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Track and Field 2022

Track & Field season is quickly approaching! Junior High students can register in two events (not including relays) while Senior High students can register in four events (including relays). Also, there are restrictions for how many athletes can be registered in an event per age group: in Junior High, only two athletes, in Senior High, four. As an example, if five grade 7 boys want to run the 100m, we will only take the two fastest, for grade 10, we will take the four fastest.

The cost to join the team is $20; please have this payment handed in at the office as soon as possible, but before the first meet. Also, if your child was not on any previous team this year, please ensure the PICS contract and the Metro contract (senior high) are also signed and handed in to the office.

Please note that the April practices are for Senior High athletes only. The rest of the practices are for Junior and Senior High athletes. All practices are scheduled from 3:30-4:30. If it will not be possible to practice due to weather or field conditions, we will let the students know as soon as we can.

The following dates are for jumpers & sprinters (including relays and hurdles):
April 20, 27*
May 2, 11, 18, 25
June 1

The following dates are for throwers & distance runners (800m and longer):
April 21, 28*
May 3, 9, 17, 24, 31

*Senior High only.

Additionally, Fowler Athletic Park in St. Albert has been booked from 4:15-5:15 on Friday, April 29 (senior high) and Friday, May 13 (junior high). This is for sprinters & runners to provide an opportunity to train on an actual track.

Meets:

Senior High meets are during the day (8-4) at Foote Field:
May 10 - Mini Meet
May 16 - Divisional
May 26 - Zones
June 3 & 4 - Provincials in Medicine Hat

Junior High (at Rollie Miles Athletic Park – Strathcona High School):
May 27 - Zones (10-4)
June 6 - City Finals (4-8:30)

Any further information you might need or want can be found on either the Metro Athletics (Senior High) or the Edmonton School Athletics (Junior High) websites.

Thanks, from your coaches:
John Kippers (sprints, relays & hurdles)
Travis Patten (distance running)
Brad Van Raalte (jumps & throws)

Basketball Recap

Senior Girls Basketball - 2022 Provincial Champions!

Winter was a lot more exciting this year at PICS with the basketball teams back in action. Spectators were permitted close to the end of the season and we were thankful that parents and loved ones could watch the students play in person.

On the boys’ side, we had two junior high teams playing in tier 2; the varsity team won bronze in the “city” division. Another highlight of the season was going to the Hay Lakes tournament and beating the home team in the final, after being down by 8 to start the 4th quarter. The JV boys had the best season in school history at that level, making the final of Tier 2. They lost on a buzzer-beater in overtime in a thrilling and high scoring game, 76-74.

Through their hard work and success, the senior boys earned the #1 ranking in 1A for most of season. They won the Coaldale Christian “Clash of the Titans” which featured some of the top 1A and 2A teams in the province and won the Vegreville tournament. They competed in the difficult Metro Division 3, playing against some of the top 3A teams in Alberta. They finished the regular season tied for 3rd in the division but due to the tie-breaking procedure had to play their quarter-final on the road and did not prevail. Then, they went to Olds for a provincial qualifier and lost to Clear Water Academy who played the game of their lives and managed a remarkable upset over our boys. Although this was not the finish the boys wanted, they had a great season.

The girls teams were divided up a little bit differently this year, with grade 7/8, grade 9/10, and senior varsity teams. This allowed all grade 9-12 girls who wanted to play basketball the chance to (no cuts) and the grade 7/8s to play JV, which was good because of the missed season last year. The grade 7/8 girls won every game they played against other 7/8 teams and were challenged by playing some grade 9 teams. They ended their season winning Tier 2! The grade 9/10 girls played high school JV basketball in the Metro league. This was a bit of an experiment, but it proved to be a valuable learning experience for the girls and they did quite well in their league, making the quarterfinal. They also won their tournament in Westlock!

The senior girls had the best season of any team in school history. They won all their tournament games, including the highly competitive Rundle College “Sweet 16” defeating Calgary Christian (2022 2A provincial champions) in the final. They made the Division 2 Metro Championship Game which was an electric atmosphere at Ross Sheppard. Winning the silver medal gave them an experience to learn from as they went to provincials. There, behind the support of our raucous fans, they overcame a 10-point halftime deficit to win the provincial championship in thrilling fashion over Stirling, 74-72.

All the teams can thank God for the opportunities he gave us, praise him for giving us these talents, and teammates to share them with.

Thanks to all volunteers who helped make this season a success: the scorekeepers, drivers, live-streamers, billet hosts, etc.

A huge thank you to the volunteer coaches for all of the time, effort, and energy that you put in. Our coaches do a tremendous job of not only teaching the sport, but also character development, teamwork skills and many important things that can be hard to quantify. Please create an opportunity to thank your child’s coach for all of their hard work and dedication.

Brad Van Raalte

Athletic Director

Fall Sports Recap

Fall 2021 Jr. High Soccer team — Fall 2021 Jr. HIgh Soccer Team

After a year of virtually no inter-school competition, it was wonderful to have our student-athletes back in the gym, and on the field or course. The weather was fantastic for our soccer players and runners, and, other than some freezing rain delaying volleyball provincials for us, the travels went well.

Cross-country. At the junior high level, our team won the Tier 3 Championships, and we also had two runners win their races to be declared city champion: Kaitlyn Geusebroek (junior girls) and Daniel Geusebroek (senior boys). At the senior high level, the Penguins won the 1A/2A/3A title at the Metro Championships and Tyson Versteeg won the intermediate boys race. Seven runners qualified for the ASAA provincials, and Tyson followed up his city title by winning provincials, followed closely by Shawn Gunnink who finished 2nd! After the team points were finalized, the PICS Penguins were announced as 1A Provincial Champions, and finished 4th overall!

The Junior High soccer team also enjoyed a great season. They finished second at the Christian schools’ tournament in Calgary. In league play, they won the Tier 3 City Championship, which has never happened in PICS history! I heard many great reports of wonderful sportsmanship and teamwork.
The volleyball teams enjoyed great seasons. It was great to once again host a junior high volleyball tournament, and our boys won! In league play, both junior high teams played in Tier 3 and won most of their games in dominating fashion. The girls won silver, while the boys finished their season as the tier 3 champions! Perhaps next year we should play in Tier 2

Our senior high teams had memorable seasons. Both teams comfortably qualified for provincials by defeating the top 1A teams from Calgary. At provincials, they played their best volleyball of the season and qualified for the playoffs. Neither team was satisfied though; they both won their quarterfinal! Only two PICS volleyball teams in history have made semifinals at the provincial tournament (2007-girls, 2008-boys) so having both teams do so this year was phenomenal. The girls went on to finish 4^th, and the boys finished 2^nd (best placing in PICS volleyball history)! I want to give a shoutout to Kyle Stiksma for getting a sportsmanship award; thank you for representing our school so well, Kyle!

Our students display tremendous sportsmanship and determination. Our coaches are great role models, and our community is supportive and encouraging. Although we are not able to have spectators for indoor sports, we have eager volunteers willing to take care of livestreaming. This has been a great blessing to our community, and to friends and relatives who don’t live here! We have much to be thankful for, especially to God who equips us with his Holy Spirit to be ambassadors for him.