With more than 100 athletes set to compete across the U20, Open, and Para categories, the Ottawa Lions are primed for a strong showing this week as the Canadian Track and Field Championships return to the Terry Fox Athletic Facility.
The last time the nation’s best gathered in Ottawa for the championships in 2018, the host club racked up an impressive 22 medals—including a shot put title by current Lions Youth Director Tim Nedow and a sweep of the Open 4x400m relays. With the home crowd behind them once again, the Lions will look to build on that success.
U20 Contenders Poised for Podium Push
Leading the charge in the U20 category is Jorai Oppong-Nketiah, the reigning national champion in the women’s 100 metres. A year ago, the sprint sensation blazed to gold in 11.39 seconds after setting the Canadian U18 record in 11.38 during the semi-finals. This season, Oppong-Nketiah enters ranked fourth in the 100m and ninth in the 200m, where she won silver in 2023.
In the men’s sprints, all eyes will be on the quartet of Ange-Mathis Kramo, Ayoub Shangai, Zachary Jeggo, and William Sanders—fresh off their Canadian U20 Club Record in the 4x400m relay. All four will contest the individual 400m, with Jeggo leading the national rankings at 46.62. Shangai, a first-time national competitor, enters sixth at 47.39, with Kramo and Sanders also ranked inside the top 20.
Jeggo, a multi-talented threat, also headlines the 400m hurdles where he holds the top seed of 51.69 from his OFSAA title run. He’ll be joined by Kyle London, who is ambitiously taking on the 400m hurdles–decathlon double.
Middle-distance up-and-comer Safwan El Mansari enters the 800m ranked tenth nationally. The University of Ottawa student has had a breakout season, including a massive personal best of 1:51.51 set earlier this month at the CTFL Final—nearly three seconds faster than his 2024 best.
On the women’s side, first-year U18 athlete Ellie McGregor will also compete in the 800m after a breakthrough performance of 2:09.38 at the CTFL Final. The 15-year-old has accelerated her performances in 2025, moving to #4 on the club’s all-time list and establishing herself as a rising star in the middle distances.
In the distance events, Daniel Cova is aiming for a memorable send-off before heading to Iona University this fall. The Louis-Riel grad will double in the 5000m and 1500m, where he ranks fifth nationally among U20s with a personal best of 3:47.95.
Field event newcomers and veterans alike are also poised to shine. Fallo Douramodou, one of only 12 U20 men in Canada to clear two metres in the high jump this season, will look to leap onto the podium with a new lifetime best. Sadie Gilbert, the reigning indoor champion in the shot put, enters with a best of 12.98m and will be looking to improve upon last year’s fourth-place finish. In javelin, Mallea Mullin—the 2023 U16 national champ—enters the Championships ranked fourth with a PB of 42.60m.
Senior Stars Return for Glory
Two-time Olympian Lauren Gale headlines the senior entries, doubling in the 200m and 400m. Her season-best of 51.00 ranks her second nationally behind Olympic 400m hurdles champion Savannah Sutherland. A victory would mark Gale’s first senior national title, having previously won U20 gold in 2019.
In the women’s 800m, 2023 national finalist Sydney Smith will be joined by former University of Ottawa standout Maëliss Trapeau, who returns to the capital for her first competition in Canada since the 2020 U SPORTS Championships. A dual citizen of France and Canada, Trapeau has spent the past four summers competing overseas. She enters the Championships as a top medal contender, boasting the highest World Athletics ranking in the field (67th) and a personal best of 1:59.09.
On the men’s side, Stephen Evans looks to reach his third consecutive national final in the 800m. The 2023 bronze medalist enters with a season’s best of 1:48.96.
The women’s 400m hurdles could prove to be one of the most exciting events of the week for the Lions. Alexandra Telford and Rosemary Holmes—finalists at last year’s Olympic Trials—enter ranked fourth and fifth respectively and are coming off a dominant 1-2 finish at the CTFL Final where Holmes took top spot.
For the men, David Moulongou returns to action in the 400m hurdles after his Canadian national team debut at the World University Games, where he posted a PB of 52.24 and anchored the 4x400m to a sixth-place finish.
In the throws, Jessica Gyamfi—fresh off representing Canada at the World University Games—will look to crack the podium, ranking fourth in shot put and fifth in discus. On the men’s side, Connor Fraser, last year’s national silver medalist in discus, enters ranked third after a PB of 51.55m. Fraser will also contest the shot put where he enters ranked fifth, just behind teammate Liam Davis—last year’s U20 silver medalist.
The action begins Wednesday and continues through Sunday at the Terry Fox Athletic Facility. For full schedule, tickets, and event info, visit athletics.ca.
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