(Toronto, Canada---16 July 2023) Nicolas Belan of Ottawa Lions T.F.C. races in the 800m at the 2023 Athletics Ontario Junior/Senior Championships held at the Metro Toronto Track and Field Center. Photograph Copyright 2023 Sean Burges / Mundo Sport Images.

Belan Betters World U20 Standard in Hamilton

by Internationallinkinbio

On Friday night in Hamilton, 18-year-old Nicolas Belan took a significant step towards achieving a feat accomplished by only two other Ottawa Lions Track and Field Club members. Belan ran a personal best time of 3 minutes and 46.87 seconds for 1500 metres, surpassing the qualifying standard for the upcoming World Athletics U20 Championships. However, the race did not proceed exactly as planned.

After narrowly missing the 1500 metre standard for the World Athletics U20 Championships at the Johnny Loaring Classic almost two weeks ago, Belan saw Thursday night’s 1500m Night in Hamilton as a prime opportunity to break the 3:48.00 barrier. However, unexpected storms, which had delayed the final minutes of the Redblacks game, rolled through Hamilton, pushing the final five heats of the 1500 metres to Friday night.

Despite the weather-induced delay and the need for extra warm-ups and cool-downs, Belan stayed focused and did what he has done best this year—run faster.

Belan, who will be attending the University of Guelph, began competing for the Club in the summer of 2022, finishing the season with a personal best of 4:13.42. Over the next twelve months, his dedication and hard work paid off as he made the OFSAA final, qualified for the Canadian Championships, and shaved 16.5 seconds off his best time.

Taking a gap year after graduating from Canterbury High School, Belan has continued to excel, achieving four personal bests in five races this season, both indoors and outdoors. His consistent improvement raises the question of just how much faster he can go.

With two other Canadian runners also surpassing the World U20 standard, Belan may need yet another personal best at the upcoming Canadian Championships to secure one of the two spots on the team heading to Lima, Peru at the end of August.

If successful, Belan would become only the third Lion to represent Canada over 1500 metres at the World U20 Championships, joining Jenni Biewald (2006) and 2004 finalist Mike Woods.

(Windsor, Canada---02 June 2024) Lauren Gale races to win the 400m in meet record time at the 2024 Johnny Loaring Classic held at the University of Windsor. The competition is part of the Athletics Canada National Track and Field Tour and the World Athletics Continental Tour. Photograph Copyright 2024 Sean Burges / Mundo Sport Images. If posting to social media please tag @mundosportimages

Gale Surpasses Olympic Standard Again in Edmonton Victory

by InternationallinkinbioLocal

She does it again. For the second time in nine days, Lauren Gale dipped under the qualifying standard for this summer’s Olympic Games. Racing at the Edmonton Athletics Invitational Thursday, Gale roared around the track at the University of Alberta’s Foote Field in a blazing 50.83 seconds to take home the gold. 

Gale can guarantee her spot in Paris with a win at the upcoming Canadian Olympic Trials in Montreal scheduled for the end of the month. She is currently ranked as Canada’s fastest runner over 400 metres, having produced the fastest time by a Canadian in over 30 years last week when she set a new Club record at the Royal City Inferno. 

Also in Edmonton yesterday, David Adeleye made his return to the track after a fall at the Johnny Loaring Classic in Windsor. The recent University of Toronto graduate placed eighth in the 110 metre hurdles with a time of 14.09 seconds. 

On the other side of the Atlantic yesterday, Bianca Borgella continued her preparation for the Canadian Trials and Paralympic Games with a silver medal run in Paris. Competing at the IPC Grand Prix event in the French capital, Borgella battled a stiff -2.1 metres per second head wind as she crossed the line in a time of 12.28. The double medalist at last year’s World Championship is currently the top ranked 100 metre runner in the T13 category.

Closer to home, Twilight Meet #2 took place Wednesday night with 59 personal bests being set by Lions athletes. Two athletes in particular shone in the 300 metres, with both Stephan Balson and Ange-Mathis Kramo producing all-time top 10 marks. Balson won the event in a time of 34.58 seconds to move to eighth on the U20 list while Kramo finished second in 34.97 to sit fourth on the U18 list. 

Results from Twilight Meet #2 are available on our website.

Photos from Twilight Meet #2 are available on Mundo Sport Images website.

Updated Club rankings can be found at https://milesrowat.shinyapps.io/ottl_rankings/

(Langley, Canada---28 July 2023) André Alie-Lamarche competing on day two of the Canadian Track and Field Championships at the MacLeod Athletic Park Stadium. Copyright 2023 Miles Ryan Rowat/ Mundo Sport Images. If posting to social media please tag @mundosportimages

Lions Excel in Week of World Wide Competition

by Internationallinkinbio

It’s been a busy seven days in athletics for Lions members with athletes competing across six countries and putting up a number of phenomenal performances as the outdoor season swings into gear. 

At the Down The Stretch Track Festival at George Mason Stadium in Fairfax, Virginia last Friday, André Alie-Lamarche delivered a stellar performance in the men’s mile. Finishing with a time of 4:01.17, Alie-Lamarche brought the crowd to their feet as he pushed the pace over the final 400 metres. André’s result marks the eighth fastest mile in Club history.

Simultaneously, at the USATF Los Angeles Grand Prix held at Drake Stadium, Kevin Robertson showcased his prowess in the men’s 3000-metre steeplechase. With a time of 8:36.92, Robertson recorded the second fastest performance of his career as he rounds in to form ahead of next month’s Olympic Trials in Montreal.

Back on home soil, a small group competed at the SLS Coupe Excellence #1 held at Piste Ben Leduc in St. Laurent last Saturday – capturing two gold and a silver. Rosemary Holmes and Quinn Lyness swept the women’s and men’s 400 metre hurdles respectively. Holmes took top spot in a time of 1:04.57 while Lyness crossed the line in 56.55 seconds.

Taking silver in the women’s 200 metres was Victoria McIntyre. The 28-year-old sprinter finished in a seasonal best time of 24.76 seconds.

Rounding out the crew in Quebec, Luca Nicoletti posted a seasonal best time of 11.17 seconds for 100 metres and finished ninth at 200 metres in 22.86 seconds.

Stephen Evans ended last weekend with a seasonal best effort in Lucca, ITA. Competing at the Lucca International Meeting, Evans placed fifth over 800 metres in a time of 1 minute and 47.65 seconds. His effort in Italy currently ranks as the fourth fastest performance in Canada this season. The 27-year-old followed Sunday’s performance with another 1:47 run on Wednesday in Kladno, CZE.

Rounding out the European contingent, Lauren Gale nearly equalled her Canadian Best performance at 300 metres with a silver medal run of 36.53 seconds at the Trond Mond Games in Bergen, NOR on Wednesday. Gale then followed that up two days later in Lahti, FIN as she took top spot in the 400 metres with a blistering time of 51.37 seconds. Gale’s time in Finland is the fastest in Canada this year and just seven hundredths off her Club record.


For updated Club rankings, please visit https://milesrowat.shinyapps.io/ottl_rankings/

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May’s Athletic Triumphs: Canadian Records, High School Stars, and Exciting Competitions

by High SchoolInternationallinkinbioLocal

The month of May burst into action with remarkable performances from Lions athletes across three countries.

World Relay Championships: Lauren Gale led Canada to a new national record in the mixed 4×400 meter relay during the World Relay Championships in The Bahamas over the weekend. Gale and her team secured third place in their heat, clocking in at an impressive 3 minutes and 14.66 seconds. Although they narrowly missed the top two spots required for automatic Olympic qualification, their performance bested the previous national mark of 3:15.20 set at last year’s Canadian Championships.

Trials of Miles Friday Night Lights: André Alie-Lamarche showcased his talent by finishing fifth in the 1500 meters event at the Trials of Miles Friday Night Lights event in New York’s Icahn Stadium. Crossing the finish line in 3 minutes and 48.85 seconds, Alie-Lamarche delivered his second-best performance of the year.

Run Ottawa’s Run to Empower: In Ottawa, two Lions athletes made their mark at Run Ottawa’s Run to Empower event. Adriano Padoin-Castillo claimed victory in the open 5-kilometer race, clocking in at an impressive 16 minutes and 44 seconds. Saoirse Kealey secured a top-10 finish in the Ottawa’s Fastest Woman 5km section, crossing the line in 18 minutes and 54 seconds.

uOttawa High School Invite: The uOttawa High School Invite saw a significant turnout over both days, with outstanding performances. Stephan Balson of Lisgar dominated the senior boys’ events, setting a personal best of 10.89 seconds in the 100 meters and finishing second with a time of 21.96 seconds in the 200 meters.

Ange Mathis-Kramo from Paul-Desmarais School made an impressive start to the season by clinching victories in both the junior boys’ 100 and 200 meter events. His time of 11.09 seconds in the 100 meters set a new meet record, while his 200 meter performance of 22.42 seconds showcased his dominance in the field.

Jorai Oppong-Nketiah continued her stellar form from last season by sweeping the 100 and 200 meter events, setting new records in both categories. Her windy 100 meter time of 11.99 seconds broke a 13-year-old record, while her 200 meter victory in 25.34 seconds shaved off an impressive 2.5 seconds from the previous record set in 2023.

Looking ahead, the high school action continues with the National Capital Classic, and the outdoor season kicks off with the Spring Kick Start meet on Friday and Saturday.

For updated club rankings, visit this link.

Copyright Brian Rouble/Shuttered Moments

Cassidy finishes fifth in Boston Marathon

by Internationallinkinbio

While Monday marked the 128th running of the Boston Marathon, it was the 14th time Josh Cassidy had taken his position on the startling line of the renowned event  in the suburb of Hopkinton, MA. The three-time Paralympian would be fifth across the finish line in the wheelchair division, achieving a remarkable time of 1 hour 26 minutes and 15 seconds under near perfect conditions.

The Boston Marathon course is known for its rapid start, with a 100-ft elevation drop in the first half-mile. Cassidy wasted no time, swiftly propelling himself from 20th to fourth place, reaching speeds of up to 65 km/h on the initial downhill stretch. “You want to build momentum quickly, so I was pleased with my strong start,” Cassidy shared on Instagram, reflecting on his performance.

Throughout the race, Cassidy maintained a steady pace, fluctuating between fourth and eighth positions. With just 5 kilometres to go, the race intensified into an all-out sprint as Cassidy found himself neck-and-neck with Japanese racers Sho Watanabe and Kota Hokinoue. Watanabe would ultimately finish five seconds ahead in fourth place, while Hokinoue crossed the line four seconds later in sixth place.

Looking ahead, Cassidy sees Monday’s race as a turning point in his season. “It was a challenging start to the marathon season in Tokyo and L.A.,” he remarked in a post-race Instagram video. “Though there’s still ground to cover to reach the top, I’m proud of the progress made in just a few weeks.”

Cassidy’s marathon journey continues as he sets his sights on the upcoming London Marathon this weekend in the UK.

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Lions Athletes Shine Across North America

by InternationallinkinbioUniversity

January ended with a bang this past weekend with a number of Lions athletes putting up a series of outstanding performances.

Kevin Robertson made history by becoming just the fifth runner in the Ottawa Lions Track and Field Club’s history, and the first since 2006, to break the 8-minute barrier for the 3000 metres. Robertson’s remarkable achievement was marked by a stellar time of 7:59.58, securing him a commendable 10th place finish in a highly competitive field.

Sydney Smith also showcased her outstanding talent, clocking an impressive time of 2:42.43 in the 1000 metres, which earned her a notable 5th place finish. Smith’s performance was not only a personal best but also shaved more than 5 seconds off her previous record. This remarkable feat catapulted Smith to second position on the Club’s all-time list, behind only Melissa Bishop-Nriagu.

“We are immensely proud of Kevin Robertson and Sydney Smith for their outstanding performances at the John Thomas Terrier Classic,” said head coach Richard Johnston. “Their dedication, hard work, and relentless pursuit of excellence exemplify the values of our club. We congratulate them on their remarkable achievements and look forward to witnessing their continued success through the rest of the season.”

Meanwhile, at the McGill Team Challenge, Adelle MacLeod and Connor Fraser made their mark with three new Carleton Ravens records.

Adelle MacLeod kicked off her meet by etching her name in the Carleton record books as the first woman to break the 11-metre barrier, achieving an impressive jump of 11.01 metres on Friday. She followed this remarkable feat on Saturday by equalling the school long jump record with a stellar leap of 5.00 metres, further solidifying her standout rookie season.

Connor Fraser showcased his remarkable strength and skill in the shot put event, adding 7 centimetres to his own Carleton Ravens record with an impressive heave of 15.27 meters to place third.

In Louisville, Kentucky, Maddie Seaby, currently completing her first year of studies at the University of Louisville, delivered an exceptional performance at the PNC Lenny Lyles Meet. Seaby ran a 12-second personal best of 9:43.34 to secure a fifth-place finish, making her the 8th fastest junior woman at 3000 metres and the 43rd woman in Club history to break the 10-minute barrier.

The varsity programs return to action on Friday as they head to Harvard University for the Crimson Elite meet before heading across town to the Scarlett and White meet at Boston University on Saturday.

McGill Results

Photos

Ottawa Lions Rankings

University of Ottawa Gee-Gee Rankings

Carleton Ravens Rankings

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Four Lions Coaches to Represent Canada in 2024

by Internationallinkinbio

Congratulations to Lions coaches Glenroy Gilbert, Leslie Estwick, Darrin Reesal, and Gordon Cavé on recently being named to Team Canada positions for the 2024 competition year.

Gilbert, as Athletics Canada’s Head Coach, will lead the national senior team in to multiple championships in 2024 culminating with the Olympic Games in Paris next August.

For the the first time in our Club history, the Lions will have three coaches representing Canada at the World Athletics U20 Championships.

A national team veteran, Estwick, will lead the jumps group at the Championship.

The World U20 Championships will be Gordon Cavé’s third national team assignment. He previously served as a sprints coach at the 2022 NACAC Senior Championships and was scheduled to be on the staff at the 2023 World University Games before Canada pulled it’s entry.

For long time throws coach Darrin Reesal, this will be his first national team assignment. However, Reesal is no stranger to international competition as he served as Tim Nedow’s personal coach for the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.

Congratulations to all four coaches on their well earned assignments!

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Christie-Galloway and Evans finish 8th and 12th respectively at Pan American Games

by Internationallinkinbio

The 19th edition of the Pan American Games concluded on a chilly Sunday evening at Parque Bicentenario in Santiago, Chile. This two-week multi-sport extravaganza saw Canada achieve its second-best medal haul in a non-home Games, with two standout athletes, Keira Christie-Galloway and Stephen Evans, using the platform as a stepping stone towards the upcoming Olympic Games.

Keira Christie-Galloway, a talented hurdler, was the first to hit the track in Santiago. She delivered a solid performance during the 100-meter hurdle semi-final on Halloween night. Qualifying for the final, Keira finished third in her race with a time of 13.36 seconds.

Following her heat, Keira shared her thoughts with Martin Cleary of Ottawa Sport Pages, saying, “I felt good. I went into the race thinking I’ll run my own race and execute. I got out and had a clean race.”

However, the following night presented a stark contrast in weather conditions, as temperatures dropped by 10 degrees Celsius to a chilly 11 degrees, accompanied by rain. In a race where none of the runners managed to break the 13-second barrier, Keira finished in 8th place with a time of 13.60 seconds.

Last Friday night, it was Stephen Evans’ turn to shine. Competing for Canada for the first time, the 800-meter club record holder showcased his talents on the international stage, securing a fourth-place finish in the first of three semi-finals.

As the runners hit the bell lap, Evans was only two-tenths of a second behind the leader. Despite making strong surges in the final 200 meters, the 27-year-old couldn’t secure one of the two automatic qualifying positions, finishing with a time of 1 minute and 48.98 seconds. Evans’ result would place him 12th overall in the final standings.

The performances from Keira and Stephen at the Pan American Games serve as a promising indication of their potential in the lead-up to next summer’s Olympic Games in Paris.

(Langley, Canada---28 July 2023) Keira Christie-Galloway competing on day two of the Canadian Track and Field Championships at the MacLeod Athletic Park Stadium. Copyright 2023 Miles Ryan Rowat/ Mundo Sport Images. If posting to social media please tag @mundosportimages

Christie-Galloway set to cap off long season at Pan Am Games

by Internationallinkinbio

333 days. That’s how many days it’s been since Keira Christie-Galloway stepped on to the track at Clemson University to open her 2022-23 competition season. Tonight she steps on to the track in the Julio Martinez National Stadium in Santiago, Chile for the opening round of the 100 metre hurdles at the Pan American Games. 

For Keira, by all accounts, this competition year has been a long one, but she’s found the necessary balance to feel rested heading into her second Pan Am Games, while still staying sharp. She attributes much of her preparation to mental strength and just showing up everyday as well as taking the necessary space to do the things she enjoys on the weekend.

“It is important to have balance,” says Christie-Galloway of her approach to this long season. ”For me that looks like cooking and baking, which has helped me ground myself in preparation for the games.”

She admits that she is looking forward to taking some time to rest after a long season that has seen her step into the starting blocks nearly 30 times.

As a graduate student-athlete at Grand Canyon University in Arizona, Keira re-wrote the Antelopes record book in what was her final year of NCAA competition. The Arizona State graduate broke the GCU indoor hurdles mark in February with a run of 8.17 seconds that equalled her four-year old best. Outdoors got even faster as she blazed her way to a time of a lifetime best of 13.01 to win the Western Athletic Conference outdoor title. 

After qualifying for her second NCAA Championship, Keira’s summer season remained relatively quiet in the lead-up to Santiago. Just two races at the Canadian Championships in Langley, where she finished fourth.

While not competing, she did have the opportunity to join her partner Turner Washington at the World Championships in Hungary. Washington was a member of Team USA in the discus after placing second at their national championships. 

Sharing Turner’s experiences throughout the season and witnessing his achievement of competing at the World Championships has been a valuable source of inspiration and support for Keira in her preparations for Santiago. 

“We have leaned on each other a lot this past season and I have been able to accomplish a lot with his support.”

As she heads into tonight’s race, Keira can draw upon her past experiences. Four years ago in Lima, Peru she was the youngest member of Canada’s athletics team at just 19 years old. She says her take away from the Championship was to run her own race and be confident in her own abilities.

Keira’s semi-final is scheduled for 5:25 pm Eastern, where she will be running to qualify for Wednesday’s final.

“I hope to take in this opportunity and really cherish the memories I will be making.”

You can watch Keira compete live on CBC Gem.

Copyright Brian Rouble/Shuttered Moments

Cassidy finishes 5th in Chicago Marathon

by InternationallinkinbioUniversity

While the fall conjures up ideas of a cross country season, it also features some top notch road racing opportunities. Making a good use of one of those opportunities was Joshua Cassidy who rolled his way to a fifth place finish in the Chicago Marathon. 

With a time of 1:33:29, Cassidy put up his fastest marathon performance since 2019, finishing less than two minutes off the podium. The two-time Paralympian will be at it again Sunday morning as he takes to the streets of Toronto for the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon where he will be looking to defend his title from a year ago. 

In cross country, Maddie Seaby helped her Louisville Cardinals to an 11th place finish on Friday at the Arturo Barrios Invitational in College Station, Texas. Seaby, who is in her first year with the Cardinals, finished the six kilometre course in a time of 20 minutes and 51.5 seconds to place 64th overall in the field of 385. 

Staying south of the border, Louise Stonham placed 15th this morning at the Highlander Invitational in Riverside, California. Stonham completed the six kilometre run in 20 minutes and 51.8 seconds to help Long Beach State University to the women’s team title. 

Closer to home, Elizabeth Vroom helped the Queen’s Gaels to fourth place finish at the Bayfront Open in Hamilton. Vroom was the second scorer for the Gaels, placing 21st over the eight kilometre course. Freya Hurst was 65th overall for the Gaels.