The Athletics Ontario Championships wrapped up Sunday afternoon at the University of Windsor’s Alumni Stadium with four more medals for the Lions – all silver. Two familiar faces led the haul on day two as Joe Fast and Leewinchell Jean each picked up their second individual event medals of the Championship.
Fast, who won U18 1500 metre gold on Saturday was looking to make the distance double with 3000 metres on Sunday. However, the grade 11 student fell just short of gold, 1.2 seconds to be precise, as he finished second in eight minutes 46.17 seconds. It was Fast’s third medal of the championship.
In the U18 boys 400 metre hurdles final, Leewinchell Jean improved upon his sprint hurdle bronze from Saturday, taking silver in 56.92 seconds. The Gisele Lalonde student, who battled injuries through much of the high school season has really rounded into form in recent weeks. Sunday’s performance was the seconds fastest of Jean’s career, less than half a second off the personal best he set a week ago at the Ontario Legion Championships. That mark currently has him ranked third nationally in the event.
After a bronze a week ago at the Quebec Championships, Erin Sweeney heaved the shot put out to 12.88 metres Sunday to to moved up a notch on the podium and into the silver medal position. The Opeongo High School student has been on a tear the past week with two provincial medals and two personal bests. The first came last weekend, where she broke the 13 metre barrier for the first time and then she followed it up with a 13.23m heave at Wednesday’s Twilight Meet. She currently sits 12th in the Canadian rankings.
The final medal of the day came from one of the final events, as Logan Ladurantaye pick up a silver in the U14 boys 800m final. Crossing the line in two minutes 22.49 seconds, Ladurantaye picked up his first individual medal at the provincial championships after twice winning gold a year ago in both the 4×100 and 4×800 metre relays.
Also, taking this past weekend was the Quebec Senior Championships, with a handful of Lions athletes competing. A total of five athletes made the trek to Quebec City where they won a total of eight medals including two golds.
Jodd Nelson won the 100m in a time of 10.79 seconds and followed that performance up with 200m silver in 22.39. Christina Hertner was the other champion, taking the women’s shot put title with a best heave of 12.71 metres. The University of Ottawa student also picked up a bronze in the discus with a best toss of 34.99 metres.
Other medalists included:
SILVER – Nicole Istead (Senior 100m Hurdles)
BRONZE – Nicole Istead (Senior Long Jump)
SILVER – Grace Macmillan-Sayers (Junior Shot Put)
SILVER – Grace Macmillan-Sayers (Junior Hammer Throw)
