The 2025 NCSSAA West Conference Track and Field Championships wrapped up with a flurry of standout performances Wednesday at Terry Fox Athletic Facility, as the athletes battled for spots at next week’s city finals. Among the more than 70 Lions, a handful stood head and shoulders above the rest—both literally and figuratively.
Kramo Outduels Defending Champion in Sprint Sweep
Ange-Mathis Kramo was untouchable in the senior boys’ sprints, pulling off a rare sweep of the 100, 200, and 400 metres. The Grade 11 student from Paul-Desmarais sent a message in the 100m final, edging past defending champion Will Batley 10.83 to 10.89. Kramo turned up the heat in the 200m, setting a new meet record of 21.61 seconds to Batley’s 22.09. His 400m performance was equally impressive—a personal best of 49.05 seconds that won his heat by nearly seven seconds and placed him fourth on the Lions’ U18 all-time list.
Baetz Blasts Meet Record in Javelin During Throws Triple
Holy Trinity’s Parker Baetz turned the junior boys’ throws into a personal showcase, sweeping the shot put, discus, and javelin with ease. His javelin performance was the highlight—a monstrous 51.12-metre throw that shattered a meet record set back in 2005 by former Lion Ben Engel. That throw currently leads the Ontario rankings. Baetz also cruised to victory in the discus with a 40.68m toss—over six metres ahead of the next closest athlete—and held off a strong challenge from Ty Taylor in the shot put to win 13.61m to 13.36m.
Gardiner Dominates Jumps in Triple Gold Performance
Roxy Gardiner made the sand fly in her triple-gold performance, sweeping the junior girls’ long jump, triple jump, and high jump. Her most dominant showing came in the triple jump, where she soared 10.97 metres—nearly two metres clear of the field and just two centimetres shy of a 24-year-old meet record. The mark also moves the Grade 10 standout into 10th place on the Ottawa Lions’ all-time U18 list. Gardiner added titles in the long jump (5.07m—the only competitor to surpass five metres) and high jump (1.35m), proving herself one of the most versatile talents on the runway.
Mackay Breaks Hurdles Mark, Leads Holy Trinity Relay Teams
Norah Nitta Mackay’s day was highlighted by a record-breaking run in the junior girls’ 300m hurdles. The Grade 10 student from Holy Trinity crossed the line in 46.06 seconds, besting the previous record of 46.62 set in 2012. She also claimed the 400m title in 1:01.25 and aided her school’s junior girls 4x100m relay to victory. Mackay’s efforts helped Holy Trinity secure second place in the open 4x400m relay, capping a busy and productive meet for the Grade 10 standout.
McGinnity Nearly Breaks 400m Record in Middle Distance Double
Grade 9 standout Declan McGinnity made an immediate impression with wins in both the novice boys’ 400 and 800 metres. Running in a class of his own, the All Saints student nearly erased a 47-year-old meet record in the 400m, stopping the clock at 52.64—just 0.34 seconds off the mark. The time also ranks third all-time among U16 Lions. He returned to dominate the 800m, running away from the field to win by six seconds in 2:13.86.
Next Stop: NCSSAA Championships
With the West Conference Championships in the books, qualified athletes now set their sights on next week’s NCSSAA Championships, where city titles and advancement to the OFSAA East Regionals will be on the line. The road to the OFSAA provincial championships continues to run through Ottawa, and these Lions look ready to roar.
Full results from the West Conference meet are available at: ottawalions.com
