(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.

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Lions Look to Make a Statement in Myrtle Beach Season Opener

by High Schoollinkinbio

More than 30 high school athletes from the Ottawa Lions have spent the past week training under the South Carolina sun, preparing for the outdoor season at a camp that has become an annual tradition. Now, after days of intensive workouts, they will put their training to the test at the Myrtle Beach Collegiate Challenge.

Among the notable competitors is Daniel Cova, who returns to the track for the first time since capturing OFSAA gold in cross country and leading the U18 boys to a bronze medal at the Canadian Championships. Known for his prowess in the steeplechase, the Louis-Riel student is set to race in the 1500 and 3000 meters, as well as the 4×800-meter relay. Cova, who holds personal bests of 4:00.00 in the 1500m and 8:44.56 in the 3000m, will be looking to translate his endurance and closing speed into a strong season opener.

Charlie Mortimer, a winner in last year’s open mile event, will be stepping up in distance this weekend, joining Cova in the 3000 meters. Mortimer, who owns a personal best of 8:48.87 in the 3000m, will be aiming to test his strength over the longer race and build momentum for the outdoor season.

On the sprints side, Ellie McGregor will compete in the 400 meters, where she holds a personal best of 57.93. The Immaculata student last raced at the Ravens Last Chance meet, where she clocked 1:34.62 in the 600 meters, moving to fourth on the club’s all-time list—suggesting a strong speed endurance base she will be looking to exploit in her 400m opener.

Amy LeBlanc is also set for a strong showing following an indoor season that saw her set personal bests of 7.99 in the 60 meters and 42.78 in the 300 meters. This weekend, she will look to challenge her outdoor marks of 12.37 in the 100 meters and 25.54 in the 200 meters.

With a mix of returning athletes and fresh talent, the Ottawa Lions are poised to make an impact as they open their outdoor campaign in Myrtle Beach.

For live results, visit Snap Timing.

Jessica Gyamfi (Ottawa Gee-Gees) competes at the USport Track and Field Championships at the University of Windsor in Windsor, Ontario on Friday, March 7, 2025. GEOFF ROBINS Mundo Sport Images

Lions Stand Out at U SPORTS Nationals, Gyamfi Claims Historic Bronze

by linkinbioNationalUniversity

Ottawa Lions athletes made their mark at the U SPORTS Track and Field Championships over the weekend, highlighted by Jessica Gyamfi’s historic bronze medal in the women’s shot put. The University of Ottawa thrower became the first woman in program history to earn a field event medal at the national championship, recording a best throw of 13.32 meters to secure a place on the podium.

Gyamfi wasn’t the only Lions-affiliated thrower to post a strong performance. Carleton’s Brianna Asiamah competed in her final university meet, capping off her fourth U SPORTS appearance with a fifth-place finish in the shot put. She heaved the 4-kilogram ball 13.29 meters, just three centimeters shy of the podium.

On the men’s side, Connor Fraser of Carleton and Liam Davis of Guelph both came up short of seasonal bests in the shot put. Fraser recorded a best of 14.70 metres for 10th, while Davis reached 13.24 metres for 11th.

Continuing in the throws, Gyamfi also competed in the women’s weight throw, placing ninth with a best of 15.52 meters—the second-best throw of her career. On the men’s side, Davis finished 10th in the weight throw, launching the 35-pound ball 16.06 meters, marking the third-best throw of his career.

In the jumps, Carleton’s Joshua Foster bettered his own school record in the triple jump, bounding his way out to 14.72 meters to finish fifth. His performance bettered the previous record of 14.60 meters, which he set in January. Foster also came close to another school record in the long jump, finishing sixth with a 7.19-meter effort, just four centimeters short of his school record.

Two weeks removed from setting a University of Ottawa triple jump record, Liz Moreland narrowly missed qualifying for the final, finishing ninth with a best of 11.59 meters, just one centimeter shy of advancing.

The relays produced a number of standout performances from Lions athletes. Cora McQuinn played a key role in Western’s U SPORTS bronze medal in the women’s 4x400m relay, leading off with an impressive 56.4-second leg as the Mustangs finished in 3:42.76. The medal cemented Western’s national team title, as they amassed 119 points, finishing 34 points ahead of the Guelph Gryphons.

Earlier in the competition, McQuinn anchored Western’s 4x200m relay team to a fifth-place finish in 1:39.10, splitting an impressive 24.5 seconds on the final leg.

Meanwhile, Queen’s University’s Lizzy Vroom played a pivotal role in the Gaels’ 4x800m relay performance, running anchor in 2:14.99, the fastest split on the team. Vroom crossed the finish line in 9:03.56, securing an 8th-place finish and a new school record for Queen’s.

The University of Ottawa’s men’s 4x400m team—featuring Joel Gurnsey, Safwan El Mansari, William Harris, and David Moulongou—placed sixth in 3:20.33. McGill’s 4x400m squad, with Luca Nicoletti leading off and Williams Sanders anchoring, finished seventh in 3:21.18.

Nicoletti and Sanders also contributed to McGill’s 10th-place finish in the 4x200m relay, while individually, Nicoletti placed 11th in the 300 meters, clocking 35.36 seconds.

With two national medals, multiple top-five finishes, and several personal and school records, Lions athletes once again demonstrated their strength on the country’s biggest collegiate stage.

(Ottawa, Canada---19 June 2024) Maxime Cazabon competing at Ottawa Summer Twilight Meet #3 at the Terry Fox Athletic Facility. Copyright 2024 Miles Ryan Rowat / Mundo Sport Images. If posting to social media please tag @mundosportimages

Cazabon Leads Ottawa Lions with Double Gold at Ontario U16/U20 Indoor Championships

by linkinbioProvincial

Maxime Cazabon delivered a dominant performance at the Athletics Ontario U16 & U20 Indoor Championships last weekend, securing two gold medals and two bronze medals to lead the Ottawa Lions at the provincial meet.

Cazabon, a rising star in Canadian athletics, completed the rare 60-meter and high jump double. The Grade 9 student at Garneau High School opened the meet with a new club U16 record of 7.20 seconds in the heats of the 60m (breaking the previous record of 7.24 set by Toluwalope Makinde in 2008) before quickly transitioning into high jump mode. He cleared 1.84 meters to comfortably take the top spot. After a brief recovery, Cazabon returned to the track, clinching gold in the 60-meter final with a time of 7.23 seconds — the second-fastest of his career.

Despite his two gold medals in a matter of hours, Cazabon wasn’t done. In his first-ever triple jump competition, he leaped to a silver medal-winning distance of 12.57 meters. Between his six jumps, Cazabon also found time to win bronze in the 300-meter event with a time of 37.75 seconds. A standout on the volleyball court as well, Cazabon’s multi-sport versatility suggests he may soon be competing in combined events, given his impressive all-around performances.

Balqis Chouikhi continued her strong form in the women’s pole vault, securing silver in the U20 division with a 3.35-meter clearance. This result mirrored her silver at last month’s senior women’s provincial championships, further highlighting her consistency across age groups.

Eli Mordel also impressed with a personal best of 4.25 meters in the U20 men’s pole vault, earning bronze and moving to No. 2 on the club’s U18 all-time list. This performance marks a significant step forward for the young vaulter as he climbs the national rankings.

“The club is incredibly proud of all our athletes who competed last weekend in Toronto,” said Club Head Coach Richard Johnston. “Their hard work and dedication were on full display, and it’s great to see their efforts rewarded on the podium.”

The Athletics Ontario U16 & U20 Indoor Championships brought together the province’s top young track and field talents, providing a competitive platform for emerging athletes. For Cazabon and his teammates, the event served as both a stepping stone towards the Canadian Indoor Championships later this month and the forthcoming high school season.

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Small but Mighty: Ottawa Lions Impress at Canadian Masters Indoors

by linkinbioMastersNational

A small but mighty group of Ottawa Lions athletes delivered a number of standout performances at the 2025 Canadian Masters Indoor Track and Field Championships this past weekend, bringing home multiple national titles and podium finishes from the James Daly Fieldhouse on the University of Manitoba campus.

Leading the charge was Lawrence Williams, who captured two national titles in the M50 category, winning gold in both the 400m (59.41) and 200m (25.69). Williams also added a silver medal in the 60m (8.05), further showcasing his sprinting versatility.

Sam Shi also excelled in the distance events, securing gold in both the M30 1500m (4:40.49) and 3000m (9:50.46). Shi dominated both races, winning the 1500m by more than 50 seconds and the 3000m by over two and a half minutes.

In the field, J-Angelo Beraldin made his mark in the throws with a pair of medals in the M65 category. After earning a silver in Saturday’s shot put competition (9.80m), Beraldin upgraded to gold in the weight throw on Sunday, launching the 20-pound ball out to 11.60 metres—winning by more than two metres.

These strong individual performances contributed to an impressive showing for the Ottawa Lions at the championships, as the club finished 11th overall in the team standings.

Ottawa Lions Medalists at the 2025 Canadian Masters Indoor Championships:

  • Lawrence Williams (M50) – Gold, 400m (59.41)
  • Lawrence Williams (M50) – Gold, 200m (25.69)
  • Lawrence Williams (M50) – Silver, 60m (8.05)
  • Sam Shi (M30) – Gold, 1500m (4:40.49)
  • Sam Shi (M30) – Gold, 3000m (9:50.46)
  • J-Angelo Beraldin (M65) – Gold, Weight Throw (11.60m)
  • J-Angelo Beraldin (M65) – Silver, Shot Put (9.80m)

aberdeen_pavilion

Returning to Training

by Clublinkinbio

Attention: Athletes, Parents, and Coaches

The past two weeks have been challenging following the devastating collapse of the Dome at Louis Riel. While workers continue to assess the situation, significant damage has been identified, including large tears in the membrane that must be repaired before we can return. In the meantime, we are preparing alternative training locations until we resume training at the Terry Fox Athletic Facility in the spring.

These alternative facilities are not traditional track settings, but they will allow us to continue our programming in a manner similar to 2020 and 2021. During that period, despite disruptions, athletes across all age groups and disciplines achieved personal bests and qualified for championships. A determined and consistent athlete will find success with the options currently available.

I am providing an update on training venues below.

None of these solutions are perfect, and we greatly appreciate your patience and understanding during this transition.

Training Venues & Schedules

Aberdeen Pavilion (1000 Exhibition Way, Ottawa, ON K1S 5J3)

Starting Thursday, February 26

  • Training times: Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays from 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM
  • This will be the main training hub for our Youth, Foundation, and Aspire programs, as well as other groups requiring a large indoor space.

Important Notes:

✅ Footwear: Bring a separate pair of shoes to avoid tracking mud and water into the facility.
✅ Temperature: The venue is not heated throughout the day—dress in layers. Distance groups will train outdoors for most sessions.
✅ Equipment: All members (youth to competitive) should bring a yoga mat for ground dynamics and core workouts.
❌ No Spikes: The floor is concrete.
💧 Hydration: Bring plenty of water—only one water source is available on-site.

Youth Program

  • Start Date: Monday, March 3
  • Schedule: Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays | 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
  • March Break: Training will continue during March Break to compensate for missed sessions.

Foundation Program

  • Start Date: Thursday, February 27
  • Schedule: Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays | 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
  • March Break: No practices during March Break.

Aspire Program

  • Start Date: Thursday, February 27
  • Schedule: Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays | 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
  • March Break: No practices during March Break.
  • Distance Groups: May use the venue to warm up/store gear and train along the canal and surrounding pathways. The hexagon path is a near-perfect 400m loop.

Competitive / Varsity / Masters

  • Schedule: Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays | 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM
  • Training runs until April 12.
  • Distance Groups: May use the venue to warm up/store gear and train along the canal and surrounding pathways.

Terry Fox Athletic Facility Gym

We will offer weight room and high-speed treadmill sessions over the next few weeks.

  • Booking: Sessions must be scheduled in advance. Two-hour time slots will be available throughout the day when staff are present.
  • Booking Contact: Email rjohnston@ottawalions.com to schedule.
  • No-Show Policy: If you fail to show up without providing 24-hour notice, you will lose future booking privileges.

📅 Schedule & Availability: Click here to view available hours.

🏅 Priority Access:

  • National Team members
  • Carded athletes
  • Quest for Gold recipients
  • Athletes who met 2024 National Championship or U SPORTS standards

🚴 High-Speed Treadmill Usage:

  • This treadmill is for high-speed training only (not for casual long runs).
  • Limited bookings will be available to ensure effective training sessions.

Carleton Fieldhouse

  • Schedule: Mondays and Wednesdays | 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
  • Surface: Rubberized track with very tight turns—best suited for short speed work.
  • Available Equipment: Blocks and scissor hurdles.
  • Restrictions: Turf field not available due to soccer team training.

St. Lawrence University (Indoor Track Sessions)

  • Time: Saturdays | 7:00 PM – 9:30 PM
  • Cost: $25 travel fee per session.
  • Registration Deadline: Wednesday, February 26 at 11:00 AM
  • Sign-Up Link: Click here to confirm attendance.

If we secure additional dates as the outdoor season approaches, we will organize more trips.

Final Notes

It has been a frustrating few weeks, and we truly appreciate your patience and commitment. We are actively searching for additional training venues and will keep all members updated as new options become available.

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out.

Richard Johnston
Head Coach / Director
📧 rjohnston@ottawalions.com