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)

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.

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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)

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Twice as Nice: Lions Celebrate Double Podium at Canadian Championships

by linkinbioNational

A thrilling weekend of competition saw nearly 50 Lions athletes take to the fields of London, Ontario, for the 2024 Canadian Cross Country Championships. From individual heroics to team triumphs, the Lions delivered standout performances across the board, highlighted by two bronze-medal finishes in team events.

Day 1: A Strong Start for Youth Teams
The action kicked off with the U16 girls 4km race, where the Lions added Canadian bronze to go with their provincial bronze from two weeks prior. Once again it was Laila Lebel leading the charge. The grade 10 student at Colonel By was first across the line in 15 minutes and 52.0 seconds. About 30 seconds after Lebel came a string of Lions as Riley Daniels (40th), Isla Kittmer (41st), and Alexandra Harris (49th) propelled the team to a total of 154 points, securing their podium finish.

Next came the U18 boys 6km race, which proved to be the closest race of the weekend. The Lions narrowly missed the top spot, finishing just three points shy of gold, but their efforts earned them a well-deserved bronze medal. Saul Taler led the way with an outstanding 9th-place finish in 19 minutes and 26.5 seconds. The scoring was rounded out by Daniel Cova (27th), Charlie Mortimer (32nd), and Noah Mansouri (33rd). The team’s depth was a key factor, with our fifth through eighth runners performing well enough to have scored a top-8 team finish themselves.

In the U18 women’s 6km race, Ciara Villeneuve was the top Lion, finishing 44th overall in  24 minutes and 54.5 seconds and guiding the team to a commendable 8th-place finish out of 21 teams.

Day 2: Senior Stars and Mixed Relay Excitement
Sunday morning’s races saw Canada’s top senior harriers in action, including our own top talent. André Alie-Lamarche led the senior men’s team in the 10km race, finishing 30th in 32 minutes and 43.4 seconds. Along with Clive Sparks Kyeyune (50th), Zachary Sikka (53rd), Ken Lorbetskie (68th) and Oliver Waddington (74th), the Lions senior men posted a strong fourth place finish.

Salome Nyirarukundo delivered the Lions’ top individual finish of the weekend, placing 8th in the senior women’s 10km with a time of 37:35.3.

The weekend concluded with the inaugural U18 4x2km mixed relay, an electrifying event that featured nearly 60 teams. Three Lions quartets placed in the top-20 with the team of Daniel Cova, Grace Streek, Saul Taler, and Ciara Villeneuve placing the highest in seventh position. The team finished in 27 minutes and 0.6 seconds – 32 seconds back of the podium.

For full results from the weekend, please visit Athletic.net

(Montreal, Canada---28 June 2024) Glenroy Gilbert competing in the 2024 Bell Trials Canadian Track and Field Championships and Olympic Trials. Photograph Copyright 2024 Miles Ryan / Mundo Sport Images. If posting to social media please tag @mundosportimages

From Olympic Gold to Mentorship: Lions Coaches Lead the Way

by ClublinkinbioNational

The Ottawa Lions are proud to highlight the outstanding achievements and ongoing development of its coaches through two prestigious programs: the Petro Canada Coaching Excellence Awards and the Athletics Canada Coach Mentorship Program.  

Glenroy Gilbert Honoured with Petro Canada Coaching Excellence Award  

Glenroy Gilbert, Canada’s Head Coach was recognized last week with the Petro Canada Coaching Excellence Award for his instrumental role as lead coach of the Canadian 4×100-metre relay team. Under his guidance and excellent leadership, the team claimed Olympic Gold at the Paris Olympics, a feat not achieved by a Canadian team since Gilbert helped Canada to the top of the podium 28 years ago. Gilbert had previously been recognized with the Coaching Excellence Award in 2022.

The Petro Canada Coaching Excellence Awards, presented by the Coaching Association of Canada (CAC) and Petro-Canada, celebrate coaches whose athletes have achieved podium success at world championships, Olympic and Paralympic Games, and Special Olympics World Games. This year,  67 coaches from 27 sports were honoured, continuing a tradition that has recognized 1,512 coaches since the program’s inception in 1986.  

Investing in the Future: Athletics Canada Coach Mentorship Program  

The Ottawa Lions are equally thrilled to spotlight the involvement of two of their own in Athletics Canada’s Coach Mentorship Program. Yolande Jones-Grande has been selected as one of this year’s mentees, while Leslie Estwick, a veteran coach with the Lions, will serve as a mentor.  

This program, running from December 2024 in Edmonton through the Summer 2025 outdoor season, is designed to enrich the coaching experience by fostering deep, personal mentorship connections. Participants engage in regular interactions, both virtually and in person, while pursuing professional development opportunities, NCCP training, and more. The program aims to create a supportive environment where coaches can take risks, grow, and refine their skills for the betterment of themselves and their athletes.  

Celebrating Lions Coaches  

The Ottawa Lions take immense pride in the achievements and dedication of their coaching staff. From guiding athletes to Olympic podiums to fostering the next generation of coaching talent, Lions coaches embody excellence, leadership, and a commitment to the sport.  

As we celebrate these milestones, we look forward to seeing the continued impact of Glenroy Gilbert, Yolande Jones-Grande, and Leslie Estwick on athletics in Canada and beyond.  

(Ottawa, Canada---06 July 2024) Brianna Asiamah throws in the elite women’s shot put of the Canadian Track and Field League (CTFL) Final. Photograph Copyright 2024 Sean Burges / Mundo Sport Images. If posting to social media please tag @mundosportimages

Lions to Host CTFL Final as Part of National Track & Field Tour

by linkinbioNational

Ottawa will once again be part of Canada’s National Track & Field Tour in 2025, with the “CTFL Final presented by the Ottawa Lions” scheduled for July 11 at the Terry Fox Athletic Facility. This World Athletics Class D event will cap off the Canadian Track & Field League’s (CTFL) summer season, now in its third year. Established by Ottawa Lions athlete Quinn Lyness, the league has quickly become an essential platform for Canadian athletes to compete at a high level domestically.

The Ottawa stop on the National Track & Field Tour is one of 11 events across the country, designed to offer elite Canadian athletes critical competition opportunities. With two World Athletics Continental Tour Silver and four Bronze events, the tour provides world-class competition without the need for extensive international travel.

With qualification standards for the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo on the line, the CTFL Final promises a showcase of premier talent. Fans can catch the action live at the Terry Fox Athletic Facility or tune in online through AthleticsCanada.TV, which will live-stream all World Athletics Continental Tour Silver and Bronze events.

As a precursor to the 2025 season highlight, the CTFL Final sets the stage for Ottawa to host the Canadian Track and Field Championships from July 30 to August 3, further establishing the city as a key hub for Canadian athletics.

(Montreal, Canada---30 June 2024) Zachary Jeggo competing in the 2024 Bell Trials Canadian Track and Field Championships and Olympic Trials. Photograph Copyright 2024 Miles Ryan / Mundo Sport Images. If posting to social media please tag @mundosportimages

Lions Shine at Royal Canadian Legion Championships, Setting Records and Securing Nine Medals

by linkinbioNational

In a weekend marked by fierce competition and record-breaking performances, the Ottawa Lions once again demonstrated their dominance as one of Canada’s top track and field clubs. The team returned home with nine medals—three gold, three silver, and three bronze—alongside 14 personal bests.

Oppong-Nketiah’s Double Gold

Jorai Oppong-Nketiah continued to solidify her status as one of Canada’s most promising young athletes with two record-breaking performances in the U18 Girls 100m and 200m events.

Kicking off the championships with the 100 metres, Oppong-Nketiah set a championship record of 11.43 seconds to capture gold on Friday evening. This performance, combined with her outstanding runs at the Canadian U20 Championship, now gives her the three fastest U18 100-metre times ever recorded in Canadian history—with one year still remaining in the category.

In the 200 metres, Oppong-Nketiah rewrote a long-standing club record, capturing her second gold medal of the championship with a time of 23.90 seconds. Not even a 3.5-meter-per-second headwind could prevent her from surpassing Lauren Gale’s previous club record of 24.03 seconds, set in 2016.

Jeggo’s Record-Breaking Weekend

One of the busiest athletes of the weekend, Zachary Jeggo, also emerged as the most decorated. Jeggo left Calgary with four medals and a championship record from two individual events and two relays.

Jeggo raced to victory in the 400-metre hurdles, clocking an impressive 52.67 seconds. This performance not only shattered his own club U18 record but also broke the championship record of 53.02 seconds, which had stood for nearly a decade—long before the 17-year-old was even born.

In the 400 metres, without hurdles in his way, Jeggo posted a time of 48.33 seconds to finish second. This marked his second national silver medal of the summer, following a similar performance at the Canadian U20 Championships in June.

Beyond his individual success, Jeggo played a crucial role in two medal-winning relay teams.

Teaming up with Ammiel Williams, Kyle London, and Ange-Mathis Kramo, the U18 Boys 4×400-metre relay team delivered one of the standout performances of the championships, crossing the finish line in 3 minutes and 19.07 seconds. Their performance shattered the club’s U18 record, set at last year’s championships.

The 4x100m relay team of Jimmy Lu Langley, Jesse Costanzo, Jeggo, and Kramo also etched their names into the relay record books. The quartet completed the race in 42.03 seconds, breaking the club’s U18 record that had stood since 2007 and securing the bronze medal.

A Dominant Display in Javelin

Mallea McMullin’s performance in the U16 Girls Javelin was nothing short of commanding. With an opening throw of 39.19 metres, McMullin won the event by a remarkable 6.5 metres. Her victory marks her as the latest in a line of Lions athletes to claim the national U16 javelin title, following in the footsteps of Sara Collins (2002), Sultana Frizell (1999), and Louise Perreault (1983).

Coughlin’s Resilient Comeback

After a disappointing run in Saturday’s 400-metre final, Quinn Coughlin demonstrated remarkable resilience as she rebounded the following day in the 400-metre hurdles to claim her first individual national title. Living up to her pre-event ranking, Coughlin was first across the line with a time of 1:01.34.

Kramo’s Sprint to Silver

Ange-Mathis Kramo continued to raise his national profile, adding to the Lions’ medal tally with a silver in the U18 Boys 200 metres. His time of 21.53 seconds places him second on the Lions’ all-time list, trailing Olympian Oluwasegun Makinde by just a tenth of a second.

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

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

(Ottawa, Canada---19 June 2024) Kimberley Howitt 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 captured 14 medals at Canadian Masters Championship

by linkinbioMastersNational

For the second time this year, the Montreal area played host to a national championship. This past weekend, Canada’s best masters athletes competed at Stade Claude-Ferragne in the suburb of Laval. The small but mighty Ottawa Lions team captured a total of 12 medals over the three-day event.

Wendy Alexis continued to do Wendy Alexis things as she left Laval with a pair of medals in both the W65 100 and 200 metre events. Alexis, fresh off a pair of victories at the Pan American Masters Games, posted winning times of 14.60 and 30.34 seconds respectively. 

In the W40 category, Kimberley Howitt showcased her versatility by capturing a full set of medals. Her highlight was a gold medal in the 400m with a time of 1:04.63, followed closely by teammate Edith Duarte, who finished in 1:05.38 to take silver.

Howitt also earned a silver medal in the 800m with a time of 2:28.42 and a bronze in the 200m, setting a personal best of 29.90 seconds. Duarte edged out Howitt in the 200m, taking home the silver with a time of 29.47 seconds.

Michael Conway dominated the M40 800m, capturing gold with a strong and strategic race. His winning time of 2:06.73 was more than eight seconds ahead of the second-place finisher.

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Two Lions athletes showcased impressive speed in the 100 meters. Lionel Nahum (M50) and Michel Smith (M55) each earned a bronze medal for their outstanding efforts. Nahum clocked a windy 12.66 seconds, while Smith crossed the finish line in 13.68 seconds.

In the field events, Stan Seitz brought home double gold in the M75 category. He cleared 2.25 meters in the pole vault and 1.25 meters in the high jump to secure his victories.

Michel Smith sprinted to a silver medal in the M55 200m, while Mike McInerney secured a bronze in the 800m.

Next up for many of our masters athletes is the World Masters Athletics Championships next week in Göteborg, Sweden.

For updated Club rankings, please visit this link.