WHITECAP DAKOTA FIRST NATION, SK – The Saskatchewan Huskies cross country team opened their season at home with the inaugural Dakota Classic at the Whitecap Dakota First Nation.
After 60 years of being known as the Sled Dog Open, the Dakota Classic was the first varsity meet to be held on a First Nation within the Canada West conference. Competing athletes from Manitoba, Regina, Alberta, and Saskatchewan wore orange singlets during the race, acknowledging and supporting residential school survivors. The race was held on September 30, 2023, coinciding with the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
The 8km course for men and women was held at the Dakota Dunes Golf Links. With the starting line on the driving range, the course took racers through trails around the golf links, showcasing the natural beauty of the sand dunes and prairie grasses.
The women started off the day and they were looking to make a statement after a third place performance in 2022 at the Canada West championship.
The top female finisher was Saskatchewan's
Allison Grajczyk-Jelinski, placing first overall with a time of 31.35.5. Alberta's Jazmin Feddema would take second place at 31.58.3, while the third place finisher was Saskatchewan's
Jenica Swartz at 32:02.9. Teammate
Kaitlyn Harrison finished just outside the podium in fourth place with a time of 32:42.0.
The Saskatchewan Huskies women's team took top spot on the podium overall, followed by the Alberta Pandas and Manitoba Bisons.
On the men's side, it was a tight finish as Jonathan Podbielski from Regina took top spot, just 0:03.4 seconds faster than Saskatchewan's
Alexander Webster, who grabbed second place with a time of 27:06.3. Justin Kroeker from Manitoba rounded out the top three with a time of 27:14.1.
The men's team would take third place overall as a team, with the Alberta Golden Bears in first, followed by the Manitoba Bisons.
Overall, Head Coach
Jason Reindl was impressed with the team's performance. "Our student-athletes are looking good and working together as a team. It was a solid team effort and I'm happy with how everyone performed today."
Huskie Athletics would like to thank all of the those who had a part in the Dakota Classic, including the Whitecap Dakota First Nation Chief, Council and Elders, Saskatoon Residential School Survivors Circle, Dakota Dunes Golf Links, Dakota Dunes Resort, PEBL Goods, Brainsport, Dakota Dunes Community Development Corporation, Running Wild Athletics, and Sask ATF.
Full race results can be found here:
2023 Dakota Classic - Women's Results
2023 Dakota Classic - Men's Results
NEXT UP
The Huskie cross country team heads to Edmonton, AB next to take part in the Stewart Cup on Saturday, October 14, 2023.
