Chasing Records: The 2024 Indoor Track Season Unveiled
EDMONTON, AB - The stage is set for the 2024 grand prixs, with the championship plans firmly in place.
Kicking off the action, the Running Room Grand Prix #1 is scheduled for January 27 at the Kinsmen Sport Centre, hosted by Concordia University of Edmonton. This will be followed by the Running Room Grand Prix #2 on February 10 at the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre, hosted by Red Deer Polytechnic. These grand prixs will gather top track athletes from various regions, vying for qualification to the upcoming championship.
The pinnacle event of the track season, the 2024 ACAC Indoor Track Championship, will unfold at the U of A Pavilion from March 16 to 17, 2024. This championship will witness participants from both North and South regions in a fierce battle for supremacy. A thrilling showcase of talent, sportsmanship, and intense competition, the championship will see runners striving to etch their names into the illustrious history of ACAC indoor track.
RUNNING ROOM GRAND PRIX 1:
Concordia Thunder is all set to host the first Running Room Grand Prix on January 27, 2024, at the Kinsmen Sport Centre, commencing at 9 AM. Notably, last year's Grand Prix was also held at the same venue, offering experienced athletes a familiar track to prepare on.
In the women's track events, STMU Lightning's Cherise Carter led the pack by winning the 300m dash in 45.53s, followed by Kerigan Frampton (SAIT) and Kammy Park (RDP). Over in the 600m race, Jasmin Salmon of SAIT clocked 1:48.40, securing the top spot, trailed by Kammy Park (RDP) and Sidney Cusak (UAA).
In the Women's 1000m, Jenica Swartz (RDP) took the lead in 3:10.92, with Jasmin Salmon from SAIT securing the second spot. T
hunder's Taylor Chamberlin won the women's 1500m in 5:21.66.
Myah Cota of Red Deer dominated the 3000m event in 12:21.48.
The Red Deer Queens impressed with a 4x200m relay time of 1:58.56, and the Trojans emerged triumphant in the thrilling 4x400m relay, clocking 4:30.86.
Turning to the men's division, the Trojans' Kwasi Framp claimed the top spot in the 300m dash with a time of 37.71, followed by Justin Jager (MHC) and Orin May (LC).
RDP's Ethan Durant clinched the victory in the 600m event with a time of 1:26.79, closely pursued by Lethbridge College teammates Jonah Hennig (1:34.06) and Logan Danyluk (1:34.10).
Owen Stewart of the Kodiaks sprung a surprise in the men's 1000m with a time of 2:38.63, narrowly beating defending champ Leonard Chesoo from CUE.
In the men's 3000m, Cooper Williams of the Kodiaks emerged triumphant in 8:56.15.
The Kodiaks continued their dominance in the men's 4x200m relay with a time of 1:37.84. The day concluded with the dynamic 4x400m relay, where the Kodiaks secured the top spot with a time of 3:39.79.
RUNNING ROOM GRAND PRIX 2:
The second Grand Prix, hosted by Red Deer Polytechnic Kings and Queens, is scheduled at the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre on February 10, 2024. This venue's familiarity from last year's event will aid returning athletes.
In the women's events, impressive performances unfolded last year. Rebecca Ross from Medicine Hat College dominated the 3000-metre run with a commanding time of 11:17.20.
Jenica Swartz of Red Deer secured victory in the 1000m event, Jasmin Salmon of SAIT stood out in the 1500m, and Myah Cota of Red Deer dominated the 3000m.
The Red Deer Queens excelled in the 4x200m relay, and the Trojans claimed triumph in the 4x400m relay.
The men's events saw intense competition. Cooper Williams from Lethbridge College's Kodiaks led in the 3000-metre run, Ethan Duret of Red Deer Polytechnic secured victory in the 1000m event, and Leonard Chesoo of Concordia emerged triumphant in the 1500m.
Red Deer King's Duret showcased his skill in the 600m event.
The Kings dominated the 4x400m relay, with Red Deer Kings claiming the top spot in the men's standings.
ACAC CHAMPIONSHIP:
As the runners transition to the highly anticipated 2024 ACAC Indoor Track Championship, they will find themselves at the U of A Pavillion. ACAC Indoor Track members are joining forces to host this championship, promising an unforgettable event on March 16 - 17, 2024.
In an electrifying 2023 ACAC Indoor Track Championship, the RDP Queens dominated, led by standout athlete Jenica Swartz, who secured seven medals, five of them gold, propelling her team to the Women's overall title with 81 points. Swartz's remarkable performances included victories in events like the Women's 600m run.
On the men's side, the Lethbridge Kodiaks clinched the Men's Team title with 83 points, leaving a notable lead of 25 points over the SAIT Trojans.
The championship saw records shattered, with Leonard Chesoo setting new ACAC Championship records in the Men's 1000m and 1500m, and the RDP Queens sweeping the weekend women's relays.
As the championship unfolded, Swartz continued her dominance with another gold in the Women's 600m, further solidifying her team's success.
Sam Nawrot of the Augustana Vikings secured gold in the Men's 600m, while Trojan McKenna Fitzgerald added to her tally with a gold in the Women's 1500m.
Leonard Chesoo's exceptional performance continued with another gold in the Men's 1500m.
The RDP Queens displayed their relay prowess, sealing their victory with a gold in the Women's 4x400m Relay.
The Kodiaks ended the championship on a high note, earning gold in the Men's 4x400m Relay.
In the overall standings, the RDP Queens secured the women's championship with 81 points, followed by the SAIT Trojans in second place with 64 points and CUE in third with 46 points.
The Lethbridge Kodiaks clinched the men's championship with 83 points, followed by the SAIT Trojans with 58 points in second place, and Concordia Thunder securing a strong third place overall with 38 points.
ACAC SCHEDULE: Indoor Track Schedule
#ACACTRACK24
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, Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference
Chief Executive Officer
403-875-7329
Markk@acac.ab.ca
Kayla Blacquiere, Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference
Marketing & Communications Coordinator
Kaylab@acac.ab.ca