The Lions Pride gathered Saturday night to celebrate a year of excellence that included 49 national medalists, 8 international team members and 1 world championship finalist. Awards were handed out to celebrate our top athletes at every level, to acknowledge our national team members and the very special Sean Cole Memorial award recognizing dedication to Club service.
A quartet of Lions were recognized with the Gilbert Awards for top senior athletes. It was no surprise that shot putter Tim Nedow took home the prize for male field athlete of the year. The 6 foot 7 inch mountain man had arguably his strongest season yet capturing his seventh straight Canadian title in the shot put as well as placing a career best ninth at the World Championships in Doha.
His female counterpart in the field had the best season of her career. Divya Biswal was a record breaking machine in 2019m thrice extending her own Club record in the triple jump and finally beating Leslie Estwick’s 25 year old club mark in the long jump. Biswal also took home a silver in the triple jump from the Canadian Championships.
On the track, Keira Christie-Galloway took home her first Gilbert Award in just her first season has a senior athlete. The 19 year old had a banner year that included indoor and outdoor Big 12 titles in the sprint hurdles, All-American status outdoors, and a place on Team Canada for both the World University and Pan Am Games. In addition, Christie-Galloway took significant chunks of time off her personal bests in both the 60 and 100 metre hurdles, moving to number two all-time in the Club behind 1996 Olympian Lesley Tashlin.
The men’s Gilbert Award on the track was shared between a pair of past winners – Saj Alhaddad and Oluwasegun Makinde. Both men were silver medalists at the Canadian Championships over the intermediate and sprint hurdles respectively. As well, they each also raced to similar positions at the Ontario Championships this summer.
Hurdlers, overall, were big winners on the night, with six athletes being recognized.
Canadian U20 champion over the 400 metre hurdles, Leewinchell Jean, was named the top U20 male athlete. In addition to his national title, the University of Windsor student cracked the Club’s all-time top 10 list and represented Canada at the Pan Am Junior Championships this summer.
At the U18 level, sprint hurdler David Adeleye was recognized for his gold medal performance at the Canadian Legion Championships in Nova Scotia.
Luca Nicoletti was recognized for his outstanding performances over the hurdles as well, taking home the award for top U16 male. The grade 10 Beatrice Desloges student was a silver medalist at the Legion Championships over the 200 metre hurdles in addition to being a finalist in the 100 metre hurdle event.
Winning the Sean Cole Memorial award for dedication to club service was Debbie Tracey. The Immaculata High School teacher has been a wonderful contributor to the Club since she led a group of inspired educators to raise money for two of her high school students to attend our summer program in 2017.
Foundation and Aspire program leader Zach Quevillon gave a glowing account of Tracey’s contributions, saying ” Debbie has led the charge to inspire others to volunteer as often and enthusiastically as she does. It is not uncommon for Debbie to show up after practice or a meet with healthy snacks (and the occasional treat) for her athletes. Her volunteerism and big heart has a reach that cannot be fully measured. As the boys she first supported years ago now grow into young men, they too carry her will to help others and invoke positive change. Debbie makes the track and field community, the Ottawa Lions Track and Field Club, and the city, a better place!” We thank Debbie for her continued contributions to the sport and her students.
A full list of award winners are presented below.
Gilbert Awards (Senior)
Female
Track: Keira Christie-Galloway
Field: Divya Biswal
Male
Track: Saj Alhaddad & Oluwasegun Makinde
Field: Tim Nedow
Most Outstanding U20
Female: Lauren Gale
Male: Leewinchell Jean
Most Outstanding U18
Female: Audrey Gilmour/Doyin Ogunremi
Male: David Adeleye
Most Outstanding U16
Female: Not Awarded
Male: Luca Nicoletti
Most Outstanding U14
Female: Not awarded
Male: Not awarded
Denis Landry Award (Most Outstanding University of Ottawa)
Female: Maeliss Trapeau
Male: Stephen Evans
Most Outstanding Carleton University
Female: Nicole Istead
Male: Alec Jeffrey
Sam Estwick Award (Most Outstanding Para Athlete)
Joshua Cassidy
Most Outstanding Cross Country
Female: Rosalyn Barrett
Male: Adam Sanger
Most Outstanding Masters
Female: Wendy Alexis
Male: Joe Paialunga
Most Outstanding Road Racing
Salome Nyirarukundo
Most Outstanding Combined Events
John Claude van Biljon
Sean Cole Memorial Award (Dedication to Club Service)
Debbie Tracey