Two cross-country runners from Lacombe are now All-Conference Award recipients for Red Deer Polytechnic’s Kings and Queens cross-country running teams.  

Jenica Swartz and Daniel Szucs helped their teams finish in the top three at the ACAC championships and will be taking part in the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association in Medicine on November 11 and 12.  

Jenica Swartz (Queens Cross-Country)  

Jenica Swartz is a five-foot-nine runner out of Lacombe who is also a striker on the Queens Soccer team. Swartz, who is enrolled in the Bachelor of Science Pre-Med program at Red Deer Polytechnic, has finished in all top three positions at the three Grand Prix’s she has participated in. This earned herself the season’s top ACAC performer trophy.  

Head Coach Douglas Spicer says she has been a leader on the team.  

“From day 1 of this season, Jen has been exemplary in the way she has balanced being a multi-sport athlete. Jen is a talented runner who works hard at every practice and gives it her all in every race.”  

After finishing third at the ACAC Cross-Country Championships in Edmonton, she would race down to Raymond to join the Queens soccer team for the championship match. Swartz was able to make it a twomedal weekend with the team from Red Deer taking home the gold against the Concordia University Thunder. Swartz will be planning on flying home early from soccer nationals in Quebec to compete at the cross-country nationals in Medicine Hat.  

Daniel Szucs (Kings Cross-Country)  

Daniel Szucs is a fourth-year runner out of Lacombe, AB, who is enrolled in the Bachelor of Business Administration General Management at Red Deer Polytechnic. At Grand Prix #2 in Calgary, Szucs time of 27:23 placed him fourth among the runners in the 8 km race. This would help the Kings earn a first-place finish in the team category.  

Head Coach Douglas Spicer says he is a hard-worker at practices as well on game-days.  

“Dan is another extremely hard worker who routinely completes extra reps in practices. He finished fifth in the ACAC Grand Prix overall standings and finished in the top five in most of his races. Dan always leads by example at every practice and every race.”  

At the ACAC Championships, Szucs and the Kings finished with a silver medal behind the SAIT Trojans. The Kings will be joining the Queens at the national championships in Medicine Hat come November 11 and 12.  

 

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