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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

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Lions Celebrate U16 Girls Team Bronze at Provincial Cross Country Championships

by linkinbioProvincial

The final day of the Athletics Ontario Cross Country Championships at Lakeridge Links Golf Club in Whitby showcased the grit and talent of the Ottawa Lions, with the U16 Girls team leading the way to the podium. Their bronze medal performance capped off a three medal haul weekend across all age categories.

U16 Girls Shine with Team Bronze

Sunday’s highlight undoubtedly came from the U16 Girls, who combined for a team bronze in the 4km race. Leading the charge was Laila Lebel, who finished 19th in 14:04, followed closely by teammates Isla Kittmer (22nd, 14:08), Riley Daniels (27th, 14:15), and Bianca Arabackyj (30th, 14:16). Emily Munro (80th, 15:31) rounded out the squad, sealing the team’s spot on the podium with a total score of 98 points. The team narrowly edged out Edge Sport Track Club, who finished just a single point behind the ladies. 

Notable Performances in U14 Races

In the U14 Boys’ 2km race, Kai Lebel delivered a strong showing, crossing the line in 11th place with a time of 6 minutes and 2 seconds. He was joined by teammate Jaiden Taft, who placed 35th in 6:20. On the Girls’ side, Keira Ganton represented the Lions with determination, finishing 31st in 6:50.

U18 Teams Battle Tough Competition

The U18 Girls faced a challenging field in their 6km race but secured a ninth-place team finish. Leading the effort was Bridget Jeffrey, who clocked 23:44 to place 25th. Strong runs from Kyra Lauter (34th, 24:09) and Edith Petrescu-Comnene (41st, 24:33) contributed valuable points, while Maya Allibon (87th, 26:24) and Sofia Lefaivre (95th, 26:41) rounded out the team.

In the U18 Boys’ 5km race, Noah Smith led the Lions with a 24th-place finish in 19:46. He was joined by Barrett Goold (67th, 20:53) and Jackson McKercher (97th, 21:31), who put in solid efforts against a deep field.

Looking Ahead

This weekend’s championship was the penultimate event of the domestic cross country season. Focus will now shift to London, for this year’s Canadian Championships set for November 30 and 31 at Fanshawe Golf Course. 

Seaby runs at NCAA Regionals

Maddie Seaby capped her second season of NCAA cross country running with a 68th place finish at the Southeast Regional in Rock Hill, SC. It was a noticeable improvement on last season’s regional performance where Seaby placed 81st. In addition to her individual success, Seaby’s performance helped her Louisville Cardinals to a seventh place finish in the team standings.

(Ottawa, Canada---26 November 2022) Liz Maguire (1560-- FAXCXM) competing in the 2022 Athletics Canada Cross Country Championships. Photograph Copyright 2022 Miles Ryan / Mundo Sport Images. If posting to social media please tag @mundosportimages

Maguire and Lebel Lead Lions on Day One of Ontario Championships

by linkinbioMastersProvincial

The opening day of the Athletics Ontario Cross Country Championships at Lakeridge Links Golf Club in Whitby featured standout performances from the Ottawa Lions’ small but mighty contingent. The highlights of the day came from Liz Maguire and Ronan Lebel, who each reached the podium in their respective races.

Liz Maguire defended her W55 provincial cross country title in commanding fashion, claiming her second consecutive crown. The World Championship silver medalist completed the 5km course in 19 minutes and 23 seconds, finishing more than a minute ahead of runner-up Christy Barber of the Toronto Harriers.

In the W40 race, Kimberley Howitt delivered a strong performance, crossing the line in 20:36 to secure fifth place. On the men’s side, Mike McInerney clocked 20:05 to finish eighth in the M55 category.

Continuing his podium streak, Ronan Lebel earned bronze in the U12 Boys’ 2km race, marking his third medal in as many years at the provincial cross country championships. The 10-year-old crossed the line in 6:13, while teammate Eric Combasson placed 49th in 7:26.

Mélina Hamel capped off a strong cross-country season with a seventh-place finish in the Senior Women’s 8km, completing the course in 29:55.

In the Senior Men’s 8km, Zachary Sikka led the Lions with a 21st-place finish in 25:44. He was closely followed by Ken Lorbetskie (37th, 27:03) and Oliver Waddington (38th, 27:04), who battled to the finish line together.

In the U10 Girls’ 1km, Lisa Yakhlef was the top Lions finisher, taking 16th place in 4:42. Meanwhile, in the U10 Boys’ 1km, Jakob Goguen placed 22nd in 4:49, rounding out the Lions’ efforts on day one.

Live results can be found on Race Roster

(Ottawa, Canada---04 November 2024) Daniel Cova of ESP Louis-Riel (Ottawa) competing in the Senior Boys race at the 2024 OFSAA Cross Country Championships at Mooney's Bay Park.. . Copyright 2024 Miles Ryan / Mundo Sport Images. If posting to social media please tag @mundosportimages

Historic Win for Cova, Podium Finish for Harris Highlight Lions’ OFSAA Success

by High SchoollinkinbioProvincial

When Ottawa last hosted the OFSAA Cross Country Championships in 2011 at the Hornet’s Nest in Gloucester, it was Lion Yves Sikubwabo who claimed the senior boys title. Thirteen years later, Ottawa saw another Lion rise to the top at Ontario’s premier high school event.

Following a second-place finish at the National Capital Championships, Louis-Riel’s Daniel Cova arrived at OFSAA with determination. The grade 12 student surged to the front early in the six-kilometre race, taking command of the 273-strong field. Holding a seven-second lead at the halfway mark, Cova powered through to claim a six-second victory, clocking in at 19:32.02. This triumph makes Cova the 16th Ottawa Lion to capture an OFSAA XC title and only the fifth senior boy to do so.

While Cova capped off his high school cross country journey with a win, NCSSAA Champion Alexandra Harris of John McCrae made an impressive debut in the novice girls division. In seventh place halfway through the four-kilometre race, Harris increased her pace, ultimately overtaking Martingrove Collegiate’s Mackenzie Sherwin in the final 100 metres to secure bronze in 15:33.29.

Louis-Riel’s senior boys team added to the Lions’ success, earning team bronze with key performances from Mikel Fortier, Cohen Kaye, and Olivier Young, who placed 37th, 100th, and 135th, respectively.

Notable top-20 finishes from the Lions also included Mackenzie Community School’s Isla Kittmer, who placed 12th in the novice girls race with a time of 15:54.35, and Glebe’s Saul Taler, who finished 12th in the senior boys race with a time of 20:12.81. Taler’s performance helped Glebe secure a seventh-place finish in the team standings.

Additional Results from OFSAA by Race Category:

Novice Girls

  • Reve McInnes, NC Glebe Collegiate (Ottawa): 52nd place, 16:49.76
  • Charlie Fee, NC Nepean HS (Ottawa): 60th place, 16:57.35
  • Kira Coldrey, NC Colonel By SS (Ottawa): 88th place, 17:23.46
  • Alyssa Nash, NC ESP De La Salle (Ottawa): 99th place, 17:42.66
  • Julie Cabasson, NC Colonel By SS (Ottawa): 151st place, 18:32.15
  • Mia Lloyd, NC Sir Robert Borden HS (Nepean): 259th place, 22:42.53

Novice Boys

  • Rowan Blaine, EO Glengarry DHS (Alexandia): 49th place, 15:01.05
  • Declan McGinnity, NC All Saints CHS (Kanata): 113th place, 15:40.23
  • Maxime Cazabon, NC ESC Garneau (Orleans): 225th place, 17:17.41

Junior Girls

  • Riley Daniels, NC The Element HS (Ottawa): 27th place, 20:30.82
  • Bianca Arabackyj, NC ESP De La Salle (Ottawa): 54th place, 21:15.43
  • Dahlia Loreti, NC ESC Pierre Savard (Barrhaven): 77th place, 21:49.57
  • Emily Munro, NC Hillcrest (Ottawa): 115th place, 22:42.33
  • Brynn Blackadder, NC South Carleton HS (Richmond): 170th place, 23:41.64
  • Olivia Gardiner, NC Colonel By SS (Ottawa): 193rd place, 24:23.68

Junior Boys

  • Luke Van Brabant, NC Earl of March SS (Kanata): 56th place, 18:24.71
  • Samuel Schuler, EO North Dundas DHS (Winchester): 89th place, 19:00.32
  • Jakob Lafferty, NC St. Pius X CHS (Ottawa): 123rd place, 19:26.66

Senior Girls

  • Grace Streek, NC Peak Centre Academy (Kanata): 24th place, 24:14.45
  • Tessa Knight, NC ESC Franco Cite (Ottawa): 26th place, 24:15.31
  • Ciara Villeneuve, NC ESC Paul Desmarais (Stittsville): 37th place, 24:34.87
  • Bridget Jeffrey, NC St. Francis Xavier (Ottawa): 39th place, 24:40.04
  • Kyra Lauter, NC ESC Franco Ouest (Ottawa): 40th place, 24:40.76
  • Kate Johnston-Zemek, NC Ashbury College (Ottawa): 107th place, 26:26.25
  • Bronwyn O’Ray, NC ESC Paul Desmarais (Stittsville): 111th place, 26:32.43
  • Adrienne Fraserwalls, NC ESC Franco Cite (Ottawa): 112th place, 26:33.17

Senior Boys

  • Charlie Mortimer, NC Hillcrest (Ottawa): 21st place, 20:33.49
  • Noah Smith, NC Immaculata (Ottawa): 30th place, 20:48.04
  • Jackson McKercher, NC John McCrae SS (Ottawa): 79th place, 21:41.46
  • Brennan Lee, NC St. Mother Teresa (Barrhaven): 83rd place, 21:46.10
  • Conlin Burnett, NC Lisgar Collegiate (Ottawa): 86th place, 21:46.43
  • Barrett Goold, NC Sir Robert Borden HS (Nepean): 91st place, 21:56.65
  • Austin Walker, NC Colonel By SS (Ottawa): 111th place, 22:17.58
  • Matteo Padoin-Castillo, NC Immaculata (Ottawa): 128th place, 22:33.61
  • Dean Kontogiannis, NC Earl of March SS (Kanata): 139th place, 22:42.18

Full results from the Championship can be found on TrackDatabase.com

Championship Photos are available from Mundo Sport Images

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Championship Weekend Results Roundup

by linkinbioUniversity

Championship season kicked off for Canadian cross-country runners with university conference championships unfolding nationwide this past weekend.

At the OUA Championships in North Bay, the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees battled to a pair of 12th-place finishes in both the men’s and women’s team races. On the men’s side, the Gee-Gees finished just 11 points behind Laurentian for 11th place, led by second-year computer science student Zachary Sikka, who completed the demanding 8-kilometre course in 26:36.3 to place 44th overall. 

Nic Abanto Enns and Will McLeish supported the team effort with 56th and 63rd-place finishes, each finishing within a minute of Sikka. Adriano Padoin-Castillo and Fred Parent rounded out the scoring for Ottawa in 69th and 85th place, respectively.

On the women’s side, Melina Hamel continued her standout season, leading Ottawa with a 34th-place finish in 31:03.8, one of her strongest races of the year. Teammate Kylee Fowler followed closely in 54th place, with Elliot Tyman, Grace Farrington, and Katerina Culhane rounding out the scoring spots in 88th, 89th, and 90th, respectively.

Queen’s standout Lizzy Vroom, a former USport Rookie of the Year, captured a 12th-place individual finish in 29:31.6, earning her Second Team OUA All-Star honours and helping the Gaels to silver in the overall standings. 

First-year Guelph Gryphon Jocelyn Giannotti, making her OUA Championships debut, placed 48th, crossing in 31:46.3 as the fourth-fastest rookie in the championship.

At the RSEQ Championships in Saint-Lazare, Quebec, the Carleton Ravens were represented by Sara Gross and Sydney Nielsen, with Gross clocking 34:33.2 for 71st place while Nielsen was 95th. Racing for McGill, Zoe Gardiner contributed to a team bronze for the Martlets with a 27th-place finish in 31:32.4. 

The RSEQ Championship also featured a high school section, where brothers Noah and Zachary Mansouri swept the podium’s top two spots. Noah claimed gold on the 5-kilometre course in 15:58.9 with Zachary finishing 7.5 seconds back.

Out west, UBC Okanagan’s Kyle Porter competed at the Can-West Championships in Camrose, AB, placing 50th in 27:49.6 over the 8-kilometre course. 

Next up for Canada’s top university athletes will be the USports Championships on November 9th in Kelowna, BC.

Full results from the OUA Championship can be found here: OUA

RSEQ Championships results can be found here: Men Women

Can-West Championship results can be found here: Can West

(Ottawa, Canada---23 May 2024) Saul Taler of Glebe Collegiate - Ottawa races in the 100m at the National Capital Secondary School Athletic Association (NCSSAA) Track and Field Championships. Photograph Copyright 2024 Sean Burges / Mundo Sport Images. If posting to social media please tag @mundosportimages

On the road to OFSAA: 41 Lions Qualify for Provincial High School Championship

by High Schoollinkinbio

With Ottawa set to host the OFSAA Cross Country Championships this year, the number of qualifying spots at the NCSSAA Championships was doubled, giving local athletes more opportunities to compete at the provincial high school meet. Lions athletes seized the chance, with 41 athletes securing their spots at OFSAA either through team qualifications or individual performances.

To reach OFSAA, the top four teams in each event advanced to the provincial championship, while individual athletes qualified by placing among the top 10 non-team finishers.

Novice Girls 4km

After claiming the West Conference title a week earlier, John McCrae’s Alexandra Harris added city champion to her resume as she topped the Novice Girls 4km field with a time of 16 minutes and 18.9 seconds. Joining Harris on the podium was Reve McInnes of Glebe CI, who nabbed the bronze medal in a 17:06.2.

On the team side, Kira Coldrey led her Colonel By Cougars to top spot with her fifth place finish overall. Coldrey was helped by fellow Lion Matilda Edwards who placed seventh overall. 

Joining these three ladies in the Novice Girls race at OFSAA will be:

  • Charlie Fee (Nepean) 3rd Place Team
  • Mia Lloyd (Sir Robert Borden) 4th Place Team
  • Alyssa Nash (De La Salle) 9th Place 

Junior Girls 5km

East Conference champion Laila Lebel of Colonel By claimed another victory, finishing nine seconds clear of the field in 20:56.5. Close behind was The Element’s Riley Daniels, who finished second in 21:05.1. West champion Dahlia Loreti from Pierre Savard took bronze with a time of 21:12.8.

Lebel’s win contributed to Colonel By’s silver in the team event. Olivia Gardiner (29th) joined Lebel in the team effort, while Alexis McElheran finished 62nd to help Glebe secure bronze.

Individuals punching their ticket to OFSAA included: 

  • Bianca Arabackyj (De La Salle) 4th Place 
  • Emily Munro (Hillcrest) 11th Place 
  • Brynn Blackadder (South Carleton) 15th Place 

Senior Girls 6km

St. Francis Xavier’s Bridget Jeffrey claimed the Senior Girls’ city title, finishing in 22 minutes and 40.6 seconds. Her victory capped a Lions sweep of the top five, with Peak Centre Academy’s Grace Streek taking silver in 23:00.4 and Franco-Cité’s Tessa Knight earning bronze. Ciara Villeneuve (Paul-Desmarais) finished fourth in 23:23.3, and Kyra Lauter (Franco-Ouest) took fifth with 23:32.2.

In the team standings, Olivia Voros helped Nepean secure first place with her 44th-place finish. Kate Johnston-Zemek’s 20th-place effort led Ashbury to second, while Bronwyn O’Ray and Villeneuve guided Paul-Desmarais to third. Rounding out the team qualifiers, Maya Allibon (19th) and Abby Thompson (54th) lifted John McCrae into fourth.

Additional qualifiers advancing to OFSAA include:

  • Adrienne Fraserwalls (Franco Cité) 14th Place 

Novice Boys 4km
All Saints’ Declan McGinnity led the Lions in the Novice Boys race, finishing ninth to secure an individual OFSAA spot. Joining him is Garneau’s Maxime Cazabon, who, despite being better known for high jumping, placed in the top 20 with a time of 16:51.5 to help his team win the title. 

Junior Boys 5km
Luke Van Brabant from Earl of March took the top spot in the Junior Boys 5km race, finishing in 18:24.0. Van Brabant also helped Earl advance to OFSAA as a team with their third place finish. Joining him in the qualification pool is Jakob Lafferty from St. Pius X, who finished 17th in 20:04.7 to secure the final individual qualification spot. 

Senior Boys 6km
Former OFSAA Cross Country gold medalist Saul Taler proved he’s ready for a second provincial title, winning the city championship with a dominant 18:28.3 finish. After a friendly finish with clubmate Daniel Cova at the East Conference meet, Taler surged ahead this time, claiming victory by an 18-second margin. Cova took silver but led his Louis-Riel Rebelles to the team title over Taler’s Glebe Gryphons, aided by strong performances from Mikel Fortier (7th) and Cohen Kaye (12th).

First-year senior Charlie Mortimer of Hillcrest rounded out the podium with a 19:10.7 finish.

Qualifying for OFSAA through team performances were Austin Walker (16th) for third-place Colonel By, along with Noah Smith (6th) and Matteo Padoin-Castillo (20th) from fourth-place Immaculata.

Additional individual qualifiers included:

  • Conlin Burnett (Lisgar), 10th place
  • Barrett Goold (Sir Robert Borden), 15th place
  • Dean Kintogiannis (Earl of March), 23rd place

The OFSAA Cross Country Championships are scheduled for Monday, November 4 at Mooney’s Bay Park. For full details, visit the Championship Website.

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On the Road to OFSAA: Lions Excel at NCSSAA Cross Country Conference Championships

by High Schoollinkinbio

For the first time in 13 years, the Ontario High School Cross Country Championships are returning to Ottawa. This year’s crop of runners took their first strides toward OFSAA glory this past week, battling it out for conference bragging rights at the NCSSAA Championships.

The East Conference Championships kicked things off last Wednesday at the Hornet’s Nest in Blackburn Hamlet, where Ottawa Lions athletes captured three individual titles.

In the Novice Girls 4k, Reve McInnes (Glebe CI) claimed silver with a time of 15:57, followed closely by Kira Coldrey (Colonel By SS), who took bronze in 16:10.

The Junior Girls 5k saw an impressive victory from Laila Lebel (Colonel By SS), crossing the line in 19:49. Hot on her heels was Riley Daniels (The Element HS), who secured the silver medal with a time of 20:08.

In the Senior Girls 6k, Tessa Knight (ÉSC Franco-Cité) continued the Lions’ success, winning gold by a comfortable 10-second margin, clocking in at 24:19.

The Senior Boys 6k produced a thrilling finish as Daniel Cova (ÉSP Louis-Riel) and Saul Taler (Glebe CI) crossed the line almost in unison. Cova was awarded the victory by just 0.2 seconds, with both athletes finishing at 20:01.

The following day, attention shifted to the West Conference Championship at the Kanata Recreation Centre, where Lions athletes delivered similarly outstanding performances.

In the Novice Girls 4k, Alexandra Harris (John McCrae SS) dominated the field, winning gold with a time of 15:28. Charlie Fee (Nepean HS) took the silver medal, finishing more than a minute later in 16:30.

Dahlia Loreti (ÉSC Pierre-Savard) claimed the Junior Girls 5k crown with a time of 20:31, while Luke Van Brabant (Earl of March SS) showcased his strength by winning the Junior Boys 5k in 17:38.

The Senior Girls 6k saw a Lions podium sweep. Bridget Jeffrey (St. Francis Xavier HS) took gold in 23:17, followed by Grace Streek (Peak Centre Academy) in silver with a time of 24:04, and Kyra Lauter (CC Franco-Ouest) rounding out the top three with bronze in 24:22.

On the boys’ side, it was another Lions sweep as Jackson McKercher (John McCrae SS) led the way in the Senior Boys 6k, winning in 20:29. Brennan Lee (St. Mother Teresa HS) finished just two seconds behind to claim silver in 20:31, while Barrett Goold (Sir Robert Borden HS) took bronze in 20:41.

Next up is the NCSSAA Championships, scheduled for Thursday, October 24, in Kanata. Athletes will have the chance to qualify for the provincial championships by finishing in the top two in any of the six team title races or being among the top five finishers not on a qualifying team.

Good luck to all the runners as they continue their journey toward OFSAA!

(Canton, United States---21 September 2024) Melani Hamel of Ottawa University [SO] competing at the Ronald C Hoffman XC Invitational on the campus of St Lawrence University 2024 Miles Ryan / Mundo Sport Images. If posting to social media please tag @mundosportimages

Hamel Leads Gee-Gees in Sherbrooke; Cassidy Races in Chicago

by linkinbioUniversity

In a final tune-up before their respective conference championships later this month, the University of Ottawa and Carleton University cross country teams descended on the University of Sherbrooke for the Vert et Or Invitational. Several athletes from the Ottawa Lions Track and Field Club turned in impressive performances, showcasing their endurance and competitive spirit in the gruelling races.

As she has done all season, Melina Hamel was once again the top finisher for the Gee-Gees women, completing the 8-kilometre race in 32:01 to place 11th overall. Hamel’s strong performance sets the stage as she leads the Gee-Gees into the OUA Championships in less than two weeks.

For the Carleton Ravens, Sara Gross was first across the line, placing 34th in the field of 67 with a time of 34:17. Kylee Fowler, running second for uOttawa, wasn’t far behind, securing 40th place in 34:50.

Zoe Gardiner of McGill finished 18th for the Martlets. In her first season running cross-country with the Montreal university, Gardiner appears poised to make an impact at the upcoming RSEQ Championships.

In the men’s 8km race, the Gee-Gees were led by Zachary Sikka, who secured one of his best performances of the season, placing 31st in a competitive field of 97 runners with a time of 27:31. Teammate Nicolas Abanto Ennsfollowed closely, finishing 42nd in 27:47.

Meanwhile, on Friday, two Lions athletes participated in the Marauder 8k in Hamilton as part of their OUA preparations. Elizabeth Vroom of Queen’s University placed 35th overall in 31:09, finishing as the seventh scorer for the Gaels. Jocelyn Giannotti, in her rookie campaign for the Guelph Gryphons, placed 39th in 31:21.2, also as the seventh scorer for her team.

On the world stage, Lions’ wheelchair racer Josh Cassidy took part in the prestigious Chicago Marathon, finishing 10th in a highly competitive field with a time of 1:33:17.

After a great start that saw him in the lead pack through five kilometres, Cassidy eventually fell off the pace. At the 27km mark, Cassidy joined a pack of 11 racers fighting for position as they reeled in the athlete in 6th place.

“I made my move with 1km to go,” Cassidy posted to Instagram following the race. “In 6th at 41 kms until the final turn and climb. I was moving with confidence but I went too early.” 

It’s been a busy fall for Cassidy, who finished 9th at the Berlin Marathon just three weeks ago and claimed victory at the Sydney Marathon earlier in September.

(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.

(Canton, United States---21 September 2024) Andre Alie-Lamarche of Ottawa Lions TF Clubcompeting at the Ronald C Hoffman XC Invitational on the campus of St Lawrence University 2024 Miles Ryan / Mundo Sport Images. If posting to social media please tag @mundosportimages

Alie-Lamarche Steals the Show at Hoffman Invitational

by University

André Alie-Lamarche stole the show at the Ronald C. Hoffman Cross Country Invitational on Saturday, winning the men’s race in an impressive time of 25:10.2. His commanding performance on the 8 km course propelled him to the top of the podium in a highly competitive field, where he battled a pair of All-Canadians from Queen’s all the way to the finish line. Alie-Lamarche’s winning time was the eighth fastest ever recorded on the St. Lawrence University course.

The 32nd edition of the Hoffman Invitational provided ideal conditions for cross-country running in upstate New York, with more than a dozen teams competing in both the men’s and women’s races.

Vroom Helps Queen’s Capture Women’s Team Title
In the women’s race, Elizabeth Vroom delivered a standout performance for Queen’s University, finishing 7th overall with a time of 23:23.2 on the 6 km course. As Queen’s third scorer, her finish was crucial in securing the women’s team title, helping them edge Middlebury College of Vermont by 11 points.

Gee-Gees Women Claim 4th Place
The University of Ottawa women’s team battled to a 4th place finish, scoring 135 points with an average time of 26:42.0. Leading the team was sophomore Melina Hamel, who placed 18th with a time of 24:14.4. Senior Kylee Fowler followed closely, crossing the line in 24:53.3 for 21st place.

Seniors Elliot Tyman and Katarina Culhane added valuable points with 27th and 33rd-place finishes, respectively, while freshman Lorelie Houde completed the scoring in 29:12.3, earning 36th place overall. Freshman Emma Strano was just behind in 37th, finishing in 29:14.7.

Men’s Team Fights for 6th Place Finish
For the University of Ottawa men’s team, sophomore William McLeish led the charge, finishing 26th overall with a time of 28:06.9. Junior Zach Sikka followed closely in 32nd, crossing the line in 28:41.7. Juniors Fred Parent and Adriano Padoin-Castillo added solid performances, finishing 39th and 40th, respectively, helping the team to a 6th place finish with a total score of 188 points. Freshman Rory O’Connell rounded out the scoring five with a time of 33:20.8.

Belan Makes University Debut
In his first year with the Guelph Gryphons, Nicolas Belan got his first taste of university cross-country action at the Vigars & Salter Western Invitational in London. Belan was Guelph’s ninth runner, finishing the Thames Valley course in 27 minutes and 18 seconds, placing 43rd overall.

At the same meet, Lauren Alexander made her debut with the host Western Mustangs. Western coach and Ottawa Lions alum, Scott MacDonald, noted that Lauren ran a strong opening five kilometres before having to pull out due to foot pain.

Looking Ahead
Both University of Ottawa teams will aim to build on these performances as they look toward the OUA Championships at the end of October. Next up for the Gee-Gees is Capital XC this coming Saturday at Mooney’s Bay, where they will be joined by the Ravens of Carleton and a number of Ottawa Lions runners.

For full results and photos from the meet, please visit our results page.