Alberta | Calgary | Lethbridge | Manitoba | Regina | Saskatchewan | Victoria

Alberta

Neville Wright

60m, 4x200m
6’0’’, 206
Edmonton, AB
Year: 4
DOB: 12/80
Phys.Ed. & Rec., 4th

Carrah Bouma

300m, 600m, 4x400m
5’10’’
Edmonton, AB
Eligible Year: 5
DOB: 12/84
Science, 4th

Calgary

2006 Canada West Championship placing: Women 1st place; Men 3rd
2006 CIS Championship placing: Women 3rd place; Men T-13th

Head coach: Doug Lamont; Assistant Coach Les Gramantik

CIS qualifiers so far in Track & Field

Women
Nelson Amonn 300m 39.75
Ratzlaff Holly 600m 1:33.22
Sim Heather 1500m 4:33.77
Zelinka Jessica 60m Hurdles 8.37
Zelinka Jessica Shot Put 13.94m

Men
Effah Samuel 60m 6.80
Kerr Geoff 1500m 3:51.38
Kerr Geoff 3000m 8:09.52
Ratzlaff Trent 600m 1:19.93

Jessica Zelinka is ranked 6th in the world in the Heptathlon

Also, here is a breakdown of medalists at various events so far:

Cargill Games, Winnipeg. February 3, 2007

Men
Sam Effah 60m gold 6.80 CIS std
Trent Ratzlaff 600m gold 1:19.93 CIS std
Geoff Kerr 1500m gold 3:51.38 CIS std

Women
Amonn Nelson 300m gold 39.75 CIS std
Holly Ratzlaff 600m gold 1:33.22 CIS std
Heather Sim 1500m silver 4:33.77 CIS std

Knights of Columbus Invitational, Saskatoon. February 2-3, 2007

Jessica Zelinka, 60m Hurdles bronze 8.34 CIS std, Shot Put gold 13.94m CIS std

Golden Bear Open

Geoff Kerr
1000m gold, 2:29.93
1500m gold, 3:58.72
Holly Ratzlaff
600m gold, 1:36.40

Lethbridge

The University of Lethbridge Pronghorn Track team is set to begin a new era on campus with the completion of the 1st Choice Savings Centre for Sport and Wellness. The Track team finally has a true state of the art training facility, which has already paid dividends for the team. In their first official home competitions, throwers Jim and Heather Steacy set records. Jim recorded three throws that measured further than his current CW and CIS records, while sister Heather has burst onto the CIS scene, heading into the Canada West Championships ranked first in the Weight throw.

This season, the Pronghorns send a small and young group of 26 athletes to the Canada West Championships. For the Canada West meet, Head Coach Larry Steinke has the expectations for the team to win four or five medals with a heavy emphasis on the throwing events and qualify about the same number for the national meet. In the men’s weight throw, the Horns have three of the top four ranked athletes heading into the event. Jim Steacy returns with 2006 Canada West silver medalist Scott Patterson and younger brother Sean Steacy who finish third at the Canada West meet last season and moved up to the silver place position at the CIS Championships. In the Shot put, the three are ranked in the top six heading in.

Rookie hurdler Phillip Rockerbie and middle distance runner Jordan Thomas are both ranked in the top ten and could challenge.

On the Women’s side, weight throwers Kerbi McKnight, 2006 Canada West bronze medalist and freshman Heather Steacy are medal threats. Steacy vaulted up in the CIS rankings in February, hitting for her season and personal best on home soil. Also expected to challenge for a medal are Tarilie Pernitsky and rookie Dynae Vanden Dungen in high jump and triple jump respectively.

“We have had a strong showing from some of the newcomers which bodes well for the future of the program as we start to build and recruit now that the facility has been completed” stated an optimistic Head Coach Larry Steinke.

Jim Steacy
4th year
University of Lethbridge
Weight throw and Shot put
Season best:
Weight throw: 23.04m – ranked 1st in CW & CIS
Shot put: 16.43m - ranked 2nd in CW & 3rd in CIS

Jim Steacy returns to university action after taking last season off to concentrate on international competitions. The three-time Canada West and CIS champion competed for Canada at the Francophone games, Commonwealth games and a World Cup event in Athens. During his preparations for the Commonwealth games, Steacy set a new Canadian record for the Hammer throw, which he would break again during the season and won a silver medal at the Commonwealth games. Jim is also the Canada West and CIS record holder in the Weight throw and remains undefeated versus Canadian competition in University events. Jim also has two CIS medals in the shot put event, a gold in 2005 and silver in 2004.

Heather Steacy
1st year
University of Lethbridge
Weight throw
Season Best
Weight Throw: 16.38m – Ranked 1st in CW & 2nd CIS

Heather Steacy joins her two brothers this season on the Pronghorn Track team and has jumped into the CIS as a force to be reckoned with, registering the furthest throw in the weight event. Heather is no stranger to throwing events, as she holds the Provincial records in the Midget, Juvenile and Junior Women's categories in the weight and hammer throw events.

Manitoba

Team: Manitoba Bisons
Conference: Canada West

2006 Canada West Championship placing: Women 4th place; Men 3rd
2006 CIS Championship placing: Women 8th place; Men 9th

Head coach: Claude Berube/10th year

2006-07 Highlights: As the 2007 Canada West Track and Field Championship commence, Manitoba is currently ranked number seven for the women’s team and number 13 for the men’s team in the latest CIS Top 10 poll.

Both teams have had several top performances throughout the season and close calls in making the CIS standard. Already this season, the Bisons have so far qualified to the CIS Championship both 4 x 200m and 4x400m relay teams and rookie Quin Ferguson qualified in the men’s 600m.

Bison head coach Claude Berube stated, “We feel hosting the Canada West Championship will be a real boost to both teams. All our athletes are excited to compete in front of the their hometown family, friends and fans. I look forward to numerous top performances as this is the last opportunity for reaching CIS standards.”

Last season at the 2006 Canada West Championship in Edmonton, the women’s side finished fourth with 50 points and six podium finishes (two silver and four bronze medals). Individually, Sharon Drake and Amber Anseeuw were Canada West Second Team All-Stars.

The men’s squad finished fifth with 49 points with six podium finishes (one gold, two silver and four bronze medals). Individually, Kris Geyson was a Canada West First Team All-Star while Geoff Rosenbaum and Scot Dressler were Canada West Second Team All-Stars.

Heading into this season’s Canada West Championship, there are several Bison athletes with a chance to shine. Starting with the women’s squad, four sport star athlete Caley Miskimmin has run the third fastest 60m in the CIS. Team co-captain Jana-Rae Cassidy is ranked fifth in the 600m and seventh in the 300m. Georgette Mink has the sixth fastest time in the CIS in the 3000m and eighth in the 1500m. Victoria Robson is eighth ranked in the pole vault. The other team co-captain Kja Isaacson is ninth fastest in the 600m. Rookie Meghan Woo is ranked 12th in the 300m and ranked 15th in the 600m. Dana Baker is 13th ranked in the pentathlon.

On the men’s side, Quin Ferguson leads the charge as he is the fifth fastest in the CIS in the 600m. Nathan Labbe is seventh ranked in the long jump (he was .01 off the CIS standard) and 12th ranked in the triple jump. David Szczepaniak has the eighth fastest time in the CIS in the 300m. Scot Dressler has the tenth highest jump in the pole vault. Sheldon Kilcullen is 11th ranked in the 600m. Jesse Howatt is ranked 15th in the 60m hurdles. Andrew Sheffield (ranked 14th in CIS) and Garth Suppes (ranked 15th in CIS) compete in the weight toss.

Both relay teams have produced an outstanding season. The women’s 4x400m team has the second fastest time in the CIS and the women’s 4x200 is ranked third. The men’s 4x400m relay team has the second fastest time in CIS while the men’s 4x200m team is fourth fastest. The women’s 4x800m team is ranked fifth while the men’s 4x800m relay is seventh ranked and both seek the CIS standard during the event.

Berube finished by saying, “We expect to be in the mix for the team titles for both squads during the Championship.”

Regina

2006 Canada West Championship placing: Women 5th place; Men 4th
2006 CIS Championship placing: Women 11th place; Men T-13th

Head coach: Carla Nicholls

The University of Regina’s track & field teams have enjoyed an extremely successful season so far. Both squads are currently in the Sporting Canada CIS rankings, as the women hold the No. 8 spot and the men are ranked No. 11. The men’s and women’s teams have combined for six CIS standards this season, all of which have come in the jumps.

Janine Polischuk has had a superlative season in her first year of CIS competition. In her third year of eligibility after two years at San Diego State, Polischuk has qualified for the CIS meet in the long jump, triple jump, and high jump. Chelsea Valois is the only other member of the U of R’s women’s team to hit a CIS standard, clearing 1.70m in the high jump earlier this year.

On the men’s side, two athletes have punched their tickets to Montr»al for the 2007 CIS Championships. Wade Huber hit the standard in the long jump with a mark of 7.21m, the second-best mark posted in the CIS this season. Ian Jestadt also hit a CIS standard with a score of 14.49m in the triple jump.

Eric Clark
Height: 6’2”
Year: 2
Faculty: Business Administration
Hometown: Regina, Sask.

Season Bests
34.61 s (300-meter run)

Eric is in his second year and really has had a break out year. His speed and endurance has really paid off this year and has ranked him one of the top 300m runners in the CIS. He also plays an extremely important and key role in the Cougars’ 4x200m and 4x400m relays.

Janine Polischuk
Height: 5’5”
Year: 3
Faculty: Kinesiology & Health Studies
Hometown: Regina, Sask.

Season Bests
1.70m (high jump) * CIS standard
5.79m (long jump) * CIS standard, longest in CIS this year
12.52m (triple jump) * CIS standard, longest in CIS this year

The Cougars are extremely excited to have Janine come back home to finish off her next few years of eligibility. Janine is one of the U of R’s point-getters for the team. She has already achieved minimum standard in high jump, long jump and triple jump, and will be the backbone of this team

Saskatchewan

Quick Facts
2005-06 CW Standings: 2nd Men, 2nd Women
2005-06 CIS Nationals Placing: 4th Men, 4th Women
Last CW Title: 2004-05 Men, 2003-04 Women
Last CIS Title: 2004-05 Men and Women

After a 2004-05 season that saw the University of Saskatchewan become the second school in the history of the CIS to claim both the men’s and women’s titles in one year, the Huskies entered 2005-06 with many gaps on their rosters, due to graduation and injury.

Both the Huskie men’s streak of seven conference championship titles and the women’s three consecutive CIS titles came to an end. Both the men and women placed second at the Canada West Championship, and fourth at the CIS Championship in Saskatoon.

“It will be a rebuilding year for the women’s program, as our team depth is not quite there. For the men, we would like to regain our Canada West title and try to make a run at another CIS title, however we may not have the depth for the CIS run. For both the men and women, our goal is to place in the top four at the CIS Championship,” said Huskies head coach Ivan Tam.

On the men’s side, the Huskies have lost six key athletes from last year’s roster, including 2006 CIS silver medalist Matt Dunn (pentathlon) and CIS gold medalist and TSN award winner Rob Hanson (pole vault). Returning to the squad are 2006 CIS silver medalist and junior national team member Taylor Petrucha (pole vault), 2006 CIS bronze medalist Nick Clarke (pentathlon). Though they are rookies with the Huskies, David Berlinic (sprints/jumps) and Justin Greif (throws) come loaded with experience and are already making their impact with the green and white. Berlinic is a former member of the World Youth team and Greif is a Canadian junior champion.

The Huskie women also lost six key athletes from last year (five to graduation and one to injury), including 2006 CIS medalists Megan Reid (weight throw and shot put), Andrea Vinet (hurdles) and Ashley Hinther (3000m). Returnees include pole vaulters Adrianne Vangool and Leah Vause, who placed second and third, respectively, at the 2006 CIS Championship. Junior national team member Jenni Hucul and Canada West cross country rookie of the year Jodi Souter join the green and white this year.

Key Returning Athletes:
Jenn Souter – Middle Distance/ relays
Kailey Smith – Middle Distance/ Relays
Liz Dubourt – Thrower
Heather Howe – Thrower
Adrianne Vangool – Pole Vault – CIS Medallist 2006
Leah Vause – Pole Vault – CIS Medallist 2006
Iain McCormcik – Middle Distance and Relays
Jeff Rhinas – Middle Distance and Relays
Graeme Rinholm – Sprints – CW Rookie of the year 2005
Nick Clarke – Multi Events – CIS Bronze Medallist 2006
Marc Baron – Multi Events
Taylor Petrucha – Pole Vault – CIS silver medalist, Junior National Team member 2006

Key Recruits:
Jenni Hucul – sprint/hurdler/relays – Member of Junior National Team 2006
Jodi Souter – Distance – CW Cross Country rookie of the Year 2006
David Berlinic – Sprints/Jumps – Member of World Youth Team in 2005
Justin Greif – Throws – Candian Junior Champion

Key Losses:
Amber Mosewich – Injury
2006 Megan Reid – Graduation WT and SP Medallist at CIS 2006
2007 Andrea Vinet – Graduation Sprint Hurdles Medallist at CIS 2006
2008 Ashley Hinther- Graduation 3000m medalist at CIS 2006
2009 Lindsay Tasche – Graduation MultiEvents
2010 Caitlin Bassnet – Graduation Sprint Hurdler and Relay runner
2010 Mike Taylor – Sprints/ Relays
2010 Andrew Tremblay – Sprints/ Relays
2010 Moses Benard – Hurdles/ Relays
2010 Matt Dunn – Multi events – CIS Silver Medallist 2006
2010 Rob Hanson – Pole Vault – CIS Gold Medallist 2006 – TSN athlete award
2010 Jay Bradshaw – Shot Put – Injury - Knee

Victoria

They took the Canada West Championships by storm last year when four young men from the University of Victoria Vikes won the 4x800meter relay event. This year, they return to defend their title and the team looks to add to last year’s medal count of one gold, one silver and four bronze.

Geoff Martinson (3rd year, Prince George, B.C.) has been the leader for the No.14-ranked CIS Vikes, with his strong performances in the men’s one-mile and 3000metre events. Martinson qualified for CIS when he placed first in the one-mile run at the University of Washington Huskies Indoor event in January with a time of 4:06.04.

Rich Lehman (4th year, Dartmouth, N.S.) has run some intense races taking second place in both the men’s 1000metre event at the Cargill Invitational and in the 600metre event at the University of Washington Open.

Consistency and hard work continues to make Lyz Gilgunn (5th year, Victoria) a valuable asset to the women’s team. The one-mile event has become a favorite for Gilgunn, who placed fourth at the University Washington Indoor Invitational and 15th at the Husky Classic.

Kate Sloan (2nd year, Calgary, Alta.), a former soccer player, has turned her attention this season to running. Joining the Vikes this year as a rookie in her first-ever track event, she placed eighth in the 3000metre run in a time of 10:05.28. Sloan has adapted well to the track and has had particular success with the one-mile event, running 5:06.80 to take first place at the University of Washington Open in Seattle.

Brent Fougner is the head coach for the Vikes and Rob Connors his assistant.