While everyone in the stadium was fixated on the 100 metre finals, it was the discus circle that gave rise to the only medal for Lions during Friday’s evening session at the Canadian Track and Field Championships. Tommy Nedow hurled the two kilogram platter out to 48.21 metres for bronze in the discus. While the mark was off of his personal best of 51.85 metres set earlier this season, it was Nedow’s first national medal at the senior level.
Back on the track, the focus was on Melissa Bishop-Nriagu as she toed the line in the 800 metre semi-finals. The two time Olympian looked extremely comfortable as she won her heat with a time of 2:03.03 in just her second race of the season.
“It was more about just getting out to the first 400 in a good position and then really pushing when we get near the finish line,” said Bishop-Nriagu of her race plan. As for her plan in the final, it’s quite simple, “Come away with the World Championship standard (2:00.60) and defend my title.”
In the men’s event, Stephen Evans found a big Q beside his name after going toe to toe with Canadian record holder Brandon McBride. Evans was running shoulder to shoulder entering the final home stretch before McBride pulled ahead, leaving Evans to cross second in 1:50.89. Tonight’s final will be Evans’ first ever at the Canadian Championships and he’s intending to make a splash by finding his way on to the podium.
With the evening culminating with the 100m finals, Shanna Boutilier got in on the action by claiming a bronze in the Para Ambulatory event. The medal was Boutilier’s third of the championship and second bronze while her time of 14.79 was a seasonal best.
