Kodiaks Athletics had many proud moments in 2023

By Lethbridge Herald on December 28, 2023.

Herald Photo by Justin Seward Herald photo by JUSTIN SEWARD Todd Caughlin was proud of many of the accomplishments from Kodiaks teams in 2023.

By Justin Seward

Lethbridge Herald

The Lethbridge College Kodiaks had many highlights to be proud of in 2023.

A notable highlight for finishes came from the women’s volleyball team who placed fourth at ACAC championships.

“Women’s volleyball obviously did  great getting to a program first by moving into the ‘A’ Side of the championships and then battling it out in a tough loss to Red Deer in that fifth set,” said Todd Caughlin, the college’s manager of athletics and recreation services.

“You could just tell our numbers, and our strength and our depth was affected but we still played the Kodiaks way. We battled, we represented, I was proud of them.”

The cross country teams saw the men’s side win the ACAC bronze medal and earned a nationals berth, while the women’s team made improvements and sent their top runner, Katrina Michel, to nationals.

“Amazing for the guys because I mean we have our standards set a little higher than some of the other institutions in ACAC,” said Caughlin.

“So they have to get a bronze or higher as a team to go or finish in basically( the) top seven or eight in individual runners. So the women’s side, obviously, (was) represented by Michel and she did a great job representing us … But again that’s all positive for recruiting again for next year already.”

The women’s soccer team had a tremendous season, going 11-1 in the regular season before losing in the bronze medal match to Concordia University of Edmonton at championships.

“Both our soccer teams again competed,” said Caughlin.

“The women’s side, oh my gosh, just a tough loss and nobody wanted it to end that way. That program deserved probably a little bit better fate. But again super proud of what they did.”

The men’s soccer finished third in the South Division with a 4-4-2 record before ending their season by  losing to NAIT  in their only game at the ACAC championship.

“In a bit of a rebuild year in the sense of a lot of new faces, you got to be proud,” said Caughlin.

The Kodiaks unveiled an indigenous jersey during Truth and Reconciliation week in September.

“That has been one of my proudest moments in my entire career here and I don’t say that for any other reason  besides the truth,” said Caughlin.

“During the reveal that day, Betty-Ann Little Wolf, who is obviously one of the elders for the institution, she looked at me, she put her hand on my arm and said that she healed a little today.”

The unveiling allowed for Kodiaks Athletics and indigenous services to connect on things that they’re working on.