2021-22 ACAC Women's Indoor Track Rookie of the Year
Edmonton, AB (March 31, 2022) – The Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) is pleased to announce Justine Larson of the Red Deer Polytechnic Queens has been selected as the 2021/2022 ACAC Women’s Indoor Track Rookie of the Year.
Larson helped the Queens win silver at the 2022 ACAC Indoor Track Championships with 67 team points.
“Justine made significant contributions to the achievements of the Red Deer Polytechnic Queens Indoor Track team and entire program in only her first year of competition,” said Randy Stewart, Manager, Red Deer Polytechnic Athletics and Student Life. “She is a fierce competitor and has progressed at a profound rate.”
Individually, Larson contributed 19 points to the Queens’ total of 67, earning silver in the 1,500 m final (5:32.54), bronze in the 3,000 m (11:44.00), and a top five placement in the 1,000 m (3:28.42) at the championships.
The Bachelor of Education Elementary student from Strathmore combined with teammates Halle Reid, Lauren Pasiuk and Kammy Park to earn a pair of gold medals in the 4 x 200 m and 4 x 400 m relays, adding another 20 points to the Queens’ overall score.
“Justine is a multi-dimensional student-athlete who also participated with the Queens Cross Country Running and Basketball teams this season,” said Stewart. “Justine balanced academics with training and competing, and showed dedication to all facets of being a Red Deer Polytechnic student-athlete.”
Larson demonstrated her commitment to her teams throughout the season, but there was one prominent example during Winter 2022 Term. On February 18, the five-foot-four guard recorded three points, two assists, two rebounds and two steals for the Queens Basketball team in Olds. Then less than 24 hours later, Larson contributed to the Queens Indoor Track team’s first place finish at Running Room Grand Prix #2 in the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre.
This prestigious award was recognized at the 2022 ACAC Indoor Track Championships co-hosted by Concordia University and St. Mary’s University at the Universiade Pavilion in Edmonton, Alberta.
– 30 –
About the ACAC: The ACAC is the governing body for intercollegiate athletics in Alberta. Its mission is to provide competitive collegiate sport experiences, promote academic achievement and be a leader of sport development in Canada.
For more information on the ACAC, please visit our website: www.acac.ab.ca
For additional information, contact:
Mark Kosak, ACAC
Chief Executive Officer
403-875-7329
markk@acac.ab.ca
Randy Stewart, Red Deer Polytechnic
Manager, Athletics & Student Life
403-342-3449
randy.stewart@rdpolytech.ca
Twitter: @acac_sport / #ACACIT2022
Instagram: @acac_sport / #ACACIT2022
Facebook: AlbertaCollegesAthleticConference