The roar of the crowd may have faded, but the echoes of a record-setting season still linger for the Ottawa Lions Track and Field Club. In 2024, a remarkable group of five women sprinted their way into the record books. Collectively, they became the largest group of women ever to break the 12-second barrier in a single season, surpassing the 2023 total by one and showing the future of women’s sprinting is bright in the nation’s capital.
Breaking Records: Jorai Oppong-Nketiah
Among the standout performers was 16-year-old Jorai Oppong-Nketiah, who delivered a series of electrifying performances that rewrote the record books. A double Canadian champion at the U18 and U20 levels, Oppong-Nketiah capped her season by clocking 11.38 seconds at the Canadian Championships in Montreal. This performance set a Canadian U18 record, a Championship record, and obliterated Farah Jacques’ eight-year-old Club record of 11.47 seconds. It also stands as the second-fastest time ever run by a Canadian teenager, trailing only Angela Bailey’s Canadian U20 record of 11.21 set in 1981.
A Versatile Talent: Lauren Gale
Lauren Gale, a name synonymous with excellence in the 200m and 400m, showed once again why she remains a force in Canadian athletics. Though the 100m isn’t her signature event, Gale recorded a personal best of 11.55 seconds at the Johnny Loaring Classic in Windsor. Her performance elevated her to a tie for fourth on the Lions’ all-time list.
Ending on a High Note: Victoria McIntyre
At 29, Victoria McIntyre’s career took a thrilling turn in 2024. Her 11.57-second sprint at the Johnny Loaring Classic marked a three-tenths improvement on her personal best. The , earning her a ninth-place finish at the Olympic Trials and placing her seventh in Club history. For McIntyre, this season wasn’t just about speed—it was about resilience.
At the conclusion of the season, McIntyre announced her retirement from competitive athletics, marking the end of a distinguished career with one of her finest performances.
A Dual-Sport Phenomenon: Kaiya Woodcock
Seventeen-year-old Kaiya Woodcock made waves at the OFSAA Championships in London this past June, clocking an impressive 11.84 seconds to become the second-fastest U18 female in Club history. She would follow that up with a 17th place finish at the Canadian U20 Championships later that same month. A dual-sport athlete and standout striker for the West Ottawa Soccer Club, Woodcock’s success on the track suggests she has the talent to thrive in either arena.
Leading the Way: Bianca Borgella
Bianca Borgella’s 2024 campaign was as inspiring as it was historic. The 21-year-old para-athlete shattered her own Canadian T13 record with an 11.92-second run at the Bob Vigars Classic, a time that ranked as the fourth-fastest globally in her category this year. Borgella’s record run and victory at the Paralympic Trials secured her first Paralympic Games berth. Though a hamstring injury cut short her Paralympic final, Borgella’s 2024 season solidified her status as a star in the sport.
A Sprinter’s Sabbatical: Katie Manor
A member of the sub-12 club in 2023, Katie Manor posted a personal best of 11.87 seconds last year. The University of Ottawa student kicked off the 2024 season with a bang, recording a school record of 7.53 seconds over 60m and qualified for her second straight USports Championship. However, Manor chose to take a break from the summer season in 2024, leaving fans excited for what’s to come in 2025.
A Legacy in Motion
For the Ottawa Lions, 2024 was not just a year of broken records—it was a year that redefined what’s possible. The achievements of these five women serve as a testament to the Club’s commitment to fostering talent and pushing boundaries. Looking ahead, the possibility of combining this exceptional group of athletes into a 4x100m relay team offers an exciting prospect. The Lions’ current relay record of 47.27 seconds seems poised to fall if these sprinters join forces. As 2024 comes to a close, one thing is certain: the legacy of the Lions sprinters is only beginning to unfold.