Terry Fox Finish Line

Call for Volunteer Leaders: 2025 and 2026 Canadian Track and Field Championships

by Clublinkinbio

Are you passionate about track and field? Do you have experience in event management or a keen interest in contributing your skills to a prestigious sporting event? The Ottawa Lions Track and Field Club, in partnership with Athletics Canada, is thrilled to announce the recruitment of volunteer leaders for the 2025 and 2026 u20/Open Canadian Track and Field Championships, which will also serve as the World Athletics Tokyo Trials in 2025.

Position: Local Organizing Committee
Type of Position: Volunteer
Event Date: Summer 2025 & 2026
Deadline: February 10th, 2024
First Meeting: Saturday, March 2nd, 2024

Volunteer Description:
We are currently seeking dedicated individuals to form the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) for the upcoming championships. The LOC will play a crucial role in managing various aspects of the event and will meet regularly as we approach the event dates.

Leadership Roles Include:

  • LOC Chair
  • Officials Coordinator
  • Volunteer Coordinator
  • Para-Athletics Lead
  • Medical/Doping Control
  • Timing/Audio/Visual
  • Catering/SOP
  • Sponsorship
  • Awards & Ceremonies
  • Security
  • Special Events
  • Transportation
  • Media

Responsibilities:
Each leader will be responsible for managing a team of volunteers, ranging from 10 to 80 individuals, primarily during the event days. Experience in the respective area you wish to manage is essential, with a priority given to candidates with a track and field background. First-aid/CPR training and a Criminal Record Check (CRC) will be beneficial.

Qualifications:

  • Track and field background
  • Experience in event management
  • First-aid/CPR training (beneficial)
  • CRC required

How to Apply:
If you believe you have the skills and experience to contribute to the LOC, please contact Richard Johnston to express your interest and provide relevant qualifications.

Deadline for Applications: February 10th, 2024

Benefits of Joining the LOC:
Joining the LOC offers a unique opportunity to be part of a prestigious sporting event, network with professionals in the field, and gain valuable experience in event management. Previous experience in hosting championship events will be an advantage.

Don’t miss this chance to be a part of something extraordinary! Join us in making the 2025 and 2026 Canadian Track and Field Championships a resounding success.

For more information or inquiries, please contact rjohnston@ottawalions.com.

We look forward to welcoming you to the team!

(Ottawa, Canada---20 January 2024) Jorai Oppong-Nketiah competing at the 15th annual uOttawa Winter Classic by the Ottawa Lions Track and Field Club at the Dome @ Louis-Riel. Copyright 2024 Miles Ryan Rowat / Mundo Sport Images. If posting to social media please tag @mundosportimages

Sprinters heat up track at uOttawa Winter Classic

by linkinbioLocalUniversity

A chill in the air outside, did nothing to cool the performances inside the Dome @ Louis-Riel this past weekend. With nearly 400 athletes in attendance for the 15th annual uOttawa Winter Classic, Lions athletes brought the heat, setting the stage for two days of intense competition and unforgettable moments.

Outstanding Performances:
The meet produced an impressive total of 90 personal bests, reflecting the commitment and hard work of our athletes. Among the standout performances, Jorai Oppong-Nketiah stole the spotlight by breaking the Club U18 60-meter record. In the heats, Oppong-Nketiah set the new record with a time of 7.61 seconds. She followed up with a 7.62 run in the final, securing second place behind the University of Ottawa’s Katie Manor, who triumphed with a 7.61 clocking.

Günther’s Triumphs:
Nina Günther showcased her prowess with a remarkable double feat. On Friday night, she placed third over 3000 meters, breaking the 10-minute barrier with a time of 9 minutes and 57.70 seconds—marking her as the 42nd woman in Club history to achieve this milestone. Günther doubled back on Saturday, conquering the 1500 meters with a swift time of 4:32.18.

University of Ottawa Gee-Gees Dominance:
The University of Ottawa Gee-Gees made a resounding statement at the meet. The women’s 4×200-meter relay team—comprising Bianca Borgella, Emma Martins, Katie Manor, and Sarah Ouangre—claimed victory Friday night with a time of 1:42.57, ranking as the sixth fastest performance in school history. Notably, the quartet’s time currently stands as the 7th fastest in USports this season.

More Victories and Records:
The University of Ottawa Gee-Gees continued their dominance by narrowly winning the 4×400-meter relay in a time of 3:55.33, and securing the 6th position in USports rankings. Third year human kinetics student Vienna Courteau soared to victory in the long jump with a leap of 5.25 meters, while graduate student Heather Grandy secured her third triple jump competition win of the season with an impressive 11.50-meter jump. Ella Gilbert set a new Carleton Ravens record in the triple jump, bounding out to 10.73 meters.

Field Events Excellence:
Jessica Gyamfi of the Gee-Gees claimed second place in the women’s shot put with a personal best throw of 12.39 meters, propelling her to 11th in the USports rankings. She also dominated the weight throw at 14.05 meters. Brianna Asiamah of Carleton emerged victorious in the shot put with a best throw of 13.09 meters.

Men’s Events Highlights:
In the men’s 1000 meters, Lucas Zanetti secured the top spot with a time of 2:31.97, while Cameron Robertson and Eli Mordel showcased their prowess in the pole vault, each clearing a personal best height of 3.20 meters. Connor Fraser of the Carleton Ravens continued his unbeaten streak in the shot put, dominating with a best throw of 14.84 meters and currently holding the 7th position in USports rankings.

Up next:
The varsity programs return to action on Friday as day one of the famed McGill Team Challenge kicks off at Tomlinson Fieldhouse on the campus of the Montreal based school.

Results

Photos

Ottawa Lions Rankings

University of Ottawa Gee-Gee Rankings

Carleton Ravens Rankings

20240118_uottawa_winter_class_meet_day_1

15th uOttawa Winter Classic Kicks Off a Year of Track and Field Excellence by Ottawa Lions

by linkinbioUniversity
[Ottawa, January 19, 2024] – The Ottawa Lions Track and Field Club is set to launch the track and field season with the 15th uOttawa Winter Classic, a two-day premier event featuring top university teams from the OUA, RSEQ, and AUS conferences. The competition will take place tonight and tomorrow at The Dome @ Louis-Riel.

This event marks the first of an impressive lineup of 20 track and field meets hosted by the Ottawa Lions in 2024. With nearly 450 entries, the uOttawa Winter Classic promises to be a showcase of exceptional talent and fierce competition. Athletes from 11 university teams will compete in various track and field disciplines, providing spectators with thrilling performances and highlighting the dedication and skill of these student-athletes.

Highlighted Athletes:

– The University of Ottawa Gee-Gees boast five athletes currently ranked among the top-12 nationally, led by André Alie-Lamarche, who holds the fifth-fastest time in the men’s 3000 metres.

– The Carleton Ravens will be led by the shot put duo of Brianna Asiamah and Connor Fraser, who are ranked third and seventh in the nation, respectively.

– Keep an eye out for Jorai Oppong-Nketiah, the double Canadian U16 sprint champion, who will kick off her season in the 60 and 300-metre events.

Event Details:

– Date: January 19-20, 2024
– Location: The Dome @ Louis-Riel, Ottawa, ON

Participating University Teams:
1. Ottawa Gee-Gees
2. Carleton Ravens
3. Queen’s Gaels
4. RMC Paladins
5. Toronto Varsity Blues
6. York Lions
7. McGill Redbirds and Martlets
8. Sherbrooke Vert et Or
9. Laval Rouge et Or
10. Montreal Carabins
11. Dalhousie Tigers

Quotes:

“We are thrilled to kick off the track and field season with the uOttawa Winter Classic, the first of 20 meets we will host in 2024,” said head coach Richard Johnston. “This event not only highlights the incredible talent of our student-athletes but also sets the stage for an exciting year of competition. We are particularly proud to showcase the outstanding performances of our featured athletes from the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees and the Carleton Ravens.”

Event Schedule:

Friday, January 19
Track events begin at 7:30pm

Saturday, January 20
Track events begin at 11:30pm
Field events begin at 11:00pm

Full schedule available on our website.

Heat sheets available on our website.

Live results available at https://liveresults.ottawalions.com/

VancouverConferenceHotel-OakMeetingRoomatTheWestinBayshore

Annual General Meeting to be held Monday, February 5th 2024

by adminlinkinbio

The Ottawa Lions will host their Annual General Meeting (AGM) on the evening of Monday, February 5th, 2024, at 8:30pm EST. The meeting will take place virtually on Google Meets (Link will be shared the morning of). All members are invited to attend.

Please RSVP using the link below.

Members interested in putting their name forward to sit on the Board of Directors may do so in advance as well as during the meeting.

For further information, questions may be directed to , President, Board of Directors, Ottawa Lions Track & Field Club via email at president@ottawalions.com.

REGISTRATION LINK:

https://www.trackie.com/event/2024-ottlagm

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email. Meeting details will be sent out the morning of February 5th, 2024.

(Canton, United States---02 December 2023) Brianna Asiamah competes at the Saints Holiday Relays held at Newell Fieldhouse. Copyright 2023 Miles Ryan Rowat / Mundo Sport Images. If posting to social media please tag @mundosportimages

Carleton Raven Throwers Shine in Sherbrooke

by linkinbioUniversity

Opening the 2024 calendar year with a bang were a pair of Carleton Raven throwers who demonstrated their potential as formidable contenders in this year’s USports competition. At the Université de Sherbrooke Vert et Or competition, which saw a total of 28 new lifetime bests, shot putters Connor Fraser and Brianna Asiamah set new school records.

Fraser, a second-year criminology student at Carleton, has maintained his momentum since securing a Canadian U20 title in the summer. Breaking the school record in his season opener before Christmas, he extended it further on Saturday, crossing the 15-meter barrier with a winning throw of 15.20 meters. This accomplishment places the 19-year-old seventh in the national university rankings.

Asiamah, a graduate student transfer, has made a significant impact on Carleton athletics in her brief four months on campus. Like Fraser, Asiamah has twice broken the Carleton women’s shot put record in the early season, reaching 13.31 meters in her Saturday victory. The Master’s in Social Work student currently holds the third position in the early season USports rankings, just two centimeters shy of the auto-qualifying standard for her third consecutive trip to the national championships.

Aria MacDonald, a fellow Raven and a third-year architecture student, also left her mark in Sherbrooke. Finishing the 1000-meter event in 3 minutes and 7.16 seconds, she claimed fifth place overall, surpassing the previous Carleton record of 3:11.90 set in 2017 by Zeena Rashid.

For the Gee-Gees, the second and third best female triple jumpers in school history took the top two spots in Sherbrooke. Heather Grandy secured the gold with a jump of 11.55 meters, while Sarah Ouangre achieved the second-best jump of her career at 11.20 meters.

Also standing atop the medal podium on Saturday were Alexandra Telford and Maria Okwechime. Telford, making her debut at 600 meters, led the 22-woman field with a time of 1 minute and 36.35 seconds. Okwechime, last year’s Canadian Championships winner, opened her season with a leap of 5.70 meters.

At the Can Am Classic in Windsor, David Adeleye claimed victory in the 60-meter hurdles. The fourth-year student at the University of Toronto covered the five barriers in 8.10 seconds, currently ranking him second in USports.

Full results from Sherbooke are available on our website.

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

For updated uOttawa rankings, please visit https://milesrowat.shinyapps.io/uottawatf_rankings/

For updated Carleton rankings, please visit https://milesrowat.shinyapps.io/ravenstf_rankings/

20240109_Atonfo_Jeggo_Banner

Timeo Atonfo and Zachary Jeggo Receive Orléans Outstanding Youth Awards

by ClublinkinbioLocal

The Ottawa Lions Track and Field Club is thrilled to announce the outstanding achievements of two remarkable athletes, Timeo Atonfo and Zachary Jeggo, recipients of the prestigious Orléans Outstanding Youth Awards for their exceptional contributions to athletics throughout the 2023 calendar year.

Timeo and Zachary with their Orleans Outstanding Youth Awards

Timeo Atonfo’s Remarkable Track and Field Achievements in 2023:

Timeo Atonfo, an outstanding member of the Ottawa Lions Track and Field Club, showcased his exceptional athletic prowess throughout the 2023 season. Atonfo secured a triple-medal victory at the OFSAA Track and Field Championships held in Ottawa, including silver medals in the junior boys long and triple jump events, and a bronze in the 100-metre hurdles. His achievements continued with a pair of bronze medals at the Ontario U18 Championships and valuable contributions to three relay teams at the provincial championship level. Atonfo concluded his outstanding season with a silver medal in the long jump at the Canadian U18 Championships.

Zachary Jeggo’s Phenomenal Season Highlights:

Zachary Jeggo, another exceptional athlete from the Ottawa Lions Track and Field Club, had an outstanding season, beginning with a pair of gold medals at the OFSAA Track and Field Championships in the 300 metre hurdles and 400 metres, respectively. At the provincial level, Jeggo secured a bronze medal in the U20 400 metre hurdles. Following two 4th place finishes at the Canadian U20 Championships, Jeggo claimed three silver medals at the Canadian U18 Championships, excelling in the 400 metres, 400 metre hurdles, and as a key member of the record-setting 4×400 metre relay team.

Celebrating Excellence in Youth Athletics:

The Ottawa Lions Track and Field Club extends heartfelt congratulations to Timeo Atonfo and Zachary Jeggo for their well-deserved recognition with the Orléans Outstanding Youth Awards. Their remarkable achievements not only bring pride to the club but also serve as an inspiration for aspiring athletes in the community.

 

Numbers_blue

Lions set nearly 2200 personal bests in 2023

by Clublinkinbio

With 2023 set to wind down we will be taking some time to look back on the year that was over these remaining days. 

Ask any track and field athlete their personal best is and they are likely to rhyme it off to you before you even uttering the question. It is the key measuring stick for performance improvement and in 2023, we saw lots of improvement!

More than 800 athletes registered a performance in competition over the past 12 months and an astounding 624 of them recorded a new personal best in at least one event. Combined, they amassed a total of 2181 personal best performances in 2023. 

Looking at the ten athletes with the most personal bests in 2023, there are a few similarities among the group. Kyle Waldrum led the list with an incredible total of 16 personal best performances this year. Among the contributing factors was Waldrum’s engagement in the decathlon – an event in which he placed ninth in at the Canadian U20 Championships this summer. 

Kyle was one of three combined events athletes among our top-10 in 2023 for personal bests. University of Ottawa students Thomas Kukla-Colby and Kathryn Moreland each found their way onto the list with a total of 13 and 12 personal bests respectively. 

Table 1 – Top 10 List of Personal Bests by Athlete in 2023

RankName# of Personal Bests
1Kyle Waldrum16
2Augustine Uche15
3Jacqueline Aubin13
3Mason Brennan13
3Thomas Kukla-Colby13
6Connor Rennie12
6Kathryn Moreland12
6Moise Sebakunzi12
9Dylan Dignard11
9Grace Streek11

Among event groups, the sprints saw the most personal bests in 2023, with 892 in total. Not too surprisingly, the largest share came from in the 100 metres with 220. The seldom run 500 and 60 metre events occupied the smallest share with just 38 and 87 personal bests respectively. 

Chart 1. Personal Bests by Event Group

The next highest total of personal bests came from those in the middle distance events. These events include everything from 600 to 3000 metres but excludes the steeplechase. Nearly half of the new lifetime bests were set in either the 800 and 1500 metres with each event producing 110 personal bests during 2023.

Surprisingly, an indoor distance led the way for personal bests among the hurdle events. A total of 95 personal bests were set over the 60 metre hurdles in 2023.

The jumps was more concentrated as the long jump produced 163 of the 258 personal bests in 2023. Next on the list was the high jump with 48 PBs.

Shot put topped the throwing events with 84 personal bests, while the 2000 metre steeplechase and 5km led long distance and road running events respectively.

Rounding out the list, Lions athletes produced five new personal bests in the pentathlon and another three in each of the heptathlon and decathlon respectively.

20231221_AC_Coach_Announcement

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!

Srboljub-RADOJEVIC

Lions mourn passing of Srboljub Radojevic

by Clublinkinbio

The Ottawa Lions mourn the sudden passing of Srboljub Radojevic on November 26, 2023 at the age of 67. While his son competed in the sprint events for the Lions in late 90’s, Srboljub was an ardent Club supporter. The kind hearted man was twice recognized with one of the Club’s highest honours, the Sean Cole Memorial Award for dedication to Club Service. 

The following is an excerpt from Srboljub’s obituary.

He was a man of remarkable character, an optimist with a kind heart who touched the lives of all who had the privilege of knowing him. We will miss his warm encouragements and wise advice, his funny stories and countless games he made up for his grandchildren. Devoted husband of Mirjana, loving father of Igor (Sonja) and Bojan. Proud Deda of Lara and Nikola. Dear son of Katarina and the late Milan and brother of Nenad (Sabaheta). Ostaces zauvijek u nasim srcima. Volimo te. 

Visiting will be held at the Pinecrest Visitation Center, 2500 Baseline Road, Ottawa, on Thursday, December 14, 2023 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. 

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Society. 

Online condolences can be made at pinecrest-remembrance.com

(Canton, United States---02 December 2023) Ella-Grace Gilbert, Quinn Coughlin, Bianca Borgella, Katie Manor, Emma Martins, and Rose Basu competes at the Saints Holiday Relays held at Newell Fieldhouse. Copyright 2023 Miles Ryan Rowat / Mundo Sport Images. If posting to social media please tag @mundosportimages

Lions set five meet records at St Lawrence

by linkinbioUniversity

The Lions family of athletes didn’t just start their season off on the right foot; they set a new standard at the Saints Holiday Relays in Canton, NY, last Saturday. Dominating in 19 out of 28 events, they not only showcased their prowess but also shattered five meet records. The University of Ottawa Gee-Gees claimed the women’s team title.

The women’s 60-meter final epitomized their dominance, featuring Lions, Ravens, and Gee-Gees in six of the eight lanes. The University of Ottawa’s Katie Manor emerged as the champion, clocking 7.60 seconds, marking the second-fastest performance of her career. Completing the Gee-Gee sweep were Bianca Borgella (7.66) and Emma Martins (7.86) in second and third, respectively.

Borgella’s time of 7.66 seconds was a significant improvement, shaving more than a tenth of a second off her previous best set a year ago. This promising start sets her on a path for a podium run at the Paralympic Games in Paris next summer.

In the challenging 500 meters, Lions runners Quinn Coughlin and Zachary Jeggo claimed golds and set records. Coughlin’s time of 1 minute and 21.32 seconds surpassed the previous mark by three tenths of a second. Jeggo cut nearly a full second from the men’s record, clocking 1 minute and 6.97 seconds.

At 600 meters, David Moulongou demolished his own meet record, winning comfortably in 1 minute and 21.85 seconds, nearly three and a half seconds faster than last year.

Triple jumper Heather Grandy added to the list of records with her winning leap of 11.62 meters, surpassing her 11-year-old personal best. The graduate student at the University of Ottawa returned to the sport last season after a six-year hiatus, having competed for Dalhousie University during her undergraduate years.

Carleton Raven throwers Connor Fraser and Brianna Asiamah set school records. Fraser topped the men’s shot put with a heave of 14.83 meters, adding a foot to Alec Jeffery’s previous standard. Asiamah began her Raven career on the right foot with a shot put record of 12.66 meters, the farthest indoor throw of her career.

After an outstanding cross-country season, André Alie-Lamarche started his indoor season with a lifetime best over 3000 meters at Boston University. The fourth-year University of Ottawa student moved to number two in school history with a time of 8 minutes and 14.51 seconds, improving his own personal best by nearly nine seconds.

Results from the Saints Holiday Relays can be found on our website.

Photos from the Saints Holiday Relays are available on Mundo Sport Images.

For updated Lions/Gee-Gees/Ravens All-Time Rankings, visit: