Alberta
Kings Indoor Track team wins gold, Queens earn silver at ACAC Championships
Brent Forster – Red Deer Polytechnic Athletics
Edmonton, AB – It was a great finale to the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) Indoor Track season for the Red Deer Polytechnic Kings and Queens. On Sunday, the squads added seven more medals to their weekend haul at the championships.
The Red Deer Polytechnic Kings earned ACAC gold with the most team points. The Concordia University Thunder men picked up silver and the Lethbridge College Kodiaks solidified bronze.
“Our men had some challenges after a fast start yesterday. It was a battle out there, but the men won and did enough to bring home gold,” said Kari Elliott, Red Deer Polytechnic Indoor Track Head Coach. “It was the first in Red Deer Polytechnic’s history.”
The RDP Queens won silver, trailing only the Concordia University Thunder. The SAIT Trojans picked up bronze.
“We only had three ladies participating in individual events and they were all rookies,” said Elliott. “They picked up two golds in the relays this weekend.”
Third-year Lauren Pasiuk was the only member of the Queens with previous ACAC Indoor Track experience prior to this season.
Halle Reid (1:44.06) had another strong day, earning bronze in the women’s 600 m final.
In the women’s 1,500 m final, Justine Larson (5:32.54) solidified silver.
Kammy Park, Pasiuk, Larson and Reid (4:24.28) earned gold in the women’s 4 x 400 m relay.
In the men’s 1,500 m final, Dan Szucs (4:10.40) sealed a silver medal.
“Dan nailed his 1,500 metre and was key to the 4 x 400 metre,” said Elliott. “Wyatt [Grainger] and Jayden [Wildcat] achieved big personal bests in the 1,500 metre.”
Grainger achieved a time of 5:05.6 in the 1,500 m. Wildcat finished in 4:35.97.
Kevin Edmondson, Szucs, Daniel Humbke and Axsivier Lawrence captured bronze (3:43.86) in the men’s 4 x 400 m relay.
Larson, a Bachelor of Education Elementary student, was named ACAC Indoor Track Female Rookie of the Year.
Larson
Red Deer’s Ethan Duret was recognized as the ACAC Indoor Track Male Rookie of the Year.
Duret
“I am so proud of both teams,” said Elliott. “Looking at our young team, we are very optimistic about next season.”
Protecting Alberta’s jurisdiction
The International Agreements Act ensures Alberta’s jurisdiction is protected and decisions that shape our future are made right here at home.
This legislation draws a clear line: international agreements that touch on provincial areas of jurisdiction must be debated and passed into law in Alberta.
Alberta, not Ottawa, will decide how international agreements that affect provincial matters apply in the province.
“As we return to the legislature, our government is focused on delivering on the mandate Albertans gave us in 2023 to stand up for this province, protect our freedoms and chart our path forward. We will defend our constitutional rights, protect our province’s interests and make sure decisions that affect Albertans are made by Albertans. The federal government stands at a crossroads. Work with us, and we’ll get things done. Overstep, and Alberta will stand its ground.”
While the federal government has the power to enter into international agreements on behalf of Canada, it does not have the legal authority to impose its terms on provinces. The International Agreements Act reinforces that principle, ensuring Alberta is not bound by obligations negotiated in Ottawa that do not align with provincial priorities.
Bill 1 was introduced by Premier Danielle Smith following the fall 2025 speech from the throne as part of Alberta’s commitment to defend its sovereignty within a united Canada.
Key facts
- If passed, the International Agreements Act will replace the International Trade and Investment Agreements Act.
- The new legislation would expand its scope beyond trade and investment to include all areas of provincial jurisdiction.
- Currently, there is no formal agreement or requirement for the federal government to consult provinces when negotiating international treaties.
- Quebec’s Act respecting the exercise of the fundamental rights and prerogatives of the Québec people and the Québec State came into force in 2000.
- International agreements do not apply in Quebec unless approved by the national assembly or the provincial government.
- Quebec must give clear consent before any international agreement takes effect.
Related information
WATCH From Underdog to Top Broodmare (video)
Executive Producers Jeff Robillard (Horse Racing Alberta) and Mike Little (Shinelight Entertainment)
What began as an underdog story became a legacy of excellence. Crackers Hot Shot didn’t just race — she paved the way for future generations, and in doing so became one of the most influential producers the province has known.
The extraordinary journey of Crackers Hot Shot — once overlooked, now revered — stands as one of Alberta’s finest success stories in harness racing and breeding.
Born in humble circumstances and initially considered rough around the edges, Crackers Hot Shot overcame long odds to carve out a career that would forever impact the province’s racing industry. From a “wild, unhandled filly” to Alberta’s “Horse of the Year” in 2013, to producing foals who carry her spirit and fortitude into future generations.
Her influence ripples through Alberta’s racing and breeding landscape: from how young stock are prepared, to the aspirations of local breeders who now look to “the mare that did it” as proof that world-class talent can emerge from Alberta’s paddocks.
“Crackers Hot Shot, she had a tough start. She wasn’t much to look at when we first got her” — Rod Starkewski
“Crackers Hot Shot was left on her own – Carl Archibald heard us talking, he said ‘I’ll go get her – I live by there’. I think it took him 3 days to dig her out of the snow. She was completely wild – then we just started working on her. She really needed some humans to work with her – and get to know that people are not scary.” — Jackie Starkewski
“Crackers Hot Shot would be one of the top broodmares in Albeta percentage wise if nothing else. Her foals hit the track – they’re looking for the winners circle every time.” — Connie Kolthammer
Visit thehorses.com to learn more about Alberta’s Horse Racing industry.
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