development in Canada.
For more information on the ACAC, please visit our website: www.acac.ab.ca
For additional information, contact:
Mark Kosak, ACAC
Chief Executive Officer
403-875-7329
markk@acac.ab.ca
Kayla Blacquiere, ACAC
Marketing & Communications Coordinator
403-550-4466
kaylab@acac.ab.ca