(Ottawa, Canada---11 July 2025) Rose Basu competes in Ottawa Summer Twilight Meet #6 & CTFL Final at the Terry Fox Athletic Facility. Copyright 2025 Miles Ryan / Mundo Sport Images. If posting to social media please tag @mundosportimages

Kramo, Basu Lead Record-Breaking Night for Lions at SLU Twilight Invite

by ClublinkinbioUniversity

CANTON, N.Y. — Ange-Mathis Kramo and Rose Basu delivered record-breaking performances to lead the Ottawa Lions at Friday night’s SLU Twilight Invite, highlighting a strong showing at the Merrick-Pinkard Track & Field Complex.

Kramo produced the performance of the meet in the men’s 100 metres, surging to a personal best of 10.57 seconds to win in a photo finish over Plattsburgh State’s Charles Cypress. The time shaved 0.14 seconds off his previous best and broke the meet record set just one year ago.

The 17-year-old had already shown his form earlier in the evening, running 10.84 in the heats before delivering his breakthrough in the final. Kramo was unable to finish the 200 metres after pulling up with a minor hamstring strain.

On the women’s side, Basu matched the record-breaking theme with a dominant sprint double. The 20-year-old captured the 100 metres in 12.12, edging St. Lawrence’s Ella Baker by 0.01 seconds while lowering the meet record of 12.28 set by former Lion Tori McIntyre in 2023.

Basu had equaled the previous standard earlier in the heats before returning to claim the title, then added a convincing victory in the 200 metres, clocking 25.66 to win by more than a second and a half.

Sharelle Samuel added a third meet record on the night in her debut over 800 metres. Taking control from the gun, Samuel pulled away from the field to win in 2:19.05, more than two seconds inside the previous meet mark, and crossed the line over 14 seconds clear of her nearest competitor.

In the women’s 3000-metre steeplechase, Tessa Knight placed second in 11:44.99, a performance that moves her to fifth all-time on the club’s U20 list.

The Lions also showed depth in the sprint events, with James Compeau and William Harris finishing second and third in the men’s 200 metres in 22.69 and 23.10, respectively, while battling strong headwinds.

In the distance events, André Alie-Lamarche (4:13.94) and Saul Taler (4:14.15) placed fourth and fifth in a competitive elite mile section.

Also on Friday, Emily Brennan set a personal best of 25.27 in the 200 metres at the Denison Big Red Invitational in Ohio before helping Denison University lower its school record in the 4×100 relay for the second time in recent weeks.

At the Clark Wood Invitational in Louisville, Ky., Grace Streek made a strong debut over the 3000-metre steeplechase, running 10:54.94 to move to No. 3 all-time on the club’s U20 list.

On the roads, Joshua Cassidy bookended a busy week with a pair of performances on the international stage, finishing 15th at Monday’s Boston Marathon in 1:32:37 before placing 13th at the London Marathon in 1:37:02 this morning.

(Ottawa, Canada---01 August 2025) Jorai Oppong-Nketiah competes on day four of the Athletics Canada 2025 Bell Trials Canadian Track and Field Championships. Photograph Copyright 2025 Sean Burges / Mundo Sport Images. If posting to social media please tag @mundosportimages

Oppong-Nketiah, Kramo Lead Record-Breaking Day at Ravens Relays

by High Schoollinkinbio

OTTAWA — The Ottawa Lions officially kicked off the capital’s high school track and field season Thursday, hosting the Ravens Relays at the Terry Fox Athletic Facility.

With more than 1,000 entries, the meet once again served as an early-season benchmark for athletes across the region — and a strong opening statement from Lions athletes.

In total, club athletes combined for four meet records and more than 100 personal best performances over the course of the day.

Leading the way were the sprinters as both the girls and boys varsity 100 metre records fell to Lions athletes.

On the women’s side, Jorai Oppong-Nketiah, who delivered a dominant performance in the senior girls’ 100 metres. The Louis-Riel standout twice dipped under the previous meet standard – first running 12.18w in the heats before setting the official mark of 12.13 in the final. 

On the boys’ side, Ange-Mathis Kramo of Paul-Desmarais matched the meet record set by Lion Stephan Balson two years ago with his time of 10.85 seconds. Training partner Ayoub Shangai finished a hair behind in 10.90 seconds. Impressive for the three performances is they were all set without the use of starting blocks. 

In an early test of her speed, 800 metre star Ellie McGregor was the class of the varsity girls 400 metres. The grade 11 student from Immaculata finished 40 metres clear of the field, crossing the line in 57.40 seconds to better the previous record of 57.84 set last year by Lion Quinn Coughlin.

Middle-distance strength was also on display, highlighted by Jake Claydon-St. John of John McCrae. Competing in the junior varsity boys 800 metres, Claydon-St. John ran 2:05.97 to establish a new meet record by over a second and a half. He also posted a third place finish over 400m. 

Another record nearly fell In the varsity boys 110-metre hurdles where Taisei Tan dominated the field with a 14.17 second clocking to win by nearly two seconds. Unfortunately for Tan, the wind was a hair above the legal limit at 2.1 m/s. Tan was also dominant in the 300 metre hurdles, posting a time of 39.14 seconds – nearly four seconds ahead of his nearest competitor. 

The high school season continues this week with the uOttawa High School Invitational as the athletes build towards the NCSSAA Conference Championships the week of May 11th.

Jorai_Wendy

Oppong-Nketiah, Alexis Honoured by Athletics Canada for 2025 Seasons

by ClublinkinbioMastersNational

OTTAWA — Ottawa Lions athletes Jorai Oppong-Nketiah and Wendy Alexis were recognized this week by Athletics Canada for their performances during the 2025 season.

Oppong-Nketiah was named the recipient of the Myrtle Cook Trophy for the second consecutive year, awarded to Canada’s top U18 female athlete. Alexis earned the Earl Fee Track Athlete of the Year (Masters) honour for the first time in her career following a record-setting campaign.

Oppong-Nketiah’s season was highlighted by her performance at the Canadian Track and Field Championships, where she captured gold in both the 100 and 200 metres to complete the U20 sprint double. Posting times of 11.44 in the 100m and 23.54 in the 200m, Jorai ranked among the top U18 performers globally in 2025.

The 100-metre victory marked her second consecutive national U20 title in the event, placing her within one of the Canadian record for most consecutive wins. Still in the early stages of her career, Oppong-Nketiah continued to establish herself as one of Canada’s top sprint prospects.

Alexis, competing in the W70 category, delivered one of the most outstanding seasons in Canadian masters athletics history. She lowered the W70 world record in the 100 metres three times during the outdoor season, including a mark of 14.54 seconds at the Canadian Track and Field League Final in Ottawa.

Her success began during the indoor season, where she won a title over 60 metres and set a W70 world indoor record in the 200 metres. Alexis also contributed to a world-record performance as part of Canada’s 4×200-metre relay team at last year’s World Indoor Championships.

(Montreal, Canada---27 June 2024) Maddie Seaby competing in the 2024 Bell Trials Canadian Track and Field Championships and Olympic Trials. Photograph Copyright 2024 Miles Ryan / Mundo Sport Images. If posting to social media please tag @mundosportimages

Seaby Breaks U23 Club Record to Lead Lions at Bryan Clay Invitational

by linkinbioUniversity

AZUSA — Maddie Seaby delivered a historic performance last Thursday night in her debut over 10,000 metres, setting a new Ottawa Lions U23 club record to headline a strong weekend for the club across North America.

Competing at the prestigious Bryan Clay Invitational in Azusa, CA Seaby crossed the line in 33:49.15 to finish sixth in the second section. The performance not only established a new U23 club record, but also ranks as the second-fastest time in school history.

Making her first-ever appearance at the distance, the University of Louisville student showed composure throughout, positioning herself among some of the top collegiate and post-collegiate distance runners in North America.

Also at Azusa, Zachary Jeggo continued his strong start to the outdoor campaign, clocking 46.97 seconds in the 400 metres. The performance marked his fastest time of the young outdoor season as the Simon Fraser freshman heads to Botswana this weekend for the World Relay Championships.

Veteran middle-distance runner Stephen Evans opened his outdoor season with a solid showing in the 800 metres, finishing in 1:50.94. 

(Canton, United States---05 December 2025) Safwan El Mansari at the Saints Holiday Relays held in Newell Field House on the campus of St. Lawrence University. Copyright 2025 Miles Ryan / Mundo Sport Images. If posting to social media please tag @mundosportimages

El Mansari, McIntyre, Harris Honoured at Gee-Gees Awards Banquet

by linkinbioUniversity

OTTAWA — Ottawa Lions athletes were front and centre at the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees’ annual awards banquet, held Tuesday evening at the National Arts Centre, as three members of the track and field program captured major honours.

Middle-distance standout Safwan El Mansari headlined the evening, earning Male Athlete of the Year honours following a breakthrough campaign that saw him emerge as one of the top talents in U SPORTS.

El Mansari’s season was highlighted by a pair of silver medals at the U SPORTS Championships last month. Individually, El Mansari set a school record of 1:18.12 over 600 metres en route to his national medal. The second-year Commerce/Law student also played a key role on the Gee-Gees’ 4×400-metre relay squad, powering the quartet to their first national medal in 13 years, contributing to an OUA championship record and a school-record run earlier in the season.  

First-year student Sophie McIntyre was recognized as Female Rookie of the Year after an impressive debut campaign in the Garnet and Grey. A key contributor on the Gee-Gees’ relay teams, McIntyre quickly established herself as one of the program’s top long sprinters, posting the team’s fastest times in the 600 metres and earning a place in the OUA final. Her season-best performance of 1:34.31 ranks among the top 15 all-time in the program’s deepest event.  

William Harris was awarded the prestigious President’s Award, presented annually to student-athletes who best combine academic and athletic excellence. Harris posted an outstanding 9.40 GPA in Translational and Molecular Medicine while playing a central role on the record setting 4×400-metre relay program.

Additional honours presented on the evening included cross country MVP awards for Zach Sikka and Zoe Gardiner, as well as track and field MVP recognition for El Mansari and Jessica Gyamfi.

(Ottawa, Canada---03 August 2025) David Moulongou competes on Day 5 of the Canadian Track and Field Championships presented by Bell at the Terry Fox Athletic Facility. Copyright 2025 Miles Ryan / Mundo Sport Images. If posting to social media please tag @mundosportimages

Gale, Moulongou Strike Gold as Lions Post Strong Early-Season Results Across North America

by ClublinkinbioUniversity

OTTAWA — Lauren Gale and David Moulongou led a series of standout performances for the Ottawa Lions this weekend, each capturing victories in the 400 metres while teammates delivered personal bests and strong performances across multiple meets in the United States.

Competing at the Hurricane Alumni Invitational in Coral Gables, Florida, Gale delivered a commanding double, winning both the 200 and 400 metres. The Olympic veteran clocked a nation leading 51.24 over 400 metres – the sixth fastest performance of her career. The Colorado State graduate followed it up with a 23.23 second effort over 200 metres (+1.4 m/s) for the second fastest time in Canada this early season..

Moulongou matched Gale’s success on the men’s side, taking top spot in the 400 metres in 47.61. The performance marked the second-fastest time of his career, finishing just 0.03 seconds shy of his personal best set earlier this year during the indoor season at Boston University.

Across the continent in California, Zachary Jeggo opened his outdoor campaign with a strong showing at the Pomona-Pitzer Invitational. The Simon Fraser freshman placed third in the 400 metres in 47.13, the fastest season opener of his young career as he continues to build on a breakthrough indoor season. Jeggo is currently ranked 23rd in the early season NCAA Division II rankings.

Distance runner Grace Streek also delivered a milestone performance at the We Fly Challenge in Bowling Green, Ohio. The Miami University athlete finished 10th in the women’s 1500 metres in 4:39.37, shaving more than a second off her previous lifetime best set at the 2024 OFSAA East Regionals.

In hurdle events, a pair of Lions athletes turned in personal-best performances. Nathaniel McNeil clocked 57.39 in the men’s 400-metre hurdles at the TWU Open in Langley, B.C., while Emily Brennan ran 1:02.40 to set a new lifetime best at the Fast Break Athletics Invitational in Cleveland, Tennessee.

Brennan’s weekend extended beyond the individual event, as she played a key role in Denison University’s relay success — helping set a school record in the 4×100 metres while also contributing to a victory in the 4×400.

(Ottawa, Canada---03 August 2025) /Zachary Jeggo/ competes on Day 5 of the Canadian Track and Field Championships presented by Bell at the Terry Fox Athletic Facility. Copyright 2025 Miles Ryan / Mundo Sport Images. If posting to social media please tag @mundosportimages

Jeggo, Gale Named to Team Canada for World Relays in Botswana

by Internationallinkinbio

OTTAWA — Two Ottawa Lions athletes will represent Canada on the global stage next month, as Zachary Jeggo and Lauren Gale were named to the national team for the upcoming World Athletics Relays in Gaborone, Botswana.

For the veteran Gale, Wednesday’s selection marks her third consecutive selection to the World Relays. In contrast, Jeggo’s appointment represents a breakthrough moment — his first national team selection at any level, and another stepping stone in a remarkable freshman campaign at Simon Fraser University.

“I was really surprised,” Jeggo said via email following the Athletics Canada announcement. “A senior national team wasn’t on my 2026 bingo card, that’s for sure. I called one of my closest buddies first to break the news, and honestly, I just couldn’t believe it.”

The honours continued through the day for the first-year standout, who was recognized later Wednesday as both Male Freshman of the Year and Lorne Davies Male Athlete of the Year for Individual Sport at Simon Fraser, following an exceptional debut season.

Jeggo described the day as “hectic” and “pretty surreal,” after being named to Team Canada and earning multiple major awards at Simon Fraser. He credited his teammates and friends for their support, adding that he was grateful to share the moment with them.

Jeggo’s rise has been one of the most compelling stories of the indoor season. Competing in the 400 metres, the Ottawa native announced himself on the national stage earlier this year with a Canadian U20 indoor record performance of 46.72 seconds at the Great Northwest Athletic Conference Championships — a time that positioned him among the top young quarter-milers in the country.

His progression from club standout to NCAA contributor has been rapid, but representing Canada marks a new level.

“Honestly, it means everything,” Jeggo said of his appointment. “I’m glad to be Canadian and to now represent the country at one of the biggest stages, which really means a lot to me. I always trained with the hope of someday making it, and now it’s about to become a reality.”

Set to compete in a relay environment, Jeggo will make the transition from individual racing to team competition — a dynamic he embraces.

“I think the aspect of having a team is something unique in this sport,” he said. “For once, you aren’t just running for yourself but the other three people on the team. For me, I just want to do my job and get the baton around the oval as quickly as possible to give my teammates and I a shot at winning.”

The World Relays will also serve as a key stepping stone as he builds toward a possible spot on Team Canada at the World U20 Championships later this summer.

“I just want to go out there and compete to the best of my ability and show why I’ve been selected,” Jeggo said of his selection to the mixed 4x400m pool. “Gaining that experience will help me better myself as an athlete and a person as well. Anything can happen over the course of the season, and there is tons of good competition, so hopefully I can keep the ball rolling and make that U20 team.”

While Jeggo prepares for his international debut, Gale returns to familiar territory as one of Canada’s most experienced relay contributors in the 4x400m. The Ottawa Lions veteran has been a consistent presence on national teams since 2021 when she was named to her first Olympic team.

At last year’s event in China, Gale was instrumental in helping both the women’s and mixed 4×400 metre relay squads qualify for the World Championships in Tokyo. 

“Excited and always honoured to represent Canada at a World event,” Gale shared in a recent social media post following the announcement. “Here’s a preview — coming to you soon Botswana.”

With a blend of emerging talent and veteran leadership, the Lions duo will look to make their mark in Gaborone, where strong performances could punch Canada’s ticket to either this year’s World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Budapest or next year’s World Athletics Championships in Beijing.

(Ottawa, Canada---03 August 2025) Lauren Gale and Emma Cannan competes on day four of the Athletics Canada 2025 Bell Trials Canadian Track and Field Championships. Photograph Copyright 2025 Sean Burges / Mundo Sport Images. If posting to social media please tag @mundosportimages

Gale Opens Season with Strong Showing at LSU as Lions Compete Across Continent

by linkinbioUniversity

OTTAWA — A light competition schedule for the Ottawa Lions still produced several notable performances over the weekend, highlighted by Lauren Gale’s season debut in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Competing at the Battle of the Bayou hosted by Louisiana State University, Gale opened her outdoor campaign with a trio of races against strong international fields as part of an Athletics Canada training camp.

Gale began her weekend Friday with a sixth-place finish in her 200-metre heat, crossing the line in 23.50 seconds. She returned Saturday to deliver a strong performance over 400 metres – placing fourth in 51.69. The mark is the second fastest season opener of her career and a mark that ranks among the top 50 times globally early in the 2026 season.

Less than an hour later, Gale doubled back to lead off Canada’s 4×400-metre relay team, splitting 52.7 seconds as the squad finished third in 3:30.05. The performance currently stands among the fastest relay times in the world this year as Canada prepares for next month’s World Athletics Relays in Gaborone, Botswana, where Gale is expected to factor into the national team lineup.

Also in Louisiana, Zachary Jeggo was slated to make his outdoor debut in the 400 metres but withdrew prior to competition after experiencing hamstring discomfort during his pre-race warmup. The Simon Fraser University freshman was in Louisiana as part of Canada’s men’s 4×400-metre relay pool.

In Ohio, Emily Brennan continued the strong start to her season at the Marv Frye Invitational, hosted by Ohio Wesleyan University. The Denison University senior captured victory in the 400-metre hurdles, clocking 1:03.72 — her fastest season opener to date.

Brennan also showed her speed on the flat, finishing fifth in the 100 metres in a wind-aided 12.36 seconds, an all-conditions personal best. She capped her weekend by helping Denison to a runner-up finish in the 4×100-metre relay.

Elsewhere in Ohio, Grace Streek recorded a collegiate best in the 1500 metres at the Oliver Nikoloff Invitational in Cincinnati. The Miami University freshman placed 19th in 4:49.01, continuing her progression early in her first NCAA outdoor campaign.

Out west, Quinn Coughlin turned in a top-five finish at the Jerry Quiller Classic in Boulder, CO. The Colorado State freshman placed fifth in the 400-metre hurdles in 1:02.57.

(Montreal, Canada---24 January 2026) /Maxime Cazabon of Ottawa Lions/ at the McGill Team Challenge held in the Tomlinson Fieldhouse on the campus of McGill University . Copyright 2026 Miles Ryan / Mundo Sport Images. If posting to social media please tag @mundosportimages

Cazabon Smashes Ontario Record in Pentathlon Debut to Lead Lions

by InternationallinkinbioProvincialUniversity

OTTAWA — A record-breaking performance from rising talent Maxime Cazabon highlighted a strong finish to the indoor season for the Ottawa Lions, as athletes delivered standout performances across provincial, national and international stages.

Cazabon turned heads at the Ontario Indoor Combined Events Championships in Toronto, capturing the U18 pentathlon title in his debut in the discipline. The Grade 10 standout amassed 3,366 points — a new Ontario U17 record — surpassing the previous mark of 3,134 set in 1999.

Long recognized for his jumping prowess, Cazabon showcased his versatility across all five disciplines, winning four of the five events contested. He recorded four lifetime best performances on the day and matched his seasonal best in the high jump at 1.91 metres — the second-highest clearance in Canada this season in the U18 category.

The previous weekend at the Ontario U16 and U20 Championships, Penny Roy continued her steady progression in the race walk, capturing gold in the U16 1500-metre event. The 14-year-old clocked a personal best of 9:14.26.

On the international stage, Maëliss Trapeau represented Canada at the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Poland, narrowly missing out on a place in the semifinals of the women’s 800 metres. Trapeau crossed the line in 2:03.78, finishing just 0.58 seconds shy of advancing from her heat. The performance builds on her momentum from last season, where she reached the semifinals at the outdoor world championships.

Meanwhile, in the United States, Quinn Coughlin opened her outdoor campaign in impressive fashion at the Jack Christiansen Invitational. The first-year Colorado State athlete claimed victory in the 400-metre hurdles in 1:01.31 — the fastest season-opening performance of her career and the fourth-fastest time overall.

(Ottawa, Canada---01 August 2025) Ange-Mathis Kramo competes on Day 3 of the Canadian Track and Field Championships presented by Bell at the Terry Fox Athletic Facility. Copyright 2025 Miles Ryan / Mundo Sport Images. If posting to social media please tag @mundosportimages

Kramo Hits World U20 Standard, Leads Lions at Shamrock Invitational

by High Schoollinkinbio

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. — A group of Ottawa Lions high school athletes closed out their March Break training camp with a series of breakthrough performances at the Alan Connie Shamrock Invitational, highlighted by five marks that entered the club’s all-time top-10 list and a total of 24 personal bests across 34 competitors.

Held annually at Doug Shaw Memorial Stadium, the meet has become a staple on the Lions’ spring calendar, offering athletes an early-season opportunity to test their fitness against deep collegiate and high school fields.

Leading the charge was Paul Desmarais senior sprinter Ange-Mathis Kramo, who signaled his form for the upcoming championship season with a trio of strong performances. Kramo narrowly missed advancing from the 100-metre preliminaries despite a solid 10.79-second effort on Friday, but rebounded in emphatic fashion a day later. He clocked personal bests of 21.11 seconds in the 200 metres and 47.28 seconds in the 400 metres, placing second and first, respectively, in the collegiate sections. The marks rank as the second and third-fastest U20 performances in club history and both surpassed the entry standards for this summer’s World Athletics U20 Championships in Eugene, Oregon.

Livia Buffone also opened her outdoor season in impressive form, continuing a trend of early-season progress in Myrtle Beach. The Grade 11 student from Glebe Collegiate ran a personal best of 12.45 seconds in the 100 metres, finishing 32nd in a field that included competitors up to six years her senior. The performance marked a significant improvement, trimming more than two tenths of a second off her previous best.

Buffone later returned to the track as part of the Lions’ 4×200-metre relay team alongside Roxy Gardiner, Norah Nitta Mackay and Marlowe Fabi. The quartet combined to run 1:45.78, recording the fourth-fastest U18 time in club history.

Another top-10 performance came in the women’s 4×800-metre relay, where Shannon Dewar, Isla Kittmer, Kyre Lauter and Maya Allibon captured bronze in 9:42.81. Kittmer led the team with a 2:24 split, while her teammates each contributed strong 2:26 legs in a well-balanced effort.

Kittmer also found individual success, running 5:19.61 in the mile to place 13th. The performance moved her to seventh on the club’s U18 all-time list.

On the men’s side, Max Gerundin continued his strong run of form following his recent Canadian indoor medal, producing a personal best of 1:55.56 in the 800 metres to secure a top-10 finish in the collegiate section.

With the outdoor season now underway, the Shamrock Invitational once again provided a valuable benchmark for the Lions’ developing athletes, many of whom will look to build on these early results as they turn their focus toward the spring high school season.