WINNIPEG – The Windsor Lancers won their fourth straight women’s title while the Western Mustangs were crowned men’s champions for the first time ever at the CIS track and field championship Saturday.
The Lancers completed the three-day meet with 87 points for a record 11th women’s title. The Guelph Gryphons placed second with 82 and Western University was third at 60.
“This team dug deep as we lost some top athletes to graduation last season and thought we might have a legitimate top-four finish,” said Windsor head coach Dennis Fairall. “It was a pleasant surprise as they fought hard, clawed and show real Lancers sprint and pride this championship.”
Western won the men’s title with 90 points, while Guelph was second with 77 and defending champion Windsor ended up third with 73.5.
“Going in, realistically hoping for a top-three finish and maybe too far to pick up the title, but our guys never gave up and used the momentum from event to event to carry us to the victory,” said Western head coach Vickie Croley. “It is pretty emotional as Western has a lot of history. I was really proud of the whole effort and team spirit displayed all weekend.”
In women’s competition, the Toronto Varsity Blues won the 4×400-metre relay in three minutes 41.47 seconds, crushing their own 14-year CIS record by almost four seconds.
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Toronto’s Tamara Jewett won her first-ever CIS gold in the 1500 metres in a time of 4:25.97.
Western’s Caroline Ehrhardt won the women’s triple jump with a leap of 12.56 metres, edging Julia Wallace of Guelph.
Victoria’s Rachel Francois won her first CIS gold in the 600 metres as she nipped Rachel Aubry of Guelph at the finish line with a time of 1:30.19.
In the high jump, Trinity Western’s Emma Nuttall won her first CIS gold in her rookie season with a jump of 1.82 metres.
The Calgary Dinos won the 4×200-metre relay after Saskatchewan was disqualified, while Western moved to second and host Manitoba earned their first medal of the championship in third place.
On the men’s side, another CIS championship record was broken as the Ottawa Gee-Gees won the 4×200 relay in a time of 1:25.65. Ottawa also won the 4×400 relay to end the meet.
Western’s Scott Leitch captured the 600 metres in 1:18.57.
Simon Watts of Dalhousie edged out Patrick Dufrsne of Guelph in triple jump with a leap of 14.50 metres.
Matt Walters of Windsor took the 1500 metres in a time of 3:47.58.
York’s Dontae Richards-Kwok was named the top male athlete with golds in the 60 and 300 metres and silver in the 4×200 relay.
Montreal’s Kimberly Hyacinthe won the top female athlete award with golds in the 60 and 300 metres.
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