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The roar of the crowd may have faded, but the echoes of a record-setting season still linger for the Ottawa Lions Track and Field Club. In 2024, a remarkable group of five women sprinted their way into the record books. Collectively, they became the largest group of women ever to break the 12-second barrier in a single season, surpassing the 2023 total by one and showing the future of women’s sprinting is bright in the nation’s capital.

Breaking Records: Jorai Oppong-Nketiah

Among the standout performers was 16-year-old Jorai Oppong-Nketiah, who delivered a series of electrifying performances that rewrote the record books. A double Canadian champion at the U18 and U20 levels, Oppong-Nketiah capped her season by clocking 11.38 seconds at the Canadian Championships in Montreal. This performance set a Canadian U18 record, a Championship record, and obliterated Farah Jacques’ eight-year-old Club record of 11.47 seconds. It also stands as the second-fastest time ever run by a Canadian teenager, trailing only Angela Bailey’s Canadian U20 record of 11.21 set in 1981.

A Versatile Talent: Lauren Gale

Lauren Gale, a name synonymous with excellence in the 200m and 400m, showed once again why she remains a force in Canadian athletics. Though the 100m isn’t her signature event, Gale recorded a personal best of 11.55 seconds at the Johnny Loaring Classic in Windsor. Her performance elevated her to a tie for fourth on the Lions’ all-time list. 

Ending on a High Note: Victoria McIntyre

At 29, Victoria McIntyre’s career took a thrilling turn in 2024. Her 11.57-second sprint at the Johnny Loaring Classic marked a three-tenths improvement on her personal best. The , earning her a ninth-place finish at the Olympic Trials and placing her seventh in Club history. For McIntyre, this season wasn’t just about speed—it was about resilience.

At the conclusion of the season, McIntyre announced her retirement from competitive athletics, marking the end of a distinguished career with one of her finest performances.

A Dual-Sport Phenomenon: Kaiya Woodcock

Seventeen-year-old Kaiya Woodcock made waves at the OFSAA Championships in London this past June, clocking an impressive 11.84 seconds to become the second-fastest U18 female in Club history. She would follow that up with a 17th place finish at the Canadian U20 Championships later that same month. A dual-sport athlete and standout striker for the West Ottawa Soccer Club, Woodcock’s success on the track suggests she has the talent to thrive in either arena.

Leading the Way: Bianca Borgella

Bianca Borgella’s 2024 campaign was as inspiring as it was historic. The 21-year-old para-athlete shattered her own Canadian T13 record with an 11.92-second run at the Bob Vigars Classic, a time that ranked as the fourth-fastest globally in her category this year. Borgella’s record run and victory at the Paralympic Trials secured her first Paralympic Games berth. Though a hamstring injury cut short her Paralympic final, Borgella’s 2024 season solidified her status as a star in the sport.

A Sprinter’s Sabbatical: Katie Manor

A member of the sub-12 club in 2023, Katie Manor posted a personal best of 11.87 seconds last year. The University of Ottawa student kicked off the 2024 season with a bang, recording a school record of 7.53 seconds over 60m and qualified for her second straight USports Championship. However, Manor chose to take a break from the summer season in 2024, leaving fans excited for what’s to come in 2025. 

A Legacy in Motion

For the Ottawa Lions, 2024 was not just a year of broken records—it was a year that redefined what’s possible. The achievements of these five women serve as a testament to the Club’s commitment to fostering talent and pushing boundaries. Looking ahead, the possibility of combining this exceptional group of athletes into a 4x100m relay team offers an exciting prospect. The Lions’ current relay record of 47.27 seconds seems poised to fall if these sprinters join forces. As 2024 comes to a close, one thing is certain: the legacy of the Lions sprinters is only beginning to unfold.

Olympic years are always special in the world of athletics, with heightened attention, concentrated focus, and a clearly defined goal. The 2024 season has produced a number of memorable and noteworthy efforts for the Ottawa Lions, particularly in the 400 metres — a discipline that has become a defining highlight of the Club’s year.

For multiple reasons, 2024 could be remembered as the “Year of the 400 Metres” for the Lions. A total of 10 athletes broke the 50-second barrier for the one-lap race over the past 12 months, marking the fifth-highest total in Club history. While this figure does not surpass the record of 12 athletes set in 2009 and matched in 2015, it is the age of the athletes achieving these times that has made this year stand out.

Historic Performances by U18 Athletes

For the first time in Club history, three U18 athletes bettered the 50-second barrier in the same season, led by Zachary Jeggo. Jeggo took nearly half a second off the previous Club U18 record, clocking an impressive 47.82 seconds to win the OFSAA Championships in June.

Jeggo’s feat was complemented by Ange-Mathis Kramo and Kyle London. Kramo became the youngest Lion ever to break 50 seconds with a 49.65 performance to place fifth at the Ontario U20 Championships. At just 16 years and 47 days old, Kramo narrowly beat Jeggo’s age mark set in 2023 by just five days. London joined the sub-50 club with his 49.98 effort, finishing 11th at the Royal Canadian Legion Championships.

U20 Breakthroughs

The U20 category contributed four more athletes to the sub-50 list in 2024, headlined by Stephan Balson. The Saint Kitts-Nevis international impressed with a 47.89-second performance at the Canadian U20 Championships, having previously dipped under 50 seconds at his national championships in 2023 before joining the Club. Joining him were William Sanders, William Harris, and Safwan El Mansari, each posting sub-50 times for the first time in their careers.

U23 and Open Category Highlights

Among U23 athletes, David Moulongou and Keito Newman both achieved sub-50 marks early in the season. Moulongou clocked a 49.06 at the Spring Kick Start meet in May, while Newman recorded a 49.23 at the California Pacific Conference Championships in April — his first time under the 50-second barrier.

The open category saw Saj Alhaddad join the ranks with a 49.79 effort indoors at Boston University. At 32 years old, Alhaddad has been a long standing member of the sub-50 club; however, this year’s performance made him the third-oldest athlete in Club history to break 50 seconds, trailing only Ray Cardinal, who posted a time of 47.84 at the age of 37.

Women’s 400m Milestone

While not part of the sub-50 list, Lauren Gale’s achievements this year deserve special mention. The 24-year-old set a new women’s Club record of 50.47 seconds at the Royal City Inferno in June. Gale’s time, the fastest by a Canadian woman since 1992, secured her a spot at her second Olympic Games, underscoring her status as one of Canada’s premier 400m runners.

A Season to Remember

From record-breaking youth performances to standout achievements by seasoned athletes, the 2024 season has cemented itself as a historic year for the Ottawa Lions in the 400 metres. With such a strong foundation of talent and potential, the future looks bright for the Club as it continues to push the boundaries of excellence in athletics.

For more Club statistics, please visit https://milesrowat.shinyapps.io/ottl_rankings/