The 40th edition of the Canadian University Track and Field Championships got underway this evening at the University of Alberta’s Butterdome and it most certainly got off on the right foot for the small contingent of Gee Gees competing in Edmonton.
The trio of Madison Clarke, Maeliss Trapeau, and Sydney Smith all walked away with a spot in the 600 metres’ top eight with Clarke and Trapeau both earning an opportunity to race for medals in Saturday’s final. Clarke earned her spot with a victory in the second of two heats, winning in one minute and 30.72 seconds. Clarke executed her race plan to perfection, bidding her time in fourth and then third for most of the race before sling shooting around the final corner past Guelph’s Jenna Smith, who beat Clarke two weeks ago at the OUA Championships.
Trapeau and Smith lined up together in the first heat with Trapeau advancing based on time as she crossed the line in 1:31.98. The third year biotechnology student worked her way from the back of the field into third as the runners hit the bell and held strong in her position through the final lap. For Smith, tonight’s performance of 1:33.98 was the third fastest of her career and represents the Gee Gee’s first point of the Championship with her eighth place overall finish.
In the men’s 600 metres, Sebastian Saville placed 13th overall in 1:22.30 for the Laval Rouge et Or.
Action resumes Friday with Leewinchell Jean first on the track in the men’s 60 metre hurdle heats at 6:45 pm eastern. Also on deck for day two are Madison Clarke (1000m), Caroline Poirier (pole vault) and Clarke, Smith, Trapeau and Marie-Eve Dahms in the 4×800 metres.
Live results can be found at http://www.ellistiming.ca/USports/LiveResults/