Cardston’s Pilling scores big at KODI Awards

Westwind Weekly News Photo Submitted.

By Heather Cameron
Southern Alberta Newspapers
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

First-year Lethbridge Polytechnic student Hannah Pilling was recently the recipient of five KODI Awards.

“The KODI Awards is the season ending awards banquet for all of the student athletes at Lethbridge Polytechnic,” said Pilling, who hails from Cardston. “I was lucky enough to win five awards, including the Newcomer Award for Cross Country, Outstanding Runner Award for Cross Country, the Outstanding Runny Award for Indoor Track, Gerry and Brian Stewart Memorial Award for cross-country, and the Tim Tollestrup Female Athlete of the Year. I was very excited to win every one of these awards. I was a little surprised and definitely felt honoured to win the Female Athlete of the year award. That was something I didn’t expect!”

Pilling says she feels ‘thankful and appreciative’ for the awards.

“It really does mean a lot to be recognized like that,” said Pilling. “It really made me think about how much help I’ve had this entire year from our coaches, athletic trainers, teammates and my family. I am very thankful for my coaches and teammates who have helped me this season. I was a little nervous to run in college because I knew it would be so much different than high school, but my coaches and teammates helped me so much.”

Currently working on a General Arts and Science Diploma alongside her participation in sports, Pilling says she plans to go into Education and be an elementary school teacher when she is finished her current course of schooling. 

“I am excited to continue my education and keep running at Lethbridge Polytechnic,” said Pilling. “It is amazing to have access to such a great school and athletic program so close to home. I have loved being able to train with great coaches and great teammates. It makes such a huge difference to have a lot of other strong teammates around me all working to get better. We are all able to push each other to continue to improve and enjoy the journey.”

Running, however, has been a part of Pilling’s life for as long as she can remember.

“I played a lot of other sports growing up as well, but running has always been my favourite,” said Pilling. 

Growing up, Pilling says, also included family support and they were definitely ‘excited’ over her recent achievement.

“A lot of them were able to come to most of my meets this year, which was so nice,” said Pilling. “My older sister, Hallee, is also on the cross country and track team with me and we have really enjoyed the chance to run together.”

Pilling emphasizes that both her school and community have also been very supportive of her and what she has accomplished.

“It has been really fun to hear from people I know who have been watching me run track for a long time,” said Pilling. “Everyone has been so supportive and has congratulated me a lot. They offered me a lot of congratulations, and were proud of me for achieving all of these awards during my first rookie season. My whole life I have had a lot of support and love from those around me, and I feel that this has helped me to gain confidence and has built me into the person I am today. I just try to work hard at whatever I’m doing and try to have fun doing it. I really like the quote, “In a world where you can be anything, be kind.” I think the most important lesson I have learned so far is that little choices can make a big difference.”