Horns’ Troschke leads the way at season-opening Golden Bear Open

By Lethbridge Herald on January 23, 2023.

Lawrence steinke photo University of Lethbridge’s Andreas Troschke threw his way to victory during the weight throw competition at the Golden Bear Open.

By Justin Seward

Lethbridge Herald

The University of Lethbridge Pronghorns track and field  team had a successful opening weekend at the University of Alberta’s Golden  Berar Open meet on Jan 20-21.

On the men’s side, Andreas Troschke threw a 17.96 metres to win the men’s weight throw competition by over two metres.

Xavier Crosby placed third with a throw of 15.89 metres, while Parker Allen placed fifth with a throw of 15.08 metres.

Lauchlan Irish placed second in triple jump with a distance of 14.87 metres and in the long jump with 6.95 metres.

As for the women Horns, Jinaye Shomachuk won the women’s weight throw competition with a distance of 17.90 metres and she placed fourth in the shot put with a 12.34 metre throw

Rookie Avery Sluik snagged third in the women’s weight throw with a 14.30 metre throw and teammate Naomi Klassen was two spots behind in fifth place with a 13.38 metre throw.

“It was a great opener for us,” said Horns coach Larry Steinke.

“All of the other Canada West teams have competed three or four times and we are just opening our season; so it’s always a task to keep athletes focused on where we are in our training relative to other teams and have trust in the process.  Our senior athletes are (a) huge part of this process and facilitate keeping the rookies focused on the task and the process, not simply the results at this point in the season.” 

Steinke felt the field was strong and the University of Manitoba men’s and the University of Saskatchewan’s women’s teams will be the teams to beat in team events.

However, Steinke expects U of L to challenge for medals in the individual events — especially in the field of events of throws and jumps.

“There will be a lot of pressure,” he said.

“Especially on the men’s side, where we have dominated the throws events for the last 20 years or so and have been the only school to sweep all three medals positions in the throws at both Canada West and USports championships, and have done so a half a dozen time,” he said.

Steinke thinks the team will have a strong season.

“(The) team is shaping up to having a strong season and training has been going very well after a short break for the Christmas holidays,” he said.

“We gear our training towards Canada West and USports Championships but these competitions are important in building up towards that.”

U of L will now gear up for the University of Manitoba’s Bison Classic on Feb. 3-4.