The University of Lethbridge Pronghorn Track and Field team is off to Regina for the Canada West Championship meet this weekend.

For the second consecutive year, the Horns have qualified 30 athletes for the conference championship meet. Over the last two seasons, the Horns have qualified the largest teams in program history; an indication the new training facility is paying dividends.

The Horns head to the championship meet with a relatively young team and expectations are that the squad will post a number of personal-best efforts and have a handful of medal contenders. The men's team leads the way and is ranked 11th in the CIS heading into the conference event.

The biggest addition to the Horns squad is the return of Olympian Jim Steacy. After taking last season off to focus on the hammer throw and his Olympic quest, he will complete his fifth and final year of eligibility with the Horns this spring. Steacy enters the season still undefeated in his CIS career in the weight throw, and is ranked fourth in the world in weight throw.

Steacy will be the favorite to win the weight throw and shot put events at both the Canada West and CIS Championships and finish his career as one of the most decorated Pronghorn track and field athletes ever. To date, he has accumulated seven Canada West medals and seven CIS medals. In total, he has won 12 gold medals, including six at each meet.

Defending CIS weight throw champion Heather Steacy is another favorite to medal for the Horns. The two-time defending Canada West and CIS champion in weight, Steacy has had some early season struggles, but has slowly inched towards her personal best distances.

Kyle Murray, Brett Bromley, and Dominic Mudayai will lead a contingent of rookies who show promise and expect to rise to the occasion at the conference meet. Mudayai enters his first Canada West championships ranked third in men's long jump, while Bromley is ranked fourth in Canada West in the men's triple jump event. Sophomore sprinter Murray looks to continue his ascent in the 300 metres and challenge for a medal.

Athletes of the Week

Swimmer Kristy Gabruck and men's hockey forward Lucio Pucci-Danielle were named Pronghorn Athletes of the Week after strong performances in Canada West athletics.

Gabruck, a fourth-year breaststroke specialist out of Taber, had another successful CIS Championship meet. Gabruck set personal best marks in each of her distances and placed 11th in the 50-metre final, achieving the Swim Canada National qualifying time.

Gabruck will wrap up the winter competitive season in two weeks at the Swimming Canada Nationals in Toronto.

Pucci-Danielle, a third-year forward, had his best weekend of the season as the Horns played in their final regular season games.

Friday night, Pucci-Danielle picked up a goal and an assist in the Horns' 5-4 shootout loss to the CIS #2 ranked Alberta Golden Bears. The next night, while not hitting the scoresheet, Pucci-Danielle had another strong night for the Horns in a 2-1 loss.