OLDS — The École Olds High School (ÉOHS) cross-country running team improved spectacularly this season, according to Jana Kemmere, one of three team coaches.
Other coaches were Mme Hillier and community coach Tim Bowen.
Teammates Devyn Rice and Daniel Schafer qualified for the provincials, held in Red Deer Oct. 16.
Both athletes posted personal bests in that competition. Schafer placed 49th in the Junior boys category and Rice finished 54th in the province in junior girls.
“They competed on a difficult four-kilometre trail at the Riverbend golf course in Red Deer,” Kemmere wrote in an email.
Both shaved eight to 10 seconds per race (divisional run, zones and provincials).
“They made Olds High School very proud and we look forward to having all our cross country athletes continue next year.”
Kemmere said the team as a whole improved vastly during the season.
“The overall improvement of the team was incredible to witness," Kemmere wrote.
She said Dane Drent, Liam Hartt and Ethan Giesbrecht ran three to four minutes faster in divisionals than they had during their original timed run at the beginning of the season. They also shaved more time off during the zone run in Trochu.
Sydney Mix ran in the intermediate category. Kemmere said she cut her time “significantly” during training.
“The last time Sydney ran a cross country race was in her Grade 9 year where the distance was three kilometres,” Kemmere wrote.
“As a Grade 11 student, the distance is five kilometres, so it was more of a mental preparation to get used to that distance and know she could trust her body to carry her through the five kilometres.”
She said Felicity Clifford also improved, which was impressive, given the fact this was her first year on the school’s cross country team.
Fifteen students joined the cross country team this year, down from 18 last season.
“We had many more students join initially, but with the involvement in other sports and work commitments, our numbers ended up being slightly smaller than previous years,” Kemmere wrote.
“I believe COVID may be a factor, because with 18 months of very few activities, it is an adjustment for some athletes to try to balance the demands of school, work life, family commitments and other extracurricular activities.
“This year we had students who were initially running regularly with the team but chose not to compete so they did not miss a day of classes, or they felt they were over-committed and needed to simplify their schedule.
“I believe as some of the regular activities resume after so many months of uncertainty and cancellations of extracurricular activities, our young people will need the support of the adults around them to help with time management skills and balancing commitments.”
Despite that, Kemmere said the team had the most spirit this season.
“Our athletes were SO enthusiastic they were able to be part of a team and build bonds with each other and with their coaches to make lasting memories together, which will be cherished, as there have been so many disappointments and losses through this pandemic,” Kemmere wrote.
“As coaches, we feel incredibly grateful to have started and completed a season without any interruptions.
“Our runners worked incredibly hard this year to prepare for their races and we were blessed by their commitment, enthusiasm and the privilege to cheer on the sidelines.
“The pleasure of witnessing them taking a risk, completing the task and feeling the pride of the accomplishment is a life skill I hope will trickle into all areas of their lives as they navigate moving forward out of the pandemic."
Kemmere anticipates having most of the team back for next season, except senior runner Kelly Windsor “who will be off on new adventures which we wish her the very best.”
