Ottawa Lions athletes made their mark at the EOSSAA Track and Field Championships this past Thursday and Friday in Brockville, with 13 club members advancing to this week’s OFSAA East Regional Championships at the Terry Fox Athletic Facility.
Leading the way was Bishop Smith’s Max Gerundin, who turned in one of the most dominant performances of the meet. The junior boy not only swept the distance events but also etched his name into the EOSSAA record books. Gerundin took a commanding win in the 800 metres, stopping the clock in 1:58.26 to erase the meet record set just last year by fellow Lion Malachi Kenny. Prior to his 800m success, he opened the meet with a runaway victory in the 1500m, crossing the line in 4:15.85—ten seconds clear of the field—before completing the golden treble in the 3000m with a 9:38.39 finish.
A double gold-medal performance came from Opeongo standout Quinn Coughlin. The reigning national U18 champion in the 400m hurdles and current Ontario U20 400m titleholder proved her class in the senior ranks, sweeping the flat and hurdles double. She captured the 400m in 57.70 seconds, nearly three seconds ahead of the next best competitor, and clocked 1:01.35 to win the 400m hurdles—just four-tenths shy of the EOSSAA meet record.
In the novice boys 3000m, it was Oscar Lorrain who claimed gold in 9:58.20, cruising to victory by more than eight seconds. The talented youngster also battled to a silver in the 800m, narrowly edged at the line. One of his main competitors throughout the meet, Glengarry’s Rowan Blaine, earned top honours in the 1500m, winning in 4:39.99.
On the girls’ side, North Dundas’ Evelyn Cooper captured the novice 400m crown, powering to a 1:03.55 finish to take the win.
With strong performances across all event groups and age classes, the Lions contingent now turns its attention to the OFSAA East Regional Championships, which take place this Thursday and Friday back home in Ottawa. There, athletes will aim to secure their spots at the OFSAA Championships in Toronto, set for the first weekend in June.
Full results from the EOSSAA Championships are available on our website.