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Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference "To be Canada's premiere collegiate athletic conference by developing and inspiring leadership through excellence in academics, sport and citizenship"
Posted: Feb 03, 2018

Christopher comes up big at Grand Prix #2

SAIT's Ricki Christopher holds off Lethbridge College runner Sophia Nowicki to win the women's 1,000m race Photo credit: Miranda Haughian/SAIT Trojans
SAIT's Ricki Christopher holds off Lethbridge College runner Sophia Nowicki to win the women's 1,000m race Photo credit: Miranda Haughian/SAIT Trojans
Results

by SAIT Media Consultant Brody Mark

Ricki Christopher celebrated her win in the womens 3,000-metre race Saturday afternoon by doubling down, and winning the 1,000m event as well.

The third-year Medical Radiologic Technology student from Herbert, Sask. could only smile when asked what she was thinking in pulling double duty at the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference's (ACAC) second Grand Prix event of the season at Repsol Sport Centre.

"My coaches were telling me not to, for training purposes, but I wanted to run the 1k because I knew I'd be tired and I'd be up against some faster girls," said Christopher as she caught her breath. "I wanted to push myself out of my comfort zone, because at times, I feel I'm running against the clock and I wanted to run a race against people where it's them that's pushing me, not a specific time."

Both SAITs men's and women's team earned the team titles on the day with Red Deer College and Lethbridge College finishing No. 2 and 3, respectively, on both sides.

"We had just about our full team competing here today, which was nice to see," said Trojans co-head coach Ryan Edgar. "We had a couple of guys fighting some injuries, but they're returning or have raced already this season so we know where they're sitting. . . Overall, everyone raced really well today."

Christopher started the day with the 3,000m, which she won with a time of 11:01.40. Teammate Emile Mann took second (11:19.08), while Red Deer Colleges Jill Stewart took third (11:25.21).

In the 1,000m run, Christopher started considerably slower than she would have hoped, saying her legs felt like molasses as soon as the race started. Still, she was able to get out to a lead that she held for the majority of the race.

As the final lap began, Christopher was pressed by Lethbridge Colleges Sophia Nowicki. Feeling the pressure, Christopher decided to push as hard as she could down the final stretch to earn the win.

"I had to decide in that moment to run, because if I didn't I wouldn't have got her; she would have passed me," Christopher said. "I'm pretty happy with the result."

Christopher finished the race in 3:06.87, while Nowicki finished at 3:07.11. Placing third was Red Deers Jordana Cota at 3:13.84.

"Ricki is one of our most competitive athletes, and shes a prime example of someone who races up to their competition," Edgar said of Christophers 1,000m win. "Any time someone is close to her, on her heels or right in front of her, thats when we get her best races and thats what we got today."

The day was dominated not only by Christopher, but her SAIT Trojans teammates as well. Aside from her victories, the Trojans also captured first place in the mens 3,000m and 1,000m events.

Winning the mens 3,000m race was Matthew Travaglini. Fresh off an impressive first Grand Prix event last weekend in Edmonton when he set a new ACAC record in the 1,500m run, Travaglini led the 3k race from start to finish.

"It went really well," said Travaglini. "The first lap was a bit slow. You need to split 36 seconds right on, and I was at 37, so I picked it up and then was able to nail the times. . . The last kilometre came, and I just gave it that last big push."

Crossing the finish line in second place were Travaglini's teammates Alex Howells (9:29.11) and Daryl Ross (10:03.49).

Saayman, who finished second to Travaglini in the 1,500m last weekend, took top spot in the mens 1,000m event with a time of 2:44.91.

Finishing just behind was Red Deer College runner Devon Gurney (2:45.15), and SAITs Cole Dunlop (2:49.37).

Red Deer Colleges Sadie Borgfjord won the womens 300m sprint in a time of 44.08. Finishing second and third were a pair of Lethbridge College Kodiak's Kayla Enders (44.53) and Janelle Graham (46.94).

Jans Dayton from Lethbridge College won the mens 300m event in a time of 38.80. Red Deers Lucas Wessner placed second in 39.26, while SAITs Colesen Faunt took third in 40.08.

In the 4x400m relay events, the Red Deer College Queens and Kings were just that placing first in each of the races.

Placing behind them on both sides of the draw was Lethbridge College and SAIT.

All teams will now have over a month to prepare in their own way for the ACAC Championships hosted by the MacEwan Griffins March 9-10 in Edmonton, Alta.