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Peaking at the Right Time: Lions Athletes Shine Before Championships

by linkinbioLocalUniversity

Ottawa Lions athletes delivered commanding performances at last Saturday’s Ravens U SPORTS Last Chance Meet—rewriting record books, setting personal bests, and solidifying national rankings as the championship season looms. With a mix of established stars and rising talents, they demonstrated they are peaking at the perfect moment, using this pivotal competition to fine-tune their preparation and build momentum for the championship season.

Gale Matches Canadian Record in 300m

Olympian Lauren Gale once again proved her dominance, equalling her own Canadian record in the 300m with a blistering 36.48-second performance. Having originally set the mark at this very meet in 2024, Gale’s time remains among the top four in the world this year. The 25-year-old aims to cap off her indoor season on a high note this Friday as she gears up for the Arkansas Qualifier in Fayetteville. 

Asiamah Extends Shot Put Record Again

Brianna Asiamah continued her historic season by extending her own Carleton Ravens shot put record for the second time this month. Her winning throw of 13.39m not only clinched victory but also reinforced her status as a top contender for a U SPORTS medal—a prize that has eluded her in three previous national championship appearances. Asiamah enters this weekend’s RSEQ Championship in Sherbrooke as the heavy favourite to repeat as conference champion with the next best entry a metre and a half behind.

Vroom’s Breakthrough 1000m Performance

Lizzy Vroom continued to deliver the season of her career on Saturday. The third year engineering student at Queen’s University clocked her fifth personal best in four weeks as she placed second in the women’s 1000 metres in 2 minutes and 48.70 seconds – a near 10 second improvement. Heading into championship weekend, Vroom currently holds 13th position on the U SPORTS rankings—just one spot shy of qualification—so expect her to push even harder at the OUA Championships in Windsor.

Basu Closing in on Carleton 60m Record

For the second straight week, Rose Basu lowered her 60m personal best, clocking 7.69 seconds to move up to second on Carleton’s all-time rankings. Now within striking distance of the school record (7.54s), Basu enters next week’s RSEQ Championships ranked fourth in the conference, setting the stage for a potential podium placing.

Gilbert Soars to New Triple Jump Record

Ella-Grace Gilbert rewrote Carleton’s triple jump record for the second time this season, leaping 11.67m to surpass her previous best of 11.51m. Now tied for 16th in U SPORTS, Gilbert will aim to further improve at the RSEQ Championships as she seeks to secure a spot at Nationals with a victory in Sherbrooke..

El Mansari Cracks Gee-Gees Top 5

First-year University of Ottawa runner Safwan El Mansari continued his standout rookie campaign, claiming second place in the 600m with a time of 1:20.10. The performance moved him up to fifth on the Gee-Gees’ all-time rankings, marking another milestone in what has been a breakthrough season in the Garnet and Grey. 

McGregor Climbs Ottawa Lions’ U18 Rankings

Despite being just 15 years old, Ellie McGregor proved she belongs among elite company, finishing eighth in the women’s 600m in a time of 1:34.62. The youngest top-eight finisher by six years, McGregor’s performance propelled her to fourth on the Ottawa Lions’ U18 all-time list, surpassing none other than Olympian Melissa Bishop-Nriagu.

With records falling, national rankings shifting, and personal bests tumbling, Lions athletes have firmly asserted themselves as a force to be reckoned with heading into the championship season. With the OUA and RSEQ Championships just days away, our varsity athletes are primed to leave their mark on the conference stages.

(Windsor, Canada---02 June 2024) Lauren Gale races to win the 400m in meet record time at the 2024 Johnny Loaring Classic held at the University of Windsor. The competition is part of the Athletics Canada National Track and Field Tour and the World Athletics Continental Tour. Photograph Copyright 2024 Sean Burges / Mundo Sport Images. If posting to social media please tag @mundosportimages

Lions Roar in Boston: 17 Medals and 27 Personal Bests

by ClublinkinbioUniversity

What a weekend in Boston it was for the Ottawa Lions family. Competing against elite NCAA fields at Boston College, Boston University, and Harvard on Friday and Saturday, the Pride rose to the occasion, amassing an impressive 17-medal haul, including eight golds. Over the two days of competition, athletes achieved an incredible 27 personal bests.

Lauren Gale stole the show on the track, securing victories in all three of her events and reaffirming her status as one of Canada’s top sprinters. Her 400-metre performance was the highlight of the weekend—at the Boston University Scarlet and White Invitational on Saturday, the two-time Olympian dominated the field, stopping the clock in 51.79 seconds. The time currently ranks 12th in the world this year.

Gale also showcased her range the day before at Boston College’s Showdown at the Heights, sprinting to gold in the 200m in 23.39 seconds—the second-fastest time by a Canadian this season and the fourth-fastest of her career. She capped off her triple-gold weekend with a 7.50-second victory in the 60m, finishing just 0.04 seconds off her personal best.

Stephan Balson made a statement of his own, delivering personal bests in all three of his events while climbing the Ottawa Lions’ U20 all-time rankings. The Saint Kitts and Nevis international shined in the 400 metres, setting a lifetime best of 47.78 seconds. His time now ranks 16th in the world this year among U20 athletes and fifth on the Club’s U20 all-time list.

Competing at Boston College the day before, Balson’s form was equally impressive. He blazed to 6.83 seconds in the 60m, making him the third-fastest U20 athlete in Club history. In the 200m, he carried that momentum into a 21.64-second finish, securing ninth place on the all-time list. With each race, Balson continues to prove he has the speed, range, and potential to compete at the highest levels.

Stephan Balson wasn’t the only Ottawa Lion to shine in the 400m this weekend. He was one of seven athletes to break the 50-second barrier, a testament to the club’s strength in the event. Joining him with new lifetime bests were Ange-Mathis Kramo (49.24), James Compeau (49.29), and Safwan El Mansari (49.44). This success carried over to the University of Ottawa’s 4x400m squad, as Joel Gurnsey, El Mansari, William Harris, and David Moulongou combined for a time of 3:16.42—the third-fastest in Gee-Gees history and the school’s fastest since 2013.

Elizabeth Vroom and Jessica Gyamfi also etched their names into the Ottawa Lions record books. Vroom, competing for Queen’s University, claimed gold in the mile at the Showdown at the Heights, clocking 4:49.26, a time that now ranks seventh-fastest in Club history. Meanwhile, Gyamfi continued her dominance in the shot put, winning the event with a personal-best throw of 13.85 metres—breaking her own University of Ottawa school record set just a week earlier. The mark also moves her up to eighth on the Club’s all-time list.

Kyle Waldrum and Liam Davis left their mark at the Windsor Team Challenge, delivering standout performances that reshaped the Ottawa Lions’ all-time rankings. Waldrum, a freshman at the University of Guelph, put together three lifetime bests en route to a heptathlon total of 4,544 points, a score that now ranks ninth in Club history. His Gryphons teammate Liam Davis also had a career-best showing in the shot put, launching a throw of 15.23 metres—good for 10th all-time in Club history and ninth nationally on the U SPORTS qualifying list. Davis wrapped up his weekend with a silver medal in the weight throw, reaching 16.20 metres, just a week after securing his automatic U SPORTS qualifying mark in the event.

With momentum on their side, the Ottawa Lions and their varsity programs now turn their focus to the final stretch of the indoor season. This weekend, they’ll have the opportunity to build on their success as they host the Ravens Last Chance Meet at the Louis-Riel Dome. Set for Friday evening and Saturday, the meet will serve as a key tune-up ahead of upcoming conference and national championships, providing athletes with one last chance to sharpen their performances and chase qualifying standards.

Full results from last weekend are available on our results page.
Updated Club Rankings are available at https://milesrowat.shinyapps.io/ottl_rankings/

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Records Fall as Lions Shine Across North America

by linkinbioUniversity

Lions athletes enjoyed a historic weekend, achieving numerous outstanding performances on both sides of the border. From Massachusetts to Montreal, and even at home in Ottawa, records fell and personal bests were shattered.

At the Harvard Invitational in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Sydney Smith sprinted to an impressive 1:13.16 finish in the 500m race. She crossed the line just a hair’s breadth behind former three-time All-American Bianca Stubler. Smith’s time is the second fastest in club history, trailing only Club record holder Esther Akinsulie.

Liam Davis made a splash at the York Open. Competing in only his fourth-ever weight throw competition, the University of Guelph rookie launched the 35 pound ball an impressive 17.64 metres. This remarkable throw not only secured the third-best mark in club history but also surpassed the USports standard of 17.05 metres, positioning him as a serious national contender.

Meanwhile, in Montreal, at the Ontario vs Quebec U16 Duel Meet at Complexe Sportif Claude Robillard, Maxime Cazabon was a double-winner. He dominated the competition with victories in both the high jump (1.88m) and the 60m sprint (7.32s) moving to second on the Club’s U16 all-time list in both events. Cazabon’s high jump performance was just nine centimetres shy of Olympian Brian Marshall’s club U16 record, while his lightning-fast 60m sprint moved him into second place on the club’s all-time list, surpassing even two-time Olympian Oluwasegun Makinde.

The record-setting spree continued at the Louis-Riel Dome in Ottawa, where the Lions hosted their first-ever Field Events and Relays Meet. Jessica Gyamfi etched her name in the University of Ottawa record books, setting two new marks. She first broke the weight throw record with a 15.98 metres effort, edging past Ty Coulter’s 2018 mark. Gyamfi then shattered the shot put record with a throw of 13.22 metres, surpassing Christina Hertner’s 2018 distance.

Carleton University’s Brianna Asiamah also rewrote her school’s shot put record for the third time. Her Sunday throw landed at 13.36 metres, adding five centimetres to her previous best.

The outstanding performances of both Asiamah and Gyamfi earned them automatic berths to the USports Championships, capping off a truly historic weekend for the Lions.

The athletes will be back in action this weekend, with the Lions travelling to Boston for a series of competitions at Boston College, Harvard, and Boston University.

(Ottawa, Canada---25 January 2025) Jessica Gyamfi competing at the Saints Indoor Invitational at Newell Field House on the campus of St. Lawrence University. Copyright 2025 Miles Ryan / Mundo Sport Images. If posting to social media please tag @mundosportimages

Cross-Border Success: Lions Shine with 39 Personal Bests and 14 Wins

by linkinbioUniversity

A weekend of competition spanning two countries saw Lions athletes deliver nearly 40 personal bests and claim 14 victories. The McGill Team Challenge in Montreal and the Saints Indoor Invitational in New York provided the stage for a host of standout performances.

Gyamfi Dominates Throws at St. Lawrence

Jessica Gyamfi of the University of Ottawa turned in a stellar performance at the Saints Indoor Invitational, claiming victories in both the shot put and weight throw. Gyamfi’s 12.92m throw in the shot put narrowly edged Carleton’s Brianna Asiamah by a mere centimeter to secure gold. She followed that up with a commanding performance in the weight throw, launching the second-best throw of her career at 15.20m to win by nearly half a metre.

Carleton freshman Veronica Tedford also delivered a noteworthy performance, setting a personal best of 11.40m in the weight throw to finish seventh.

Courteau Shines in the Pentathlon

At McGill, Vienna Courteau led the charge for the Gee-Gees with an impressive pentathlon victory on Friday. Courteau tallied a career-best 3,380 points, aided by personal bests in the 60m hurdles (9.00), long jump (5.55m), and 1000m (2:40.59). Her teammate, Kathryn Moreland, secured second place with 3,300 points, boosted by strong performances in the 60m hurdles (9.67) and 800m (2:21.48).

Vroom Excels in Middle Distances

Fresh off a personal best in the 3000m last week in Ottawa, Queen’s University’s Elizabeth Vroom continued her streak of lifetime bests with impressive performances in the 1000m and 1500m in Montreal. Vroom clocked 2:58.34 in the 1000m before delivering a swift 4:32.27 in the 1500m, placing fourth and shaving 1.5 seconds off her previous best from the 2023 Canadian U20 Championships. Her 1500m time now ranks 13th in U SPORTS.

Moreland Takes Triple Jump Crown

Elizabeth Moreland added another highlight to the Gee-Gees weekend, winning the triple jump at McGill with a lifetime best of 11.42m. The jump moves her into fourth place on the University of Ottawa’s all-time rankings.

Mordel Soars in Pole Vault

In the men’s pole vault at McGill, Eli Mordel delivered a standout performance, clearing 4.16m for fourth place. This marked a significant improvement from his previous best of 4.00m, achieved at the Ontario Legion Championship last summer. Carleton’s Nathan Parlebas also impressed, clearing 3.86m to secure seventh place and strengthen his position as the second-best vaulter in Carleton’s history.

Oppong-Nketiah and Kramo Sprint to Victories

Jorai Oppong-Nketiah continued her impressive run of form, capturing first place in the women’s 60m at St. Lawrence. Her time of 7.58 seconds was the second-best of her career after last week’s U18 record setting performance.

In the men’s events, Oppong-Nketiah’s training partner, Ange-Mathis Kramo, delivered dominant performances to secure top spots in both the 200m (22.31) and 400m (49.75), narrowly missing meet records in each event.

Results and photos from the weekend can be found on our website.

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Sprint Stars and Record Breakers: Lions Dominate Indoor Opener

by linkinbioLocalUniversity

Lions athletes wasted no time in re-writing the Club record book last Friday and Saturday at the uOttawa Winter Classic. With over 120 athletes competing under the Lions banner, the two-day meet at the Louis-Riel Dome delivered a spectacular showcase of talent. Nearly 100 personal bests, over 20 all-time top 10 performances and three new Club records highlighted the weekend.

First to set a new standard was reigning sprint queen Jorai Oppong-Nketiah. The 16-year-old outclassed the much older field in the women’s 60 metres by posting the fastest time in qualifying at 7.55 seconds. Opting to sit out the final after experiencing minor discomfort, Oppong-Nketiah’s time was strong enough to hold up as a new personal best and Club U18 record. The previous standard of 7.61 had been set by Jorai at the same meet in 2024. 

Adding to the excitement, training partner Ange-Mathis Kramo twice added his name to the record book. The 16-year-old matched Dorbor Kollie’s long-standing 60m mark of 7.01 seconds from 2015 and broke Zachary Jeggo’s 300m record with an impressive 34.17-second run, eclipsing the previous mark of 34.21 seconds

Meanwhile, the spotlight on sprints continued with Stephan Balson, who delivered a head-turning performance in the 60 metres. Balson’s 6.84-second effort not only secured him second place overall but also tied him for third on the all-time U20 list alongside two-time Olympian Oluwasegun Makinde.

Success wasn’t limited to individual efforts. The University of Ottawa’s 4x800m relay team of Fred Parent, Max Wilson, Adriano Padoin-Castillo, and Safwan El Mansari turned heads with a time of 7:55.95, to place third in Friday night’s race. Their performance also ranked eighth in school history and the fastest since 2016, reflecting the growing depth of talent in the middle-distance program.

Notable performances extended beyond the sprints and relays. Carolin Evers, a German exchange student who competed for her native country at last summer’s European Under-18 Championship, cleared 1.66m to win the women’s high jump. The clearance ranks her third among U18s in Club history. In the weight throw, Amy Roy secured a personal best of 12.92m, moving her into seventh in the U20 rankings.

The weekend also saw a pair of record-breaking performances from Joshua Foster, a Carleton Raven rookie. Foster shattered school records in the triple jump (14.60m) and long jump (7.23m), with the latter surpassing the qualifying standard for this year’s USports Championship in Windsor.

First year University of Ottawa standout Safwan El Mansari continued to impress in the early season. The Telfer School student won the 1000 metres with a time of 2:28.39 to move into seventh on the Club’s U20 rankings. Meanwhile, Shannon Dewar made her mark in the U18 women’s 600m, clocking a time of 1:37.45 to move to ninth in Club history.

The indoor season continues today in Montreal with the first day of competition at the McGill Team Challenge. From there the focus shifts to Canton, NY where the pride will head to St. Lawrence University for some action against our southern friends.

For update stats from this season visit:

https://milesrowat.shinyapps.io/ottl_rankings/ (Ottawa Lions)

https://milesrowat.shinyapps.io/uottawa_rankings/ (uOttawa Gee-Gees)

https://milesrowat.shinyapps.io/ravenstf (Carleton University)

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Starting 2025 on the Right Foot: Lions Shine in Sherbrooke and Windsor

by linkinbioUniversity

Exams and weeks of holidays can often disrupt an athlete’s rhythm, but that wasn’t the case for Ottawa Lions varsity athletes this past weekend. Competing in Sherbrooke and Windsor, they kicked off the 2025 indoor season with over 20 personal bests, showing no signs of slowing down.

El Mansari extends 600m streak
University of Ottawa freshman Safwan El Mansari continued his remarkable form in the men’s 600 metres, clocking 1:20.95 to place second at Sherbrooke’s Vert et Or Invitation behind the home school’s Thomas Peladeau. His third consecutive personal best elevated him to 11th on the University of Ottawa’s all-time rankings.

Marin Jumps into Top 10
In the men’s high jump, fellow University of Ottawa rookie Mason Marin cleared 1.90 metres to finish in a tie for fourth place in Sherbrooke. The human kinetics student’s effort places him in a three-way tie for 10th in school history. Marin, who cleared 2.00 metres to finish fourth at last spring’s OFSAA Championship, is expected to climb higher in the rankings as he gains experience at the university level.

Davis Climbs the Rankings in Shot Put
Freshman Liam Davis, competing for the University of Guelph, delivered a standout performance in the men’s shot put Friday night at the Can Am Classic in Windsor. Davis unleashed a personal best of 14.67 metres on his final throw, securing second place and climbing to 13th on the Lions’ all-time rankings. Last year’s Canadian U20 shot put silver medalist also made his weight throw debut, achieving a best of 12.88 metres, which places him 11th in Club history.

McQuinn Shaves Nearly a Second Off 600m Best
Cora McQuinn posted a significant personal best as she took home the bronze over 600m in Windsor. The Western University third-year student crossed the line in a time of 1:37.93, nearly a full second ahead her previous best of 1:38.89, set last February. 

With momentum building, the Lions look forward to hosting the uOttawa Winter Classic this Friday and Saturday at the Dome @ Louis-Riel, where more standout performances are expected. 

Updated all-time rankings can be found at the links below.
Ottawa Lions
uOttawa Gee-Gees
Carleton Ravens

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Blazing Trails Indoors: Alie-Lamarche and Seaby Lead Lions’ Weekend Success

by InternationallinkinbioUniversity

Boston University’s Track and Tennis Center, known for its lightning-fast surface and supportive crowds, kicked off the indoor season with the BU Sharon Colyear-Danville Season Opener this past weekend. Renowned for producing personal bests and national records, the meet once again lived up to its reputation. Among the many stellar performances, Lions athletes André Alie-Lamarche and Maddie Seaby stood out, seizing the opportunity to showcase their talent on one of the world’s fastest tracks.

In the men’s 3000 metres, Alie-Lamarche ran a scintillating 8:01.96 to place 43rd overall. The performance, a personal best by over 12 seconds, vaulted him to seventh on the Club all-time list. It was a remarkable display of endurance and speed, made even more impressive by the fact that he had raced at the Canadian Cross Country Championships just a week prior.

Seaby, competing for the University of Louisville, set a new club standard in the women’s 5000 metres. Clocking a time of 16:22.39, the second year student improved her personal best by over 23 seconds, moving to fourth on the Lions’ all-time list and setting a new Club U20 record. Her time was the fastest by a Lions athlete in the event since Sarah Dillabaugh’s 16:16.12 in 2002. It also secured her a spot as the third-fastest runner in Louisville history, highlighting her continued rise on the collegiate stage.

While Alie-Lamarche and Seaby were making waves in Boston, Lions, Gee-Gees and Ravens competitors crossed the border for the Saints Holiday Relays in Canton, NY. At St. Lawrence University, in a commanding show of depth and talent, the collective amassed 14 victories in the 23 events they entered. 

Carleton’s Rosalie Lupien delivered one of the weekend’s standout performances by setting a Ravens record in the pole vault with a clearance of 3.50 metres. Balqis Chouikhi, also representing the Lions, matched the height but finished second on a countback.

On the track, University of Ottawa freshman Safwan El Mansari continued to assert himself among collegiate competitors, producing his second straight personal best at 600 metres – winning in 1:21.28. His performance places him third in the early season USports rankings and establishes him as a contender heading into the indoor season.

Sprinter Rose Basu continued her winning streak in the 60 metres, claiming victory in 7.86 seconds. She later led Carleton’s 4×200-metre relay team to a win in 1:50.06, a time that ranks among the top 10 in school history.

Field events also provided moments of dominance. Brianna Asiamah showcased her prowess in the shot put with a winning throw of 13.11 metres, well ahead of the competition.

In the triple jump, Carleton swept the titles, with Ella-Grace Gilbert capturing her second consecutive win (11.06 metres) and Osaze Osawe earning gold on the men’s side with a leap of 12.81 metres.

With momentum building, the Lions, Gee-Gees, and Ravens will set their sights on the Vert et Or Invitational in Sherbrooke this January, poised to continue their standout indoor campaigns.

For full results from Canton, please visit our results page.

Photos from the competition can be found on Mundo Sport Image’s website.

Update Club and School Rankings are also available.

Ottawa Lions All-Time Rankings
University of Ottawa All-Time Rankings
Carleton Ravens All-Time Rankings

(Ottawa, Canada---30 November 2024) Ella-Grace Gilbert competing at the Ottawa Varsity Intersquad. Copyright 2024 Miles Ryan / Mundo Sport Images. If posting to social media please tag @mundosportimages

Record-Breaking Performances and National Standards Highlight Lions’ Electrifying Season Opener

by linkinbioLocalUniversity

The Ottawa Lions wasted no time lighting up the indoor track and field scene as the 2024-25 season kicked off in spectacular fashion. At the annual Varsity Intersquad Meet in Ottawa, athletes from the Lions, Gee-Gees, and Ravens delivered standout performances marked by USports standards, school records, and top-10 rankings, setting the stage for a promising year.

For the fourth consecutive season, Brianna Asiamah has punched her ticket to the USports Championships. She exceeded the national shot put standard of 13.21 metres with a winning throw of 13.30 metres, topping the competition by nearly a metre.

The sand pits also saw record-breaking action, with Carleton’s Ella-Grace Gilbert rewriting the Ravens’ record books. The third-year psychology student leapt 5.28 metres in the long jump, surpassing Adelle MacLeod’s previous school record by 15 centimetres. Gilbert followed up with an impressive 11.51-metre effort in the triple jump, smashing her personal best and out-jumping another of MacLeod’s records.

On the track, sprinters made their mark as Rose Basu clocked 7.85 seconds in the 60 metres, placing her third in Carleton Ravens history. Ty Tounkara delivered a blistering 6.90 seconds in the men’s event, ranking fifth all-time among U20 Lions athletes.

Middle-distance runners also impressed, with Safwan El Mansari posting a 1:22.17 at 600 metres to earn a spot in the Lions’ U20 top 10. Meanwhile, Gyamfi demonstrated her versatility, throwing the weight 15.23 metres to secure the second spot on the University of Ottawa’s all-time list.

The Lions’ momentum extended beyond Ottawa. At the Martlet Open in Montreal, McGill freshman William Sanders clocked a sensational 1:21.82 in the 600 metres, securing seventh on the Lions’ U20 all-time list. Teammate Luca Nicoletti sprinted the 300 metres in 34.35 seconds to move to 11th place in the Club’s U23 rankings. Veteran Stephen Evans showcased his experience with a commanding 1500-metre victory in 3:49.18.

In London, the Bob Vigars Season Opener highlighted more stellar performances. Cora McQuinn led off the Western Mustangs’ 4×400-metre relay team as they ran a national-leading and auto-qualifying time of 3:47.22, setting a new Thompson Arena record.

David Adeleye, a graduate transfer at Western, also made a statement at the school’s Purple and White meet. He won the 60-metre hurdles in 7.98 seconds, a USports qualifying time and the fastest season opener of his career. The reigning USports silver medalist appears primed to aim for gold this March.

With such a strong start across multiple venues, the 2024-25 indoor season promises exciting milestones for the Lions.

For full results from the Ottawa Varsity Intersquad, visit our website.
Pictures of the event are available on MundoSportImages.com

(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.