The University of Lethbridge Pronghorns track and field team is ready for action.
Student-athletes compete at the Canada West Championships Friday and Saturday, with the competition hosted by the University of Regina.
The women’s side for the Pronghorns is well represented with team members like Jinaye Shomachuk. This season, she finished first in shot put events at both the Pandas Open (12.87 metres) and Golden Bears Open (12.06 metres), as well as first place finishes at those events in weight throw, with throws of 18.71 metre at the Pandas Open and 18.95 metre at the Golden Bears Open.
Shomachuk will be joined in the throwing events by teammates Avery Sluik and Lauryn Morris. Sluik earned first place at the Jim Daly Bison Classic with a 15.70 metre and a third place finish at the Pandas Open with a 14.91 metre throw. Meanwhile, Morris placed second at the Pandas Open with a throw of 18.71 metres and finished second at the Golden Bears Open with a 15.91 metre throw. At the Jim Daly Bison Classic, Morris placed third with a throw of 15.12 metres.
Makayla Dickinson leads the way in triple jump competition. She finished third at this season’s Pandas Open with a jump of 11.46 metres. Teammate Kimoya Edwards won gold at the Golden Bears Open with a time of 8.58 seconds in the 60-metre hurdles. Edwards finished second at the Jim Daly Bison Classic with a time of 8.59 seconds.
MEN’S TEAM
On the men’s side, Steffen Botha has had a standout season for the Pronghorns in the weight throw, placing third at the Pandas Open. Orion Legg finished third in the 60-metre hurdles at the Jim Daly Bison Classic.
Head coach for the U of L, Larry Steinke, says he is confident about the squad’s potential heading into the Canada West Championships.
“The highlight so far has been the women’s throwers sweeping the podium at every meet,” Steinke says.
“We’re hoping the momentum from past meets will carry them onto the podium and help them finish first through fourth at the championships.”
Steinke adds a key point of focus for the student-athletes is remembering their fundamental skills. “No one has to do anything special—just compete as they have been and let their consistency in training shine through,” he says.
More about this weekend’s championships is available at the Canada West website.
