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Peaking at the Right Time: Lions Athletes Shine Before Championships

by linkinbioLocalUniversity

Ottawa Lions athletes delivered commanding performances at last Saturday’s Ravens U SPORTS Last Chance Meet—rewriting record books, setting personal bests, and solidifying national rankings as the championship season looms. With a mix of established stars and rising talents, they demonstrated they are peaking at the perfect moment, using this pivotal competition to fine-tune their preparation and build momentum for the championship season.

Gale Matches Canadian Record in 300m

Olympian Lauren Gale once again proved her dominance, equalling her own Canadian record in the 300m with a blistering 36.48-second performance. Having originally set the mark at this very meet in 2024, Gale’s time remains among the top four in the world this year. The 25-year-old aims to cap off her indoor season on a high note this Friday as she gears up for the Arkansas Qualifier in Fayetteville. 

Asiamah Extends Shot Put Record Again

Brianna Asiamah continued her historic season by extending her own Carleton Ravens shot put record for the second time this month. Her winning throw of 13.39m not only clinched victory but also reinforced her status as a top contender for a U SPORTS medal—a prize that has eluded her in three previous national championship appearances. Asiamah enters this weekend’s RSEQ Championship in Sherbrooke as the heavy favourite to repeat as conference champion with the next best entry a metre and a half behind.

Vroom’s Breakthrough 1000m Performance

Lizzy Vroom continued to deliver the season of her career on Saturday. The third year engineering student at Queen’s University clocked her fifth personal best in four weeks as she placed second in the women’s 1000 metres in 2 minutes and 48.70 seconds – a near 10 second improvement. Heading into championship weekend, Vroom currently holds 13th position on the U SPORTS rankings—just one spot shy of qualification—so expect her to push even harder at the OUA Championships in Windsor.

Basu Closing in on Carleton 60m Record

For the second straight week, Rose Basu lowered her 60m personal best, clocking 7.69 seconds to move up to second on Carleton’s all-time rankings. Now within striking distance of the school record (7.54s), Basu enters next week’s RSEQ Championships ranked fourth in the conference, setting the stage for a potential podium placing.

Gilbert Soars to New Triple Jump Record

Ella-Grace Gilbert rewrote Carleton’s triple jump record for the second time this season, leaping 11.67m to surpass her previous best of 11.51m. Now tied for 16th in U SPORTS, Gilbert will aim to further improve at the RSEQ Championships as she seeks to secure a spot at Nationals with a victory in Sherbrooke..

El Mansari Cracks Gee-Gees Top 5

First-year University of Ottawa runner Safwan El Mansari continued his standout rookie campaign, claiming second place in the 600m with a time of 1:20.10. The performance moved him up to fifth on the Gee-Gees’ all-time rankings, marking another milestone in what has been a breakthrough season in the Garnet and Grey. 

McGregor Climbs Ottawa Lions’ U18 Rankings

Despite being just 15 years old, Ellie McGregor proved she belongs among elite company, finishing eighth in the women’s 600m in a time of 1:34.62. The youngest top-eight finisher by six years, McGregor’s performance propelled her to fourth on the Ottawa Lions’ U18 all-time list, surpassing none other than Olympian Melissa Bishop-Nriagu.

With records falling, national rankings shifting, and personal bests tumbling, Lions athletes have firmly asserted themselves as a force to be reckoned with heading into the championship season. With the OUA and RSEQ Championships just days away, our varsity athletes are primed to leave their mark on the conference stages.

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Sprint Stars and Record Breakers: Lions Dominate Indoor Opener

by linkinbioLocalUniversity

Lions athletes wasted no time in re-writing the Club record book last Friday and Saturday at the uOttawa Winter Classic. With over 120 athletes competing under the Lions banner, the two-day meet at the Louis-Riel Dome delivered a spectacular showcase of talent. Nearly 100 personal bests, over 20 all-time top 10 performances and three new Club records highlighted the weekend.

First to set a new standard was reigning sprint queen Jorai Oppong-Nketiah. The 16-year-old outclassed the much older field in the women’s 60 metres by posting the fastest time in qualifying at 7.55 seconds. Opting to sit out the final after experiencing minor discomfort, Oppong-Nketiah’s time was strong enough to hold up as a new personal best and Club U18 record. The previous standard of 7.61 had been set by Jorai at the same meet in 2024. 

Adding to the excitement, training partner Ange-Mathis Kramo twice added his name to the record book. The 16-year-old matched Dorbor Kollie’s long-standing 60m mark of 7.01 seconds from 2015 and broke Zachary Jeggo’s 300m record with an impressive 34.17-second run, eclipsing the previous mark of 34.21 seconds

Meanwhile, the spotlight on sprints continued with Stephan Balson, who delivered a head-turning performance in the 60 metres. Balson’s 6.84-second effort not only secured him second place overall but also tied him for third on the all-time U20 list alongside two-time Olympian Oluwasegun Makinde.

Success wasn’t limited to individual efforts. The University of Ottawa’s 4x800m relay team of Fred Parent, Max Wilson, Adriano Padoin-Castillo, and Safwan El Mansari turned heads with a time of 7:55.95, to place third in Friday night’s race. Their performance also ranked eighth in school history and the fastest since 2016, reflecting the growing depth of talent in the middle-distance program.

Notable performances extended beyond the sprints and relays. Carolin Evers, a German exchange student who competed for her native country at last summer’s European Under-18 Championship, cleared 1.66m to win the women’s high jump. The clearance ranks her third among U18s in Club history. In the weight throw, Amy Roy secured a personal best of 12.92m, moving her into seventh in the U20 rankings.

The weekend also saw a pair of record-breaking performances from Joshua Foster, a Carleton Raven rookie. Foster shattered school records in the triple jump (14.60m) and long jump (7.23m), with the latter surpassing the qualifying standard for this year’s USports Championship in Windsor.

First year University of Ottawa standout Safwan El Mansari continued to impress in the early season. The Telfer School student won the 1000 metres with a time of 2:28.39 to move into seventh on the Club’s U20 rankings. Meanwhile, Shannon Dewar made her mark in the U18 women’s 600m, clocking a time of 1:37.45 to move to ninth in Club history.

The indoor season continues today in Montreal with the first day of competition at the McGill Team Challenge. From there the focus shifts to Canton, NY where the pride will head to St. Lawrence University for some action against our southern friends.

For update stats from this season visit:

https://milesrowat.shinyapps.io/ottl_rankings/ (Ottawa Lions)

https://milesrowat.shinyapps.io/uottawa_rankings/ (uOttawa Gee-Gees)

https://milesrowat.shinyapps.io/ravenstf (Carleton University)

(Ottawa, Canada---30 November 2024) Ella-Grace Gilbert competing at the Ottawa Varsity Intersquad. Copyright 2024 Miles Ryan / Mundo Sport Images. If posting to social media please tag @mundosportimages

Record-Breaking Performances and National Standards Highlight Lions’ Electrifying Season Opener

by linkinbioLocalUniversity

The Ottawa Lions wasted no time lighting up the indoor track and field scene as the 2024-25 season kicked off in spectacular fashion. At the annual Varsity Intersquad Meet in Ottawa, athletes from the Lions, Gee-Gees, and Ravens delivered standout performances marked by USports standards, school records, and top-10 rankings, setting the stage for a promising year.

For the fourth consecutive season, Brianna Asiamah has punched her ticket to the USports Championships. She exceeded the national shot put standard of 13.21 metres with a winning throw of 13.30 metres, topping the competition by nearly a metre.

The sand pits also saw record-breaking action, with Carleton’s Ella-Grace Gilbert rewriting the Ravens’ record books. The third-year psychology student leapt 5.28 metres in the long jump, surpassing Adelle MacLeod’s previous school record by 15 centimetres. Gilbert followed up with an impressive 11.51-metre effort in the triple jump, smashing her personal best and out-jumping another of MacLeod’s records.

On the track, sprinters made their mark as Rose Basu clocked 7.85 seconds in the 60 metres, placing her third in Carleton Ravens history. Ty Tounkara delivered a blistering 6.90 seconds in the men’s event, ranking fifth all-time among U20 Lions athletes.

Middle-distance runners also impressed, with Safwan El Mansari posting a 1:22.17 at 600 metres to earn a spot in the Lions’ U20 top 10. Meanwhile, Gyamfi demonstrated her versatility, throwing the weight 15.23 metres to secure the second spot on the University of Ottawa’s all-time list.

The Lions’ momentum extended beyond Ottawa. At the Martlet Open in Montreal, McGill freshman William Sanders clocked a sensational 1:21.82 in the 600 metres, securing seventh on the Lions’ U20 all-time list. Teammate Luca Nicoletti sprinted the 300 metres in 34.35 seconds to move to 11th place in the Club’s U23 rankings. Veteran Stephen Evans showcased his experience with a commanding 1500-metre victory in 3:49.18.

In London, the Bob Vigars Season Opener highlighted more stellar performances. Cora McQuinn led off the Western Mustangs’ 4×400-metre relay team as they ran a national-leading and auto-qualifying time of 3:47.22, setting a new Thompson Arena record.

David Adeleye, a graduate transfer at Western, also made a statement at the school’s Purple and White meet. He won the 60-metre hurdles in 7.98 seconds, a USports qualifying time and the fastest season opener of his career. The reigning USports silver medalist appears primed to aim for gold this March.

With such a strong start across multiple venues, the 2024-25 indoor season promises exciting milestones for the Lions.

For full results from the Ottawa Varsity Intersquad, visit our website.
Pictures of the event are available on MundoSportImages.com

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Fast Times, Big Wins: Ottawa Lions Dominate Weekend Road Races

by linkinbioLocal

A busy weekend on the roads produced a number of top performances for Lions athletes from Longueuil to Toronto and in between.

At the Demi-Marathon de Longueuil 10km, Salome Nyirarukundo continued her success on the road, claiming victory in the women’s race. The 26-year-old crossed the line in a swift 33:55, a new personal best since joining the club. This performance ranks Nyirarukundo third all-time in the 10km road race for the Lions, behind only Sarah Dillabaugh and Nathalie Coté. 

Nyirarukundo later took to Instagram to thank those who have supported her journey, saying, “My coaches Ray, Helen, Richard, Felix, my team, group, without good people around me, I couldn’t make this happen.”

On the men’s side, Ottawa’s André Alie-Lamarche put in a breakthrough performance, finishing 7th in the competitive field with a time of 30:30. His time improved upon his previous best by nearly 90 seconds, moving him from 25th to 14th on the Lions’ all-time 10km rankings.

Meanwhile, at the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon, Joshua Cassidy continued his winning ways. Competing in the wheelchair division, the veteran racer took home top honours, finishing the race in 1:38:09. Reflecting on his busy marathon schedule, Cassidy shared on Instagram, “Fourth marathon in five weeks, one more to go! Always great to be on the Toronto streets and seeing familiar faces. Only a small field here, but great to have a hard training while promoting the sport, bringing awareness to the event and drawing future participation.”

In the half-marathon, Terry Rushworth delivered a solid performance, finishing 67th overall in a time of 1:18:15. The 50-year-old now ranks ninth in Club history. 

Locally, at the 9 Run Run event in Stittsville, Ken Lorbetskie emerged victorious in the 10km race, completing the straight back and forth course in 34:28. In the 5km race, Adriano Padoin-Castillo put in a strong effort to take the win, crossing the line in 17:12.

(Ottawa, CANADA - 28 September 2024) André Alie-Lamarche competing at the Capital XC Challenge at Mooney’s Bay Park. 2024 Sean Burges / Mundo Sport Images. If posting to social media please tag @mundosportimages

Alie-Lamarche Shines at Capital XC Challenge, Lions Dominate Elementary Races

by linkinbioLocalUniversity

The Ottawa Lions were out in full force yesterday at the Capital XC Challenge, hosted at Mooney’s Bay Park under clear, sunny skies. Temperatures in the mid-20s set the stage for a great day of racing, and André Alie-Lamarche delivered the headline performance, securing second place in the open/university men’s 6km race.

Alie-Lamarche, fresh off a victory at St. Lawrence the previous week, made an aggressive start, surging to the front of the pack. However, Laval’s defending USports Champion, Philippe Morneau-Cartier, proved too strong, breaking away in the second lap to win comfortably in 18:14.86. Alie-Lamarche crossed the line in an impressive 18:41.59, capping off a strong week of competition.

The University of Ottawa Gee-Gees men finished 7th overall with 193 points, led by William McLeish, who completed the course in 20:36.31. Carleton University’s top finisher was Nicholas Parsons, placing 95th overall.

On the women’s side, Melina Hamel once again led the Gee-Gees, finishing 23rd in a time of 24:07.53. The Gee-Gees women mirrored the men’s result, also placing 7th in the team standings. Carleton’s Sarah Gross, a first-year student, made a strong debut, finishing 45th overall. Notably, Liz Maguire, fresh from a silver medal in the World Masters 1500m, placed 48th.

In the elementary school division, the Lions dominated the day, capturing all six team titles across three age groups, showcasing the strength of the club’s developmental programs.

In other cross-country action, Amelia Van Brabant made her collegiate debut for Boston College, running in the prestigious Nuttycombe Invitational at the University of Wisconsin. Van Brabant placed 46th in the Women’s “B” race, completing the 6km course in 22:50.2, marking a solid start to her collegiate career.

Full results from Capital XC Challenge are available on our website.

(Ottawa, Canada---19 June 2024) Keira Reaney 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

Lions set over 80 personal bests at Twilight #3

by linkinbioLocal

The hottest day of the year brought about a one hour delay to the kick off of the third Twilight Meet of the summer on Wednesday. However, neither of those issues were noticeable on the track or in the field as Lions athletes put up over 80 personal best performances on the evening. 

In addition to the many personal bests, a highlight of the meet was the qualification rounds for the Ontario Fastest Kid Competition. In the 100 metre races, Autumn Marks and Jediael Oppong-Nketiah emerged victorious in the girls’ and boys’ categories, respectively. Both athletes will advance to the provincial finals next month in Toronto.

Among the standout performers on Wednesday were Tansei Tan and Eli Mordel in the 110 metre hurdles. The pair of grade 10 students posted  times of 14.80 and 14.81 seconds respectively. Tansei and Eli now sit sixth and seventh respectively in Canada this year for U18 runners. They join fellow Lions Timeo Atonfo, Jonah Gratton, and Simon Salisbury who sit third, fourth, and fifth in the national rankings.

In the women’s triple jump, Elizabeth Moreland and Ella-Grace Gilbert each produced personal bests. Moreland’s leap of 11.42 metres places her 9th on the Club’s all-time U23 rankings, while Gilbert’s jump of 11.19 metres ranks her 14th.

Former OFSAA Champion Kai Gibson-Guevara achieved a new personal best of 1.95 metres in the high jump. His impressive clearance ranks 5th on the Club’s U18 all-time list and is currently the second highest jump by a U18 competitor in Canada this year.

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

Photos from the competition can be found on Mundo Sport Images website.

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

(Windsor, Canada---02 June 2024) Lauren Gale races to win the 400m in meet record time at the 2024 Johnny Loaring Classic held at the University of Windsor. The competition is part of the Athletics Canada National Track and Field Tour and the World Athletics Continental Tour. Photograph Copyright 2024 Sean Burges / Mundo Sport Images. If posting to social media please tag @mundosportimages

Gale Surpasses Olympic Standard Again in Edmonton Victory

by InternationallinkinbioLocal

She does it again. For the second time in nine days, Lauren Gale dipped under the qualifying standard for this summer’s Olympic Games. Racing at the Edmonton Athletics Invitational Thursday, Gale roared around the track at the University of Alberta’s Foote Field in a blazing 50.83 seconds to take home the gold. 

Gale can guarantee her spot in Paris with a win at the upcoming Canadian Olympic Trials in Montreal scheduled for the end of the month. She is currently ranked as Canada’s fastest runner over 400 metres, having produced the fastest time by a Canadian in over 30 years last week when she set a new Club record at the Royal City Inferno. 

Also in Edmonton yesterday, David Adeleye made his return to the track after a fall at the Johnny Loaring Classic in Windsor. The recent University of Toronto graduate placed eighth in the 110 metre hurdles with a time of 14.09 seconds. 

On the other side of the Atlantic yesterday, Bianca Borgella continued her preparation for the Canadian Trials and Paralympic Games with a silver medal run in Paris. Competing at the IPC Grand Prix event in the French capital, Borgella battled a stiff -2.1 metres per second head wind as she crossed the line in a time of 12.28. The double medalist at last year’s World Championship is currently the top ranked 100 metre runner in the T13 category.

Closer to home, Twilight Meet #2 took place Wednesday night with 59 personal bests being set by Lions athletes. Two athletes in particular shone in the 300 metres, with both Stephan Balson and Ange-Mathis Kramo producing all-time top 10 marks. Balson won the event in a time of 34.58 seconds to move to eighth on the U20 list while Kramo finished second in 34.97 to sit fourth on the U18 list. 

Results from Twilight Meet #2 are available on our website.

Photos from Twilight Meet #2 are available on Mundo Sport Images website.

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

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May’s Athletic Triumphs: Canadian Records, High School Stars, and Exciting Competitions

by High SchoolInternationallinkinbioLocal

The month of May burst into action with remarkable performances from Lions athletes across three countries.

World Relay Championships: Lauren Gale led Canada to a new national record in the mixed 4×400 meter relay during the World Relay Championships in The Bahamas over the weekend. Gale and her team secured third place in their heat, clocking in at an impressive 3 minutes and 14.66 seconds. Although they narrowly missed the top two spots required for automatic Olympic qualification, their performance bested the previous national mark of 3:15.20 set at last year’s Canadian Championships.

Trials of Miles Friday Night Lights: André Alie-Lamarche showcased his talent by finishing fifth in the 1500 meters event at the Trials of Miles Friday Night Lights event in New York’s Icahn Stadium. Crossing the finish line in 3 minutes and 48.85 seconds, Alie-Lamarche delivered his second-best performance of the year.

Run Ottawa’s Run to Empower: In Ottawa, two Lions athletes made their mark at Run Ottawa’s Run to Empower event. Adriano Padoin-Castillo claimed victory in the open 5-kilometer race, clocking in at an impressive 16 minutes and 44 seconds. Saoirse Kealey secured a top-10 finish in the Ottawa’s Fastest Woman 5km section, crossing the line in 18 minutes and 54 seconds.

uOttawa High School Invite: The uOttawa High School Invite saw a significant turnout over both days, with outstanding performances. Stephan Balson of Lisgar dominated the senior boys’ events, setting a personal best of 10.89 seconds in the 100 meters and finishing second with a time of 21.96 seconds in the 200 meters.

Ange Mathis-Kramo from Paul-Desmarais School made an impressive start to the season by clinching victories in both the junior boys’ 100 and 200 meter events. His time of 11.09 seconds in the 100 meters set a new meet record, while his 200 meter performance of 22.42 seconds showcased his dominance in the field.

Jorai Oppong-Nketiah continued her stellar form from last season by sweeping the 100 and 200 meter events, setting new records in both categories. Her windy 100 meter time of 11.99 seconds broke a 13-year-old record, while her 200 meter victory in 25.34 seconds shaved off an impressive 2.5 seconds from the previous record set in 2023.

Looking ahead, the high school action continues with the National Capital Classic, and the outdoor season kicks off with the Spring Kick Start meet on Friday and Saturday.

For updated club rankings, visit this link.

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Largest Ever Ravens Last Chance Meet Set to Begin Friday night

by linkinbioLocal

Anticipation is high as the Carleton Ravens USport Last Chance Meet gets set to kick off this evening at the Dome @ Louis-Riel. Nearly 40 teams, including 14 esteemed university programs are set to battle it out on the track and in the field this weekend in what promises to be a thrilling showcase of athletic prowess and fierce competition.

The excitement kicks off on Friday night at 7:00 PM with a select number of events and relays, resuming Saturday morning with the U16 section

The excitement kicks off on Friday night at 7:00 PM with a select number of events and relays, resuming Saturday morning with the U16 section at 9:00 AM and the open section at 10:30 AM, attracting a diverse array of talented athletes eager to test their skills on the track.

Among the notable competitors gracing the event are Olympians Lauren Gale and Salomé Nyirarukundo, proudly representing the host Ottawa Lions. Additionally, spectators can expect to witness the incredible talents of world championship competitors Bianca Borgella (Lions), Jean-Simon Desgagnés, and Lionel Muteba as they vie for victory.

This prestigious competition serves as a crucial final test for university squads before they head into the conference championships next weekend and the highly anticipated USports Championship three weekends from now, adding an extra layer of intensity to the competition.

An impressive lineup of 18 athletes featured in the USports top-12 rankings will be in action, accompanied by six relay teams, promising an electrifying display of athleticism and sportsmanship.

With nearly 600 entries for this weekend’s event, the Carleton Ravens USport Last Chance Meet is poised to captivate those in attendance and showcase the incredible talent and dedication of athletes from across the nation.

For more information and updates, please visit our website.

(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