Exams and weeks of holidays can often disrupt an athlete’s rhythm, but that wasn’t the case for Ottawa Lions varsity athletes this past weekend. Competing in Sherbrooke and Windsor, they kicked off the 2025 indoor season with over 20 personal bests, showing no signs of slowing down.
El Mansari extends 600m streak
University of Ottawa freshman Safwan El Mansari continued his remarkable form in the men’s 600 metres, clocking 1:20.95 to place second at Sherbrooke’s Vert et Or Invitation behind the home school’s Thomas Peladeau. His third consecutive personal best elevated him to 11th on the University of Ottawa’s all-time rankings.
Marin Jumps into Top 10
In the men’s high jump, fellow University of Ottawa rookie Mason Marin cleared 1.90 metres to finish in a tie for fourth place in Sherbrooke. The human kinetics student’s effort places him in a three-way tie for 10th in school history. Marin, who cleared 2.00 metres to finish fourth at last spring’s OFSAA Championship, is expected to climb higher in the rankings as he gains experience at the university level.
Davis Climbs the Rankings in Shot Put
Freshman Liam Davis, competing for the University of Guelph, delivered a standout performance in the men’s shot put Friday night at the Can Am Classic in Windsor. Davis unleashed a personal best of 14.67 metres on his final throw, securing second place and climbing to 13th on the Lions’ all-time rankings. Last year’s Canadian U20 shot put silver medalist also made his weight throw debut, achieving a best of 12.88 metres, which places him 11th in Club history.
McQuinn Shaves Nearly a Second Off 600m Best
Cora McQuinn posted a significant personal best as she took home the bronze over 600m in Windsor. The Western University third-year student crossed the line in a time of 1:37.93, nearly a full second ahead her previous best of 1:38.89, set last February.
With momentum building, the Lions look forward to hosting the uOttawa Winter Classic this Friday and Saturday at the Dome @ Louis-Riel, where more standout performances are expected.
Updated all-time rankings can be found at the links below.
Ottawa Lions
uOttawa Gee-Gees
Carleton Ravens