News

While most students were beginning their Reading Week festivities, the Thunder Indoor Track teams were busy putting the final touches on what has been an epic season for the teams at the Alberta Indoor Games held at the U of A on Saturday and Sunday.  Another 7 school records fell beginning with the women's and men's 300m on Saturday.  Kristina Dong set the first new school record of the weekend, impressively taking off nearly 1.5 seconds from her current school record in that distance.  Then it was over to the men and Ben Thomas was up to the challenge thrown down by Dong, taking over 1 second off his current record.  Kenton Sportak also improved his season best in the 300m.  Then it was back to the ladies in the 1000m and it was Shelby Edgar's turn to re-write the record books, taking over 8 seconds off her school record in that event.  Rachael Smillie and Ana Zulic both made their debuts over the 1000m distance as well, becoming the 3rd and 4th fastest Thunder women runners of all time over that distance.  The final events on Saturday were the men's and women's 3000m and Marriya Jenkins ran a season best and returned to action after being injured to finish 5th overall.  Kirk Sundt got in on the record breaking action setting a new school record and positioning himself up as one of the early favourites to pick up a medal at the ACAC Indoor Championships being run at the end of the month.  "It was great to see Marriya back racing and awesome to watch Ben, Kristina, Shelby and Kirk all set new school records.  Four records in a day is pretty impressive; our guys/girls are pretty fit right now!" said an excited Head Coach Matt Norminton.
The first event on Sunday was the 600m and in the ladies race Kristina Dong ran another personal best to finish 12th overall.  Rachael Smillie made her debut over the 600m distance as well to finish 15th overall and become the 4th fastest female Thunder runner over that distance.  Ben Thomas led the way for the men in the 600m, running another personal best to finish 5th overall.  Cornelius "Kees" Koeman made his debut over the 600m distance, becoming the 5th fastest Thunder male over the 600m distance.  Next up were the 1500m's and again Shelby Edgar led the way for the Thunder ladies finishing in 14th place overall.  Brynn deVries made her debut over the 1500m distance, finishing in 16th place overall and becoming the 5th fastest Thunder lady over that distance.  Right behind deVries was Ana Zulic, setting a new personal best and finishing in 17th place.  Then it was over to the men and again it was Kirk Sundt setting a new school record and finishing in 8th place overall.  Rookie Michael Quick also bested the previous school record to become the 2nd fastest Thunder male of all time over the 1500m distance.  "Kirk is running great right now and Mike also had a good one; really great to see him bounce back again." The final event of the day was the 4x400m relay and both the men's and women's teams were out to set new school records and both achieved their goals.  The ladies team of Dong, Smillie, Zulic and Edgar knocked 9 seconds off the previous school record, finishing in 4th place overall.  Not to be outdone, the men's team composed of Thomas, Quick, Koeman and Sundt also bested the school record, dropping 3 seconds off the previous school best. With 7 records in 2 days, the Indoor Track teams are looking good heading into the ACAC Indoor Championships in 2 weeks.  The Championships will be co-hosted by the Thunder and held at the Edmonton Garrison indoor track.

Photo Courtesy of Rick Scott