Weekend Recap: Growth and grit define Kodiaks athletics season

The Lethbridge Polytechnic Kodiaks closed out the 2025-26 athletics season on the national and conference stage, competing against some of the top programs in the country.

The Kodiaks men’s basketball team travelled to Nanaimo for the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) championships, where they battled Canada’s best and earned a hard-fought win on the national stage.

Meanwhile, both Kodiaks futsal teams took to the court at the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) championships, delivering strong performances against a highly competitive field to round out the season.

Men’s Basketball Nationals

Quarterfinals March 18 | Kodiaks 63 vs VIU Mariners 75

The Kodiaks men’s basketball team entered the national championship tournament as the wildcard and opened against the host Victoria Island University Mariners, the Pacific Western Athletic Association (PACWEST) champions. 

In a loud building packed with VIU supporters, the Kodiaks were composed from the opening tip. Marley Kenion (first year, Child and Youth Care, Coventry, England) got Lethbridge on the board first, Rhett Lewis (third year, General Arts and Science, Cardston) knocked down an early three and Nathaniel Hosannah (second year, Business Administration, Tacoma, Wash.) added a three as the Kodiaks settled in after an early Mariners push. Randall Mongard (first year, Open Studies, Laval, Que.) gave Lethbridge important minutes around the basket and at the line, while Levi Balderson (second year, General Arts and Science, Welling, Alta.) buried a late three-pointer to help the Kodiaks battle the hosts to a 19-19 tie after the opening quarter. In the second quarter, VIU nudged ahead early, but Balderson answered with a three, Mongard scored inside, Kenion found a rhythm with three field goals in the quarter and Kade Lund (second year, General Arts and Science, Barnwell, Alta.) chipped in with a layup. Balderson’s late basket and a driving finish from Hosannah in the final seconds sent Lethbridge into halftime with a 38-34 lead. 

VIU pushed back coming out of the break and the Mariners briefly regained the lead in the third quarter, but Hosannahhelped keep the Kodiaks within striking distance with a pair of baskets, Balderson answered with a jumper and Kenionand Mongard each added key points as Lethbridge tried to weather the surge. The hosts carried a 56-51 advantage into the fourth, and despite the Kodiaks continuing to compete, the Mariners were able to maintain control down the stretch. Jackson Wright (third year, Business Administration, Claresholm) scored on a strong finish inside early in the quarter, Balderson calmly converted four free throws, Lund added a pair from the line and later finished a layup, but Lethbridge could not fully erase the deficit in front of the energized home crowd. The Kodiaks kept battling to the final buzzer in their quarterfinal opener, but their national championship run began with a 75-63 setback to VIU.

CCAA Player of the Game

LPK: #10 Nathaniel Hosannah

Bronze Quarterfinals March 19 | Kodiaks 88 vs STU Tommies 83

The Kodiaks went head-to-head with the Atlantic Collegiate Athletic Association (ACAA) champions, St. Thomas University Tommies, in the bronze medal quarterfinals. 

St. Thomas came out fast and built an early lead, but the Kodiaks stayed within reach and began to settle in as the opening half unfolded. Lund scored Lethbridge’s first basket, Hosannah added an early jumper and Kenion found his rhythm with a field goal and a three-pointer to help steady the offence. Mongard provided a strong presence around the basket and at the free-throw line, while Wright came off the bench and scored five points to keep the Kodiaks close after the first quarter, with St. Thomas leading 29-21. In the second, Lethbridge began to turn the game. Hosannahand Kenion scored early, Balderson knocked down a three and the Kodiaks continued to chip away through their defensive pressure and second-chance opportunities. Mongard delivered a huge stretch with free throws, a steal and a layup, Lewis added back-to-back baskets and Balderson put Lethbridge in front late in the half before drilling a three in the final seconds. Mongard, in the last seconds, got a steal and finished with a buzzer layup as the Kodiaks capped a 28-point second quarter and took a 49-44 lead into halftime.

Lethbridge carried that momentum into the third quarter and continued to answer every St. Thomas push. Baldersonopened the half with a three, Mongard scored twice as the Kodiaks extended their edge and West James (second year, Plumber Apprenticeship, Raymond) provided a major lift off the bench with a jumper and a three-pointer during a key run. Wright added a basket, Hosannah converted inside and Lund scored late as Lethbridge held a 67-63 lead after three. In the fourth, the Tommies rallied and eventually tied the game at 76-76, but the Kodiaks responded with poise in the closing minutes. Hosannah came up with back-to-back steals and turned one into a layup, Balderson hit an early jumper and then delivered the biggest shots of the night with consecutive late three-pointers to restore control. Lund added an important basket inside, Hosannah made key blocks and a late layup and Balderson sealed it at the line as the Kodiaks closed out an 88-83 win.

CCAA Player of the Game

LPK: #7 Levi Balderson

Bronze semifinals March 20 | Kodiaks 70 vs MOH Mountaineers 94

The Kodiaks took on the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) wildcard, Mohawk College Mountaineers, in the bronze medal semifinals. 

Mohawk took control early, but the Kodiaks had a few strong stretches in the opening half. Mongard opened the scoring off a feed from Balderson, Hosannah answered with six quick points and Lund added an early basket as Lethbridge stayed close through the first few minutes. Wright provided a spark off the bench with a pair of offensive-rebound finishes and two free throws late in the quarter, but Mohawk gradually created separation and carried a 25-16 lead after one. In the second, Kenion scored inside, Hosannah continued to attack and Balderson came up with several steals to try to generate momentum. Kenion added another pair of baskets, Hosannah knocked down a jumper and converted from the line and Zachary English (first year, General Arts and Science, Lethbridge) chipped in with a putback as the Kodiaks looked to cut into the deficit. Balderson added a late layup, but Mohawk answered with a big run before halftime and Lethbridge trailed 54-33 at the break.

The Kodiaks showed more push coming out of halftime as Mongard led the way in the third quarter. He scored inside, knocked down a pair of three-pointers and was active defensively with multiple steals, while Hosannah added a layup, free throws and a block to help Lethbridge find some rhythm. Balderson finished twice in transition, Kenion converted late in the quarter and Lewis added a basket, but Mohawk continued to answer and took a 68-57 lead into the fourth. In the final quarter, Hosannah and Mongard each scored early and the Kodiaks kept competing, with Hosannahadding another basket and Mongard knocking down a late three. Mohawk controlled the final stretch to pull away. Lethbridge kept battling through the closing minutes, with Nolan Grindle (first year, Environmental Assessment and Restoration, Coalhurst) scoring twice late, before the Kodiaks dropped a 94-70 decision. The result closed out the Kodiaks’ national championship run and brought their season to an end.

CCAA Player of the Game

LPK: #10 Nathaniel Hosannah

Nathaniel Hosannah was named a CCAA Second Team All-Star at the national championship closing ceremonies, recognizing an outstanding performance on the national stage. The second-year guard delivered a dominant all-around tournament, finishing among the top five in scoring, third in rebounds and leading all players in steals. A relentless presence on both ends of the floor, Hosannah was also one of just four players in the tournament to earn Player of the Game honours twice, highlighting his impact in leading the Kodiaks throughout the competition.

“Closing out the season with an ACAC silver medal followed by a national championship run, this group capped off a year defined by growth and a return to the national stage,” says Todd Caughlin, Athletics and Recreation Services Director. “With just two returning starters and a roster built around first-year and second-year players, the Kodiaks steadily developed into a team capable of competing with the best in the country. That progression is nothing new for the program, however this group was the one that broke through, putting the Kodiaks and southern Alberta basketball back into the national conversation where it has always belonged.”

Futsal Championships

The Kodiaks futsal teams travelled down the highway to Medicine Hat on Thursday for their ACAC banquet. Khloe Jankowiak (third year, Business Administration – Accounting, Lethbridge) was honoured as a South All-Conference player.

Quarterfinals WFUT March 20 | Kodiaks 0 vs SAIT Trojans 3

The Kodiaks women’s futsal team came into the championships tournament as the wildcard, facing the south top-seeded team, the SAIT Trojans, in quarterfinal action.

SAIT struck first late in the opening half to take a 1-0 lead, but the Kodiaks remained composed defensively and stayed within reach through the opening 20 minutes. Hannah Bradford (second year, General Arts and Science, Abbotsford, B.C.) was effective coming off the bench for the Kodiaks, making strong reads that led to several interceptions and helped create offensive opportunities for Lethbridge. Kiara Jankowiak (third year, General Arts and Science, Lethbridge) was steady in goal, turning aside a number of chances to keep Lethbridge in the game heading into halftime.

In the second half, SAIT added two more goals to extend its lead. Despite the deficit, the Kodiaks continued to compete and push for opportunities, but were unable to break through offensively against a strong defensive side. 

Jankowiak was a standout for Lethbridge, making 15 saves in a busy performance in net, while the Kodiaks battled throughout against one of the top teams in the country.

ACAC Player of the Match

LPK: #11 Hannah Bradford

Bronze Quarterfinals WFUT March 21 | Kodiaks 5 vs TKU Eagles 6

The Kodiaks women’s futsal team continued their championship games in the bronze quarterfinals, taking on The King’s University Eagles, the top seed from the Northeast Division. 

TKU opened the scoring early, but Jayna Timinski (fifth year, Child and Youth Care, Calgary) responded midway through the first half to even the match at 1-1. The Eagles regained control late in the half, scoring three quick goals to take a 4-1 lead into the break despite the Kodiaks competing well through stretches of the opening frame.

Lethbridge mounted an impressive comeback in the second half. Early in the half, Alexis Bradford (fourth year, Open Studies, Abbotsford, B.C.) sparked the rally with a goal, followed by Khloe Jankowiak adding another just minutes later. Megan Morrison (fifth year, Bachelor of Nursing, Medicine Hat) continued the surge with the equalizer, capping a strong push that brought the Kodiaks all the way back to 4-4. The Eagles responded with two late goals to regain control, but the Kodiaks continued to press. A. Bradford found the back of the net in the final minute to bring Lethbridge within one, however time ran out before they could find the equalizer.

Kiara Jankowiak was busy in goal, making 15 saves, while the Kodiaks showed resilience with a four-goal second-half effort in a tightly contested battle.

ACAC Player of the Match

LPK: #3 Megan Morrison

Quarterfinals MFUT March 20 | Kodiaks 6 vs CUE Thunder 4

The Kodiaks men’s futsal team opened the conference championship tournament as the wildcard, facing the top-seeded Concordia University of Edmonton Thunder from the Northwest Division in quarterfinal action.

After a scoreless first half, the Thunder broke the game open early in the second, scoring four straight goals to take a commanding 4-0 lead. Despite the deficit, the Kodiaks remained composed and began to mount a comeback late in the half. 

Cristobal Jacob Pares (first year, Civil Engineering Technology, Nelson, B.C.) got Lethbridge on the board to spark the rally, before Moe Huska (first year, General Arts and Science - Kinesiology Certificate, Cranbrook, B.C.) took over with back-to-back goals to quickly cut the lead to one. The Thunder took a yellow card in the last minute of play that led to a penalty kick for the Kodiaks that Emiliano Garcia Velarde (second year, Agriculture Sciences – Animal Sciences, Saltillo, Mexico) took and scored the equalizer to send the match to overtime at 4-4.

Lethbridge carried that momentum into extra time. Lazlo Lorenzo (first year, General Arts and Science, Nelson, B.C.) gave the Kodiaks their first lead of the game with an early overtime goal, and Jordan Morello (fourth year, Renewable Resource Management, Nelson, B.C.) added an insurance marker shortly after off a feed from Jaxon Uhl (fourth year, Business Administration – Management, Lethbridge) to seal the 6-4 victory.

Tristan Martin (second year, General Arts and Science, Whitehorse, Yukon) was strong in goal, making 12 saves, while the Kodiaks showed resilience and belief in a dramatic comeback win to advance in the tournament.

ACAC Player of the Match

LPK: #6 Moe Huska

Semifinals MFUT March 21 | Kodiaks 2 vs MHC Rattlers 7

The Kodiaks men’s futsal team faced a tough test in the semifinals, taking on not just the host school but the defending champions and top seed from the South Division, the Medicine Hat College Rattlers.

The Rattlers got on the board first, but Huska responded just minutes later off a feed from Orien Domin (first year, Bachelor of Nursing, Sparwood, B.C.) from the corner to level the match at 1-1. Medicine Hat answered quickly to regain the lead, but the Kodiaks continued to push, with Morello finding the equalizer midway through the half to make it 2-2. From there, the hosts began to take control, scoring three late goals in the opening half to build a 5-2 advantage heading into the break.

 In the second half, the Rattlers extended their lead with a pair of goals, while the Kodiaks continued to battle and look for opportunities offensively but were unable to close the gap. Martin was busy in goal, making 16 saves, as the Kodiaks competed against one of the top teams in the country.

ACAC Player of the Match

LPK: #7 Orien Domin

Bronze Semifinals MFUT March 22 | Kodiaks 3 vs KC Huskies 5

The Kodiaks men’s futsal team faced the Keyano College Huskies, the top seed from the Northeast Division heading into the tournament, in bronze semifinal action. 

The Kodiaks got off to a quick start, scoring the first goal of the match within the opening three minutes. Uhl finished off a pass from Huska to give the Kodiaks an early lead. Halfway through the first half, the Huskies responded with a goal of their own to tie the game. Keyano’s momentum continued late in the half, as they added two more goals to head into the break with a 3–1 lead.

The Kodiaks pushed back in the second half. Uhl added his second of the game off a setup from Garcia Velarde to cut into the deficit, and Lethbridge continued to apply pressure late. Earlier in the half, Keyano was assessed a red card, forcing them to play short-handed for a stretch. In the final moments of regulation, a separate sequence saw the Huskies commit their sixth foul of the half on a trip, awarding the Kodiaks a penalty kick. During the setup, the Keyano goalkeeper was issued a yellow card after knocking the ball away during an attempt to disrupt the play, but their intimidation tactics didn’t work as Garcia Velarde converted from the line to tie the match at 3-3 and force extra time. 

Within the first five minutes added for overtime, the Huskies committed another early foul, giving the Kodiaks a penalty kick opportunity. After the initial shot missed the Kodiaks picked up a red card and leaving Lethbridge short-handed. Keyano capitalized on the advantage, scoring shortly after the restart. That goal returned the Kodiaks to full strength, but after the teams switched sides for the final five minutes of overtime, the Huskies added another. The Kodiaks continued to push but were unable to respond before the final buzzer.

ACAC Player of the Match

LPK: #8 Emiliano Garcia Velarde

“Closing out the futsal season, both Kodiaks programs took meaningful steps forward, each in their own way, while continuing to build toward the future,” says Caughlin. “Under the new leadership of Mike Racz, the women’s team competed at a high level throughout the championship, led by a veteran core of four fifth-year seniors whose impact on the program will be lasting as they move on. On the men’s side, a young roster showed significant growth and resilience, building momentum with a strong tournament run after not qualifying the previous year. While the women say goodbye to an experienced group, the men return with a foundation full of potential, positioning both programs well for what comes next.”