Lyrik Albert, pictured here at the 2024 Saskatchewan Junior Olympic Program (JOP) Championships. (Submitted photo/Lyrik Albert)

By Martin Martinson

Top of the Podium

Sweetgrass archer takes gold at Junior Olympic Program Championships

Apr 22, 2024 | 2:21 PM

Sweetgrass First Nation’s Lyrik Albert is coming off a third straight gold medal performance at the Saskatchewan Junior Olympic Program (JOP) Championships in Prince Albert.

Marking Albert’s third gold in just her third time competing at the Junior Olympics, the hardware adds to her first-place showings in 2023 and 2022. Taking place at P.A.’s Alfred Jenkins Field House, more than 200 archers from across the province were on hand to compete at various age groups and skill levels.

Albert said the gold medal means a lot after putting in months of hard work and preparation to be at her best.

“It was definitely a hard climb up the mountain, as I actually started preparing for it back in November and have been working my tail off for the last six months,” she said, letting out an exhaustive sigh with a smile.

“I would shoot probably over 300 to 600 arrows per week if that’s even possible… I just spent so many hours in the club each week, and I feel like that is what made the difference. I really put that work in to get where I am now.”

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Lyrik Albert, pictured here after winning the gold. (Submitted photo/Lyrik Albert)

Taking a break from other archery competitions in the months leading in, to hone in on her craft from a fundamental level, Albert trained daily at the Battle River Archers’ archery range in Battleford, in addition to taking some private lessons from Erin McGladdery, a professional archer from nearby Marsden, Sask., located just an hour west of North Battleford.

“It was cool because we just decided to shoot her a message one day and she was actually able to come and give me some pointers, and ever since then we’ve been talking and preparing,” Albert said of the experience. “We actually changed my form and technique completely. We started from the very, very beginning and we worked our way up to where I am now, so it was a lot of work, and especially in such a short amount of time.”

The hard work paid off immediately at the JOP Championships, as Albert shot a 287 in round one to advance to the finals, where she then shot a 282 to top the podium and take home the gold at her skill level.

Albert said her training with McGladdery, and the support of the many others she worked alongside at the local archery club in the months leading in, really made the whole time preparing an enjoyable experience.

“That’s where I spent every single day since November training and preparing myself for this, and the club is filled with many great people, amazing coaches and shooters,” she said. “Everyone there and the whole environment is so welcoming.”

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Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @MartyMartyPxP1