(Ottawa, Canada---04 November 2024) Novice Boys generic running up "The Hill" at Mooney's Bay at the 2024 OFSAA Cross Country Championships. Photograph Copyright 2024 Sean Burges / Mundo Sport Images. If posting to social media please tag @mundosportimages

Lions Impress with Strong Showings at OFSAA Cross Country Championships

by High SchoollinkinbioUniversity

Ottawa Lions athletes capped off an outstanding cross country season with a series of strong performances at the OFSAA Cross Country Championships held Saturday at Heart Lake Conservation Area in Brampton. With nearly three dozen Lions athletes lining up across the seven divisions, several cracked the top 20 in deep provincial fields.

Leading the way on the senior side was Charlie Mortimer of Hillcrest, who battled through the challenging 6-kilometre course to finish fifth in the Senior Boys race with a time of 19:12.29. The result marked a significant improvement from his 21st-place showing last year and capped a stellar high school season that also included a city title.

Led by Kyra Lauter, the Lions had two athletes finish among the top 20 in the Senior Girls race. The Franco-Ouest student placed 15th—her highest-ever OFSAA cross country finish—in 22:58.26, while Colonel By’s Laila Lebel followed close behind in 19th at 23:13.57.

A strong Lions contingent made its presence felt in the Junior Girls race, with three athletes finishing inside the top 30. Reve McInnes (Glebe) led the charge with a 19th-place finish in 19:52.80. Along with teammate Leonie Ravard (68th), Glebe finished fourth overall in the team standings. A similar one-two Lions punch helped Nepean High School to a fifth-place finish, just six points behind Glebe. The Knights were led by Charlie Fee’s 20th-place finish in 19:56.37 and Charlotte Eccles’s 45th-place result, while John McCrae’s Alexandra Harris, the defending Novice Girls bronze medalist, was 28th in 20:11.82. 

The EOSSA Champion Oscar Lorrain rose to the occasion again in the Junior Boys race, producing the top finish for the Lions. The L’Escale student narrowly missed the top 10, clocking 17:00.62 for 11th. St. Francis Xavier’s Brody Charbot was 76th overall, while Glengarry’s Rowan Blaine placed 83rd.

In the Novice Girls race, Roan Gerth (Glebe) continued her strong rookie campaign with a 13th-place finish in 16:11.57. The NCSSAA Champion also led Glebe to a fifth-place finish in the team standings, just 45 points shy of the podium. 

Jaiden Taft had the race of his season in the Novice Boys event. The AY Jackson student cracked the top 10, finishing ninth in 14:23.13, just a week after placing fourth at the NCSSAA Championships. Colonel By’s Kai Lebel followed in 37th, helping the Cougars to an eighth-place team finish with 395 points, narrowly missing sixth by four points.

Competing in the Para division, Jacob Gauthier (Jules-Léger) clocked 22:41.69 to finish 36th overall, ranking as the top visually impaired athlete in the province.

With the high school season now complete, these Lions athletes will turn their attention towards the Athletics Ontario Championships in two weeks’ time and for the older athletes, eyes will also be on the Canadian Championships later this month in London.

Lions South of the Border

A day before OFSAA kicked off, Maddie Seaby was in action Friday at the Atlantic Coast Conference Cross Country Championships in Louisville, Kentucky. The Louisville junior placed 84th overall for the host Cardinals in 21:01.3on the 6km course. Racing together as a tightly packed unit, the Cardinals finished 11th in the team standings with 265 points, recording a spread of only 33 seconds between their top five scorers—the third-best spread in the 18-team field. Next up for Seaby will be the NCAA Southeast Regional Championships in Charlottesville, Va., on November 14, where athletes will vie for berths at the NCAA Championships.

On the roads, Joshua Cassidy continued his comeback season with an eighth-place finish in the men’s wheelchair division of the New York City Marathon on Sunday morning. The veteran racer crossed the line in 1:43:38, capping a year that’s seen him balance recovery from a shoulder injury with a steady return to form.

Full Lions Results from OFSAA

Senior Girls (6km)

15. Kyra Lauter (Franco-Ouest ESC) – 22:58.26
19. Laila Lebel (Colonel By SS) – 23:13.57
62. Edie Petrescu-Comnene (Nepean HS) – 24:34.19
84. Emily Munro (Hillcrest HS) – 25:02.76
259. Sophie Edwards (Colonel By SS) – 30:50.04

Senior Boys (6km)

5. Charlie Mortimer (Hillcrest HS) – 19:12.29
86. Jackson McKercher (John McCrae SS) – 21:11.53
91. Aidan Snow (ÉSC Paul-Desmarais) – 21:15.65
104. Olivier Young (Louis-Riel ESP) – 21:28.73
162. Max Gerundin (Bishop Smith CHS) – 22:15.72
246. Matisse Joly (Louis-Riel ESP) – 24:27.04
DNF. Mikel Fortier (Louis-Riel ESP)

Junior Girls (5km)

19. Reve McInnes (Glebe CI) – 19:52.80
20. Charlie Fee (Nepean HS) – 19:56.37
28. Alexandra Harris (John McCrae SS) – 20:11.82
45. Charlotte Eccles (Nepean HS) – 20:41.68
53. Kira Coldrey (Colonel By SS) – 20:52.32
68. Leonie Ravard (Glebe CI) – 21:09.31
127. Anabelle Muir (Glebe CI) – 22:32.21
164. Isla Kittmer (MacKenzie CS) – 23:18.13
203. Helena Winkel (Nepean HS) – 24:27.37

Junior Boys (5km)

11. Oscar Lorrain (ÉSC l’Escale) – 17:00.62
76. Brody Charbot (St. Francis Xavier HS) – 18:29.06
83. Rowan Blaine (Glengarry DHS) – 18:35.44

Novice Girls (4km)

13. Roan Gerth (Glebe CI) – 16:11.57
53. Saoirse Hoogenraad (Longfields-Davidson Heights SS) – 17:17.38
72. Priya Bilcock (Nepean HS) – 17:37.70
111. Anna Hennigar (Nepean HS) – 18:13.12

Novice Boys (4km)

9. Jaiden Taft (AY Jackson SS) – 14:23.13
37. Kai Lebel (Colonel By SS) – 14:52.81
103. Patrick Badgley (Sir Wilfrid Laurier SS) – 15:41.01

Para 4km

36. Jacob Gauthier (Jules-Léger CC) – 22:41.69

(Ottawa, Canada---04 November 2024) Ashlin Heer of St. Marcellinus (Mississauga) competing in the Senior Girls race at the 2024 OFSAA Cross Country Championships at Mooney's Bay Park., Bronwyn Caithness of St. Martin (Mississauga) competing in the Novice Girls race at the 2024 OFSAA Cross Country Championships at Mooney's Bay Park., Gabby Catalano of St. Marcellinus (Mississauga) competing in the Novice Girls race at the 2024 OFSAA Cross Country Championships at Mooney's Bay Park., Samantha DeMars of Strathroy DCI (Strathroy) competing in the Novice Girls race at the 2024 OFSAA Cross Country Championships at Mooney's Bay Park., Camila Forero of St. Marcellinus (Mississauga) competing in the Novice Girls race at the 2024 OFSAA Cross Country Championships at Mooney's Bay Park., Siena Naisbitt of Sir Frederick Banting SS (London) competing in the Novice Girls race at the 2024 OFSAA Cross Country Championships at Mooney's Bay Park., 1619, Madeline Verbeek of Ursuline College Chatham (Chatham) competing in the Novice Girls race at the 2024 OFSAA Cross Country Championships at Mooney's Bay Park., Alisa Indelicato of Holy Names (Windsor) competing in the Novice Girls race at the 2024 OFSAA Cross Country Championships at Mooney's Bay Park., Eva Andrecyk of Frontenac SS (Kingston) competing in the Novice Girls race at the 2024 OFSAA Cross Country Championships at Mooney's Bay Park., Isla Kittmer of MacKenzie CS (Deep River) competing in the Novice Girls race at the 2024 OFSAA Cross Country Championships at Mooney's Bay Park., Myka Penninga of Emmanuel Christian HS (Fergus) competing in the Novice Girls race at the 2024 OFSAA Cross Country Championships at Mooney's Bay Park., Hayley Muscat of Huron Heights SS (Kitchener) competing in the Novice Girls race at the 2024 OFSAA Cross Country Championships at Mooney's Bay Park., Selena Loaring of Centennial CVI (Guelph) competing in the Novice Girls race at the 2024 OFSAA Cross Country Championships at Mooney's Bay Park., Abigail

Lions Set for OFSAA Cross Country Championships in Brampton

by High SchoolProvincial

The stage is set for the province’s best high school cross country runners to converge on the Heart Lake Conservation Area in Brampton this Saturday for the 2025 OFSAA Cross Country Championships. A total of 35 Ottawa Lions athletes will take to the trails, representing schools from across the National Capital region and Eastern Ontario.

Last year’s edition, hosted in Ottawa, brought plenty of success for Lions athletes. Daniel Cova claimed gold in the senior boys race, while Alexandra Harris earned bronze in the novice girls. The Louis-Riel senior boys also stood on the podium with a team bronze, thanks to strong performances from Cova, Cohen Kaye, Mikel Fortier, and Olivier Young.

Familiar Faces Return

Harris returns to OFSAA following another strong campaign that included a bronze medal in the junior girls race at this year’s NCSSAA Championships. Fortier and Young are also back, this time looking to help Louis-Riel build on their senior boys team title from last week’s city championships.

After finishing 21st in last year’s senior boys race, Charlie Mortimer of Hillcrest enters as a top contender for a place in the lead pack. Mortimer’s fall season has been nothing short of impressive — a top-10 finish in the university section of the Capital XC Challenge and a commanding victory at the NCSSAA Championships. He already owns one OFSAA medal, having earned silver in the 2000m steeplechase at last year’s track and field championships.

Ones to Watch

The junior boys race will feature a strong Lions duo in Oscar Lorrain and Rowan Blaine, who went 1–2 at last week’s EOSSAA Championships in Kingston and will be looking to replicate those impressive performances over the 5km course in Brampton.

On the girls’ side, Isla Kittmer returns to OFSAA after placing 12th in last year’s novice race. The MacKenzie Community School standout comes off a second-place finish in the junior girls race at EOSSAA and will be looking to crack the top 10 this time around.

In the novice girls race, Roan Gerth of Glebe will be one to watch. The freshman has been a standout for the Gryphons this fall, dominating the NCSSAA Championships with a comfortable victory.

Championship Schedule

Racing begins Saturday at 10:00 a.m. with the novice girls, followed by the para race at 10:45 a.m., junior girls at 12:15 p.m., junior boys at 1:00 p.m., senior girls at 1:45 p.m., and senior boys at 2:30 p.m.

Live results will be available at trackdatabase.com, and a live stream can be viewed on YouTube at youtube.com/live/9igAU9_q3Oc.

Lions Athletes Competing

Senior Boys (6km)

Max Gerundin – Bishop Smith CHS
Charlie Mortimer – Hillcrest HS
Jackson McKercher – John McCrae SS
Mikel Fortier – Louis-Riel ESP
Matisse Joly – Louis-Riel ESP
Olivier Young – Louis-Riel ESP
Aidan Snow – Paul Desmarais ESC

Senior Girls (6km)

Sophie Edwards – Colonel By SS
Laila Lebel – Colonel By SS
Kyra Lauter – Franco Ouest ESC
Emily Munro – Hillcrest HS
Edie Petrescu-Comnene – Nepean HS
Riley Daniels – The Element HS

Junior Boys (5km)

Oscar Lorrain – ÉSC l’Escale
Rowan Blaine – Glengarry DHS
Brody Charbot – St. Francis Xavier HS

Junior Girls (5km)

Isla Kittmer – MacKenzie CS
Kira Coldrey – Colonel By SS
Camille Cuylits – Glebe CI
Reve McInnes – Glebe CI
Anabelle Muir – Glebe CI
Leonie Ravard – Glebe CI
Alexandra Harris – John McCrae SS
Charlotte Eccles – Nepean HS
Charlie Fee – Nepean HS
Helena Winkel – Nepean HS

Novice Boys (4km)

Jaiden Taft – AY Jackson SS
Kai Lebel – Colonel By SS
Patrick Badgley – Sir Wilfrid Laurier SS

Novice Girls (4km)

Roan Gerth – Glebe CI
Nyla Liut-Hiridjee – Glebe CI
Saoirse Hoogenraad – Longfields-Davidson Heights SS
Priya Bilcock – Nepean HS
Anna Hennigar – Nepean HS

Para (4km)

Jacob Gauthier – Jules-Léger CC

(Ottawa, Canada---04 November 2024) Charlie Mortimer of Hillcrest (Ottawa) competing in the Senior Boys race at the 2024 OFSAA Cross Country Championships at Mooney's Bay Park.. Photograph Copyright 2024 Sean Burges / Mundo Sport Images. If posting to social media please tag @mundosportimages

Lions Qualify 29 Athletes for OFSAA at NCSSAA Cross Country Championships

by High Schoollinkinbio

Under clear skies and cool autumn conditions, Ottawa’s best high school runners converged on the Hornet’s Nest in Blackburn Hamlet Thursday for the NCSSAA Cross Country Championships — the final stop before next weekend’s OFSAA Championships in Brampton. The Ottawa Lions Track and Field Club turned in another outstanding collective effort, with 29 athletes punching their ticket to provincials.

Leading the charge were Charlie Mortimer and Kyra Lauter, a pair of Grade 12 standouts who swept the senior boys and girls titles.

Lauter headlined a dominant showing in the senior girls 6km race, leading a full Lions sweep of the podium. The Franco-Ouest student cruised to victory in 21:41.3, more than 70 seconds ahead of last week’s East Conference champion Laila Lebel of Colonel By (22:54.1). Edie Petrescu-Comnene of Nepean secured bronze in 23:24.6, while Emily Munro of Hillcrest (5th – 23:41.5) and Riley Daniels of The Element (6th – 23:53.2) also booked their spots at OFSAA.

Behind the individual success, Nepean captured the senior girls team title, edging Colonel By 75–85 in the final standings thanks in large part to Petrescu-Comnene’s podium finish. Among those advancing as part of Colonel By’s runner-up squad was Lions athlete Sophie Edwards.

On the senior boys’ side, Mortimer earned redemption after last week’s narrow defeat to Colonel By’s Owen Siderius. The Hillcrest standout ran away with the victory over the 6km course, winning in 19:08.5, nearly 18 seconds clear of Siderius. Fellow Lions Aidan Snow (Paul-Desmarais) and Jackson McKercher added strong runs, placing fourth (19:58.5) and sixth (20:03.3), respectively to book their tickets to OFSAA.

In the team standings, Louis-Riel claimed the senior boys city crown, powered by consistent efforts from Lions teammates Mikely Fortier (8th), Olivier Young (10th), and Matisse Joly (60th), edging Glebe 65–72 for the win.

The top of the results sheet for the junior girls race was littered with Lions athletes, as they claimed six of the top nine positions, including two podium finishes. Reve McInnes of Glebe came within two seconds of the title, clocking 18:56.9 for silver, while Alexandra Harris of John McCrae took bronze in 19:00.6. Additional qualifiers included Charlie Fee (Nepean – 4th), Charlotte Eccles (Nepean – 7th), Helena Winkel (Nepean – 30th), Leonie Ravard(Glebe – 10th), and Kira Coldrey, who advanced via her 6th-place finish (20:01.6).

In the junior boys 5km, Brody Charbot was the lone Lions qualifier, placing third overall in 17:30.6, just 11 seconds shy of silver.

For the second week in a row, Glebe freshman Roan Gerth stood atop the podium, cruising to victory in the novice girls 4km. Gerth’s winning time of 14:09.2 put her more than 23 seconds clear of the field. Keira Ganton (Maplewood – 3rd, 14:35.9) joined her on the podium, while Saoirse Hoogenraad (Longfields-Davidson – 6th, 14:50.7) secured the final individual qualifying position. Nepean’s Priya Bilcock (11th) and Anne Henniger (25th) helped their team to a second-place finish, ensuring a trip to OFSAA.

In the novice boys division, Kai Lebel continued his strong season with a third-place finish (12:48.9), leading Colonel By to a second-place team result. Just behind him, Jaiden Taft (AY Jackson) finished fourth (13:08.9), while Patrick Badgley (Sir Wilfrid Laurier) claimed the final individual qualifying spot in 8th (13:42.3).

Rounding out the Lions contingent, Jacob Gauthier earned his spot at OFSAA in the Para category, placing fourth overall (21:38.8).

With 29 Lions advancing, the club will be well represented when the OFSAA Cross Country Championships get underway next weekend in Brampton, where athletes will look to close out the high school season on a high note.

(Ottawa, Canada---14 May 2025) Laila Lebel of Colonel By Secondary School - competes at the NCSSAA East Conference Track and Field Championships. Photograph Copyright 2025 Sean Burges / Mundo Sport Images. If posting to social media please tag @mundosportimages

Lebel and Gerth Lead Lions with Victories at Hornet’s Nest

by High Schoollinkinbio

The Hornet’s Nest in Blackburn Hamlet played host to the NCSSAA East Conference Cross Country Championships on Thursday, welcoming athletes back to a familiar course that has staged multiple OFSAA Championships over the years. Competing under cool fall conditions on the rolling trails, Ottawa Lions athletes produced a number of standout performances, including two individual victories.

Leading the way was Colonel By’s Laila Lebel, who captured the Senior Girls 6km title in commanding fashion. Lebel crossed the line in 23:19.9, more than 23 seconds clear of her nearest challenger. Joining her on the podium was Hillcrest’s Emily Munro, who earned the bronze medal with a time of 24:12.0,.

The club’s second victory of the day came in the Novice Girls 4km race, where Roan Gerth of Glebe Collegiate delivered a dominant performance. Gerth stopped the clock at 14:45.3, finishing more than 37 seconds ahead of the runner-up to secure her place atop the podium.

The Senior Boys 6km race produced another dramatic finish, with Hillcrest’s Charlie Mortimer battling Owen Siderius down to the wire. The pair were separated by less than a second at the finish, with Mortimer ultimately taking the silver medal in 20:08.6. It marked the second consecutive year that the East Conference senior boys title was decided by the slimmest of margins, echoing Daniel Cova’s narrow win over Saul Taler in 2024.

In the Junior Girls 5km race, Glebe’s Reve McInnes impressed with a bronze-medal performance, clocking 20:06.7. The Grade 10 standout led a dominant Glebe team effort, as the Griffins packed four athletes into the top eight to run away with the team title, finishing with an outstanding 22 points.

Also standing out on the day was Colonel By’s Kai Lebel, who grabbed silver in the Novice Boys 4km. The Grade 9 runner, who has excelled in Athletics Ontario Championship races, crossed the line in 13:23.7 to add another podium finish for the Lions.

Rounding out the Lions medalists was Jacob Gauthier of Consortium Jules-Léger, who earned a silver medal in the Para 4km race. Gauthier, who is legally blind, finished second overall and was the top performer among visually impaired athletes. He clocked a personal best of 20:47.0, an impressive improvement of nearly four minutes from his previous best, marking a memorable achievement on the Hornet’s Nest course.

Athletes will return to the Hornet’s Nest on Thursday, October 23 for the NCSSAA Championships, the final step on the road to OFSAA, which takes place November 1 in Brampton. The top two teams in each race, along with the top five individuals not on qualifying teams, will punch their ticket to the provincial championships.

(Ottawa, Canada---04 November 2024) Kyra Lauter of ESC Franco Ouest (Ottawa) competing in the Senior Girls race at the 2024 OFSAA Cross Country Championships at Mooney's Bay Park.. Photograph Copyright 2024 Sean Burges / Mundo Sport Images. If posting to social media please tag @mundosportimages

Lions Capture Four Titles at NCSSAA West Conference Cross Country Championships

by High Schoollinkinbio

Ottawa Lions athletes delivered dominant performances on Wednesday at the NCSSAA West Conference Cross Country Championships, winning four of the six races contested on the wooded trails surrounding Bell High School. The club’s athletes took top spot in both junior races and placed three athletes in the top four of both senior races, setting a strong tone heading into next week’s city championships.

In the Senior Girls 6km, Kyra Lauter (Collège Catholique Franco-Ouest) moved up two spots from her 2024 finish to capture the win in 22:53.3, nearly a full minute ahead of club mate Edie Petrescu-Comnene (Nepean), who clocked 23:50.6 for silver. Maya Allibon rounded out the Lions’ top finishers with a strong fourth-place performance in 24:34.7, helping the club secure three of the top four positions in the field.

The Senior Boys 6km race came down to the wire, with Owen Recoskie (Longfields Davidson Heights) finishing just 1.5 seconds behind the winner from Sacred Heart to claim silver in 20:06.1. Recoskie’s performance marked a strong improvement after placing fourth in 2024. Jackson McKercher (John McCrae) was close behind in third with a time of 20:10.1, while Dean Kontogiannis (Earl of March) secured fourth in 20:38.5, giving the Lions another trio inside the top four.

Brady Charbot (St. Francis Xavier) was in a class of his own in the Junior Boys 5km, crossing the line in 17:34.6 to win by a commanding 54 seconds. The victory marked his second straight West Conference title after winning the novice boys race last year. The Junior Girls race produced a Lions sweep, as Charlotte Eccles (Nepean), Alexandra Harris (John McCrae), and Charlie Fee (Nepean) went 1-2-3. Eccles led the charge with a winning time of 19:46.4, followed by Harris in 20:03.2 and Fee in 20:06.4, showcasing the club’s impressive depth in the age group.

In the Novice Girls 4km, Keira Ganton (Maplewood SS) edged out clubmate Saoirse Hoogenraad (Longfields Davidson Heights) in a tight finish, winning in 15:20.2 to Hoogenraad’s 15:22.1. On the boys’ side, Jaiden Taft was narrowly denied gold, finishing second in 13:30.6, just 2.1 seconds behind the winner.

All runners have advanced to next week’s NCSSAA City Championships, where they will look to build on their strong conference performances in pursuit of qualification for the OFSAA Championships set for Brampton on November 1.

(Ottawa, Canada---27 September 2025) Elizabeth Vroom of Queen's Gaels competing at the Capital XC Challenge at Mooney’s Bay Park. Copyright 2025 Miles Ryan / Mundo Sport Images. If posting to social media please tag @mundosportimages

Vroom and Mortimer Shine at Capital XC Challenge

by High SchoollinkinbioUniversity

The Capital XC Challenge unfolded on a beautiful sunny fall day at Mooney’s Bay Park, where leaves painted in autumn colours framed the course. More than 250 athletes took to the start line, each aiming to be the first across the track finish of one of Canada’s most unique and demanding layouts. The 6km route tested competitors with two punishing stretches along the 450-metre beach sand and two climbs up the park’s signature hill, a four-storey ascent squeezed into just 60 metres.

Laval’s Rouge et Or emerged with both team titles, extending their dominance in U SPORTS cross country. It was a nail-biter in the women’s standings, with Laval edging Queen’s by just two points, while on the men’s side the Rouge et Or pulled clear for a comfortable 27-point victory over RSEQ rival Sherbrooke Vert et Or.

Vroom Leads Queen’s to Silver Finish

Leading the Queen’s Gaels to within two points of the team title, fourth-year standout Elizabeth Vroom narrowly missed the podium, finishing fourth in 22:39.20. The former U SPORTS Rookie of the Year ran aggressively from the gun, leading through the opening lap before sitting in third on the final circuit. Vroom was eventually overtaken by Montreal’s Victoria LeBlanc in the last 500 metres, conceding bronze by just three seconds. Rookie Tessa Knight also impressed, placing 37th in 24:29.40.

For the University of Ottawa, Zoe Gardiner led the way. The McGill transfer and first-year medical student placed ninth overall in 23:05.70. Rounding out the Gee-Gees scorers were Merissa Anderton (60th), Daphnée Houde (66th), Sophia McIntyre (71st), and Ciara Villeneuve (72nd). Notably, Houde, McIntyre, and Villeneuve are all in their first year of study.

Carleton’s top performer was Sarah Gross, who finished 51st in 25:03.30.

Mortimer Breaks Through

High school senior Charlie Mortimer stepped up from the junior ranks and proved he belonged against university competition following his seventh place finish. The Hillcrest student crossed the line in 19:06.50, less than six seconds shy of the top five, signaling strong form ahead of his bid for the OFSAA title later this fall.

For the Gee-Gees, Ben Pascali was the top scorer, placing 17th in 19:25.50. Teammates Nathaniel Sneyd (48th, 20:02.40), Max Wilson (55th), William McLeish (63rd), and Zachary Sikka (66th) rounded out the scoring five.

Queen’s rookie Saul Taler contributed to the Gaels’ third-place team finish with a 24th-place showing in 19:37.10. Carleton’s best was first-year student Duncan Gray, who placed 80th in 21:03.50.

Mansouri and Lauter Top High School Races

The Lions also enjoyed success in the high school events at Friday’s Gryphon Open. Noah Mansouri claimed the men’s 5km title in 16:11.60, with clubmate Owen Recoskie taking third in 16:40.20. On the girls’ side, Kyra Lauter topped the field, winning in 18:43.80.

(Ottawa, Canada---30 May 2025) Zachary Jeggo competes at the 2025 OFSAA East Region Qualifier Track and Field meet. Photograph Copyright 2025 Sean Burges / Mundo Sport Images. If posting to social media please tag @mundosportimages

Jeggo Nearly Breaks National Record as Lions Close OFSAA with Golden Relay Glory

by High Schoollinkinbio

Zachary Jeggo capped a historic high school career in style Saturday, leading Louis-Riel to a record-breaking day at the OFSAA Track and Field Championships and nearly toppling a Canadian interscholastic record that has stood since 1985.

The senior from Louis-Riel blazed to gold in the senior boys 400-metre hurdles, stopping the clock at 51.76 seconds—the second-fastest time ever run in Canadian high school history. The performance came within a hair of the 40-year-old OFSAA and Canadian Interscholastic record of 51.68, set by Lions alumnus Phillip Hughes. Jeggo’s victory also marked his third consecutive OFSAA title in the intermediate hurdles, having won the 300m hurdles as a junior and the 400m variant last season. His time now ranks No. 2 in club history among U20 athletes.

Sir Wilfrid Laurier’s Kyle London nearly joined him on the podium, finishing fourth in a personal best 53.35 seconds—his second lifetime best in as many days. The performance moved him to eighth on the club’s U20 all-time list.

Cova Earns Second Medal, McGregor Moves into Club Top 10

Not long after Jeggo’s triumph, fellow Louis-Riel senior Daniel Cova capped his own decorated high school career with a bronze medal in the senior boys 3000 metres. Cova clocked 8:22.54, the second-fastest time of his career, earning his third OFSAA medal overall after claiming cross country gold in the fall and 1500m bronze on Friday.

In the junior girls 800 metres, Ellie McGregor of Immaculata earned her second podium finish of the weekend. The Grade 10 standout ran a seasonal best 2:12.34 to take bronze in a tightly contested finish, edged out at the line by Indie Bennett of Adam Scott. McGregor’s time moves her to No. 10 on the club’s U18 all-time list.

Baetz Unleashes Clutch Throw for Gold

Parker Baetz of Holy Trinity saved his best for last in the junior boys javelin, unleashing a personal best of 54.13 metres in the fifth round to surge from sixth place to gold. The mark added over half a metre to the PB he set two weeks earlier at the OFSAA East Region Championships. Baetz’s win also completed a Lions sweep of the junior javelin, following Mallea McMullin’s gold on Friday.

Relay Gold Seals Team Title for Louis-Riel

In the final event of the championships, Louis-Riel’s open boys 4x400m relay squad delivered a thrilling finish. Led by Ayoub Shangai (48.8), Daniel Cova (51.5), and Zachary Jeggo (46.8), the three Lions roared to victory in 3:18.17, securing the first-ever OFSAA boys 4x400m relay title by an Ottawa-based school.

The win also clinched the senior boys team title for Louis-Riel—the first by a local school since Brookfield High School in 1979.

Final Day Highlights

  • Eli Mordel of Sir Robert Borden cleared a personal best of 4.30m in the senior boys pole vault to finish fifth. His clearance moves him to sixth on the club’s U20 all-time list.
  • Charlie Mortimer, a silver medallist in the steeplechase on Friday, came back to finish seventh in the 3000m, running six seconds faster than his previous best (8:34.00). His time now ranks fourth among club U18 athletes.
  • Alexandra Harris, a standout in the novice girls division, placed fifth in the 3000m in 10:29.52, moving to ninth on the club’s U16 list.

A Strong Finish to a Stellar Weekend

In total, Lions athletes captured 13 medals over the three-day championship, closing the OFSAA season on a high. For many, including Jeggo, Cova, Grace Streek, Quinn Coughlin, and a host of graduating seniors, Saturday marked their final lap in high school competition.

The future, however, looks just as bright.

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McMullin Defends, Mortimer Delivers in Record-Setting Day 2 at OFSAA

by High Schoollinkinbio

A provincial title defense, a club record rewrite, and multiple trips to the podium highlighted a successful second day of competition for Ottawa Lions athletes at the OFSAA Track and Field Championships in Toronto.

In the field, Mallea McMullin of Louis-Riel set the tone for the day as she successfully defended her provincial title in the junior girls javelin. The reigning champion launched a winning throw of 39.32 metres—more than 2.5 metres clear of the competition—to secure her second straight OFSAA gold. AY Jackson’s Abby Lorz finished 15th on the day following a best throw of 27.10 metres.

Charlie Mortimer delivered one of the standout performances of the day, storming to a silver medal in the open boys 2000m steeplechase with a time of 5:56.30. The Hillcrest standout shattered his previous best by 13 seconds and obliterated the Club’s previous U18 record of 6:04.47 in the process.

Distance specialist Grace Streek added another medal to her growing collection, capturing bronze in the open girls 3000m steeplechase. Her time of 7:01.14 was the second fastest of her career and marked her fourth career OFSAA track medal, completing the full set of gold, silver, and bronze. Franco Ouest’s Tessa Knight clocked 7:21.70 for ninth place, her second personal best in as many days.

On the track, Zachary Jeggo added to his remarkable OFSAA résumé, earning silver in the senior boys 400m with a time of 47.26. It marks the fifth career OFSAA medal for the Louis-Riel student. Fellow Lion Ange-Mathis Kramo placed fourth in 48.57, narrowly missing his PB, while Stephan Balson was unable to finish the race.

Middle-distance star Daniel Cova added to the medal haul with a gutsy bronze in the senior boys 1500m. The Louis-Riel athlete dropped a massive personal best of 3:47.25—improving four seconds on the time he set in Thursday’s heats. The result moves Cova to #7 on the Club’s U20 all-time list. Saul Taler of Glebe also contested the final, finishing 12th in 3:56.56.

In the junior girls 400m, Ellie McGregor turned in a breakthrough performance, claiming bronze in a personal best of 56.82 seconds. The time ranks her 10th on the Club’s U18 all-time list.

In the sprints, Jorai Oppong-Nketiah of Louis-Riel raced to silver in the senior girls 100m final, clocking 11.88 seconds in a strong headwind. In the novice girls final, Olivia Daigle-Dasah of Franco-Cité finished eighth in 13.22.

Two Lions earned top-five finishes in the one-lap events. Quinn Coughlin placed fifth in the senior girls 400m in 56.84 seconds, while Declan McGinnity impressed with a personal best of 51.98 in the novice boys 400m—good for #2 on the Club’s U16 all-time rankings.

Over the hurdles, Zachary Benfaida of Merivale narrowly missed the podium in the junior boys 100m hurdles, placing fourth in a lifetime best of 14.20 seconds. He’ll be back in action Saturday in the 300m hurdles.

Rounding the day out in the field, Fallo Douramodou of Immaculata tied his personal best in the senior boys high jump, clearing 1.90 metres to place seventh. Mason Brennan finished 10th with a best of 1.85m. In the sand pit, Kaiya Woodcock placed sixth in the senior girls long jump with a leap of 5.28m.

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Cazabon Claims Gold, Jeggo Leads 400m Trio into Finals on Day1 of OFSAA

by High Schoollinkinbio

Maxime Cazabon delivered Ottawa’s first gold of the OFSAA Track and Field Championships on Thursday, soaring to victory in the novice boys high jump with a personal best clearance of 1.92 metres. The triumph adds two centimetres to the Canadian indoor U16 champion’s previous best and moves the Garneau standout within striking distance of Olympian Brian Marshall’s club U16 record of 1.97m.

On the track, Daniel Cova continued his strong season, leading all qualifiers in the senior boys 1500 metres with a personal best of 3:51.44. Fellow Lion Saul Taler also secured a place in Friday’s final, finishing just shy of his lifetime best in 3:56.14.

In the junior boys 1500m, Max Gerundin nabbed the 12th and final qualifying spot in a tactical heat, clocking 4:11.50. Alexandra Harris made a strong impression in the novice girls 1500m, slicing five seconds off her best to run 4:47.83 to book a spot in the final. The cross country medallist will look to add more hardware on the track in Friday’s final.

All four Lions entries in the 2000m steeplechase advanced to the final, with Charlie Mortimer and Mikel Fortier moving on in the open boys division, and Grace Streek and Tessa Knight doing the same on the girls’ side.

Streek, a three-time OFSAA medalist heading into the meet, will look to add to her resume in Friday’s final.

In 400m qualifying, junior Ellie McGregor lowered her week old personal best, crossing in 57.14 to win her heat. Declan McGinnity advanced in the novice boys race, and senior Quinn Coughlin moved on comfortably in her division.

The senior boys 400m qualifiers were dominated by the Lions, with three of four advancing to the final. Zachary Jeggo led the charge with a smooth 47.63, the second-fastest time of the day. Stephan Balson followed in 48.05, qualifying fourth overall, while Ange-Mathis Kramo shaved more than half a second off his personal best to advance in fifth at 48.41. Ayoub Shangai narrowly missed joining them, placing ninth in 48.70—a personal best that moves him to No. 5 on the Club’s U18 all-time list.

In field event action, Sadie Gilbert placed sixth in the senior girls shot put with a best of 11.20m. Timeo Atonfo finished ninth in the senior boys triple jump at 13.74m. Roxy Gardiner also placed ninth in the junior girls long jump with a leap of 5.10m, while Noah Hollinger took 10th in the junior boys triple jump at 12.54m.

(Ottawa, Canada---29 May 2025) Stephan Balson and Wyatt Lee compete at the 2025 OFSAA East Region Qualifier Track and Field meet. Photograph Copyright 2025 Sean Burges / Mundo Sport Images. If posting to social media please tag @mundosportimages Filename SB20250529EastRegions90.JPG Copyright Copyright Sean Burges / Mundo Sport Images, 2025 seanburges@yahoo.com seanburges@mundosportimages.com www.mundosportimages.com

Records, Depth, and Dominance: 59 Lions Advance to OFSAA Championships

by High Schoollinkinbio

It was a record-setting event for Ottawa Lions athletes at the OFSAA East Regional Track and Field Championships, with 59 individuals punching their tickets to this week’s provincial championship in Toronto. Hosted at the Terry Fox Athletic Facility, the two-day meet saw club athletes claim top honours, shatter long-standing records, and reinforce the program’s depth across events.

Among the standout performances was Zachary Jeggo’s historic run in the senior boys 400 metres. The Louis-Riel senior tore around the oval in 46.97 seconds, breaking a 22-year-old meet record previously held by former Lion Ryan Therrien (48.16). The time also erased a decades-old club U20 record set by Phillip Hughes at the 1985 World University Games in Kyoto, Japan.

Jeggo’s victory led a Lions sweep of all four OFSAA qualifying spots in the senior boys 400m, with Stephan Balson taking second in 48.48, Ange-Mathis Kramo third in a personal best 48.93, and Ayoub Shangai fourth in another PB of 49.34.

Not to be outdone, Balson added his own piece of history with a 21.23-second victory in the senior boys 200m—another meet record. The time moves him to #2 all-time in club U20 ranks, trailing only Olympian Oluwasegun Makinde, who holds both the OFSAA and club record at 20.99 seconds.

The girls made their mark as well, led by Ellie MacGregor, who claimed gold in the junior girls 400m in 57.23, breaking a 20-year-old meet record previously held by Olympian Melissa Bishop-Nriagu. In the field, Mallea McMullin launched the junior girls javelin out to 42.60m, besting the previous meet best by more than two metres and climbing to #4 U18 all-time among club athletes.

The Lions’ strength wasn’t just in their stars—it was in their numbers. Jeggo was back at it in the 400m hurdles, leading another clean sweep of OFSAA qualifiers. His winning time of 53.42 seconds was followed by Kyle London (55.47 PB), Jonah Gratton, and Taisai Tan, all securing their places in Toronto.

On the women’s side, Quinn Coughlin doubled up in the senior girls 400m (56.72) and 400m hurdles (1:03.14), while Jorai Oppong-Nketiah dominated the senior girls 100m in 11.72 seconds. Clubmate Kaiya Woodcock narrowly missed silver in the same event, finishing in a tie at 12.03, but losing out by just three-thousandths of a second. Woodcock responded with a personal best 5.43m leap in the long jump, capturing gold and moving to #9 all-time U20 in club history.

Middle-distance standouts Laila Lebel and Alexandra Harris were the only Lions to qualify in three individual events. Lebel swept the junior girls 1500m and 3000m while finishing fourth in the 800m—all in personal best times. Harris also ran PBs across the board, picking up silver at 3000m and bronzes in both the 800m and 1500m.

Daniel Cova was a force over the long distances, winning both the senior boys 1500m and 3000m with commanding performances. The Louis-Riel senior’s 1500m time of 3:54.83 put him five seconds clear of the field, and his 8:32.94 clocking in the 3000m sealed his distance double.

In the triple jump, Timeo Atonfo, working his way back from hamstring issues, soared to a personal best 14.16m to win the senior boys title. It was a strong return to form that vaulted him to #8 U20 all-time in club history.

Maxime Cazabon continued his steady improvement in the high jump. After being forced to withdraw from the 100m at the NCSSAA East Conference Championship due to hamstring concerns, the Garneau Grade 9 athlete looked back at full strength for OFSAA Regionals. He cleared 1.83m to win the novice boys high jump by eight centimetres—just shy of his 1.90m indoor best.

With 59 Lions advancing to OFSAA, and momentum clearly on their side, the club will look to carry its regional success onto the provincial stage in Toronto starting Thursday.

OFSAA Track and Field Results will be available on Athletic Live

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