Weekend Recap: Kodiaks tested across the board

The Lethbridge Polytechnic Kodiaks got a taste of playoff experience this weekend as they faced top-ranked teams expected to qualify for championships.

The Kodiaks basketball teams split their games against the Briercrest College and Seminary Clippers, earning upset wins on opening night before coming up short the following evening.

The volleyball teams battled hard on the road against the Clippers but ultimately fell short in all their matches.

Kodiaks indoor track athletes had strong showings in the relay races up in Edmonton as they got their first look at the teams competing in the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC).

Basketball

Jan. 23 WBB | Kodiaks 62 vs BC Clippers 57

The Kodiaks faced an early uphill battle as Briercrest jumped out in front, but Lethbridge stayed engaged defensively and began to find offense as the quarter progressed. Summer Long (first year, General Arts and Science, Raymond) opened the Kodiaks' scoring with a layup, while Gaby Power (fourth year, Early Childhood Education, Calgary) later connected from beyond the arc and added free throws to keep the margin manageable. Ava Michelson (first year, General Arts and Science, Stirling) and Chase Wells-Creighton (second year, Exercise Science, Standoff) chipped in at the line late as the Kodiaks worked away at Briercrest's 22–12 lead after the first quarter. In the second, Lethbridge generated momentum through defensive pressure, with steals from Long, Power and Nyomi Heins (second year, Therapeutic Recreation, Diamond City, Alta.). Gianna Gammie (second year, General Arts and Science, Nanton) finished inside off a Power assist, Long added another basket at the rim and Heins converted a layup late in the half. Despite the push, the Kodiaks went into halftime trailing. Briercrest outscored Lethbridge Polytechnic 16–10 in the second quarter to take a 38–22 lead at the break.

Out of halftime, the Kodiaks showed renewed energy, leaning on Zoe Michelson (first year, General Arts and Science, Stirling) to spark the offense as she scored multiple times in the paint and on a jumper. Long continued to attack the basket and added two free throws as Lethbridge began to close the gap. Power added a layup and helped facilitate offense and Wells-Creighton contributed with steady play as the Kodiaks edged the quarter. Lethbridge outscored the Clippers in the third quarter 16–15, trailing 53–38 heading into the fourth. The final frame belonged to the Kodiaks, who mounted a decisive comeback behind Long, who drilled a three, finished inside and later hit the go-ahead basket. Wells-Creighton and A. Michelson added timely scoring, Power knocked down a key three before finishing a transition layup to give Lethbridge the lead and Heins sealed the win at the free-throw line. The Kodiaks dominated the fourth quarter 24–4 to complete the comeback and secure a 62–57 upset victory over the No. 1 team in the South Division.

ACAC Player of the Game:

LPK: #11 Nyomi Heins

BC: #7 Sadie Prinsen

Jan. 24 WBB | Kodiaks 79 vs BC Clippers 92

The Kodiaks came out of the gates with pace and pressure, leaning on their transition game and quick ball movement to generate early looks. Long was active on both ends, creating chances off defensive rebounds and pushing the tempo, while Z. Michelson and Wells-Creighton helped keep Lethbridge Polytechnic within striking distance through steady finishes and work on the glass. Briercrest led 22–20 after the first quarter. The Kodiaks continued to battle in the second, getting timely contributions from Power, who attacked off the bounce and created opportunities for teammates and Heins, who sparked stops with her defensive pressure. Lethbridge found points inside from Z. Michelson and Wells-Creighton, and Gabby Graves (first year, General Arts and Science, Nanton) chipped in at the line, but Briercrest edged ahead 41–36 going into halftime. 

The Kodiaks pushed back coming out of halftime, with Z. Michelson scoring early and Heins finishing inside off a Longassist as Lethbridge tried to swing momentum. Long added a point at the stripe and the Kodiaks got a lift from Power, who knocked down a three during a mid-quarter push, but Briercrest answered with outside shooting to extend the margin. Briercrest led at the end of the third 73–61. Lethbridge kept fighting in the fourth, highlighted by Gammieburying a three off a Wells-Creighton assist and Power answering with a triple of her own as the Kodiaks looked to close the gap. Z. Michelson added a three and a finish at the rim, Long continued to attack and get to the line and Graves closed the night with free throws, but the comeback bid fell short at the final horn as Briercrest took the game 92–79.

ACAC Player of the Game:

LPK: #22 Chase Wells-Creighton

BC: #7 Sienna Andersen

Jan. 23 MBB | Kodiaks 84 vs BC Clippers 65

The Kodiaks set the tone early with disruptive defense, forcing turnovers and turning steals into quick chances. Jackson Wright (third year, Business Administration, Claresholm) finished the first basket inside, and Rhett Lewis (third year, General Arts and Science, Cardston) followed with a steady run of scoring, knocking down two threes and adding a layup, to keep Lethbridge in front through a fast-paced first quarter. Randall Mongard (first year, Open Studies, Laval, Que.) provided a lift with a pair of finishes and a free throw, while Levi Balderson (second year, General Arts and Science, Welling, Alta.) capped a late stretch with a three and a jumper to maintain the 24–20 edge after the first quarter. In the second, the Kodiaks continued to build momentum with energy on the glass and pressure in the backcourt as Marley Kenion (first year, Child and Youth Care, Coventry, England) opened the frame with a steal and a layup. Balderson added a jumper and a transition finish, Wright cleaned up around the rim with a tip-in and Mongard finished in traffic as the Kodiaks repeatedly created second-chance points. Nathaniel Hosannah (second year, Business Administration, Tacoma, Wash.) attacked the paint throughout the quarter, scoring in a variety of ways and getting to the line, while Kade Lund (second year, General Arts and Science, Barnwell) helped keep possessions alive with work on the offensive boards as Lethbridge took control heading into halftime 52–36.

Briercrest pushed early in the third, but the Kodiaks answered with toughness at the rim and continued rebounding, highlighted by Hosannah's block and Wright's work on the offensive glass that led to multiple finishes. Mongardadded a bucket late in the quarter as Lethbridge stayed composed and extended its cushion. Kenion also delivered timely points late, finishing an and-one and setting up Hosannah in the final seconds as the Kodiaks carried a commanding 70–53 lead into the fourth. In the fourth, the Kodiaks kept the pressure on defensively, with Kenionrecording multiple steals and converting in transition to maintain separation. Wright added another finish, Baldersonscored on a pull-up, and Lund finished a late layup as Lethbridge continued to get contributions across the roster. With the defense forcing turnovers and the Kodiaks controlling the glass, Lethbridge closed out the 84–65 win.

ACAC Player of the Game:

LPK: #10 Nathaniel Hosannah

BC: #8 Hunter Barnstable

Jan. 24 MBB | Kodiaks 82 vs BC Clippers 92

Briercrest opened the scoring early, but the Kodiaks responded with energy on the defensive end, forcing turnovers and using their work on the glass to generate extra possessions. Wright got Lethbridge on the board with a layup off a Hosannah assist and Balderson provided a spark with an inside finish and a pair of three-pointers as the teams traded runs through a physical first quarter that ended tied 24–24. In the second, Wright began to take over around the rim with a steady stretch of put-backs and finishes, while Hosannah kept possessions alive with hustle rebounds and added points at the stripe. Mongard converted in transition, West James (second year, Plumber Apprenticeship, Raymond) knocked down a timely three, but Briercrest edged the quarter taking a 49–45 lead into halftime.

Out of the break, the Kodiaks answered with shot-making and downhill pressure, Hosannah buried a three off a Wright assist and Mongard finished inside to keep the deficit within reach, but Briercrest responded with timely shooting and second-chance points to build separation in the third, taking a 70–57 advantage into the fourth. Lethbridge continued to battle, with Zachary English (first year, General Arts and Science, Lethbridge) scoring off a Wright feed, Hosannah attacking the lane and converting at the line and Wright continuing to create offense through rebounding and effort plays. James added late three-pointers to fuel a final push, but Briercrest's control on key possessions held as the Kodiaks closed out a 92–82 loss.

ACAC Player of the Game:

LPK: #14 Jackson Wright

BC: #6 Josh Fox

Volleyball

Jan. 23 WVB | Kodiaks 0 at BC Clippers 3 (15-25, 9-25, 19-25)

The Kodiaks faced a tough road test against a disciplined Briercrest squad and were unable to generate sustained momentum, falling in straight sets. Lethbridge worked to settle into the match early, with Robyn Austin (second year, Business Administration, Lethbridge) providing a steady presence on the left side and serving as a reliable offensive option. Trinity Walton (second year, Criminal Justice – Policing, Warman, Sask.) and Jorja Hamilton (first year, General Arts and Science – Health Sciences, Meadow Lake, Sask.) helped apply pressure from the service line, while the Kodiaks showed improved competitiveness in the third set, extending rallies and pushing Briercrest deeper into points as the match progressed. 

Austin led Lethbridge offensively with eight kills on a team-best .320 hitting percentage, accounting for a significant portion of the Kodiaks' attack. The team finished with 20 kills overall and recorded three service aces. Defensively, the Kodiaks totaled 34 digs and added a block at the net, continuing to show growth and cohesion against a strong Briercrest lineup despite the straight-set result.

ACAC Player of the Game:

LPK: #13 Reese Hanusich

Jan. 24 WVB | Kodiaks 1 at BC Clippers 3 (20-25, 14-25, 25-22, 17-25)

The Kodiaks returned to the court the next day with improved pace and balance, pushing a composed Briercrest squad before falling in four sets. Lethbridge stayed within reach early, with Austin swinging confidently from the left side and Olivia Wideman (second year, Interior Design Technology, Calgary) providing steady production at the net and from the service line. Despite strong stretches in the opening two sets, Briercrest capitalized on key runs to build a 2–0 lead. The Kodiaks responded in the third, finding their best rhythm of the match as Austin continued to anchor the offence, Lauren Barker (fourth year, Architectural Animation Technology, Calgary) added timely finishes and Reese Hanusich(third year, General Arts and Science, Red Deer) distributed the ball effectively to keep the attack varied. Lethbridge claimed the set 25–22 before Briercrest closed out the match in the fourth.

Austin led the Kodiaks with 14 kills while adding strong defensive support in a complete all-around performance. Wideman finished with nine kills and applied pressure from the service line, while Barker chipped in six kills to support a balanced attack that produced 42 kills as a team. Hanusich guided the offence with 31 assists and added steady work in the backcourt, while Sofia Janzen (third year, Agriculture Sciences, Carseland, Alta.) contributed four kills, two service aces and a pair of blocks. Lethbridge posted a .201 team hitting percentage and recorded six blocks and 58 digs overall, showing improved efficiency and resilience as the Kodiaks closed out the weekend series.

ACAC Player of the Game:

LPK: # Robyn Austin

Jan. 23 MVB | Kodiaks 2 at BC Clippers 3 (21-25, 25-18, 25-21, 19-25, 9-25)

The Kodiaks opened the match with confidence and composure, trading points with Briercrest through a tightly contested first set before finding their rhythm as the night went on. Lethbridge responded well after dropping the opener, leaning on strong play from Cameron Marshall (third year, Criminal Justice – Policing, Adelaide, South Australia) and Ben Dyck (third year, Agricultural Sciences, Coaldale) to generate consistent pressure at the pins. With Ben St. Pierre (fifth year, Open Studies, Red Deer) directing the offence, the Kodiaks executed cleanly through the middle stretch, getting timely contributions from Karl Petker (third year, Agricultural Sciences, Coaldale) and Tristan Iwanczuk (first year, Business Administration, Lethbridge) to take control in the second and third sets and move ahead 2–1. Briercrest answered in the fourth to force a deciding fifth set, where momentum shifted late as the hosts closed out the match.

Marshall led all Kodiaks with 16 kills on an efficient .481 hitting percentage, while Dyck added 15 kills to anchor the offence across all five sets. Petker chipped in seven kills without an error, and Iwanczuk finished with six kills and two blocks as Lethbridge produced 49 kills on a .288 team hitting percentage. St. Pierre tallied 41 assists to guide the attack and added three blocks, while the Kodiaks combined for eight blocks and 36 digs as a group. 

ACAC Player of the Game:

LPK: #5 Malcolm Fisher

Jan. 24 MVB | Kodiaks 2 at BC Clippers 3 (25-15, 27-29, 28-25, 27-25, 10-25)

The Kodiaks delivered another gritty performance in Saskatchewan, pushing Briercrest to five sets in a tightly contested matchup that swung momentum back and forth throughout the afternoon. Lethbridge came out sharp in the opener, controlling the pace with efficient attacking and strong serve pressure to take the first set convincingly. The second and fourth sets turned into extended battles, with both teams trading runs and late points, but Briercrest edged the tight moments to keep the match alive. Lethbridge responded with composure after falling behind, forcing a fifth set behind consistent pressure from the pins and steady play at the net, but the Clippers capitalized early in the tiebreaker to close out the match and secure the 3–2 win.

Offensively, the Kodiaks were highly efficient, finishing the match with 70 kills on a .555 team hitting percentage. Marshall led all hitters with 22 kills while hitting .700, and Corny Bergen (first year, Business Administration, Picture Butte) added 19 kills on .593 efficiency. Dyck contributed 12 kills and three service aces, while Iwanczuk was active at the net with seven kills and four blocks. 

ACAC Player of the Game:

LPK: #5 Malcolm Fisher 

Jan. 24 IT | Grand Prix #1 hosted by Concordia University of Edmonton 

The Kodiaks indoor track team opened the 2026 season with a strong showing at the first Running Room Grand Prix, using the meet as an early opportunity to establish rhythm, test fitness and set benchmarks for the year ahead. Competing against a deep field, Lethbridge student-athletes delivered a number of encouraging performances across sprints, middle distance and relay events, pushing themselves into competitive positions early in the schedule.

The Kodiaks men opened the indoor season with a strong showing at the Thunder Open, led by several standout performances across sprints, middle distance, distance and relay events. Ethan Grasmeyer (third year, Conservation Enforcement – Bachelor of Applied Science, Smithers, B.C.) delivered one of the top results of the meet for Lethbridge, winning the men's 1500-metre event with a time of 4:30.00, setting an early benchmark to start the year. In the sprint events, Owen Boucher (first year, Natural Resource Compliance, St. Paul, Alta.) finished second overall in the 300m with a time of 37.51 and Jaxon Uhl (fourth year, Business Administration – Management, Lethbridge) posted a solid performance in the 50m, finishing third in 6.29. Lethbridge also made a statement in the relays with the men's 4x200m team clocking 1:37.03, the fastest time of the event, and the 4x400m relay finishing in third with a time of 3:51.10 to close the meet. At the end of the first Grand Prix the Kodiaks men's indoor track team finished second overall with 53 points following Red Deer Polytechnic Kings.

On the women's side, Khloe Jankowiak (third year, Business Administration – Accounting, Lethbridge) delivered one of the top results of the meet, leading the field in the women's 3000m in 11:59.00 for a first-place finish. Katrina Michel(third year, Bachelor of Nursing, Okotoks) delivered two strong middle-distance performance, finishing second in the1000m and fourth in the 600m. Hallee Pilling (third year, Exercise Science, Cardston) added depth for the Kodiaks in the sprint events with a third-place showing in both the 50m and 300m. The Kodiaks were also strong in the relays, with the women's 4x200m relay running 1:52.47 and the 4x400m team finishing in 4:22.53 – good for first in both races. The Kodiaks women's indoor track team finished first overall at the opening Grand Prix of the season, topping the field with 76 points.