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Lions Ready to Roar on Home Track at Canadian Championships

by linkinbioNational

With more than 100 athletes set to compete across the U20, Open, and Para categories, the Ottawa Lions are primed for a strong showing this week as the Canadian Track and Field Championships return to the Terry Fox Athletic Facility.

The last time the nation’s best gathered in Ottawa for the championships in 2018, the host club racked up an impressive 22 medals—including a shot put title by current Lions Youth Director Tim Nedow and a sweep of the Open 4x400m relays. With the home crowd behind them once again, the Lions will look to build on that success.

U20 Contenders Poised for Podium Push
Leading the charge in the U20 category is Jorai Oppong-Nketiah, the reigning national champion in the women’s 100 metres. A year ago, the sprint sensation blazed to gold in 11.39 seconds after setting the Canadian U18 record in 11.38 during the semi-finals. This season, Oppong-Nketiah enters ranked fourth in the 100m and ninth in the 200m, where she won silver in 2023.

In the men’s sprints, all eyes will be on the quartet of Ange-Mathis Kramo, Ayoub Shangai, Zachary Jeggo, and William Sanders—fresh off their Canadian U20 Club Record in the 4x400m relay. All four will contest the individual 400m, with Jeggo leading the national rankings at 46.62. Shangai, a first-time national competitor, enters sixth at 47.39, with Kramo and Sanders also ranked inside the top 20.

Jeggo, a multi-talented threat, also headlines the 400m hurdles where he holds the top seed of 51.69 from his OFSAA title run. He’ll be joined by Kyle London, who is ambitiously taking on the 400m hurdles–decathlon double.

Middle-distance up-and-comer Safwan El Mansari enters the 800m ranked tenth nationally. The University of Ottawa student has had a breakout season, including a massive personal best of 1:51.51 set earlier this month at the CTFL Final—nearly three seconds faster than his 2024 best.

On the women’s side, first-year U18 athlete Ellie McGregor will also compete in the 800m after a breakthrough performance of 2:09.38 at the CTFL Final. The 15-year-old has accelerated her performances in 2025, moving to #4 on the club’s all-time list and establishing herself as a rising star in the middle distances.

In the distance events, Daniel Cova is aiming for a memorable send-off before heading to Iona University this fall. The Louis-Riel grad will double in the 5000m and 1500m, where he ranks fifth nationally among U20s with a personal best of 3:47.95.

Field event newcomers and veterans alike are also poised to shine. Fallo Douramodou, one of only 12 U20 men in Canada to clear two metres in the high jump this season, will look to leap onto the podium with a new lifetime best. Sadie Gilbert, the reigning indoor champion in the shot put, enters with a best of 12.98m and will be looking to improve upon last year’s fourth-place finish. In javelin, Mallea Mullin—the 2023 U16 national champ—enters the Championships ranked fourth with a PB of 42.60m.

Senior Stars Return for Glory
Two-time Olympian Lauren Gale headlines the senior entries, doubling in the 200m and 400m. Her season-best of 51.00 ranks her second nationally behind Olympic 400m hurdles champion Savannah Sutherland. A victory would mark Gale’s first senior national title, having previously won U20 gold in 2019.

In the women’s 800m, 2023 national finalist Sydney Smith will be joined by former University of Ottawa standout Maëliss Trapeau, who returns to the capital for her first competition in Canada since the 2020 U SPORTS Championships. A dual citizen of France and Canada, Trapeau has spent the past four summers competing overseas. She enters the Championships as a top medal contender, boasting the highest World Athletics ranking in the field (67th) and a personal best of 1:59.09.

On the men’s side, Stephen Evans looks to reach his third consecutive national final in the 800m. The 2023 bronze medalist enters with a season’s best of 1:48.96.

The women’s 400m hurdles could prove to be one of the most exciting events of the week for the Lions. Alexandra Telford and Rosemary Holmes—finalists at last year’s Olympic Trials—enter ranked fourth and fifth respectively and are coming off a dominant 1-2 finish at the CTFL Final where Holmes took top spot.

For the men, David Moulongou returns to action in the 400m hurdles after his Canadian national team debut at the World University Games, where he posted a PB of 52.24 and anchored the 4x400m to a sixth-place finish.

In the throws, Jessica Gyamfi—fresh off representing Canada at the World University Games—will look to crack the podium, ranking fourth in shot put and fifth in discus. On the men’s side, Connor Fraser, last year’s national silver medalist in discus, enters ranked third after a PB of 51.55m. Fraser will also contest the shot put where he enters ranked fifth, just behind teammate Liam Davis—last year’s U20 silver medalist.

The action begins Wednesday and continues through Sunday at the Terry Fox Athletic Facility. For full schedule, tickets, and event info, visit athletics.ca.

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Four Lions Named to Team Ontario for Canada Summer Games

by linkinbioNational

Four athletes from the Ottawa Lions Track and Field Club have earned the honour of representing Team Ontario at the upcoming 2025 Canada Summer Games, set to take place August 8–25 in St. John’s, Newfoundland. Athletics events are scheduled for the second week of competition, running August 19–23 at the Fortis Canada Games Complex.

Leading the group is Jessica Gyamfi, who will compete in the women’s shot put. The University of Ottawa thrower has enjoyed a breakout year, highlighted by an Ontario Championship gold and consistent performances that now place her among the top throwers in the country. Before heading to Newfoundland, Gyamfi will don the red and white of Team Canada later this month at the FISU World University Games in Rhine-Ruhr, Germany.

Joining Gyamfi on the provincial squad are teammates Connor Fraser (discus throw), Liam Davis (shot put and hammer throw), and Zachary Jeggo (400 metres and relay pool). Fraser secured his place on the team after a dominant showing at the Canada Games Trials in Toronto, while Davis continues to make waves across multiple throwing disciplines. Jeggo, fresh off a record-setting relay performance at the Ontario U20 Championships, will look to bring his signature speed and relay versatility to the national stage.

Two additional Lions remain under consideration as alternates for Team Ontario: sprinter Jorai Oppong-Nketiah and decathlete Leo Wallner. Wallner, a member of the 2022 Canada Games team, placed second in the open decathlon at last month’s provincial championships. If selected, Oppong-Nketiah would become the youngest Lion to compete at the Games since Olympian Sultana Frizell did so as a 16-year-old in 2001.

The Canada Summer Games represent the pinnacle of multi-sport competition in the country for emerging athletes, and this year’s selections continue a proud tradition of Ottawa Lions athletes making their mark on the national stage.

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.