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Bishop-Nriagu and Crew highlight Twilight #3

by linkinbioNational

When Melissa Bishop-Nriagu toed the line at Wednesday night’s Twilight Meet it marked the first time the two time Olympian had competed in the summer series in more than a decade. Her last appearance was July 18, 2007 when the then 18 year old Bishop-Nriagu won the women’s 800 metres in two minutes and 10.51 seconds, completing her final preparations before heading to BC the following week to capture Canadian gold at the U20 Championships.

Competing under entirely different circumstances Wednesday, Bishop-Nriagu was still the class of the field. Winning the women’s 400 metres in 56.77 seconds, the Twilight meet environment presented the Nike professional a unique opportunity. “I had a lot of fun,” declared the Canadian record holder at 800 metres following the competition. “It was kind of back to old times. You know the atmosphere obviously isn’t the same, but I think everyone is doing their best to kind of keep it as hype as they can.“

While returning to competition has meant adjustments for everyone in terms of sanitizing and social distancing, professionals are also adjusting to competing without stands full of fans. The last time Bishop-Nriagu toed the line in Ottawa was during the 2017 Canadian Championships, where the bleachers were overflowing with cheering spectators and stadium attendance topping 3000 people.

However, with COVID protocols limiting capacity at Terry Fox to a total of just 100 athletes, coaches, and volunteers, the environment forces you to refocus your approach to the situation. “A lot of the time the crowd can create an extra boost of adrenaline and we just don’t get that here, so you really have to find it from within to compete hard,” said Bishop-Nriagu. 

Shot putter, and fellow Nike professional, Brittany Crew echoed those feelings after she won her event Wednesday night. “I try to do a lot of mental prep before,” said the Canadian record holder of her approach. Crew’s winning throw of 17.50 metres, was more than a meter off her seasonal best, but still nearly six meters ahead of Beckwith Athletic Club’s Erin Sweeney in second.

“Usually we have an atmosphere and we got fans and we got competitors, but today, obviously, I’m kind of competing against myself,” said Crew, acknowledging there was more work to do in a Twilight Meet environment. “It’s definitely hard to get amped and pysched up for a tiny little meet, but I’m just glad we can compete.”

Both women also acknowledged the opportunity a Twilight meet provides to inspire the younger generation of athletes who you are competing alongside. “I think it’s nice for the young throwers to actually see me compete because I’m usually not around,” described Crew, who largely competes in Europe.

However, both athletes confessed they thought many of the younger were hesitant to approach them. “I think a lot of them are too shy,” said Bishop-Nriagu who regonized her competition demeanor may have kept some away. Nonetheless, she admitted, with a smile, she still managed to pose for eight socially distant selfies with some young fans.

The Ottawa Summer Twilight series will continue tomorrow, Saturday, August 14th, where for the first time in history the series will take place outside of its regular Wednesday night schedule For all those present, please make sure to complete your health questionnaire before arriving at the facility.

 

Terry Fox Aerial

National team members highlight Twilight #3 start list

by linkinbioNational

For shot putter Brittany Crew, a meet on August 12th would have likely taken place somewhere in Europe, falling in the twilight of a long competitive season that began way back in February. However, with the bulk of the competitive season scrapped as a result of COVID-19, the Canadian record holder finds herself in Ottawa tonight for Twilight #3, competing in just her second meet since that early season trip to New Zealand.

Crew is a leader among a small contingent of Team Canada athletes venturing to Terry Fox for tonight’s competition. The two time world championship finalist will be joined by two members of Canada’s men’s 4×400 metre relay team – Phillip Osei and Daniel Harper. Osei was a member of Canada’s silver medal winning mixed 4×400 metre team at last year’s World Relay Championships while Harper has donned the red and white at both the Pan Am Games and NACAC senior championships.

All three Team Canada athletes are scheduled to compete in their marquee events. Crew’s shot put competition is scheduled for 7:30pm while the Osei and Harper will duel it out over the one lap race around 8pm.

The full schedule of events for tonight’s Twilight is available at ottawalions.com/schedule and live results can be found at liveresults.ottawalions.com

Please remember to complete your health questionnaire before arriving at Terry Fox.

MRR_OTTL_2020Twilight#1_00869_web

Alexis nearly sets world masters record

by linkinbioNational

It’s not every day you come out to the track and almost see a World Record set. Well, for the small number of athletes and coaches in attendance at Wednesday night’s Summer Twilight #2 that’s exactly what they got.

For as long as Wendy Alexis has been around a track, she’s been one of the fastest women in the race. With enough medals to fill a closet and her fair share of records, there has been one that has eluded the retired elementary school teacher – a world record. For a brief moment Wednesday night, she thought she had it.

Running the 100 metres in a heat with competitors up to 52 years her junior, Alexis showed she’s still got what it takes, winning in 13.91 seconds. As the time was announced over the loud speaker, there was a veritable eruption of euphoria just beyond the finish line as Alexis reacted to what would have equaled the current world record in the W65 100 metres held by fellow Canadian Karla Del Grande. Unfortunately, for Alexis the wind gauge had registered a positive 3.0 metres per second to nullify any possible record (the acceptable limit is 2.0 m/s).

Wednesday night’s competition was the second Twilight Meet of our COVID shortened season, and the first open to the athletes from outside the Club. Exactly 100 athletes took part across 17 events, as they ventured to Terry Fox from as far away as Guelph to the west and Montreal to the east.

Those who peaked out at the long throws were treated to some impressive performances in both the javelin and hammer throw. Club Sisu’s Jared Skeath was victorious in the men’s hammer throw. The former USports champion hurled the 16 pound ball out to an impressive 60.07 metres – easily eclipsing the longest distance at any Twilight Meet in recent years. Skeath’s club mate Ashley Pryke had a similar performance in the javelin as she took victory based on her first throw of the competition. The University of Memphis graduate’s best throw of 51.97 metres, was well short of her seasonal best 57.38 set back in February, but was the closest anyone has come to Cheryl Coker’s 1990 meet record of 54.07 metres in some time.

Twilight Meet #3 will take place next Wednesday, August 12th at 6:30pm at the Terry Fox Athletic Facility. For more information, please visit ottawalions.com/schedule.

 

TFox Twilight

Ottawa Summer Twilight Series to kick off next week

by linkinbioNational

While originally slated to start back in early June, the Ottawa Lions are excited to announce the 32nd season of Ottawa famous Summer Twilight Series will kick off next Wednesday, July 29th at the Terry Fox Athletic Facility.

“After much work with valued stakeholders like Athletics Ontario, Athletics Canada, and the City of Ottawa, we as an organization are very excited to bring back some sort of normalcy to our members in the form of our long running Twilight Series,” said acting Executive Director Richard Johnston. “After much hard work behind the scenes, we were able to return to formal training just under a month ago, and the framework has been working well. Certainly, providing a safe competitive opportunity to our members was the next logical step for our organization.”

Next week’s event will be open to Ottawa Lions members only before the series expands to allow for registered athletes (both able bodied and athletes with a disability) from all of Canada’s provincial branches.

Given the ongoing risk mitigation strategies related to COVID-19, the Terry Fox Athletic Facility will be enforcing a 100-person capacity, including athletes, coaches, volunteers and meet organizers. Participants are to respect all physical distancing regulations put in place by Ottawa Public Health and those not competing or warming up will be asked to wear a face mask.

For a full list of events offered, series schedules and requirements to participate, please click the following link.

Graduation Clip Art

Congratulations Ottawa Lions High School Graduates

by High Schoollinkinbio

The past four months have altered nearly every portion of our day to day lives. Schools were closed, office space moved to the kitchen table, competitions were cancelled and training moved into homes. Our new reality still remains fluid and we are all learning how to adjust to our new environment.

The final year of high school and lead up towards the next stage of academia is period in life where many young adults establish and mold their future. As many adults can attest it can also be one of the most enjoyable periods of your teens. Wrapping up secondary school with childhood friends, putting everything on the line to make OFSAA (for some that even includes putting off Prom), making mom & dad proud walking across the stage to receive your diploma and the excitement leading up to starting at a new school and a world of new experiences.

This is not the ideal sendoff but the Ottawa Lions Track and Field Club wish all the best to our graduating high school athletes as they prepare to begin their post-secondary education. Many of these talented athletes have developed through our club’s youth, foundation and aspire programs before making their mark in the National Capital Region as a competitive athlete. Competitively the graduating class earned nearly 200 regional, Provincial and National medals since the fall of 2016, we can only imagine what was in store for this talented group this spring and summer.

While your competitive drive will be bottled up until they dawn the team kits of your respective post-secondary institution. The Ottawa Lions congratulate you and offer encouragement as you continue to navigate the extraordinary circumstances that have already transformed the way schools operate across all levels.

David Adelye – University of Toronto
Roselynn Barrett – McMaster University
Zachary Bryant – Algonquin College
Hervey Chateau – Algonquin College
Kate Collings – Dalhousie University
Carter Demars – University of Ottawa
Joe Fast – Princeton University
Colby Frost – University of Ottawa
Jeremy Fourtier – University of Ottawa
Vanessa Lu Langley – McGill University
Shea McHale – Algonquin College
Erin McInerney – University of Ottawa
Zachary Meredith – University of Ottawa
Katie Newlove – University of British Columbia
Fabrice Nonez – University of Ottawa
Nelson Odutola – Western University
Doyin Ogunremi – University of Ottawa
Coralie Ostertag – University of Ottawa
Skye Pellerin – University of Ottawa
Thomas Pollok – University of Ottawa
Paulina Procyk – University of Toronto
Jackson Roy – University of Ottawa
Mathieu Rustom – University of Ottawa
Adam Sanger – McGill University
Callum Saravabmuttoo – University of British Columbia
Yared Tareke – St. Francis Xavier University

Terry Fox Aerial

Lions to resume training June 18

by COVIDlinkinbio

After 97 days away, we are happy to report that today, June 18th, we will finally return to the track. While we can appreciate everyone’s excitement at this news, it is important to note that much like other avenues, our return to the track will include some necessary adjustments to the way we work as we continue to live through this COVID-19 pandemic.

“The return to training plans we have implemented is with the utmost care for the health and safety of those directly affiliated with our club (members, coaches, officials, and families),” explains acting executive director Richard Johnston. “We owe it to our partners at Athletics Canada, Athletics Ontario, The City of Ottawa, University of Ottawa, and Carleton University to carry out a plan that is simple yet safe for everyone to return to the sport we love so much.”

The Ottawa Lions are thankful to both Athletics Ontario and Athletics Canada for their collaborative development of the “Back on Track” task force, which produced the general framework we will be operating under during this next stage of the COVID-19 pandemic. As we get back on track, it is imperative all show patience and understanding as we navigate this new terrain. Please respect those around you by practicing physical distancing, ensuring proper hygiene and sanitization, and wearing personal protective equipment where necessary.

Our COVID-19 strategy is seen as a brief outline of what can be expected when resuming training with the Club and within the Terry Fox Athletic Facility. Inside the linked document, you will find details about new training times and max capacity as well as adjustments to program schedules.

If you have any questions about the return to training, please contact Richard Johnston at 613-247-4886 or rjohnston@ottawalions.com

Sultana Frizell 2000 East Regionals SP

Lions Top 10 OFSAA Performers: #1 Sultana Frizell (1999-2003)

by linkinbio

Today was to be the final day of the OFSAA Track and Field Championships and in that vein we see culminate our countdown of the Club’s all-time OFSAA performers with our number one seed, Sultana Frizell of Perth District Collegiate Institute. All told, Frizell racked up 12 medals during her OFSAA career, three OFSAA records and twice broke the Interscholastic Record in the shot put.

To help put her dominance in perspective, in grade 9 Frizell had her “worst” performance at OFSAA where she took midget gold in the shot put, bronze in the discus and was 13th in the javelin.

Due to her late birthday, October 24th, Frizell returned a year later and cleaned house in the throws. The Windsor Star put it quite succinctly when they wrote, “the meet wasn’t 19 minutes old when a 19-year-old held by Windsor’s own Joanne Rothery fell. Sultana Frizell, of Perth District, blew away Rothery’s mark of 12.25 metres.” Frizell broke it on her opening throw and on three successive attempts, pushing the mark out to a mind boggling 13.61 metres and a month than 2.5 metre margin of victory.

While she set no records in the discus or javelin that year, her dominance in each of those events on her way to gold were no less impressive. At 38.12 metres, Frizell’s discus throw was nearly four metres ahead of silver and a massive eight beyond bronze. The story was similar in javelin where a throw of 38.80 metres gave her exactly a four metre margin of victory.

Grade 11 brought about another OFSAA record for Frizell as she did away with Liz Polyak’s 20 year old mark of 13.48 metres when she dropped the four kilogram ball at 13.93 metres. Again, Frizell’s margin of victory was near 2.5 metres. In the discus, she was out duelled by Daisy VanRavenswaay and settled for silver. It would be her last OFSAA medal that wasn’t golden in colour.

Grade 12 brought about her third straight OFSAA record in the shot put, but this time she upped her game a smidge and took down Marisa Venier’s 18 year old Interscholastic Record of 14.26 metres at the same time as doing away with her own junior record. Frizell’s winning heave of 14.35 metres was again two metres clear of the competition.

Much like in grade 10, Frizell swept all the throws; however, this time it was in a unique manner. Frizell gold medal throw in the discus was more than seven metre further than the next best competitor, but her javelin only flew a mere 31 centimetres further. The unique point was that in both cases, Frizell’s implement landed at exactly 43.29 metres. Reflecting on the moment, Frizell believes she probably should have bought a lottery ticket after the competition.

By the time she reached grade 13, Frizell had begun shifting her focus from the shot put towards training for the hammer throw, which is not contested in Ontario high schools. Despite the shift, she still managed to extend her Interscholastic Record to 14.61 metres. The mark came during the East Regional competition at Terry Fox with a driving rainstorm blowing down.

A week later, Frizell’s best effort of 14.04 metres in the shot put gave her a fifth consecutive gold in the event, but unfortunately was 22 centimetres shot of a complete sweep of the OFSAA records.

Frizell added another gold in the discus, this time taking the victory over Van Ravenswaay, which brought her five year OFSAA total to an amazing 10 golds.

Following her high school career, Frizell accepted a scholarship to attend the University of Georgia where she would earn multiple All-American distinctions in the hammer throw and begin her long international career in the event.

Qualifying for her first Olympics at the age of 23, Frizell would represent the maple leaf in both Beijing and London. She would twice win Commonwealth gold, setting multiple Games records which still stand today. As well, Frizell would pick up Pan Am silver and bronze and would go on to set the North American record in the hammer throw twice. The latter mark of 75.73 metres still stands as the Canadian record, more than three metres further than any other Canadian. The mark also ranks her 27th globally in the history of the event.

Following her final hammer throw competition, where she took bronze at the 2018 Canadian Championships, Frizell entered school to become a registered massage therapist, receiving her certification this past January from the RMT Association of Ontario.

We hope you’ve enjoyed this countdown as much as we have. While it was tough not enjoying another OFSAA Championship, we certainly welcomed this walk down memory lane.

Next for us is to put together a list of the Club’s all-time performers for both men and women, so please stay tuned for that.

PHOTO - Phil Hughes Ottawa Indoor Relays - Newspapers.com

Lions Top 10 OFSAA Performers: #2 Phillip Hughes (1982-1986)

by linkinbio

On the penultimate day of our Top 10 OFSAA Performers countdown, we have chosen to recognize Phillip Hughes of Earl of March Secondary School. If you’ve flipped through the OFSAA record book you will undoubtedly recognize the name. Hughes was a two time OFSAA Champion in the 400 metre hurdles and still holds the record the OFSAA and Interscholastic Record 35 years after setting the standard.

Many may be surprised that a two time champion and national record holder does not in fact possess more hardware from the high school championships, but prior to 1990 there was no opportunity for younger high school students to hone their intermediate hurdle craft in the 300 metre event. Rather it was a situation much like today’s steeplechase where the 400 metre hurdles drew participants from grades 9 through 13.

Hughes’ first step on the OFSAA podium was a big one. Lined up against two time defending champion in the event and reigning Interscholastic Record Holder Douglas Neville of Eastwood Collegiate, Hughes would best the veteran, who would finish in third, by two and a half seconds. Hughes time of 51.68 seconds was so impressive that even silver medalist Shaun McAlmont, who equaled Neville’s previous record, was over a second back of the victor.

Heading into his final OFSAA Championships, on his hometown track, Hughes was focused on gold. Unfortunately for the Carp native, an aching hamstring left him at less than full speed and forced him to pull out of the 400 metres and focus solely on the hurdles. “My hamstrings are really tight and if I ran the 400 metres and it’s a really tough race, I probably wouldn’t be able to run the 400 metre hurdles,” he told the Ottawa Citizen at the start of the Championship. “The 400 hurdles is more important to me as an athlete.”

Despite being slowed by his hamstring, Hughes still managed to come within a few tenths of his record, crossing the line in 51.96 seconds. As evidence of his dominance in the event, the silver medalist was more than two seconds back of Hughes.

In fact, in the 34 years since Hughes graduated high school, only one other runner has even broken 52 seconds at OFSAA, 2001 World Championship team member Monte Raymond, and Hughes two gold medal performances still remain the two fastest in provincial championship history.

Outside of high school, Hughes set a Canada Games Record of 51.13 seconds in the 400 metre hurdles in 1985 and followed that up four years later with a pair of silvers in the flat 400 and the 4×4. Hughes is unique in that he is the only athlete in Club history to ever participate in two Canada Summer Games, let alone medal. Hughes’ Canada Games record remains as the second best performance in Club history.

Cheryl Coker sitting web

Lions Top 10 OFSAA Performers: #3 Cheryl Coker (1980-1984)

by linkinbio

Today would have marked the start of this year’s OFSAA Track and Field Championships at Toronto’s Varsity Stadium and signifies the start of our top three countdown of OFSAA performers. At number three on our all-time list we have Carleton Place High School’s greatest javelin thrower, Cheryl Coker.

Coker kicked off her OFSAA career with a fourth place finish in the midget girls event in 1980 and would build from there with her first medal coming in her grade 11 year when she took bronze in the junior girls event at 37.78 metres.

Coker would continue to hone her craft over the next couple years, throwing a couple hours a day in the fields at the high school and venturing in to Ottawa twice a week to work with javelin guru, Bill Heikkila.

Come grade 12, the work continued to pay off as she would move up to a silver medal in her first year in the senior competition behind Fay Roblin of Prince Edward County. Coker’s improvements continued through the summer where she won the Canadian junior title and represented Canada internationally, giving a glimpse of what was in store for her final high school season.

Coker’s final year of high school competition brought along even further distances. Before even reaching the east regional competition, Coker had already disposed of the Canadian Interscholastic record with a massive toss of 51.94 metres. The mark has been one for the ages, alluding all who have followed, including the likes of Canadian senior record holder Elizabeth Gleadle. In fact, there are only four Interscholastic marks that are older.

In a 1983 interview with the Ottawa Citizen, Coker explained that it was not the distances that she was focused on, but rather the technique. “The distance will come if the technique is right,” she said. “Strength is important, but to me, how you get ready for the throw and carry through is more important.”

Coker’s technique was certainly on point as she would qualify for OFSAA with another 50+ metre throw to break the east regional record by more than five metres. A week later at OFSAA, Coker would finally gain that elusive gold medal, and with it, she added a new senior girls record of 48.28 metres. The record would stand for two years until training partner Louise Perrault (#6 on our list) would increase it to the still standing 49.48 metres, but in the past 36 years only Perrault and Valerie Tulloch (1991) have managed to throw further at OFSAA than Coker.

Following her high school career, Coker spent a year at Florida State University throwing for the Seminoles before transferring to Louisiana State University where she would win a bronze medal at the NCAA Championships and earn All-American accolades . Coker would also represent Canada internationally at the Commonwealth Games, Pan American Games, Francophone Games and World Student Games.

Following her time in Louisiana, Coker pursued graduate work at the University of Virginia where she obtained her Ph.D. She currently teaches motor learning at Plymouth State University in New Hampshire and has also authored a book on the subject. Coker was was inducted into the Lions Hall of Fame in 2016.

Purnell HS Record-1

Lions Top 10 OFSAA Performers: #4 Ashley Purnell (1998-2002)

by linkinbio

At number four on our list of the all-time OFSAA performers, we have the fastest woman in Canadian high school sports, Ashley Purnell. Running for the Lions of St. Mark, Purnell had a short but successful high school track and field career that included five OFSAA medals including two golds.

Unlike just about every other athlete on this list, Purnell’s spring focus in high school started off with touch football where she was a dominant force because of her speed. After some prodding from high school and future club mate, Sara Sowieta, Purnell joined her high school team in grade 10, but a conflict with a touch football game ended up causing Purnell to miss her 100m final at the Carleton Board meet and ended her season before it really got started.

Come grade 11, Purnell had made the decision to focus on track, joining Coach Hugh Conlin’s training group with the Lions and within months quickly became a threat at OFSAA. While it didn’t result in any medals, she was led qualifying in the 100 and 200 metres and was second across the line in the 300 metre hurdle final before a lane violation left her disqualified her.

As a first year senior in 2001, Purnell had a go at the 100/200/100 hurdle treble. Unfortunately for her she finished second in the 100 and 200 metre final to 2005 World Championship team member Toyin Olupona and also took silver in the hurdles behind 2008 Olympic bronze medalist Priscilla Lopes.

In the summer season that followed, Purnell would sweep all three races at the Canadian U20 Championships and sweep the 100 and 200 metres at the Canada Summer Games to set up a record breaking campaign during her final high school season.

The first record came during the East Regional competition where the St. Mark runner blew away the competition, breaking Angela Bailey’s 21 year old Canadian Interscholastic Record of 11.60 seconds with an 11.54 second clocking. A week later at the OFSAA Championships in Belleville, Purnell would equal the time to claim her first OFSAA gold by more than four tenths of a second.

A day later in the 200 metre final, Purnell would find a golden finish to her high school career as she crossed the line in a blistering 23.47 seconds, almost seven tenths ahead of silver. While the time surpassed the Canadian Interscholastic Record of 23.58, a trailing wind of +4.7 metres per second nullified the mark. It was the second time on the day that the wind had blown away her record attempts as Purnell had bested the OFSAA record of 24.05 with a time of 23.92 in the heats when the wind was registered a positive 2.4 m/s.

Later that summer Purnell would represent Canada at the World U20 Championships in Jamaica where she would place 8th in the 200 metre final behind the likes of Sanya Richards-Ross and Alyson Felix. She had qualified for the final after setting a Club record of 23.28 seconds in the preliminaries.

That fall, Purnell would head west to Stanford University where she would compete for the Cardinal. During her time in Palo Alto she broke the school’s indoor 400m record and earned All-American honours in the 4×400 metre relay. After graduating from Stanford, Purnell returned home to complete doctoral work in neuroscience at the University of Ottawa before completing a second doctorate in exercise physiology from the University of Nantes. She recently founded her own company in Ottawa, Neurovine, which helps concussion patients recover.