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Ottawa Lions Track and Field Club Celebrates 50th Anniversary

by Clublinkinbio

Today marks a significant milestone in the history of the Ottawa Lions Track and Field Club as we celebrate our 50th anniversary. Since the first practice was held on April 25, 1974, led by head coach Bob Staveley and a team of dedicated individuals, the club has been a cornerstone of athletics in the Ottawa region for half a century.

In its inaugural year, the East Ottawa Lions, as they were initially known, held their first practice at the old Canadian Forces Base Rockcliffe track. Under the leadership of Bob Staveley, the club welcomed athletes aged 12 and up, with a mission to provide opportunities for youth in track and field within the community. Originally sponsored by the East Ottawa Lions Club, the club’s membership was initially limited to athletes residing within specific boundaries north of the Queensway and east of the Rideau River.

Reflecting on the early days of the club, Staveley at the time remarked, “There was a need for a second track and field club in the city, and I’m proud to have been a part of establishing the Lions.” Assisted by a team of dedicated coaches including Owen Froggett, Ken Parker, Rae Ellen Desloges, Dick Cardill, and Greg Moses, the club quickly gained momentum, fostering talent and passion for athletics in the region.

The original Board of Directors, led by President Major Angus Read and Vice-President Bob Staveley, played a pivotal role in shaping the club’s direction and ensuring its success in the years to come.

Over the past five decades, the Ottawa Lions Track and Field Club has grown from its humble beginnings to become a powerhouse in Canadian athletics, producing 22 Olympians, 17 Paralympians, nearly 200 international medals, over 1700 national championship medals, and in excess of 3600 provincial medals. The club’s legacy extends beyond the track, instilling values of dedication, perseverance, and sportsmanship in generations of athletes.

As we celebrate this milestone anniversary, we extend our gratitude to all past and present members, coaches, volunteers, sponsors, and supporters who have contributed to the success and longevity of the Ottawa Lions Track and Field Club. Here’s to the next fifty years of excellence in athletics!

(Langley, Canada---27 July 2023) Kevin Robertson competing on day one 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

Robertson moves to second on all-time steeplechase list

by Clublinkinbio

After a 2023 season which saw steeplechaser Kevin Robertson qualify for his first NCAA Championship, win a bronze medal at the Canadian Championships, and take top spot at the NACAC U23 Championships you may be left wondering what could he have in store for an encore. Friday night in Charlottesville, VA we got a pretty good glimpse and the future is bright. 

Opening his season at the Virginia Grand Prix, Robertson easily took top spot in his heat of the 3000 metre steeplechase in a personal best time of 8 minutes and 33.88 seconds. The Syracuse University student won by more than 11 seconds over Princeton’s Jackson Shorten. Robertson placed eighth overall.

In addition to a new lifetime best for Robertson, his performance Friday evening had him leap frog Joshua Karaja into second place on the Club’s all-time list. Alain Boucher set the current Club standard of 8:33.65 at the Commonwealth Track and Field Challenge in Sydney in 1990.

In Louisiana with the national team in preparation for the upcoming World Athletics Relay Championships, Lauren Gale took home a pair of fourth place finishes at the LSU Alumni Gold Meet. Gale  improved her seasonal best over 200 metres to 23.30 seconds in Baton Rouge – moving into third spot on the early season national rankings. Over 400 metres, Gale finished the one lap race in 52.42 seconds, two hundredths off her season’s best. . 

On the road, Josh Cassidy completed his second marathon in the span of a week rolling to an eighth place finish in the wheelchair section of the London Marathon Sunday morning. Following his fifth place finish in Boston on Monday, Cassidy finished the 26.2 mile course in a time of 1:35.40 – a scant seven seconds off another fifth place finish. 

Despite being on the other side of the country, there were a number of familiar faces on the start line of this year’s Vancouver Sun Run 10km. First across the finish line among the small group was Kyle Porter, who placed 32nd overall with a 31:58 clocking. Behind Porter were a pair of masters runners, Jay Sneddon and Sam Shi, who finished 25th and 42nd respectively in the men’s 30-34 age category. Jay was clocked in 34 minutes and 27 seconds, while Sam set a new lifetime best of 36 minutes and 16 seconds. 

For updated Club rankings, click here.

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Ottawa Lions Track and Field Club Announces Exciting Opportunities for Athletes, Coaches, and Volunteers

by Clublinkinbio

The Ottawa Lions Track and Field Club is proud to announce a series of exciting opportunities aimed at fostering growth, development, and community engagement within the sport of athletics.

As Ottawa emerges as a central hub for Track and Field and Cross Country, the Ottawa Lions Track and Field Club is committed to providing a platform for athletes, coaches, parents, and volunteers to thrive on provincial, national, and international stages.

Over the past decade, Ottawa has played host to a prestigious lineup of major events, solidifying its status as a premier destination for athletics. These events include the Canadian Track and Field Championships, Canadian Cross Country Championships, and various other national and international competitions.

In preparation for the upcoming events, the Ottawa Lions Track and Field Club is pleased to offer a range of opportunities for individuals to get involved and enhance their experience in the sport.

Coach and Officials Education:

  • Run, Jump, Throw Clinic: Taking place on May 12th at the Terry Fox Athletic Facility, this clinic provides newcomers to coaching and seasoned athletes alike with the chance to bolster their skills and gain valuable experience. Registration is open here.
  • Officials – Para Ready Seminar: In conjunction with the Spring Kick Start event on May 11th-12th, a para-ready officiating seminar will be held to equip officials with the necessary skills to work with para-athletes. Registration details will be available soon.
  • AO Officials Evolution Seminars: On April 25th and 27th, Athletics Ontario will host seminars in Ottawa to introduce interested individuals to the world of officiating in Track and Field. Registration is now open here.
  • Throws Clinic: Athletes, coaches, teachers, and officials are invited to participate in a throws clinic on May 5th at the Terry Fox Athletic Facility. Learn more and register here.

Volunteer Opportunities:
The Ottawa Lions Track and Field Club relies on the support of volunteers to ensure the success of its events. Opportunities to volunteer include:

  • High School Series: Volunteers are needed for events such as the Raven Relays, uOttawa High School Invite, and National Capital Classic. Volunteers can earn credits towards the 2024-2025 program. Details can be found here.
  • Spring Kick Start: Volunteers are needed for the event on May 11th-12th.
  • Twilight Series: Volunteers are essential for the success of these weekly events from June 5th to August 14th. Express interest here.
  • Lees Dome Fundraising Project: Volunteers are urgently needed for a major fundraising project to support the 2024-2025 season. Details can be found here.
  • Race Weekend: Volunteers are needed for various roles during the Ottawa Race Weekend from May 24th-26th. Express interest here.

“We are thrilled to offer these opportunities for individuals to engage with the sport of athletics and contribute to our vibrant community,” said Richard Johnston, Executive Director of the Ottawa Lions Track and Field Club. “Whether you’re an athlete, coach, parent, or volunteer, there’s something for everyone to get involved and make a difference.”

For more information about these opportunities and how to get involved, please visit Ottawa Lions Track and Field Club or contact Richard Johnston at rjohnston@ottawalions.com.

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.

(Langley, Canada---27 July 2023) Maddie Seaby competing on day one 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

Maddie Seaby Cracks 5000m Top-10 in California Opener

by ClublinkinbioUniversity

In what felt like the unofficial kick off to the outdoor season, Lions athletes put forward a number of outstanding performances over the past four days in California, Florida, Massachusetts, and even here in Ottawa. 

Starting on the west coast, over half a dozen Club athletes were in action at the Bryan Clay Invitational in Azusa. First on the track was Maddie Seaby in the 5000 metres and her result did not disappoint. The first year student at the University of Louisville put forward her second straight personal best at the distance, finishing in a time of 16 minutes and 35.43 seconds. Seaby’s previous best was 16:46.20 at the BU Valentine Invitational in February. 

At the Club level, Maddie’s time ranks her fourth all-time among U20 athletes and ninth overall. In addition, she is now just 5.43 seconds off Athletics Canada’s qualifying standard for this year’s World U20 Athletics Championship scheduled for Peru in September. 

Staying at Azusa, Stephen Evans showed he’s ready to attack the season as he opened up with a 1:48.80 effort for 800 metres following an injury that curtailed his indoor season. USport silver medalist David Adeleye had a tough time with his opener as he battled some strong winds in running 14.61 in the 110 metre hurdles. 

Rounding out the competing contingent at Bryan Clay, Keito Newman ran 55.32 for 400 metre hurdles while Sydney Smith posted a 2:09.65 in a tactical 800 metres. André Alie-Lamarche also opened up his 2024 campaign with a 3:52.05 effort over 1500m.

Fresh off being named to Canada’s entry at the World Relay Championships in The Bahamas next month, Lauren Gale was in action at the Tom Jones Memorial on the campus of the University of Florida. Repeating her performance from two weeks prior, Gale again ran 23.33 seconds for 200 metres, which ranks her third fastest in Canada. Over 400 metres, Gale posted a time of 52.40 seconds to sit equal sixth on the national rankings. 

Up the coast in Massachusetts, Josh Cassidy kicked off his Boston Marathon Weekend with a fifth place finish in the wheelchair 5k. His time of 10 minutes and 58 seconds left the Paralympian 28 seconds off the podium. Cassidy will be back on the road Monday morning for the full marathon where he will look to improve upon his 19th place from a year ago.

Closer to home, the high school season officially kicked off with the Louis-Riel Indoor Meet #2 as a pair of Lions gave a glimpse of what may be in store this spring. Colonel By’s Mason Brennan topped the senior boy’s high jump with a leap of 1.90 metres – height that moves him to equal number seven on the Club U18 all-time list. As well, Louis-Riel’s own, Zachary Jeggo, put together an impressive run of 39.08 seconds in the 300 metre hurdles. Impressively, the time beats his previous best at the distance despite running over hurdles three inches higher. 

Full results from Bryan Clay Invitational can be found on our website.

Update Club rankings are available at https://milesrowat.shinyapps.io/ottl_rankings/

(Windsor, Canada---23 February 2024) Kathryn Moreland competing on Day 1 of the 2024 OUA Track And Field Championships in the Dennis Fairall Fieldhouse on the campus of the University of Windsor. Copyright 2024 Miles Ryan Rowat / Mundo Sport Images. If posting to social media please tag @mundosportimages

Moreland named uOttawa Rookie of the Year

by linkinbioUniversity

While Spring was in the air Saturday, we were looking back on a strong winter season indoors as the University of Ottawa handed out their annual athletic awards. A total of five Gee-Gee athletes were recognized by the university for their excellence on the field of play. 

Combined events athlete Kathryn Moreland took home the honour of Garnet Rookie of the Year following a tremendous opening campaign in the garnet and grey. Moreland, who competes in the five event pentathlon, recorded an impressive three individual event personal bests enroute to an overall pentathlon best at the OUA Championships where she placed fourth in the field.

Also at the OUA Championships, Moreland ran leadoff on the Gee-Gees 4×400 metre relay team, putting the team at the front of the pack as they captured OUA bronze out of the slow section. Through that run Moreland also secured her first trip to the USports Championship where the Gee-Gees ran a seasonal best time of 3:54.99 and placed 12th in Canada.

Doyin Ogunremi, a teammate of Moreland’s on the 4×400 metre relay, was recognized Saturday night as the Gee-Gees women’s track and field Most Valuable Player. In addition to  her success on the 4×400 metre relay team, the fourth year student helped this year’s 4×200 metre squad to a place in the national final after they narrowly missed the school record by seven hundredths of a second. 

Beyond her relay success, a massive highlight of Ogunremi’s season will undoubtedly be her school record performance at 300 metres. Running at the Ravens Last Chance Meet, Doyin erased a second off her previous best – running 38.73 seconds to become the first woman in school history to break the 39 second barrier. She would go on to finish fourth in the same event at the OUA Championships and 11th at USports. 

The men’s track and field MVP went to third year student David Moulongou. A team leader, Moulongou put up the 10th fastest time in school history for 300 metres (34.70) – arguably the deepest event in Gee-Gee history. In addition, during his only run at the 60 metre hurdles, Moulongou put up the 13th fastest performance in school history. 

Looking back to the fall season, André Alie-Lamarche and Melina Hamel were each recognized as the men’s and women’s cross country team MVP’s. Alie-Lamarche had a standout season, earning OUA Second Team All-Star recognition for his eighth place finish before going on to a career best 28th place finish at the USports Championship. 

Hamel, a rookie on the cross country team, was the Gee-Gees top finisher at the OUA Championships, finishing 46th overall. In fact, she was the team’s top finisher at all four competitions the Gee-Gees competed in during the season. 

OTTAWA - August 11, 2021: Freya Hurst and Elana Tyman competing at Ottawa Summer Twilight #15 at the Terry Fox Athletic Facility. Photograph Copyright 2001 Miles Rowat / Mundo Sport Images

Ottawa Lions Track and Field Club Announces Exciting Lineup of Meets for Summer 2024 Season

by Clublinkinbio

The Ottawa Lions Track and Field Club is thrilled to unveil its highly anticipated lineup of track and field meets for the upcoming summer season. From seasoned veterans to promising newcomers, athletes of all levels are invited to participate in a series of events that promise to showcase the best of Canadian track and field talent.

The action-packed season kicks off with the Ottawa Spring Kick Start on May 11-12, 2024. Designed to provide athletes with a stellar domestic opportunity to launch their outdoor season, this meet sets the stage for an exhilarating summer of competition.

Following the Ottawa Spring Kick Start, the Ottawa Lions proudly present the return of the Twilight Series for its 37th season. With 10 thrilling meets scheduled from June 5 to August 14, 2024, the Twilight Series stands as the largest series of meets in Canada. Athletes and spectators alike can expect nothing short of electrifying performances and fierce competition throughout the series.

Capping off the summer festivities, the Ottawa Lions will host the prestigious CTFL Final on July 6, 2024. This one-day championship for the Canadian Track and Field League, will feature some of the nation’s top athletes competing in a competition that has received World Athletics Class D status. As the host, the Ottawa Lions are honored to welcome athletes and fans from across the country to witness this pinnacle event.

“We are thrilled to announce our lineup of meets for the summer 2024 season,” said Richard Johnston, executive director of the Ottawa Lions Track and Field Club. “These events not only provide a platform for athletes to showcase their talents but also offer an opportunity for the community to come together and celebrate the spirit of track and field.”

Athletes, coaches, and spectators are encouraged to mark their calendars and join the Ottawa Lions Track and Field Club for an unforgettable summer of athletic excellence.

For more information about the Ottawa Lions Track and Field Club and its upcoming events, visit ottawalions.com/schedule or contact Richard Johnston.

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Lions bring home 9 medals from Canadian Indoor Championships

by linkinbioNational

It was a small group that travelled to Montreal last weekend for the Canadian Indoor Track and Field Championships, but that didn’t stop them from bringing a large collection of medals back to Ottawa with them. In total, Lions athletes captured nine medals over the three day event with nearly half going to the Moreland family. 

Sisters Elizabeth and Kathryn Moreland combined for four medals in Montreal – all of them gold. They each topped their respective fields in the pentathlon on Saturday, a one day test over five events. Kathryn was victorious in the U20 category with a score of 3175 points while Elizabeth totalled 2703 to top the open category. Teammate Coralie Ostertag took home silver behind Elizabeth.

To round out a busy Saturday, all three athletes teamed up with Natalie Feberova, 5th in the U20 pentathlon, to capture top spot in the open women’s 4×200 metre event. 

Elizabeth rounded out her medal haul on the final day of competition with a gold in the high jump. She cleared a height of 1.53 metres for gold, beating out Dynamique de Laval’s Samira Yao by three centimetres.

Two other Lions athletes found their way onto the podium Saturday evening with both Leewinchell Jean and Brooklyn McCormick garnering silver medals in their respective events. 

Competing in the open 60 metre hurdles, Jean lost a tight battle for gold with Durham Legion’s Ashton Colaire. His time of 8.25 seconds, the second fastest time of his season, was just five hundredth’s back of the winner. 

McCormick culminated a long indoor season with national silver at 800 metres. The graduate student at the University of Toronto finished in 2:20.59, beaten to the line by 2020 Olympian Reagan Yee in a tactical affair.

The final day of the Championship saw the Lions add the final two medals to their collection. Nicolas Belan, who has had a very strong indoor season, closed things out with a silver in U20 1500 metres. In a quintessential championship 1500, the 18-year-old lost in a quick to the line with London Western’s Liam Smith, 4:01.30 to 4:01.45. 

Balqis Chouikhi took home the final medal of the Championship as she cleared a height of 2.85 metres in the pole vault to take silver in the U18 event. Chouikhi’s medal is the first national medal for a Lions vaulter since Caroline Poirier also won silver at the 2018 Canadian U20 Championships. 

Full results from the Championship are available on our website.

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

(Langley, Canada---28 July 2023) Zachary Jeggo 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

March Break Training Camp concludes with big performances in Myrtle Beach

by linkinbio

What better way to kick off the outdoor season than with a March Break training camp in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. In what has become an annual tradition of late, 30 athletes ventured to the shores of the Atlantic for a week of training in the sun culminating in a competitive opportunity at the Alan Connie Shamrock Invitational. 

This year’s edition was quite the successful excursion with no less than 19 personal bests being set in South Carolina.

While far from her high school days, sprinter Victoria McIntyre was not far from the top of the podium in Myrtle Beach. The 28-year-old opened her 2024 campaign with a personal best performance, running 11.85 seconds for 100 metres to finish second. McIntyre’s time now ranks her as the 10th fastest female in Club history. 

After an absolute gem of a season in 2023, Zachary Jeggo wasted no time in showing to the world he’s ready to make 2024 even that much better. The grade 11 student at Louis-Riel chopped nearly four tenths of a second off his previous 400 metre best performance as he took third place in a time of 48.22 seconds. 

In addition to the podium performance, Jeggo’s time set a new Club U18 record in the process, dipping 0.01 seconds under the previous record set by Denray Jean-Jacques at the 2011 Canadian U20 Track and Field Championships.

While not a common distance in Canada, Charlie Mortimer made the most of his opportunity in the mile. A grade 10 student at Hillcrest, Mortimer was first across the line in the Open Men’s section of the mile, winning in a time of 4 minutes and 39.05 seconds. His performance now ranks him third on the Club’s U18 rankings in the event. 

Rounding out the list of top performances was the boy’s 4×200 metre relay team, which placed 12th in the 25 team field colleges and universities. The quartet of Connor England, Jesse Costanzo, Safwan El Mansari, and Zachary Jeggo got the stick twice around the Doug Shaw Memorial Stadium track in a time of 1 minute and 30.47 seconds to move into third on the Club’s all-time U20 rankings. 

For full results from the Alan Connie Shamrock Invitational, please visit our website.

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

(Windsor, Canada---23 February 2024) David Adeleye competing on Day 1 of the 2024 OUA Track And Field Championships in the Dennis Fairall Fieldhouse on the campus of the University of Windsor. Copyright 2024 Miles Ryan Rowat / Mundo Sport Images. If posting to social media please tag @mundosportimages

Adeleye sets Club U23 record at USports Championship

by linkinbioNationalUniversity

When David Adeleye opened up the 2024 USports Track and Field Championships by equalling his Club U23 record in the 60 metre hurdles, we knew we were in for something special. An hour later the fourth year kinesiology student at the University of Toronto stepped back on the track inside the Jim Daly Fieldhouse on the campus of the University of Manitoba and did not disappoint. 

Adeleye crossed the line in blistering time of 7.83 seconds in the final to take home the silver medal – an upgrade from the bronze he won in 2022. As well, his time again set another Club U23 record and also moved David to fourth all-time among Canadian U23 hurdlers.

Toronto teammate Paulina Procyk also found her way into a hurdle final on Friday night. Unfortunately for the fourth year kinesiology student, her finals experience did not produce a similar result. After posting the second fastest time of her career (8.69) to make the final, Procyk ran into hurdle three and ended with a DNF beside her name.

In the field, a pair of throwers from Carleton did not disappoint at the national championships. Graduate student Briana Asiamah kicked things off Friday by matching her pre-event ranking with a fifth place finish. It was Asiamah’s highest finish in three appearances at the championship as she put the 4 kilogram ball out to a distance of 12.97 metres. 

The Gee-Gees Jessica Gyamfi finished eighth with a best throw of 11.93 metres

On the men’s side, Connor Fraser continued to do what he has done all season – break records. Fraser’s throw of 15.35 metres bested his own school record by eight centimetres as he placed sixth overall to move up one spot from his pre-event rankings. The second year criminology student broke the Ravens shot put record a total of four times over his eight meet season. 

A quartet of Gee-Gees narrowly missed a school record of their own. The 4×200 metre relay team of Katie Manor, Emma Martins, Doyin Ogunremi, and Bianca Borgella posted a scorching time of 1:41.88 to nab the eighth and final qualifying spot out of Thursday’s heats. Their performance was just seven hundredths of a second off the existing school record set in 2016. The team was unable to improve on their time in the final and would finish eighth overall.

Also in the women’s 4×200 metre relay, Charlotte Murchison was a member of York University’s team that placed sixth while Audrey Gilmour ran the third leg for McGill as they finished seventh.

Other Lions results from the USports Championship included:

  • Brooklyn McCormick (Toronto) 4x800m – 9:04.06 (7th)
  • Katie Manor (Ottawa) 60m – 7.60 (9th)
  • Brooklyn McCormick (Toronto) 4x400m – 3:53.17 (10th)
  • Lizzy Vroom (Queen’s) 4x800m – 9:05.96 (10th)
  • Doyin Ogunremi (Ottawa) 300m – 40.17 (11th)
  • Kathryn Moreland, Sia Mahajan, Kennedy Banton-Lindsay, Doyin Ogunremi (Ottawa) 4x400m – 3:54.99 (12th)
  • Nolan Legare (Queen’s) 4x800m – 8:08.65 (12th)

Full results from the championship can be found on our website.

Updated rankings are also available:

Ottawa Lions
University of Ottawa Gee-Gees
Carleton University Ravens