Weekend Recap: Championships, victories and national berths for the Kodiaks

It was a packed and exciting weekend for the Lethbridge Polytechnic Kodiaks, with multiple teams competing at the highest level of Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) competition.

The Kodiaks hosted the 2025 ACAC Men’s and Women’s Soccer Championships, while basketball hit the road for a doubleheader against the St. Mary’s University Lightning.

Meanwhile, Kodiaks cross-country runners took on the ACAC Championships in Grande Prairie, earning medals and punching their tickets to nationals.

Soccer

On Thursday evening, the Kodiaks hosted the 2025 ACAC Soccer Championships banquet to celebrate the hard work of student-athletes and coaches throughout the season.

From the Kodiaks men’s and women’s teams, four student-athletes were named to the ACAC South All-Conference team:

Khloe Jankowiak – Midfielder

Megan Morrison – Midfielder
Kiara Jankowiak – Goalkeeper

Moe Huska – Midfielder

Oct. 24 | Quarter-final | Kodiaks 1 vs NAIT Ooks 2
The NAIT Ooks came out strong and wasted little time getting on the board. In the 13th minute, #21 Jayda Mitchell (first year, Sherwood Park, Alta.) opened the scoring with a well-placed header off a corner kick, giving the Ooks an early 1–0 lead. The Lethbridge Polytechnic Kodiaks responded quickly and effectively, levelling the match in the 20th minute when #2 Khloe Jankowiak (third year, Business Administration – Accounting, Lethbridge) buried a beautiful free kick into the back of the net.

Both teams pushed the tempo as the first half progressed, with NAIT maintaining steady offensive pressure and producing several quality scoring chances, including a shot that rang off the crossbar. Just before halftime, their persistence paid off. In the 45th minute, the Ooks converted another corner play as #17 Alise Rahime (second year, Edmonton) delivered a well-placed assist that found #10 Daelin Horsfield (second year, Spruce Grove, Alta.) in front of goal for a composed finish. The tally put NAIT back in front 2–1 heading into the break with momentum on their side.

As the teams returned to the pitch, the weather began to shift. The wind picked up significantly, blowing toward the Ooks' end, forcing them to adjust their defensive setup. Despite the challenging conditions, NAIT managed the game well, maintaining its shape and neutralizing the Kodiaks' offensive efforts.

The second half saw balanced play, with most of the action unfolding in the midfield. Both teams exchanged possession and created occasional scoring chances, but neither side could break through. NAIT's back line remained composed under pressure, fending off several late pushes from Lethbridge to preserve their narrow lead.

At the final whistle, the Ooks' early offensive execution and disciplined second-half defence proved decisive, as they secured the win and advanced to the semifinals.

ACAC Players of the Match:

LPK: #2 Khloe Jankowiak 

NAIT: #3 Sierra Klack

Oct. 24 MSOC | Quarter-final | Kodiaks 1 vs NAIT Ooks 2

The opening half between the NAIT Ooks and the Lethbridge Polytechnic Kodiaks was defined by physical play and tight defensive organization from each side. Both goalkeepers, NAIT's Parys Ona MacArthur (fifth year, Sherwood Park, Alta.) and Lethbridge's Adam Krisko (second year, General Arts and Science, Lethbridge), were tested early, with Krisko denying several dangerous chances to keep his team in the game.

NAIT's intensity occasionally led to foul trouble, with #5 Andrii Khymchuk (second year, Lutsk, Ukraine), #10 Hossie Kifle (third year, Edmonton), #6 Luis (Alex) Arreaza (second year, Edmonton), and #21 Vladyslav Satsevich (first year, Kakhovka, Ukraine) all receiving yellow cards in the half. Despite this, the Ooks continued to dominate possession and create offensive pressure, generating seven corner kicks and a series of shots. Lethbridge countered through quick transitions, including a late chance from #8 Emiliano Ga Velarde (second year, Agriculture Sciences – Animal Science, Saltillo, Mexico) that forced a save from MacArthur in the 43rd minute.

The first half ended scoreless despite NAIT's repeated offensive efforts and Lethbridge's disciplined defence. Both goalkeepers were sharp, combining for nine saves in a competitive and heated opening period.

The Ooks entered the second half determined to capitalize on their chances. The pressure paid off shortly after the restart when Kifle broke the deadlock in the 58th minute, finishing a setup from #2 Patrick Culshaw (second year, Edmonton) for his first goal of the season and a 1–0 NAIT lead. With momentum on their side, NAIT continued to apply pressure, controlling the pace of play. NAIT extended their lead in the 77th minute when #9 Jameson Kiezik (second year, Edmonton) found the back of the net, assisted by #22 Lungelo Napa (second year, Edmonton), doubling the advantage to 2–0. The Kodiaks refused to go quietly, however. In the 87th minute, #6 Moe Huska (first year, General Arts and Science - Kinesiology Certificate, Cranbrook, B.C.) cut the deficit to one after finishing a setup from #10 Jaxon Uhl (fourth year, Business Administration – Management, Lethbridge), putting Lethbridge back within reach at 2–1. The closing moments turned tense as NAIT faced a flurry of fouls and late pressure from the Kodiaks.

In the final minute of regulation, emotions boiled over as #16 Enzo Squicciarini (fourth year, Edmonton) received a yellow card followed by a red, reducing NAIT to 10 players. Lethbridge earned a last-minute corner and fired a shot wide right as the final whistle sounded.

Despite the late push from the Kodiaks, the Ooks held firm defensively to secure a hard-fought victory and a spot in the semifinals.

ACAC Players of the Match:

NAIT: #21 Vladyslav Satsevich

LPK: #1 Adam Krisko

Basketball:

Oct. 24 WBB | Kodiaks 51 vs STMU Lightning 84
Lethbridge’s best stretches in the first half came from Bailey Blackmore (second year, Bachelor of Nursing, Magrath) and Summer Long (first year, General Arts and Science, Raymond). Blackmore broke the early drought with a catch-and-shoot three, added another from deep plus a late layup, and mixed in a block and boards to steady the group. Long drilled two first-quarter threes and later buried another before halftime, while Chase Wells-Creighton (second year, Exercise Science, Standoff) battled inside for a bucket and free throws and Gaby Power (fourth year, Early Childhood Education, Calgary) canned a wing three and grabbed steals. After dropping the first quarter 16–23, the Kodiaks answered by edging the second 17–16 to trail 33–39 at halftime.

After the break, St. Mary’s surged, but Lethbridge kept fighting behind Wells-Creighton’s glass work, Power’s timely triple, and a late spark from Paighton Kumson (third year, Correctional Studies, Edmonton). Zoe Michelson (first year, General Arts and Science, Stirling) added a mid-range jumper and late free throws, and Long chipped in another jumper as the Kodiaks tried to stem the tide. The Lightning took the third 7–18 to make it 40–57, then closed the fourth 11–27 for a 51–84 final.

ACAC Players of the Game:

LPK: #8 Bailey Blackmore

STMU: #5 Kendal Russell

Oct. 24 MBB | Kodiaks 69 vs STMU Lightning 62
Lethbridge controlled much of the first half with standout performances from Coleson Lake (fifth year, Business Administration, Eagle, Idaho) and Levi Balderson (second year, General Arts and Science, Welling). Lake opened the scoring with a jumper and continued to attack the rim, while Balderson provided a steady inside presence, scoring through contact and anchoring the defense. Nathaniel Hosannah (second year, Business Administration, Tacoma, Wash.) added an and-one finish to help the Kodiaks build early rhythm, but St. Mary’s hit a late three to tie things up 16–16 after the first quarter. The second quarter belonged entirely to Lethbridge, as Balderson caught fire with multiple threes and Randall Mongard (first year, Open Studies, Laval, Que.) came off the bench to spark the offense with quick layups. Jackson Wright’s (third year, Business Administration, Claresholm) defensive hustle created turnovers and fast-break opportunities, and Hosannah calmly added points at the line. The Kodiaks dominated the frame 23–8 to take a commanding 39–24 lead into halftime.

In the second half, the Kodiaks stayed in control behind Wright’s relentless drives to the basket and Hosannah’s steady playmaking. Wright scored three quick layups to open the third, while Lake and Marley Kenion (first year, Child and Youth Care, Coventry, England) contributed key finishes to extend the lead. Lethbridge outscored St. Mary’s 18–21 in the third, carrying a 57–45 edge into the final quarter. Despite a late push from the Lightning, Balderson’s rebounding and clutch free throws in the closing minute, along with Hosannah’s timely defense and another late free throw, secured the win. The Kodiaks held off the surge to edge St. Mary’s 12–17 in the fourth and close out a strong 69–62 victory.

ACAC Players of the Game:

LPK: #3 Cole Lake

STMU: #12 Riley Follensbee

Cross-Country:

Oct. 25 XC Championships | hosted by NWP Wolves
The Lethbridge Kodiaks men’s and women’s cross-country teams travelled up north to Grande Prairie for the 2025 ACAC Cross-Country Championships. Both teams had a strong showing and personal bests that led to them qualifying for the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association Nationals Nov. 7-8 hosted by Holland College in Prince Edward Island.

The men’s team finished second overall. The team was led by veteran runners Ethan Grasmeyer (third year, Conservation Enforcement – Bachelor of Applied Science, Smithers, B.C.) who finished fourth overall with a time of 27:30 and Conner Van Den Hoek (third year, Business Administration - Management, Fort Macleod) who finished sixth with a time of 27:32.

The women’s team came home with a bronze medal. Katrina Michel (third year, Bachelor of Nursing, Okotoks) finished 12^th overall with a time of 25:41 and Kate Block (third year, Business Administration – Management, Waldheim, Sask.) trailed with a time of 26:06 to finish 14^th overall.