Previewing 2025 Golden Bears Open with Rachel Grenke

The University of Alberta Track and Field program hosts two events per season. This weekend, January 17 to 19, is the Golden Bears Open (GBO). This event is one of the biggest in Canada West, with over 35 teams participating. Rachel Grenke, a second-year pole vaulter, highlights who fans should be on the lookout for this weekend. 

The Bears and Pandas have received 36 rookies this year, and out of 82 members, that makes this year’s new crowd a significant portion of the program. Yet, Grenke said that the rookies “killed it” at the Sanderson Classic in Saskatoon last weekend.

“It’s a big crowd coming in but I think because of that, they have to come together and they can’t just fall onto the vets. They have to use each other,” Grenke said. 

Some rookies to watch out for are Addison Lauer in the 4×200 and long jump events; Tise Okuboyejo in the 300 and 4×200 events; and April Kippers and Sydney Zinger in pole vault.

“Zinger is a great one for pole vault. She’s been increasing. She got a personal best last weekend,” Grenke said.

In terms of veterans, apart from Grenke – who received an auto qualification for U Sports alongside a school record – some athletes to watch out for between the Bears and Pandas are Justin Rose in 60-meter hurdles; Tegra Jan-King in triple jump and high jump; Wesley Eze in shot put and weight throw; and Holly Harrison for pentathlon. 

Why not us?

Grenke said that the team has followed a motto this season – “Why not us?” Their goals such as winning the full championships set high expectations for the team.

“We should believe that it can be us to win the championships. We have really high expectations, but, we [also] know what we can do, so that’s why we have those expectations,” Grenke said.

Grenke expects this weekend to have competition between the Bears and Pandas and the University of Saskatchewan Huskies, as well as the University of Calgary Dinos. At last year‘s GBO the Pandas came third behind Calgary and Saskatchewan while the Bears placed first, but were followed behind by the University of Manitoba Bisons, Saskatchewan, and Calgary.

“Saskatchewan has a really strong team. They won Canada West last year as a team, so I think they’re a big team to watch out for. Calgary and Saskatchewan are probably the biggest threats or competition that our team has to look for,” Grenke said.

From rookie to U Sports auto qualifier

Compared to last year’s GBO, where Grenke competed as a rookie, this year she feels relaxed, prepared, and ready to enjoy the event fully. 

“This year I have a bit more confidence and maturity looking into the event. I have more experience and can stay more relaxed, which always helps. I can [also] have more fun this year. My preparation this year has been even more solid than last year, just knowing my body, knowing my coaches, [and] knowing the sport a little bit better.”

Although Grenke has already met two of her goals – auto qualifying and a school record– she is looking forward to setting new school records, a Canada West record, and a U Sports record in pole vault. For this weekend she hopes to jump over 4.20 meters.

As a team, the Bears and the Pandas are focused on their personal goals while uplifting one another throughout the separate events and their team goals. Since it is a home meet, the presence of family, friends, and the campus community makes this “stand out.”

“We think you [should] always try to focus on your performance first, but then you try to elevate someone else’s performance. Doing those at the home meets stands out even more because you have your family [and] friends, you have your crowd there, student section, all that.”