Kodiaks cross-country ready to race at ACAC Championships

By Lethbridge Herald on October 24, 2025.

By Justin Seward

Lethbridge Herald

Both Lethbridge Polytechnic Kodiaks cross-country teams will look to crack the top three on their respective sides at the ACAC Championships in Grande Prairie today  in hopes of earning a second straight trip to nationals.

There will be 13 other ACAC programs looking to do the same in the championships.

The Kodiak men’s team will look to keep the consistency going of second place finishes while the women will look to build off the consecutive fourth place finishes.

Simon Schaerz, Kodiaks cross-country head coach, agreed that the men’s can keep the momentum going from their consistent finishes.

“I think training’s been going really well, I think for the first time this year everyone’s healthy and firing on all cylinders,” said Schaerz.

“So, we have big hopes for them.”

Schaerz sees the women breaking through and getting on the podium.

“They’ve been working hard all season and I think again we have a strong team showing up this weekend,” said Schaerz.

“Mostly everybody’s healthy and fit and ready to go.”

Conner Van Den Hoek and Ethan Grasmeyer are expected to lead the way on the men’s side.

“ We (have) got those two gentlemen that are consistently in the top 15,” said Schaerz.

Katrina Michel and Kate Block are expected to lead the charge on the women’s side as they consistently finish top two on their team.

Schaerz expects a race with depth.

“Especially on the women’s side,” said Schaerz.

“I think the women’s (side) is incredibly strong this year.”

 Three elements that Schaerz has reiterated  to the runners to focus on ahead championships are consistency, nutrition and sleep.

“If you can balance those three things while … of course coping with all the academic challenges, then you’re going to have a good team,” said Schaerz.

“ I think certainly our group’s figured that out sometime ago and I think they’re ready to go.”

The women’s race starts at noon and the men’s race follows at 1 p.m.

The top seven individuals on each side also qualify for nationals.