Cochrane athletes representing Alberta in the upcoming 2019 Canada Winter Games were among those gathering in Red Deer over the weekend as momentum continues to build towards the games, Feb. 15 to Mar. 3.

Curler Julianna MacKenzie, hockey player Sarah Wozniewicz and artistic swimmer Adora Kruger were among the hundreds of athletes who were in Red Deer for two-days of orientation and to receive their uniforms for what will be the largest multi-sport and cultural event hosted in Alberta since the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary.

Julianna MacKenzie, left, and teammates catch up with Waskasoo, the Canada Winter Games mascot, while in Red Deer. (Photo Courtesy of Michelle MacKenzie)MacKenzie, 16, is the lead for the Team Bakos women's curling team that earned a spot in the games after a trial which included a number of other Cochrane curlers.

"It was cool seeing all the team there," says MacKenzie. "We got to meet some other amazing athletes who are very talented. It's all starting to sink in that we are Team Alberta."

While it's her first Canada Winter Games, she has curled in the last two Alberta Winter Games.

The Bakos team also includes skip Julia Bakos, third Quinn Prodaniuk and Second Alyssa Nedohin, MacKenzie is the only member from Cochrane.

"We’re focusing on Canada Winter Games right now, then the U18 playdowns and hopefully the provincials."

Sarah Wozniewicz is counting down the days. The team held their final exhibition game while in Red Deer. (Photo Courtesy of Hockey Alberta)

Hockey forward Sarah Wozniewicz is no stranger to high-level competition. The 15-year-old has played on two Alberta Winter Games teams in 2016 and 2018 and was also participated in Hockey Alberta's Hockey Challenge in 2017. She is in her second season with the Edge team, in Springbank, where she has attended school since grade 9.

Making the provincial team involved a tough series of three tryouts, she explains. The Alberta team had their third and final exhibition game while in Red Deer in preparations for the games.

"It’s going to be so much fun to have the chance to talk to other people different sports and different provinces."

"It’s coming really fast. I think it’s only 25 days away. It’s so close and I'm so exciting."

Adora Kruger (top right, back row) and her teammates have been practicing 14-plus hours every weekend in preparation for the games. (Photo by Jenn Tregale)Adora Kruger, 18, is an accomplished artistic (synchronized) swimmer who has represented Canada and Alberta at home and abroad while pursuing excellence since about age 7. Most recently, she was part of the Calgary Aquabelles team that won four medals at the nationals in April.

Kruger tried out for the team for the last Canada Winter Games but was quite young and is thrilled to make the team this year.

Going to Red Deer gave her a greater appreciation for what it means to the athletes wearing Alberta blue.

"It was great to see all these different athletes and how excited they were to be representing Alberta. We're not competing against each other because we're all in different sports, so we all share the same goal of winning."

Eight of her nine teammates for the winter games are from the Calgary Aquabelles. It takes extensive practice and discipline to execute the hybrid sport of swimming, dance and gymnastics. The team is practicing 14 hours each weekend to prepare for the games. She also puts in a little additional time on her own. She doesn't mind, though. It's a sport she thoroughly enjoys for many reasons.

"I’m a sociable person so I really enjoy swimming with my best friends and reaching all these milestones together with them. I really love swimming, too."

The artistic swimming events are being hosted by Calgary for the games because Red Deer doesn't have a suitable pool.

Alberta's team is comprised of 250 athletes, representing 46 Alberta communities, competing in 19 sports. They will be supported by 72 coaches, managers and support staff, along with 19 mission staff. Sophie Morrish, of Cochrane, is one of the guides for the para-alpine skiing events.

Calgary artistic gymnast Elijah Thompson has been selected as the flag bearer to lead Alberta into the opening ceremonies and was front and centre at the Red Deer orientation.