Campbell’s Kaban excelling on track and basketball court

Sports have been Gabrielle Kaban’s passion from a young age, with her family being a major catalyst.

“(My parents) contributed everything. They were the support right from the beginning. They have always been there since we were two years old to today,” the Grade 12 Campbell Collegiate student said.

“They have always pushed us to find our passions in life, whether that’s in athletics or in academics or whatever we may find.”

Kaban has had someone else pushing her to do her best: Her older siblings, Madelyn and Logan. Madelyn currently runs track with the University of Regina Cougars while Logan runs for the University of Saskatchewan Huskies.

“Just growing up, we all were very athletic and competitive,” Gabrielle said. “We’ve been running as a family just in the Queen City Marathon and doing family runs since we were younger.

“It’s an individual sport in a team setting. You get to push yourself and see how far you can go and see how fast and (what) improvement you can make. Being in a competitive environment while also making those goals come to life by yourself, it just shows me that it’s possible.

“I can do a degree in whatever I choose, whether that’s something really hard, and I can also pursue my passion in athletics and (my siblings) have shown me that.”

Kaban has become quite the cross-country star herself at Campbell, competing at the Canadian cross-country championships in Ottawa this past November.

“That was very, very cool and was extraordinary with just the amount of girls competing and people everywhere. The talent in Canada was really cool to be a part of too and a lot different than a race in Regina,” Kaban said.

“It’s different and something to get used to compared to Regina. It pushes you a lot harder than you are used to so it’s not only yourself pushing yourself but everyone around you is just as fast and just as competitive so it’s definitely a more competitive environment.”

While she has found success in running, it’s the basketball court and the team aspect that she has been drawn to.

“It was just different. It was different than track because it was a very team-based sport and the better you get, the better you make everyone around you,” Kaban said.

“It’s just an environment where everyone is pushing each other to become better and set new goals and keep improving because there is always an area in the game where you can improve yourself on and that impacts your life outside of sport too. What I learned in basketball, I am able to use in my life.”

The high school senior is also active with various programs in the school, including helping with the unified basketball program at Campbell. The unified sports program brings athletes with and without intellectual disabilities together for competition.

“We all get together and make fun teams and play against each other. We have different sides for different levels of play and everyone gets a chance to put the ball in the basket however that may look,” Kaban said.

“It’s really great to see students build those connections and gain that understanding of the diversity within Campbell and within our society and our community. I think it’s really important for everyone to learn there’s lots of different people out there and we are all just humans so we can come together through sport like basketball and that’s a great way to find connection and inclusion within our school.”

Her basketball coach at Campbell, Bill Nagel, is ecstatic with the leader Kaban has become.

“She gives back to the community and gives back to the school. She is part of the (Student Leadership Council) and is here working hard on athletics and academics,” Nagel said. “I hope (younger players) can see what she does around the school first with the academics and then the athletics and I hope they grow into Gabby Kaban.”

In her final year of high school, Kaban believes sport has helped her grow on and off the court.

“(It has given me) the ability to push myself to grow in an environment I love and I thrive in,” she said. “Sport is just so much fun to me, so if I can find something I enjoy so much and I get to grow and build those connections and friendships and mentorships, I can pass that along to other people and show them there are things out there for everyone – whether that is in athletics or not.

“I found this at such a young age that athletics does make me a better person and is my passion. I think it’s important that everyone gets that chance to find that passion and I’m lucky enough to have found mine in basketball.”