Leggatt leads Griffins back to Sled Dog Open where she won a year ago
Jefferson Hagen / MacEwan Athletics
EDMONTON – Hannah Leggatt returns to the scene of one of her top triumphs in the 2016 cross-country running season this weekend.
But circumstances have changed since she won the University of Saskatchewan Huskies Sled Dog Open a year ago.
"With our training cycle we had last year, the Sled Dog fell right in a week of easy training, so she came in well rested and had a great race," said head coach Drew Carver. "This year, the way it's mapped out for the final (race of the season), this is a hard week."
Meaning, don't expect to see her name at the top of the leaderboard this time, unless …
"She's not going to be in the best position, but the one thing I've always liked about Hannah is she comes prepared to race," noted Carver. "She doesn't leave anything behind. If she has a chance to be up front, she will be."
Most have learned not to underestimate Leggatt, who was named a Canada West first team all-star in 2016 after a 24th-place finish at nationals (sixth among conference runners).
Leggatt will be one of 11 MacEwan athletes entered in the 2017 Sled Dog Open, set for Saturday in Saskatoon.
Joining her from the women's team: Roxanne Skoreyko, Chanelle Gagne, Maissa Sabourin Jocelyn Leffers, Daniela Wasielewski and Abby Ackerman.
"Going into this race we are expecting good performances out of all the athletes, even though they will be coming off a hard training week," said Carver.
"For the rookies, it's a bit of a learning curve because they'll see what a Canada West race will look like. It's different than just going into college races or local races. The girls will all have an (individual) race strategy and a plan.
"We've got to experiment with different racing strategies just on ourselves, let alone worry about the rest of them," he explained. "Once we get it solved, we should be able to go into Canada West with a strong women's team."
One of the wrinkles for the women is race specifications as they stand have them running 8K this weekend, up from the 6K races they were used to in 2016. U Sports made the increase in distance mandatory for nationals and the Huskies appear to be implementing the change for their annual event.
MacEwan's men will also run 8K this weekend, but they increase to a 10K distance at nationals.
The Griffins men will consist of Scott Kohlman, Aaron Doyle, Kyle Dong and Ryan Lawley, who will run in just his second race back from a broken foot.
"For the men's team Aaron and Scott will be the top two," said Carver. "Kyle, if all goes well, he should be in there. Ryan is a long-term development prospect, so I'm not too worried about him – just do the best he can."
U Sports Nationals, which also double as the Canada West championship, will be in Victoria on Nov. 12.
HAPPY TRAILS ... Chanelle Gagne (pictured below) and other members of the Griffins cross-country team volunteered their time recently to help run the Sherwood Park cross-country series. The series gives elementary and junior high students a chance to try the sport.
