(Canton, United States---05 December 2025) Sharelle Samuel at the Saints Holiday Relays held in 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

Samuel and Moulongou Rewrite Record Book as Lions Shine at Holiday Relays

by ClublinkinbioUniversity

Kicking off the weekend with 17 victores, 35 personal bests, and four new meet records is what many would call a great Friday night. Such was the case for the Lions family, who opened the the indoor season in full force at last week’s Saints Holiday Relays in Canton, NY, inside St. Lawrence University’s Newell Field House.

Following a two-year hiatus from the sport, Sharelle Samuel made her return to the track on Friday and did so in record breaking fashion. The former Canadian U20 international posted the top time in both the 600 and 300m events – setting a new meet record in the latter. Samuel’s winning time of 41.52 seconds over the lap and half race bettered the previous mark of 41.70 set by fellow Lion Doyin Ogunremi in 2022.

The meet’s final event brought about another meet record for the Harvard University graduate as she teamed up with Alexandra Telford, Ellie McGregor, and Sophia McIntyre for a third victory – this time in the 4x400m relay. The quartet’s time of 4:01.72 was sealed by Samuel’s anchor leg of 57.86 as they trimmed more than four seconds off the previous meet record set by the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees in 2019. 

Another 300m meet record fell Friday night as both David Moulongou (Gee-Gees) and Ange-Mathis Kramo dipped under the old meet standard of 35.30 seconds. After some anxious waiting the scoreboard confirmed Moulongou had outdipped the younger Kramo by the narrowest of margins as he took the gold and the record in 35.21 seconds. 

Like Samuel, Moulongou added to his record haul as part of the 4x400m relay. With last year’s OUA silver medal winning team returning intact, the Gee-Gees let it be known they will be looking for gold when February’s Championship comes around as they put forward the fastest time in school history for the month of December – winning in a time of 3:21.44 seconds on the flat 200m surface. Moulongou finished with a flash, anchoring the team in a blazing 48.52 seconds.

On the sprint straight Carleton’s Rose Basu and the University of Ottawa’s Joel Gurnsey were the class of their respective fields. Both set the track ablaze with new lifetime bests and gold medal runs. Basu’s preliminary run of 7.67 seconds shaved two hundredths off her personal best and moved her closer to Amelia Brohman’s school record of 7.54 that has stood since 2017. The third year Communications and Religion student equalled her previous best of 7.69 in the final to win by more than 0.3 seconds.
Gurnsey did things in the reverse order, winning his heat in 7.07 – just a hundredth off his lifetime best before breaking the magical seven second barrier in the final with his 6.99 second clocking to comfortably win by two tenths over teammate Jesse Costanzo. The third year finance student now ranks ninth all-time in school history over 60m.

Seaby Returns with a Statement in Boston

After an illness forced her withdrawal from last week’s Canadian Cross Country Championships, Maddie Seaby returned in style at the BU Sharon Colyear-Danville Season Opener. The Louisville junior sped her way to a 5000m personal best of 16:15.65, shaving nearly seven seconds off her previous best to extend her Club U23 record and solidify her hold on fourth all-time in Lions history.

Wallner Vaults Back into Combined-Events

At Saginaw Valley State University, Leo Wallner completed his first heptathlon in two seasons following injuries. The Western Mustang set personal bests in the 60m hurdles (8.55), shot put (11.96m) enroute to an overall heptathlon score of 4586, pushing him into 10th place on the Club’s all-time rankings.

Brennan’s Hold on Denison 300m Record Fleating

In Ohio, Emily Brennan – a senior at Denison University – briefly held the school record in the 300m after running a personal best 41.75, only to be surpassed moments later by her teammate Stevie Combs (41.15).

Procyk Back in Blue with Near-PB Performances

At the Greg Page Relays in Ithaca, N.Y., Paulina Procyk made a strong statement returning to U SPORTS competition with the University of Toronto. She clocked 7.76 for sixth in the 60m final — just 0.03 off her PB — after an 8.66 opener in the 60m hurdles heats (also 0.03 shy of her lifetime best). Procyk capped her day with 8.73 for fifth in the hurdles final.

For updated Club rankings, please visit our stats page. Full results and photos from St. Lawrence can be found on our website.

(Sherbrooke, Canada---22 February 2025) Luca Nicoletti of MCG competes at the 2025 RSEQ University Conference Track and Field Championships. Photograph Copyright 2025 Sean Burges / Mundo Sport Images. If posting to social media please tag @mundosportimages

Nicoletti Breaks McGill Record, Davis Sets Club U23 Standard in Strong Indoor Season Start

by linkinbioUniversity

While the domestic cross country season was wrapping up in London this weekend, the indoor campaign was just getting started with Lions competing at Western, McGill, and York University. While small in numbers, the impact of the performances was large with athletes registering a pair of school records, two U SPORTS qualifiers, and multiple early season victories to set the tone for the season ahead.

London: Wins and Records at the Bob Vigars Season Opener

Setting the tone in London was one of the youngest competitors as grade 11 standout Ellie McGregor surged past a field of university athletes to win the women’s 600 metres. Already one of Canada’s top youth 800m runners, McGregor closed hard over the final lap to edge Western’s Kelly Mantel, stopping the clock at 1:34.94 to Mantel’s 1:35.37.

In the field, Ella Lalonde, a fourth-year University of Ottawa nursing student, matched her lifetime best with a clearance of 1.56 metres to take silver in the women’s high jump. Lalonde’s leap exceeded the OUA Championship standard, an encouraging start to her season.

The pentathlon brought more good news. Waverley Lyons, a first year student at Western, finished fourth with 2750 points, capping her day with a decisive win in the 800m. Carleton’s Clara Markey, competing in her first university combined event, placed fifth with 2636 points to establish a new Carleton record, surpassing Nicole Istead’s 2019 standard.

Finishing up on the track, the Gee-Gees William Harris closed out the meet with a win in the men’s 300. The third-year Gee-Gee edged Western’s Ayden Blain in 35.91, taking the victory by just two hundredths of a second.

Montreal: Nicoletti Breaks 39-Year-Old McGill Record at the Martlet Open

With uncertainty hanging over the future of McGill’s track and field program in recent days, the Martlet Open at McGill University carried some additional emotional weight, but a trio of Lions athletes competing for McGill responded with poise and power.

The performance of the meet, and possibly the country this weekend, belonged to Luca Nicoletti, a fourth-year materials engineering student, who blasted across the finish line of the men’s 300m in 34.11 seconds. The performance took down McGill’s longest-standing track record of 34.14 set by Orlando Haughton in 1986, and also surpassed the U SPORTS automatic standard of 34.17.

“Breaking the school record was a mini-goal for me,” Nicoletti said in a McGill press release. “But there’s more to come this season.” Luca’s run was a significant improvement on his previous best of 34.35 set at last year’s Martlet Opener.

The Lions added another mid-distance win through William Sanders, a second-year chemical engineering student who took command of the men’s 600m from the gun and never let it go. His winning time of 1:20.33 moves him to No. 4 on the Lions All-Time U20 list.

Sprinter Jay Yetman also impressed in his season debut, running lifetime bests in both the heats and final of the 60m, resulting in him trimming two tenths off his best as he finished fifth in 7.06. Yetman, who spent the majority of the fall with McGill’s rugby team, added a runner-up finish in the 200m with an indoor best of 22.24.

Toronto: Davis Delivers a Massive Throw and a U SPORTS Standard

At the York Holiday Open, University of Guelph second-year studen Liam Davis delivered one of the weekend’s biggest results, launching the 35 pound weight 18.17 metres, an early-season national lead and an automatic qualifier for the 2025 U SPORTS Championships.

The performance rockets Davis to No. 2 all-time in Ottawa Lions history and gives him the Club U23 record, surpassing James Fahie’s 1991 mark. It also represents another step up in performance after a strong rookie campaign with the Gryphons that saw him qualify for nationals in both throwing events. 

Next Stop: New York

The momentum now carries into this Friday’s Saints Holiday Relays in Canton, NY, where the Lions, Ravens, and Gee-Gees will line up for the final competition before the holiday break. With sharp early-season form already on display, the group will look to close out the indoor season’s opening chapter on a high note.

Luca Nicoletti (McGill) competes at the USport Track and Field Championships at the University of Windsor in Windsor, Ontario on Saturday, March 8, 2025. GEOFF ROBINS Mundo Sport Images

Ottawa Lions Stand with McGill Athletes as University Moves to Discontinue Varsity Track & Field

by ClublinkinbioUniversity

The Canadian track and field community is reeling following McGill University’s unexpected decision to discontinue its varsity Track & Field program, one of the oldest and most storied in the country. The announcement, made late last week by McGill Athletics and Recreation, has sent shockwaves across the nation, leaving student-athletes, coaches, alumni, and supporters scrambling for answers.

For the Ottawa Lions Track and Field Club, the impact is immediate and deeply felt.

A number of current Lions are rostered at McGill, many of whom made the university their academic and athletic home specifically because of its strong tradition in the sport. That pathway now stands on uncertain ground. Beyond individual athletes, the decision jeopardizes a key piece of infrastructure in the national athletics landscape: McGill’s Tomlinson Fieldhouse, home to one of only three banked indoor 200-metre tracks in Canada.

For decades, this venue has served as a critical competition hub in Quebec and an indispensable development stop for athletes from across the country, including Lions athletes.

A Decision That Shocked a Community

In its brief announcement, McGill encouraged students to explore club sport opportunities through the Student Society of McGill University (SSMU) or the Macdonald Campus Student Society (MCSS), while noting that intramurals and recreational programming would continue. But for athletes competing at the varsity level, the implications are far more complex: the loss of structured coaching, national-level competition, support services, and the prestige that comes with varsity recognition.

The suddenness of the move has fueled frustration across the community. According to the team’s Change.org petition – launched within hours of the announcement – students, alumni, and supporters were not included as part of the University’s stakeholder consultations that ultimately fueled the decision to cut the program.

“For 125 years, Track & Field has been a foundational part of McGill University’s athletic and academic identity… Dismantling it represents not only the erasure of an important chapter of McGill’s history but also a significant departure from the university’s stated commitments to excellence, student development, and community engagement.”

Within days, the petition surpassed 8,000 verified signatures, reflecting broad national concern about the precedent such a move could set for university sport in Canada.

A Legacy Worth Protecting

Since its founding in the late 19th century, the track and field team at McGill has produced Olympians, national team members, provincial champions, and leaders across academia and industry. The program has operated for 125 consecutive seasons, longer than nearly every modern varsity athletics structure in Canada.

The Tomlinson Fieldhouse itself has hosted countless personal bests, provincial records, national-level meets, and U SPORTS qualifiers. Many of Ottawa’s top developing athletes have competed on that banked curve at critical stages of their careers.

To lose track and field at McGill is not simply to lose a team; it is to lose a pillar of the sport’s national ecosystem.

Impact on Ottawa Lions Athletes

Several Lions currently training and studying at McGill now face an uncertain competitive future. For these athletes, the varsity program is more than a team: it is a community, a source of logistical and academic support, and a structured pathway for competing at the collegiate level.

“Decisions like this ripple far beyond one campus,” said Ottawa Lions head coach Richard Johnston. “They disrupt athlete development and weaken the national infrastructure we all rely on. We stand firmly with our athletes at McGill and with everyone pushing for this decision to be reconsidered.”

The Lions have historically maintained strong ties with McGill, sending athletes to compete there each winter and supporting its long-standing contribution to the sport. Many in the club see the decision not only as a loss for McGill but as a setback for Canadian athletics as a whole.

A Call for Transparency and Reinstatement

At the heart of the petition is a clear request: that McGill provide a full, transparent explanation, supported by data and analysis, outlining how the decision was reached. Petition organizers emphasize the need for an open dialogue that includes athletes, coaches, alumni, and community partners.

“Such discussions could reveal alternative ways of addressing the concerns motivating this decision without dismantling a historic and cherished program,” the petition states.

This message resonates strongly with the Ottawa Lions, who recognize that varsity track and field programs are essential to athlete development, coach education, facility access, and the competitive ecosystem across Canada.

Ottawa Lions’ Message: We Stand With You

The Ottawa Lions Track and Field Club extends full support to the athletes, coaches, and alumni of McGill Track & Field as they advocate for reinstatement of the program. We urge all members of the Canadian athletics community, both past and present, to lend their voices, sign the petition, and amplify the importance of keeping varsity track and field at McGill.

A program that has shaped generations, anchored a central facility in the national landscape, and supported the development of countless student-athletes deserves better than to be quietly discontinued.

Track and field in Canada is stronger when institutions like McGill remain engaged partners. It is stronger when student-athletes are supported, not sidelined. And it is stronger when historic programs continue to thrive, not vanish overnight.

Readers who want to stand with the athletes, coaches, and alumni of McGill Track & Field are encouraged to sign the reinstatement petition: https://www.change.org/p/reinstate-mcgill-s-varsity-track-field-team.

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Vroom Top Finisher for Lions; Belan helps Guelph to Team Bronze at U SPORTS Championship

by linkinbioNationalUniversity

Cool, blustery conditions at the USPORTS Cross Country Championships in Sherbrooke, Quebec, provided a true test of endurance for all competitors, but the Ottawa Lions contingent proved up to the challenge. With temperatures hovering around 7°C and a biting wind that made it feel closer to the freezing mark, athletes navigated a demanding course that began on the Université de Sherbrooke track, wound through three loops of rolling fields and hairpin turns, and finished back on the home straight.

The day began with the women’s 8-kilometre race, where Queen’s University’s Elizabeth Vroom once again led the way among Lions athletes. The fourth-year engineering student clocked 29:27 to place 26th overall, finishing as the Gaels second scorer. Fresh off a sixth-place finish at the OUA Championships, Vroom helped Queen’s tally 169 points to earn fourth place in the team standings, just 31 points behind bronze medalists UBC.

Representing the University of Ottawa, Zoe Gardiner was the Gee-Gees’ lone entrant. The medical student finished 54th overall in 30:15, placing 16th among OUA runners—a four-spot improvement from her showing two weeks earlier at the conference championships in Kingston.

On the men’s side, Nicolas Belan of the University of Guelph proudly carried the Lions’ colours. The second-year runner crossed the line 85th overall in 26:25, serving as the sixth scorer for the Gryphons as they secured team bronze behind Queen’s and Sherbrooke. Belan’s strong finish over the final two kilometres saw him surge 74 positions from 157th, capping off an impressive race.

The cross country season continues next weekend in Whitby with the Ontario Championships, which will be held over two days, Saturday and Sunday.

Full results from the championships are available on Athletic Live.

(Kingston, Canada---25 October 2025) Elizabeth Vroom of the Queen's Gaels racing at the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) Cross Country Championships held on Fort Henry Hill in Kingston, Ontario Copyright 2025 Miles Ryan / Mundo Sport Images. If posting to social media please tag @mundosportimages

Vroom Earns All-Star Honours at OUA Championships

by linkinbioUniversity

The 2025 university cross country postseason got underway this past weekend, with Ottawa Lions athletes competing across both the OUA and RSEQ Championships in Kingston and Saint-Lazare. Among the standout performers was Queen’s University’s Elizabeth Vroom, who rose to the occasion in front of a home crowd at the historic Fort Henry course.

The fourth-year engineering student delivered her best-ever OUA Championship performance, placing sixth overall in the women’s 8km race with a time of 28:11.8. Her result earned her OUA First Team All-Star honours and helped the Queen’s Gaels capture their first women’s team title since 2019.

Also making his mark on the team podium was Nicolas Belan of the University of Guelph. The second-year Gryphon finished 43rd overall in 25:42.4, serving as the team’s seventh scorer as Guelph claimed silver in the men’s team standings with 69 points, just 19 behind Queen’s.

Gardiner qualifies for USports Championships

The uOttawa women finished 12th in the team standings with 326 points—just seven behind Laurentian and 21 shy of cracking the top ten. As she has throughout the season, Zoe Gardiner led the charge, placing 20th overall in 28:57.5 to secure a berth at the upcoming U SPORTS Championships in Sherbrooke.

Rookie Ciara Villeneuve impressed in her OUA debut, finishing 66th overall (32:12.8) and posting the eighth-fastest time among all first-year competitors. The Gee-Gees’ scoring lineup was rounded out by Merissa Anderton (72nd), Elliot Tyman (87th), and Taylor Brown (89th).

On the men’s side, uOttawa placed 11th overall with 285 points. Second-year Max Wilson led the team with a 47th-place finish (25:46.8), just ahead of Zach Sikka in 50th (25:53.5). The pair anchored a strong pack that included William McLeish (51st) and Ben Pascali (53rd), all finishing within 14 seconds of each other. First-year Matteo Padoin-Castillo rounded out the scoring five in 86th.

Ravens Wrap Up Season at RSEQ Championships

At the RSEQ Championships in Saint-Lazare, the Carleton Ravens fielded a small but determined squad. On the men’s side, Duncan Gray led the way with a 48th-place finish in 26:46, followed by Blaine Macauley in 100th. For the Raven women, Sara Gross was the top finisher in 78th (33:38), while Chloe Ranahan placed 86th.

Full Results from both meets are available on OttawaLions.com

(Ottawa, Canada---27 September 2025) Zoe Gardiner of Ottawa Gee-Gees competing at the Capital XC Challenge at Mooney’s Bay Park. Copyright 2025 Miles Ryan / Mundo Sport Images. If posting to social media please tag @mundosportimages

Bayfront Invitational Wraps Regular Season Ahead of Championship Weekend

by linkinbioUniversity

Friday marked the culmination of the university cross country regular season, as top athletes from the OUA and RSEQ gathered at Hamilton’s scenic Bayfront Park for one final tune-up ahead of their respective conference championships on October 24. Under partly cloudy skies and mid-teen temperatures, the course along the shores of Lake Ontario provided a fast but competitive setting. The field featured three of the top four nationally ranked men’s teams, along with half of the women’s top 10, making it one of the deepest meets of the season.

Gardiner Leads Gee-Gees Women

Graduate transfer Zoe Gardiner once again led the University of Ottawa women’s squad, placing 21st in 28:57.4 over the 8km course to cap a strong regular season. Gardiner’s result helped the Gee-Gees to an 11th-place team finish. She was followed by Merissa Anderton (97th, 32:05.5), Ciara Villeneuve (105th), Elliot Tyman (122nd), and Taylor Brown (131st).

Pascalli Paces Gee-Gees Men

On the men’s side, Ben Pascalli led the way for the Gee-Gees, finishing 62nd in 25:46.2. The fourth-year business student is in his first season with the Gee-Gees and has made an immediate impact with the garnet and grey—serving as the team’s top finisher in both races he has started this season. Close behind were Max Wilson (64th, 25:53.2), William McLeish (72nd), Zachary Sikka (73rd), and Matteo Padoin-Castillo (125th), as Ottawa placed 10th overall in the team standings.

Lions Compete Across Multiple Programs

Several current Ottawa Lions athletes contributed to strong team results for other universities. Nicolas Belan played a key role for the Guelph Gryphons, finishing 32nd (24:59.3) overall as the team’s fifth scorer to help secure a third-place team finish. Representing McMaster, second-year athletes Derek Strachan (77th, 26:15.8) and Kiefer Melinz-Dupuis (103rd, 26:59.0) contributed to the Marauders’ fourth-place showing. On the women’s side, Tessa Knight, a freshman competing for Queen’s, placed 69th (31:17.6) to bolster the Gaels’ depth.

Ravens Round Out the Field

Carleton Ravens athletes also gained valuable race experience heading into championship season. First-year runner Duncan Gray continued to lead the Ravens men, finishing 84th in 26:23.6, while Macauley Blaine crossed in 128th. On the women’s side, second-year journalism student Sara Gross was first across the line for the Ravens in 96th (32:01.2), followed by Chloe Ranahan (107th) and freshman Bronwyn O’Ray (120th).

(Ottawa, Canada---27 September 2025) Elizabeth Vroom of Queen's Gaels competing at the Capital XC Challenge at Mooney’s Bay Park. Copyright 2025 Miles Ryan / Mundo Sport Images. If posting to social media please tag @mundosportimages

Vroom and Mortimer Shine at Capital XC Challenge

by High SchoollinkinbioUniversity

The Capital XC Challenge unfolded on a beautiful sunny fall day at Mooney’s Bay Park, where leaves painted in autumn colours framed the course. More than 250 athletes took to the start line, each aiming to be the first across the track finish of one of Canada’s most unique and demanding layouts. The 6km route tested competitors with two punishing stretches along the 450-metre beach sand and two climbs up the park’s signature hill, a four-storey ascent squeezed into just 60 metres.

Laval’s Rouge et Or emerged with both team titles, extending their dominance in U SPORTS cross country. It was a nail-biter in the women’s standings, with Laval edging Queen’s by just two points, while on the men’s side the Rouge et Or pulled clear for a comfortable 27-point victory over RSEQ rival Sherbrooke Vert et Or.

Vroom Leads Queen’s to Silver Finish

Leading the Queen’s Gaels to within two points of the team title, fourth-year standout Elizabeth Vroom narrowly missed the podium, finishing fourth in 22:39.20. The former U SPORTS Rookie of the Year ran aggressively from the gun, leading through the opening lap before sitting in third on the final circuit. Vroom was eventually overtaken by Montreal’s Victoria LeBlanc in the last 500 metres, conceding bronze by just three seconds. Rookie Tessa Knight also impressed, placing 37th in 24:29.40.

For the University of Ottawa, Zoe Gardiner led the way. The McGill transfer and first-year medical student placed ninth overall in 23:05.70. Rounding out the Gee-Gees scorers were Merissa Anderton (60th), Daphnée Houde (66th), Sophia McIntyre (71st), and Ciara Villeneuve (72nd). Notably, Houde, McIntyre, and Villeneuve are all in their first year of study.

Carleton’s top performer was Sarah Gross, who finished 51st in 25:03.30.

Mortimer Breaks Through

High school senior Charlie Mortimer stepped up from the junior ranks and proved he belonged against university competition following his seventh place finish. The Hillcrest student crossed the line in 19:06.50, less than six seconds shy of the top five, signaling strong form ahead of his bid for the OFSAA title later this fall.

For the Gee-Gees, Ben Pascali was the top scorer, placing 17th in 19:25.50. Teammates Nathaniel Sneyd (48th, 20:02.40), Max Wilson (55th), William McLeish (63rd), and Zachary Sikka (66th) rounded out the scoring five.

Queen’s rookie Saul Taler contributed to the Gaels’ third-place team finish with a 24th-place showing in 19:37.10. Carleton’s best was first-year student Duncan Gray, who placed 80th in 21:03.50.

Mansouri and Lauter Top High School Races

The Lions also enjoyed success in the high school events at Friday’s Gryphon Open. Noah Mansouri claimed the men’s 5km title in 16:11.60, with clubmate Owen Recoskie taking third in 16:40.20. On the girls’ side, Kyra Lauter topped the field, winning in 18:43.80.

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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Lions Win 20 Medals at Conference Championships

by linkinbioUniversity

Several record-breaking performances highlighted a thrilling weekend of track and field action as athletes from the Ottawa Lions Track and Field Club made their mark at the OUA, RSEQ, and AUS Championships, winning an impressive 20 medals and recording 29 personal best performances.

At the RSEQ Championships, Luca Nicoletti delivered a stellar performance, earning three medals, including a gold in the men’s 300 metres. Nicoletti upgraded his bronze from last year to claim victory in 34.89 seconds, while rookie teammate William Sanders joined him on the podium with a bronze-medal finish in 35.68 seconds. The duo later combined efforts in the men’s 4×400-metre relay, helping McGill to silver with a time of 3:21.59. Nicoletti and Jay Yetman also teamed up in the men’s 4x200m relay, contributing to McGill’s silver-medal performance with a time of 1:30.13. On the women’s side, Audrey Gilmour led off for McGill’s 4x400m team, which secured bronze in 3:58.15.

In the field events, Joshua Foster captured a pair of medals at the RSEQ Championships. After victory in Friday’s triple jump (14.41 metres), Foster added a silver in Saturday’s long jump competition as his final round effort of 7.06 metres left him just one centimetre shy of double gold. Foster’s victory in the triple jump earned him a ticket to the U SPORTS Championships. He had already attained the long jump standard earlier in the season.

Brianna Asiamah successfully defended her RSEQ shot put title with a Ravens-record throw of 13.43 metres. She will enter her fourth U SPORTS Championship ranked sixth in the nation as she battles for that elusive podium finish. Teammate Connor Fraser also stood on the podium in Sherbrooke, taking home RSEQ silver in the men’s shot put for the second consecutive year with a season-best throw of 15.11 metres.

In other jumps, Ella-Grace Gilbert secured RSEQ bronze in the women’s triple jump with an 11.52-metre effort, the second-best jump of her career. Meanwhile, former two-time RSEQ pole vault champion Rosalie Lupien earned silver at this year’s edition, clearing 3.20 metres.

Carleton’s women’s 4x200m relay team of Rose Basu, Michaella Appiah-Kubi, Olajiire Fowler, and Kaylyne Kabongo ran their second-fastest time of the season, finishing in 1:48.84 to claim RSEQ bronze. The women’s 4x400m squad also made history, as Appiah-Kubi, Laura Cross, Fowler, and Aria MacDonald set a new Carleton record in 4:14.08, placing fourth and breaking the previous program mark of 4:14.38 set in 2018.

At the OUA Championships, the Gee-Gees men’s 4x400m team of Joel Gurnsey, Safwan El Mansari, William Harris, and David Moulongou defied expectations. Entering the meet ranked fourth in the province, the quartet produced one of the performances of the weekend, running a blistering 3:19.99 to secure OUA silver, marking the best-ever finish for the program in the event.

In the throwing events, University of Ottawa record holder Jessica Gyamfi earned OUA silver in the women’s shot put with a best throw of 13.01 metres, securing her first OUA Championship medal. On the men’s side, Guelph’s Liam Davis captured OUA bronze in the weight throw with a mark of 15.98 metres, earning his first championship medal in his debut appearance at the event. Davis narrowly missed out on a second medal as his best effort of 14.63 metres in the shot put left him a mere four centimetres off the podium.

While not competing in any individual events, Cora McQuinn impressed in both the women’s 4x200m and 4x400m relays for the Western Mustangs. She ran a strong anchor leg in the 4x200m, propelling the team from third to second to clinch OUA silver. Just hours later, she led off for the 4x400m relay, earning her second relay silver of the night. McQuinn also earned a gold medal as the Mustangs took home the women’s team title in Windsor.

Elizabeth Vroom played a key role in Queen’s University’s success in the women’s 4×800-metre relay, leading the team to its third consecutive OUA bronze medal. Vroom produced the fastest split of the squad, clocking 2:14.85, as they posted a seasonal best of 9:11.06. The time should be enough to secure them a berth at the U SPORTS Championships.

Elizabeth Moreland etched her name into the University of Ottawa record books, breaking the school’s triple jump mark on Saturday. The fourth-year student exceeded or equalled the previous record five times, culminating in an 11.82-metre effort to finish fifth—her best placement at an OUA Championship.

The combined events produced a number of noteworthy performances. Kathryn Moreland and Vienna Courteau of the Gee-Gees shined in the women’s pentathlon finishing fourth and fifth respectively with lifetime best scores. Moreland reached 3531 points with personal bests in the 60-metre hurdles, long jump, and 800 metres, while Courteau’s score of 3495 points was fuelled by lifetime bests in every event except the high jump. Both performances have secured the women a spot at the U SPORTS Championship in two weeks time – the first time since 2011 the Gee-Gees have had multiple entries in the national event.

First year student Kyle Waldrum had an outstanding performance of his own in the men’s heptathlon. The University of Guelph student set four individual event bests on his way to a sixth place finish with 4764 points. Waldrum’s point total now ranks him eighth in Club history.

At the AUS Championships, University of New Brunswick’s Allison Dewar reached the podium, taking home bronze in the women’s 60-metre hurdles with a personal best time of 9.51 seconds. Dewar also picked up a gold medal as part of the Reds’ 4×200-metre team.

With conference championships concluded, many of these athletes now turn their focus to the upcoming U SPORTS Championships, where they will look to build on their success at the national level.

For updated Club and School Rankings:
Ottawa Lions
Ottawa Gee-Gees
Carleton Ravens

For photos from the Championships
OUA Championships
RSEQ Championships

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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.