Part 3 of the Alberta Winter Games athlete spotlight

The third and final installment of Ponoka’s young athletes at the Alberta Winter Games Feb. 9 to 12 presents two goalies — one in ringette and the other in hockey — a badminton player, and a young judo competitor.

First up: Kennedi Winslow, 15, ringette goalie:

Winslow has been a ringette goalie with Lacombe for the last eight years. When her team decided to step up their game this year and become an A team, she knew they would make it to the Winter Games; with ringette teams generally stay together and compete to see who will attend the Winter Games. Lacombe had the best team for Zone 4 and when it was confirmed they made it, she was, “excited.”

Winslow looks forward to the challenge ahead and her team practices twice a week, including land training, cardio and making use of running machines.

“I just want to play the best I can, and see how far we can go.”

No stranger to competition, her team has won gold and two silver medals from previous provincials, including a silver last year. Demand for Winslow is high, Lacombe ringette open B — usually women over 18 who play competitively — will sometimes ask her to sub as a goalie for them. The first time she played for open B was when she was 13.

Winslow said being a goalie is a different mental game than her teammates, it takes focus and she usually plans ahead how she would like to perform. She enjoys working with her team and challenges herself to make better saves. There is no ringette in the Olympics but the goalie wants to play as long as she can.

Second goalie, Hannah Stretch, 14, hockey:

Stretch has played hockey for the last 10 years, six as a goalie, which she enjoys because of the interaction she gets with teammates.

“I do sound effects to cheer players up, I find we play better when we’re happy,” she said.

The goalie learned from tryouts two years ago how important it is to stay calm when competing.

“I wasn’t nervous (this time), I was nervous when I tried out two years ago and I didn’t make it,” she explained.

Based on those lessons, Stretch intends to play at the Winter Games as if they were any other game. Being upbeat and focusing on the positive is what makes the difference in any game.

Stretch keeps in shape by practicing twice a week with her team, but also makes use of her dirt bike and track at home when she can. Eventually she hopes to make it to the Olympics as a goalie.

“I love playing in the net, I feel the difference playing the net and out,” she stated.

What does she expect from the Winter Games?

“I’m looking forward to the quality of hockey, it’ll be a lot faster.”

Up next, Amy Lank, 16, badminton:

Lank has been playing badminton for the last four years and practices twice a week to get ready.

“I do three other sports as well, so that helps a lot,” she explained.

When she’s not on the court she’s playing volleyball, basketball and softball.

For the first 30-minutes of practice she exercises with running and cardio work.

Lank will compete in female singles and female doubles and for her the challenge is to stay focused while she plays.

“A lot of it is mental, you have to be positive, especially with a partner, you need trust. You can’t be too hard on yourself,” she stated.

Lank is no stranger to competition at this level, she competed in the Alberta Summer Games two years ago for softball and feels the experience will be a benefit. She admits to being highly competitive and looks forward to the competition ahead as there will also be players who are skilled at badminton.

“I think the mental aspect is more important, without that, skill won’t matter,” she asserted.

Step aside for Bryce Hogarth, 12, judo:

This will be Hogarth’s second Winter Games, he first competed when he was 10 years old and has trained in judo for the last six years. He enjoys the friends he makes in judo.

This year’s focus will be to “get them (the opponent) moving before you attack.”

Hogarth also plays football the team Lacombe Explosion in the summer and enjoys other individual sports as well.

“I like BMX-ing and snowboarding. I’m not professional. Yet,” he stated.

To get ready for the Winter Games, the orange belt practices in Red Deer every Tuesday and Thursday. He warms up and learns new moves to stay focused and in shape.

Why does he like judo?

“It’s a sport to learn how to defend yourself but not lose your temper and keep the peace,” explained Hogarth.

Judo is more of a defensive martial art than offense, and he trains with two sensei who help get him ready for the games coming up.

For the 11 young athletes competing in the Alberta Winter Games this will be an opportunity to test their skill against other athletes and give them an experience in a higher level. Good luck to them all.