Several athletes from St. Paul and area will be heading to Lethbridge this week and pushing themselves to the limit to compete well at the Alberta Summer Games.
More than 3,000 athletes, coaches, officials will participate in the games, competing in 15 different sports all based out of the City of Lethbridge from July 26 to 29.
Fifteen-year-old Nicole Kitt went to the summer games a couple of years ago, and found the experience of meeting people from all across the province, representing various sports, to be an interesting one. “It’s like a mini-Olympics for younger people, so it’s kind of cool.
“At first, it was kind of nerve-wracking,” she said, adding that after awhile, she settled down and found that the people there were very welcoming. “They’re pretty competitive, but they like to have fun.”
Kitt is from St. Paul, and trains with the Northeast Alberta Track (NEAT) club. Over the last year, she has become more serious about racing, and will compete in the 3,000m, the 1,500m, the 800m, and the medley relay at the games.
“You get a rush when you compete against other people and see how you compare to stronger athletes from across the province,” she said, explaining the benefits of competing at the event.
Courtney Hebert, from St. Vincent, headed to Lac La Biche this past May to take part in the Zone 7 soccer tryouts, and found out she had made the team in June.
The 13-year-old said she was keen to try out, whatever the outcome. “Whether or not I made the team, it was a great opportunity for me, and a cool experience.” She has been training with the Zone 7 team, which is mostly made up of Fort McMurray youth, in Fort McMurray and says she is “excited” to hit the ground running this week.
Hebert, who played with St. Paul’s U14 boys team this past soccer season, said her parents often are the ones to coach her, and they felt she needed a new perspective and new training. So far, she has really enjoyed learning from her current coach, who teaches her something new all the time.
Kitt also made a point of thanking NEAT coaches Reg Green, Loree Laramee and Dr. Albert Harmse, saying, “They’re what got me to this point I’m at now and really pushed me.”
If you’re an athlete that’s heading out to the Alberta Summer Games, the Journal would like to hear from you. To submit local results or photos of local athletes from the Alberta Summer Games, contact the Journal at [email protected].
