Jorai_Jeggo_AO_Awards_Banner_2024

Lions Honoured at Athletics Ontario Awards Banquet

by linkinbioProvincial

Two Athlete of the Year awards, two Hall of Fame inductions, and three new banners for our office at the Terry Fox Athletic Facility—Saturday night’s Athletics Ontario Awards Banquet in Toronto was a remarkable evening of celebration for the Ottawa Lions.

Two Athlete of the Year awards, two Hall of Fame inductions, and three new banners for our office at the Terry Fox Athletic Facility—Saturday night’s Athletics Ontario Awards Banquet in Toronto was a remarkable evening of celebration for the Ottawa Lions.

Leading the charge was Jorai Oppong-Nketiah, whose 2024 season was nothing short of spectacular. At the Athletics Ontario Outdoor Championships, Jorai captured gold in both the U18 100m and 200m, along with a bronze in the U18 4x100m relay. She also earned silver in the U20 100m, demonstrating her ability to excel across multiple age groups.

Her dominance continued on the national stage at the Athletics Canada U18 Championships, where she took home gold in both the 100m and 200m, setting a Championship record in the 100m. At the National U20 Championships, she further cemented her reputation with a Canadian U18 record in the 100m, alongside winning gold in the U20 100m and silver in the U20 200m—an impressive feat for such a young athlete.

Zachary Jeggo, who also claimed the title of Ontario’s Top U18 athlete, displayed a season of consistent excellence. Jeggo shined on the national stage in 2024, where he amassed an impressive seven medal haul. The 17-year-old captured his first individual national title when set a Championship record in the 400 metre hurdles at the Canadian U18 Championship. That gold medal was one of four medals he captured in Calgary. 

Competing up an age category at the Canadian U20 Championships, Jeggo picked up bronze and silver in the 400 and 400 hurdles respectively before ending the Championship by anchoring the Lions to silver in the 4×400 relay. His performances throughout the year have set a high standard, inspiring the next generation of Ottawa Lions athletes.

In addition to Jorai and Zachary’s incredible achievements, Wendy Alexis was recognized with a nomination for Masters Athlete of the Year. Wendy’s long-standing success and dedication continue to inspire everyone within the Ottawa Lions community.

The Hall of Fame welcomed Stuart McGregor, inducted in the athletes category. A three-time Paralympic medalist for Canada in the T13 800m, McGregor’s remarkable career saw him rise to the top of international competition. To this day, he still holds Canadian records in the T13 400m and 800m, further cementing his legacy in Canadian athletics.

The evening also celebrated the legacy of Pat Reid, who was inducted into the Athletics Ontario Hall of Fame in the Builder category. Pat spent 35 years contributing to the sport, coaching athletes to 16 national titles and leading Canadian teams at major international events, including the 1984 Olympics, 1986 Commonwealth Games, and the 1987 Pan American Games. He also served as a member of the Athletics Ontario board, playing a key role in shaping the sport’s growth and development in the province.

In addition to the individual accolades, the Lions were presented with three Ontario Championship banners for their team success this past season. For the first time since 2015, the Ottawa Lions were crowned Ontario Overall Club Champions. As well, the Lions captured both the U20 and U18 team titles. With this year’s haul, the Club has now amassed 58 team titles since 2000. 

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

Lions Celebrate a Year of Triumph: Record-Breaking Performances and Rising Stars Shine at 2024 Awards Banquet

by Clublinkinbio

In a celebration of exceptional talent and dedication, the Ottawa Lions Track and Field Club honoured its top performers at this year’s awards ceremony. The event capped off a triumphant year for the club, which not only claimed the Ontario Overall Club title for the first time since 2015 but also added U20 and U18 age group titles to its illustrious history—bringing the club’s total to nearly 60 provincial team titles over the past quarter century. The ceremony recognized achievements that spanned national and international competitions, highlighting athletes who not only broke records but also continued a legacy of excellence.

Track Stars Lauren Gale and David Adeleye Shine Again

For the second consecutive year, Lauren Gale and David Adeleye were named recipients of the prestigious Gilbert Award, recognizing them as the top male and female track athletes. Both have dominated their respective events over the past two seasons. Gale, an Olympic finalist in the 4x400m relay and national record holder at 300 metres, further cemented her status as Canada’s premier 400-metre runner this year, setting a Club record of 50.47 seconds—the fastest time by a Canadian woman since 1992.

Adeleye, who captured silver at the National Championships in the 110-metre hurdles, set a personal best of 13.84 seconds, placing him third on the Club’s all-time list. Adding to his accolades, he set a new Club U23 record in the 60-metre hurdles (7.83) and earned a USports silver medal while representing the University of Toronto.

Throwers rule the field

This year’s recipient of the Gilbert Award as Male Athlete of the Year (Field) is Connor Fraser, whose standout performance in discus earned him a silver medal at the National Championships. Fraser, last year’s Top U20 Male Athlete, continued his strong form with gold in the Athletics Ontario Championships in discus and multiple top-10 finishes in his first year in the senior category.

Jessica Gyamfi was honoured with the Gilbert Award for Female Athlete of the Year (Field) after claiming gold in discus at the Athletics Ontario Championships. Gyamfi was also a finalist in both the shot put and discus at this year’s Olympic Trials, as well as a finalist at the USports Championships in both events.

Rising Stars: U18 Athletes Lead the Next Generation

Jorai Oppong-Nketiah, a rising star in Canadian sprinting, was unsurprisingly named the Most Outstanding Female U18 athlete for 2024. Oppong-Nketiah, who won last year’s U16 Female Award, shattered the Canadian U18 record in the 100 metres with a blistering time of 11.38 seconds, claiming gold at the Canadian U20 Championships. She also completed a second consecutive sprint double at the Royal Canadian Legion Championships, setting a meet record in the 100 metres.

Zach Jeggo became just the third boy in club history to win Outstanding U18 Performer two years in a row. The 17-year-old captured seven national championship medals across U18 and U20 competitions this season. Among the highlights was his meet-record victory in the 400-metre hurdles at the Royal Canadian Legion Championships. Jeggo also earned silver in the 400 metres and added relay medals in both the 4×400 and 4×100 events. At the U20 Championships, Jeggo took home additional medals in hurdles, the 400m, and the 4×400 relay.

Legacy of Excellence

Bianca Borgella claimed the Sam Estwick Memorial Award for the fourth consecutive season, solidifying her status as the most outstanding para athlete. Borgella, who competed in the 2024 Paralympics, broke the national T13 100-metre record twice this year, finishing with a best time of 11.92 seconds—ranking fourth globally.

In the Masters category, Wendy Alexis was named Most Outstanding Masters Athlete for an astounding 12th time. Alexis, last honoured in 2020, added to her impressive career by winning the world title in the W65 100 metres and taking silver in the 200 metres this season. Her induction into the Canadian Masters Hall of Fame served as the crowning achievement of a year that reaffirmed her place among the world’s best.

Mike Conway, this year’s Male Most Outstanding Masters Athlete, had a stellar season, winning gold in the M40 800 metres at both the National Championships and the Pan-American Masters Games, along with a silver in the M40 400 metres.

Honouring the Future of Athletics

The ceremony also celebrated the club’s younger athletes, with Liam Davis and Kathryn Moreland recognized as the Outstanding Performers in the U20 category. Davis excelled in the shot put, earning silver at both the National and Athletics Ontario Championships, while Moreland’s excellence in the heptathlon earned her silver at nationals and gold in the pentathlon at the Canadian Indoor Championships.

In the U16 division, Max Cazabon and Mallea McMullin were named Outstanding Performers. Cazabon earned gold in high jump at the Athletics Ontario Championships and the Ontario Summer Games, while McMullin dominated the javelin, claiming victory at every championship she entered in 2024, culminating in her first national title at the Royal Canadian Legion Championships.

Jake Claydon-St. John took home the Male U14 Outstanding Performer award, showcasing his versatility across middle-distance running and field events. Claydon-St. John medalled at the Ontario Championships in the 800m, 1200m, and 2000m events, and also secured bronze in the shot put, making him the only athlete in club history to win provincial medals in both a distance event and a field event in the same year.

Cross-Country and Combined Events Standouts

Kevin Robertson was recognized as the top male cross-country performer following his first-place finish at the Athletics Ontario Championships. On the women’s side, Nina Gunther and Maddie Seaby were co-honoured for their achievements, with Gunther leading the senior women’s team to provincial gold and Seaby finishing top-12 at the Canadian Championships.

In the combined events category, Kyle Waldrum and Kathryn Moreland were acknowledged for their achievements in decathlon and heptathlon, respectively. Waldrum earned silver at the Ontario U20 Championships, while Moreland was a two-time national medallist.

A Year to Remember

The Ottawa Lions Track and Field Club congratulates all of this year’s award winners for their exceptional dedication and achievements. As the 2024 season draws to a close, the athletes continue to set the bar for excellence, inspiring the next generation of track and field stars.

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Borgella and Oppong-Nketiah Named Athletes of the Year

by linkinbioProvincial

In the dynamic world of Ontario athletics, two exceptional young sprint talents have been shining brightly in 2023. On Saturday night at the Athletics Ontario Awards Gala, Bianca Borgella and Jorai Oppong-Nketiah were honoured with prestigious awards, highlighting their remarkable achievements in their respective categories.

Bianca Borgella: Para Track Female Athlete of the Year

A resounding round of applause goes to Bianca Borgella, who has been named Athletics Ontario’s Para Track Female Athlete of the Year. This recognition is a testament to her incredible journey in the world of para athletics. Her accolades in 2023 include a pair of medals (silver and bronze) at the World Para Athletics Championship and consistent success on both national and international stages. Her remarkable dedication and determination have not only secured her a place in the record books but have also placed her on a path to competing at the Paralympic Games next summer in Paris. 

Jorai Oppong-Nketiah: U16 Female Athlete of the Year

Jorai Oppong-Nketiah’s meteoric rise in the world of athletics continues to leave us in awe. She has earned the well-deserved title of Athletics Ontario’s U16 Female Athlete of the Year. Her performance in 2023, especially at the Ontario U14/U16/U18 Championships and the Legion Nationals, showcased her exceptional talent. Her record-breaking run in the U16 girls’ 100 meters made her the Ontario Champion and highlighted her as the second-fastest 15-year-old female sprinter in Canadian history. Jorai’s accolades are not just a testament to her remarkable speed but also her dedication and hard work.

Conclusion: Bianca Borgella and Jorai Oppong-Nketiah have not only marked 2023 as a year of exceptional achievements but have also cemented their places as shining stars in the world of athletics. Bianca’s recognition as Para Track Female Athlete of the Year and Jorai’s title as U16 Female Athlete of the Year are well-deserved honours that acknowledge their talent and dedication. As they continue to inspire athletes across Ontario and beyond, we eagerly anticipate the next chapter in their remarkable athletic journeys. Congratulations to these two incredible athletes who have truly earned their places in the spotlight.

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Lions celebrate success of 2022-23 season at awards banquet

by ClublinkinbioLocal

Under the famous sunset of the Terry Fox Athletic Facility, the Ottawa Lions celebrated the best of the 2022-2023 season Saturday night at their annual Awards Banquet. The evening provided all involved with an excellent opportunity to celebrate the many accomplishments of the past season including a second straight Canadian Championship for our U18 girls cross country team, multiple international medalists, and a number of Canadian records. 

The highest honour bestowed upon a Lions athlete is the Gilbert Award, named in honour of Olympic Champion Glenroy Gilbert. Handed out to the most outstanding male and female athletes in the Club for both track and field events. 

For the second straight season, Lauren Gale took home the honour in the women’s track category. The 23-year-old set a new Club record this year at 300 metres with a time of 37.02 seconds. Gale now holds Club sprint records at 200, 300, and 400 metres. 

In addition to her record setting performance, the 2020 Olympian took home bronze and silver medals in the 200 and 400 metres respectively at the Ontario Championships. As well, she finished the season ranked second nationally over 200 metres.

Long jumper Maria Okwechime took home the award for top female in the field events. Okwechime moved to number four on the Club’s all-time list early this season with a leap of 6.13 metres at the Bob Vigars Classic. She would equal the mark two months later as she finished in the top spot at the Canadian Championships. 

On the men’s side, the track award was shared between two recent victors – David Adeleye and Stephen Evans. Adeleye, the winner in 2022, set a Club U23 record indoors over the 60 metre hurdles and followed that up outdoors with his first ever sub-14 second 110 metre hurdles race. The University of Toronto student was also named to his first national team in athletics, representing Canada at the NACAC U23 Championships. Adeleye rounded out his season with his first senior national medal, finishing in the bronze medal position.

Evans finally produced the breakthrough season he had been working for. After besting the Club’s 1000 metre record indoors, the University of Ottawa graduate focused his attention on one of the longest standing records – the 800 metres. The previous mark of 1:47.24 had been set nine years before Evans was born, and in the national final Evans bested it by more than two tenths on his way to picking up his first national medal – bronze. 

Bianca Borgella was recognized for the third straight year as the Club’s top para athlete. The Sam Estwick Award winner had a banner season in 2023 that included her first national team appearance. Competing at the World Para Athletics Championship in Paris, Borgella signalled to the world that she will be a strong medal contender next year at the Paralympics. The University of Ottawa student captured bronze in the T13 100 metres and silver in the 200 metres – both in Canadian record time.

Among the age group award winners, Connor Fraser and Elizabeth Vroom each took home top honours in the Under-20 category. Fraser was a double provincial champion in the shot put and discus in addition to winning gold in the shot put at the Canadian Championships. Vroom placed second in the 3000 metre steeplechase at nationals and was provincial champion. The Queen’s University student also took home the honour of Most Outstanding Cross Country performer. 

Quinn Coughlin and Zachary Jeggo continued what has felt like the longest game of “anything you can do, I can do” as the pair took home top honours among U18 athletes. The pair of grade 11 students had dominating seasons in both the 400 and 400 metre hurdles, with each finishing fourth in both events at the Canadian U20 Championships and picking up a pair of individual medals at the Royal Canadian Legion Championships. 

Topping the U16 category were a pair of record breakers in sprinters Jorai Oppong-Nketiah and Ange-Mathis Kramo. Oppong-Nketiah was a dominating force this summer taking top spot at the provincial championships with the second fastest 100 metres in Canadian history by a 15-year-old. She would follow that up a week later by becoming the first woman in Club history to claim gold in both the 100 and 200 metres at a single Legion National Championship. 

Kramo smashed the Club’s U16 record at 300 metres with a dazzling 35.64 second clocking this summer. The Paul Desmarais student also posted top-5 all-time performances over 100 and 200 metres and helped the Lions’ U20 4×100 metre relay to a provincial title. 

Honours in the Under-14 category went to Atalia Williams and Maxime Cazabon. The pair combined for four medals at the Ontario Championships. Cazabon was provincial champion in the high jump and completed the full set of medals with silver in the 300 metres (Club U14 Record) and bronze over 80 metres. Williams captured a pair of silver medals over 80 and 150 metres.

The remaining award winners were as follows:

  • Mike Conway & Erinn Joseph – Masters
  • Nina Günther & Liz Maguire – Road Running
  • Saul Taler – Cross Country
  • Seb Lalonde & Kirk Dillabaugh – Sean Cole Memorial Award (Dedication to Club Service)

For a full list of current and past award winners, please visit the Annual Awards section of our website.