(Montreal, Canada---30 June 2024) Stephan Balson competing in the 2024 Bell Trials Canadian Track and Field Championships and Olympic Trials. Photograph Copyright 2024 Brian Rouble / Mundo Sport Images. If posting to social media please tag @mundosportimages

Balson Adds to National Records at CARIFTA Games

by Internationallinkinbio

Ottawa Lions sprinter Stephan Balson made his third appearance for his native St. Kitts and Nevis at the CARIFTA Games this past weekend, competing at the 52nd edition of the championships in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. The highlight of his meet came in the U20 4x400m relay, where he helped his home nation establish a new national record—his third at the U20 level this year.

Balson began the competition with a pair of fourth-place finishes in the heats of the U20 400m and 200m. He ran 48.09 in Saturday’s 400m, just missing a spot in the final, and followed with a 21.72 clocking in Sunday’s 200m, facing a -1.0 m/s headwind.

The highlight came in Monday’s 4x400m relay final, where Balson joined teammates Akanye Samuel-Francis, Jaheem Clarke, and Jaylen Bennett to finish seventh overall in 3:16.88—a new national U20 record for St. Kitts and Nevis. The mark adds to Balson’s growing list of national accolades, which includes indoor records in both the 200m and 400m.

His return to the CARIFTA Games followed a standout indoor campaign with the Lions. Balson clocked 47.78 in the 400m—ranking 38th globally among U20 athletes—and added a swift 21.64 over 200m.

Now with three national records and valuable international experience, Balson is poised for a strong transition into the outdoor season.

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Outdoor Season Blooms as Lions Return to the Terry Fox Athletic Facility

by Clublinkinbio

With snow now a memory (hopefully) and temperatures steadily rising, the Ottawa Lions are ready to transition from fluorescent-lit spaces to the open skies of the Terry Fox Athletic Facility. The first outdoor training sessions of the season kick off Monday, April 14, marking not only a return to our home track but the beginning of an exciting spring and summer of athletics.

While the indoor season brought personal bests and podium performances, it’s the outdoor calendar that truly showcases the full spirit and scale of track and field in the capital. Whether you’re chasing an OFSAA berth, sharpening your skills ahead of the national stage, or stepping onto the track for the first time, there’s something for everyone this spring.

It’s Not Too Late to Join the Action

If you’re looking to get involved, registration is still open for all spring and summer programming. From grassroots to high-performance training, the Lions offer programs for athletes of all ages and abilities. Full program details can be found at ottawalions.com/programs, and registration links are available at ottawalions.com/registration.

OFSAA Season on the Horizon

For high school athletes, the Lions will again play a central role in the Road to OFSAA. This year’s competitive lead-up begins with the Carleton Raven Relays on April 24, continues with the two-day uOttawa High School Invitational on May 1–2, and concludes with the marquee National Capital High School Classic on May 8–9.

Athletes hoping to take the next step in their high school season are encouraged to join our OFSAA Prep programs, tailored specifically for both power/speed and endurance athletes:

A Packed Summer Schedule Ahead

The action won’t slow down after the school season. The Lions will launch the outdoor competitive season with the Spring Kick Start Meet on May 10–11, followed by the return of the Twilight Meet Series, now in its 38th year. These weekly Wednesday night meets offer accessible and high-quality competition throughout the summer, with a total of nine meets scheduled to begin June 4.

Capping off the season, Ottawa will welcome the nation’s best when it hosts the 2025 Canadian Track and Field Championships, taking place July 30 to August 3 at the Terry Fox Athletic Facility. It promises to be a showcase of Canadian athletics at its finest, and another moment for local fans and athletes to witness greatness on home soil.

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From Eganville to the Olympics: Bishop-Nriagu to Join Hall of Fame

by Clublinkinbio

The Ottawa Lions Track and Field Club is proud to celebrate one of its most accomplished members, Melissa Bishop-Nriagu, who has been announced as one of five inductees to the Athletics Ontario Hall of Fame Class of 2025. Canadian record holder and three-time Olympian, Bishop-Nriagu’s induction honours a career defined by excellence, perseverance, and an enduring connection to the communities that helped shape her.

“I’ve always been proud to represent Ontario—from wearing the red singlet at my very first Legion Nationals to competing at the Canada Games. Those moments helped pave the way for my journey to three Olympic Games,” Bishop-Nriagu said following the announcement. “It’s incredibly meaningful to be named to the Hall of Fame alongside so many great individuals, including my former teammate Shawnacy Barber. His legacy continues to inspire, and I’m honoured to be part of this class in his memory.”

Born in Eganville, Ontario, Bishop-Nriagu’s path to the world stage was sparked not on the track, but on the soccer pitch. It was there that a coach recognized her exceptional speed and made a bold prediction. “He saw me running up and down the field and said, ‘You’re going to be an Olympian one day,’” she recalled during an interview in 2017. “And I think that just planted the seed. I had no clue what it took to get there, but I was going. That was the dream.”

Joining the Ottawa Lions in the summer of 2002 at the age of 13, Bishop-Nriagu quickly found herself immersed in a community that nurtured her love of track and field. “Ottawa… it’s where I started my career. It’s where I really found the love for track and field. The Ottawa Lions built that up for me,” she said in 2017. “The club has always been home to me.”

After high school, Bishop-Nriagu competed for one year with the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees before transferring to the University of Windsor, where she would train under legendary coach Dennis Fairall and spend the remainder of her competitive career. Even as she built her life and family in Windsor, she continued to represent the Ottawa Lions with pride—a testament to the bond she maintained with the Lions.

Her competitive résumé ranks among the greatest in Canadian middle-distance history. She is a three-time Olympian (2012, 2016, 2020), highlighted by a fourth-place finish at the 2016 Games in Rio where she set a Canadian record of 1:57.02 in the 800 metres. She would go on to lower that record to 1:57.01 at the Monaco Diamond League in 2017—a mark that still stands. Earlier that same summer, she thrilled a partisan Ottawa crowd at the Canadian Championships, cruising to victory over 800 metres while hundreds of fans from Eganville cheered in matching “Melissa” t-shirts. It was one of four national senior titles she captured during a career that helped redefine Canadian middle-distance running.

In 2015, Bishop-Nriagu captured gold at the Pan American Games in Toronto and made history just weeks later by winning silver at the World Championships in Beijing—the first Canadian woman ever to medal in the 800 metres on the world stage. She also holds the Ottawa Lions club record in the 1500 metres, with a time of 4:04.42 set in 2021.

Her legacy has long been celebrated in Windsor, where she was inducted into the University of Windsor Alumni Sports Hall of Fame in 2018. This week, it was announced that she will also be part of the 2025 induction class for the Windsor/Essex County Sports Hall of Fame.

Through it all, Bishop-Nriagu remained deeply connected to the Ottawa Lions. When she returned to compete at a pair of Twilight Meets in the summer of 2020, her final races in the city, athletes of all ages—some who had only ever seen her on TV—seized every chance for a wave, a brief hello, or a socially distant selfie.

Reflecting on the Club’s role in her journey, Bishop-Nriagu offered a simple but powerful tribute today: “They developed me into the athlete I am and have always been my home club –  representing them on world stages even with Canada across my jersey. So a big heartfelt thank you to the club for continued support from the very beginning to now!”

Details on the Athletics Ontario Hall of Fame induction ceremony are expected to be announced later this year, with the event anticipated to take place in the fall in Toronto. For the Ottawa Lions and the broader Canadian athletics community, Melissa Bishop-Nriagu is more than a champion—she’s a role model, a trailblazer, and now, a Hall of Famer.

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Gyamfi Claims Top Honour as Gee-Gees Celebrate 2024-25 Season

by linkinbioUniversity

The University of Ottawa wrapped up another strong year in varsity sport last Thursday night with the annual Gee-Gees Athletics Banquet, celebrating the achievements of student-athletes across all programs. Among the night’s top honourees was Ottawa Lions thrower Jessica Gyamfi, who capped a record-breaking season by being named the Varsity Garnet Female Athlete of the Year.

Gyamfi, a third-year nursing student, enjoyed the most successful season of her young career. She climbed the podium at both major championship meets, earning OUA silver and U SPORTS bronze in the shot put. Along the way, she rewrote the Gee-Gees record books, setting new program bests in both the shot put (13.85m) and weight throw (15.98m). She was also named the Team MVP for Women’s Track and Field.

On the men’s side, the Track and Field MVP honours went to William Harris, a second-year biomedical science student from John McCrae Secondary School. Harris was a key member of the Gee-Gees’ OUA silver medal-winning 4x400m relay team, which posted a time of 3:16.42—the third-fastest in program history. He also set personal bests in every sprint event from 60 to 400 metres and now ranks inside the top-10 all-time for both the 200m (22.37) and 400m (49.40).

In cross country, Melina Hamel earned Women’s Team MVP honours after leading the Gee-Gees at each major race of the season. The third year law student was the top scorer at the Hoffman Invitational, Capital XC Challenge, and the OUA Championships, where she placed 34th overall in a time of 31:03.8 over 8km.

For the men’s squad, Zach Sikka was named Cross Country MVP. A steady performer throughout the fall, Sikka was the team’s second scorer at the Hoffman Invitational and top finisher at the OUA Championships, clocking 26:36.3 to place 44th over 8km.

First-year middle-distance runner Safwan El Mansari was also among the evening’s award finalists. Nominated for Rookie of the Year, El Mansari was a key contributor on the track, running on the OUA silver medal-winning 4x400m relay team and delivering strong individual results in both the 600m and 1000m. He emerged as the Gee-Gees’ top performer in both events this season, placing seventh in the 600m at the OUA Championships and recording a time in the 1000m that ranks third in program history. El Mansari capped his debut campaign with a sixth-place finish in the 4x400m relay at U SPORTS Championships.

Recognized for her success in both the classroom and on the track, fourth-year Human Kinetics student Vienna Courteau was a finalist for the prestigious President’s Award, which honours the top academic-athletic performers across all Gee-Gees teams. Courteau, who boasts a GPA of 8.9 and has already been accepted into a masters program at the University of Ottawa, enjoyed a breakthrough season in the pentathlon. She placed eighth at the U SPORTS Championships and set a personal-best 3495 points to place fifth at OUAs—ranking her fourth all-time in Gee-Gees history. Courteau also added personal bests in five other events this season, including the second-best long jump ever recorded by a Gee-Gee.

For a full list of the evening’s award winners, please visit the Gee-Gees website.

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Alexis Sets Three World Records at World Masters Indoors; Maguire Medals Again

by InternationallinkinbioMasters

The World Masters Athletics Indoor Championships wrapped up this past weekend, and Ottawa Lions athletes made their presence felt on the global stage—none more so than Wendy Alexis, who celebrated her 70th birthday in unforgettable fashion.

Just two days after entering a new age category, Alexis delivered a jaw-dropping performance in the W65 200 metres preliminary round on last Thursday, clocking 30.68 seconds to set a new World Indoor Record for the W70 age group. Though entered in the W65 category—as age groups are based on the athlete’s age at the start of the championship—Alexis’ performance instantly rewrote the history books.

She wasn’t done.

Later that same day, Alexis dropped under the previous W70 record once again in the semi-finals and then sliced off another 0.35 seconds in the final, crossing the line in 30.33. Despite finishing fourth and narrowly missing a podium spot by just 0.03 seconds, Alexis left no doubt about her world-class speed. Prior to the Championships, the W70 record stood at 31.17 seconds

But Alexis’ crowning moment may have come in the relays, where she anchored Canada’s W65 4x200m team to a World Record. The team finished in 2:07.42, obliterating the previous mark of 2:09.74 and winning by nearly 10 seconds over the United States.

“Didn’t just break it — SMASHED IT! By 2.50 seconds,” Alexis shared via email about the team’s record setting run. “I was the anchor and I’m sure that was the fastest 200 I’ve ever run. I was flying! We all were! This has been a freakin’ amazing meet for me. I felt as if I could run down anybody!”

Alexis also helped Canada to silver in the mixed 4x200m relay, leading off a team that finished in 2:03.14, behind the USA’s 2:01.53.

“Back home tomorrow,” she added. “As exciting as this has been (huge adrenaline rush daily), I’m looking forward to some quieter time.”

Meanwhile, Liz Maguire continued her impressive form, picking up silver in the W55 1500m on Saturday. Her time of 4:59.48 was not only her fastest of the season but also her quickest since 2017. The race was won by Michelle Rohl of the USA, who set a championship record of 4:50.34. The result mirrored last year’s outdoor world championships, where Maguire also finished second behind Rohl.

Several other Ottawa Lions athletes were in action:

  • Michael Conway ran a personal best of 53.40 in the M40 400m, finishing 11th overall.
  • Mike McInerney placed 14th in the M55 1500m with a time of 4:58.10.
  • Lawrence Williams clocked 25.87 in the M50 200m, finishing 19th—just one spot shy of advancing to the semi-finals.

With multiple medals, world records, and season-best performances, the World Masters Championships proved that age is just a number—and the Lions continue to roar on the global stage.

Roy Races to First Provincial Medal

Back in Toronto, the next generation of Ottawa Lions athletes was making strides of their own at the Ontario U14 & Rising Stars Indoor Finale.

In the U14 girls 800m race walk, Penny Roy captured her first provincial medal, earning silver with a time of 5:09.27. The performance marked a significant improvement from her previous best, set earlier this month at the Quebec Indoor Championships, and capped off a strong indoor season for the young athlete.

(Ottawa, Canada---16 August 2023) Wendy Alexis competes in the 200m at Ottawa Summer Twilight Series Meet #11. Copyright 2023 Sean Burges / Mundo Sport Images.

Alexis Wins Gold, Maguire Adds Bronze at World Masters Indoor Championships

by InternationallinkinbioMasters

When most people hear you’re heading to Florida in March for a track and field meet, they assume you’re chasing an early start to the outdoor season — soaking up the sun and easing into competition. But for seven Ottawa Lions athletes, there’s no easing up. They’ve touched down in the Sunshine State for the World Masters Indoor Championships, and they’ve come to race.

Case in point, just three days into the Championship and Lions athletes have already set the Gainesville track on fire with a pair of medals and another top-8 finish.

Wendy Alexis gave herself an early birthday present on Monday — a world title. Just one day shy of turning 70, the Ottawa Lions sprinter stormed to gold in the W65 60 metres, clocking 8.95 seconds to edge Puerto Rico’s Marie-Lande Mathieu by just 0.07 in a thrilling final. It was her final day of eligibility in the age group, and she made it count — finishing just 0.15 seconds shy of the world record. The retired school teacher now adds another global title to her resume, having won the W65 100 metres at last summer’s outdoor championships.

Liz Maguire also reached the podium Monday, racing to bronze in the W55 800 metres. After winning her heat in 2:44.93 on Sunday, the three-time Canadian masters champion sped to an 2:32.40 in the final — her fastest indoor 800 since 2017 and her quickest overall since 2019. Maguire battled it out from the gun with Australia’s Caroline Fox with the pair never more than a step away from each other all race. The result also marked Maguire’s first global medal at the distance, following a silver in the 1500 meters at last year’s outdoor championships.

In the W40 division, Kimberley Howitt made a couple big steps in her running career. First, Howitt posted a lifetime best of 2:24.67 in the heats to nab the eighth and final qualifying spot. Then in Monday’s final, the 40-year-old ran another personal best in the final, finishing with a time of 2:23.73.

On the men’s side, Gilles Frenette was busy with a double. He placed 14th in the M45 800 metres heats (2:14.22) on Sunday and returned for another 14th-place finish in today’s 3,000 metres, crossing in 10:52.26. Mike McInerney finished 13th in the M55 800 metres, clocking 2:26.35.

The Lions are back in action on Wednesday as Lawrence Williams takes to the track in the M50 200m heats. Action continues through the weekend with the Championships wrapping up Sunday.

Kyle London competes at the Canadian Indoor Track and Field Championships at the Toronto Track and Field Centre in Toronto, Ontario on Sunday, March 23, 2025. GEOFF ROBINS Mundo Sport Images

Heartbreak and Triumph: Lions Go Big on Final Day of Nationals

by linkinbioNational

The final day of the 2024 Canadian Indoor Track and Field Championships brought the combined events to the forefront—and the Ottawa Lions were on full display with Natalie Feberova claiming the open women’s pentathlon title and Kyle London securing an impressive silver medal in the U20 heptathlon.

In the open women’s pentathlon, Natalie Feberova delivered a personal best score of 2,339 points to secure the national title. The 19-year-old notched lifetime bests in both the shot put (8.55m) and 800m (2:47.82) to close out the day after steady performances in the hurdles, high jump, and long jump. Teammate Coralie Ostertag joined her on the podium with a score of 1,883 points, placing second overall after solid marks across the five events.

After sweeping all four events on day one of the U20 men’s heptathlon, Kyle London entered Sunday in a strong position to challenge for gold. He opened day two with a personal best of 9.14 seconds in the 60m hurdles, strengthening his lead at the top of the standings. However, a no-height in the pole vault—a potentially devastating setback—shifted the momentum. Despite the stumble, London remained in contention, entering the final event just 42 points behind Calgary’s Nolan Rosenegger. In the 1000m, London delivered a sixth event victory with a time of 2:46.82, but ultimately fell just eight points short of the national title. In addition to the silver medal, his score of 4083 points ranks as the third best score in Club history at the U20 level.

On the track, Brooklyn McCormick produced a strong third-place finish in the open women’s 800 metres, stopping the clock in 2:15.65. It was McCormick’s second straight year on the 800 metre podium after a silver in Montreal in 2024. Today’s performance was a lifetime best on an indoor track for McCormick and the fourth quickest 800m of her career.

Rounding out the day’s action, 15-year-old Abigail Lorz cleared 2.05 metres in the U18 women’s pole vault to place eighth in her first appearance at the national championships.

The performances on Sunday capped off a successful weekend for the Ottawa Lions at the national championships, with 3 championship records, 12 medals, numerous personal bests, and rising stars continuing to show promise across the board.

Sadie Gilbert competes at the Canadian Indoor Track and Field Championships at the Toronto Track and Field Centre in Toronto, Ontario on Saturday, March 22, 2025. COPYRIGHT GEOFF ROBINS Mundo Sport Images

Gilbert Sets Championship Record as Lions Add to Medal Count on Day 2 of Canadian Indoor Championships

by linkinbioNational

Ottawa Lions thrower Sadie Gilbert delivered a standout performance Saturday at the Canadian Indoor Track and Field Championships, capturing gold in the U20 women’s shot put with a championship record throw of 12.98 metres. The Paul-Desmarais student unleashed the personal best throw in the fifth round to leapfrog Hamilton’s Coco Van Nynatten, claiming her first national title in style.

In the U18 men’s pole vault, Eli Mordel added a second bronze medal to his weekend tally. The 17-year-old equalled his lifetime best, clearing 4.25 metres to finish third, backing up his earlier bronze from Friday’s 60m hurdles final. Mordel continued to showcase his all-around talent on Day 2, placing fourth in the long jump with a best of 6.19 metres and setting a new personal best of 7.37 seconds in the 60-metre heats.

Brooklyn McCormick added to the Lions’ podium haul as well, claiming bronze in the open women’s 400 metres with a time of 59.44 seconds. 

In the U20 men’s heptathlon, Kyle London closed out a busy day with four event wins to position himself atop the standings heading into Sunday’s final events. The 18-year-old opened with a personal best 7.21 in the 60 metres before adding victories in the long jump (6.38m), shot put (11.67m), and high jump (1.65m), amassing 2,569 points through four events.

Competition continues Sunday with the conclusion of the men’s heptathlon and more medal opportunities for the Lions.

Eli Mordel running to bronze in U18 60m hurdle final on Day 1 of AC Indoor Track and Field Championships. Copyright Geoff Robins/Mundo Sport Images

Mordel and Cazabon Set Records as Lions Shine on Day 1 of Canadian Indoors

by linkinbioNational

The opening day of the 2025 Canadian Indoor Championships at York University’s Toronto Track and Field Centre saw Ottawa Lions athletes burst out of the blocks with a pair of championship records and several podium finishes.

Eli Mordel kicked off his weekend in spectacular fashion, blazing to a time of 8.09 seconds in the prelims of the U18 men’s 60m hurdles. The performance not only secured him the top seed going into the final but also established a new championship record, eclipsing the previous mark of 8.15. Mordel would go on to finish third in the final later in the day with a time of 8.28 seconds, earning a spot on the podium in one of the most competitive events of the meet.

Not to be outdone, Maxime Cazabon continued his dominant indoor campaign by claiming gold in the U16 boys’ high jump. The 14-year-old cleared 1.90 metres to secure the victory and set a new championship record in the process. The jump adds to an already impressive season for Cazabon, who is quickly establishing himself as one of Canada’s top young jumpers.

In the U20 women’s pole vault, Balqis Chouikhi soared to a second-place finish, clearing 3.50 metres. The result marks Chouikhi’s first national medal at the U20 level and matches her her lifetime best set earlier this season.

Closing out the Lions’ medals on Day 1 was Liam Davis, who powered his way to a gold medal in the open men’s weight throw. Davis launched the implement 14.78 metres to claim top spot. This is Davis’ first national gold medal following U20 shot put silver last summer..

Competing in the open women’s triple jump, Ella-Grace Gilbert landed a best mark of 11.08 metres, good enough for a bronze medal. The 21-year-old has really raised the bar for herself this indoor season with each one of her competitions exceeding the 11 metre barrier.

The Canadian Indoor Championships continue through Sunday, with more Lions athletes set to hit the track and field in search of national glory.

For live results visit https://live.athletics.ca/meets/45665

To watch online, visit athleticscanada.tv (subscription required)

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Lions Athletes Shine at Myrtle Beach Collegiate Challenge

by High Schoollinkinbio

After a week of training under the sun in what has become an annual pilgrimage to South Carolina, Ottawa Lions athletes kicked off their outdoor season with a strong showing at the Myrtle Beach Collegiate Challenge, posting multiple personal bests and top finishes.

Leading the way was Daniel Cova, who delivered a pair of standout performances – taking top spot in the1500 metres and capturing a bronze over 3000 metres. The future Iona University student eclipsed the four-minute barrier for the first time, taking victory in a time of 3 minutes and 59.27 seconds. At 3000 metres, Cova took home bronze and another personal best with a time of 8:36.55 – to move to 16th on the Club’s all-time U20 list.

Teammate Mikel Fortier also excelled at 1500 and 3000 metres, posting new lifetime bests in both events. Fortier, became the 24th U18 athlete in Club history to break 9 minutes for 3000m when he placed 14th in 8:59.15. At 1500m, Fortier won bronze behind Cova, running a personal-best 4:14.56.

Coming off a strong indoor season, Ellie McGregor demonstrated she’s well positioned to excel this spring on the high school circuit. The grade 10 student at Immaculata placed 13th in the Collegiate section of the 400 metres in a speedy 57.96 seconds – just three hundredths off her personal best. Teammate Shannon Dewar finished 22nd in 59.38 seconds and earlier won the open section of the 800 meters in 2:20.91, trimming nearly four seconds from her previous best.

Sprinter Livia Buffone also produced a pair of impressive results in both of the short sprints. Buffone opened with an impressive early season personal best of 12.89 seconds in the 100 metres – leading the Lions’ women. As a follow up, she trimmed a half second off her previous best at 200 metres, placing 30th in the Collegiate section in 26.84 seconds. 

Relays provided another highlight for the Lions, as the men’s 4×800-meter relay team of Brennan Lee, Charlie Mortimer, Mikel Fortier, and Daniel Cova combined for a time of 8:13.33, securing a strong seventh-place finish. In addition to the impressive finish, the time ranks as the fourth fastest among U20 men in Club history. The 4×200 relay team of Jonah Gratton, Jesse Costanzo, Xavier Placid, Jamie Meikle also ran their way into the top-10 rankings. The quartet placed 13th in the Collegiate men’s relay with a time of 1:32.30 – the seventh fastest for a U20 relay team in Club history.

With the outdoor season now underway, the Ottawa Lions’ athletes have set a high standard, and their performances in Myrtle Beach signal an exciting path ahead as they prepare for the high school and summer seasons.