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OTTAWA WINTER NATIONAL INVITATIONAL, FEBRUARY 2, 2008
Queen’s returned to the Louis Riel Dome and for a third and final time this season and posted some outstanding results. The DOME has treated the Gaels very well this year. It has produced two QUEEN’S RECORDS, numerous ALL TIME TOP TEN performances, and some of the leading performances in the OUA and CIS for the tricolour. The Gaels returned home with ONE QUEEN’S RECORD and 5 other ALL TIME TOP TEN performances, 6 OUA TOP 8 Standard, 2 high performance standard, and 3 OUA standard achievers, 20 PB’s, and 12 medals (4 Gold, 6 Silver, 2 Bronze). The Gaels are next in action Saturday, February 9 one two fronts; the main portion of the team is heading to Windsor for the Windsor Team Challenge, while the jumpers are heading south to Cornell.
QUEEN’S RECORD
LESLIE SEXTON: 5000m – 17:06.62, PB, SILVER
Leslie ran in the invitational 5000m posting a superb time. With the team bus held up behind snow plows Leslie had a cheering section of just two – Liz Miller and Leah Larocque. What they lacked in quantity they more than made up with enthusiasm encouraging Leslie around the track to a time just shy of 6-seconds under the CIS automatic qualifying time for the distance. Leslie has been very selective in her meets this season, running sparingly as she builds up not only for the OUA and CIS Championships but also the World FISU Games XC Championship in April.
ALL TIME TOP TEN PERFORMANCES
VERONICA CATRY: 60m – 7.81, #2 ALL TIME, PB, #8 CIS, GOLD
Rookie Veronica Catry has yet to not be in the medals in the 60m in any meet she has competed. Up against the #2 CIS ranked 60m sprinter Lela Christiane from Ottawa, Veronica (#10 in the CIS) proved that in any race anything is possible as she exploded from the blocks and raced stride for stride down the track, leaning in just ahead to post a 0.02 second victory and a 0.03 second PB which should see her move up to #8 in the CIS. Veronica is now tied with Tammy Staple for #2 ALL TIME. Tammy held the 60m sprint record at 7.81 since 1990, before Dupe Oyewumi broke it with her OUA Silver medal run of 7.79 last year. After standing for 17 years, it is quite doubtful that the new Queen’s Record will last more than a season since Veronica keeps getting stronger every race out.
BRI ESHLEMAN: WEIGHT THROW – 12.99m, #6 ALL TIME, PB, GOLD
The work Bri has put in the last two weeks on a wind entry, setting up an orbit path for the weight, and catching and pushing the weight began to pay off. While her turns were slightly off, she caught the weight lifting it out to a new PB. It was a “fighting” competition as she wasn’t on and struggled at times but hung in there catching here big throw in the 5th round to jump from third to first. Hopefully this provides Bri with a big shot of confidence… as based on practices there’s a big throw just waiting to be launched.
MIKEY PRIME: 300m – 35.64, #6 ALL TIME, PB
It’s getting redundant, but that’s a good thing… Mikey had another outstanding day. He clipped 0.20 off his old PB in the 300m to move up two spots on the ALL TIME LIST. Mikey lead the Queen’s PB parade in the 300m as 7 of the 8 athletes who ran posted their fastest times ever.
BRIAN WILSON: 60mH – 8.91, #8 ALL TIME, PB, SILVER
After equaling his PB last week, Brian broke it this week. He feels he still hasn’t put a complete race together and is looking to break the 8.9 barrier soon. The next step up the ALL TIME LIST is only 0.03 seconds away… go Brian!!!
ADRIAN HELLER: 300m – 36.03, # 10 ALL TIME, PB
Adrian is methodically clipping time off his 300m this year; it’s been the rare race that he hasn’t posted a PB. While ecstatic with the time, he felt there was still portions of the race that could have been improved… good news as he aims to continue the ride on the down escalator a while longer.
OUA CHAMPIONSHIP TOP 8 PERFORMANCE
LESLIE SEXTON: 5000m – 17:06.62, PB, SILVER
VERONICA CATRY: 60m – 7.81, #2 ALL TIME, PB, #8 CIS, GOLD
BRI ESHLEMAN: WEIGHT THROW – 12.99m, #6 ALL TIME, PB, GOLD
MIKEY PRIME: 300m – 35.64, #6 ALL TIME, PB
ADRIAN HELLER: 300m – 36.03, # 10 ALL TIME, PB
RUSSELL MORRISON: 300m – 36.18, PB
As with previous seasons, veteran Russell Morrison gets stronger as the season progresses and is running his best as Championships approach.
HIGH PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
GORD FRENKE: 300m – 36.87, PB
Gord dipped under 37 seconds for the first time two weeks ago on the Dome track posting a 36.95 PB effort. He was in a battle with teammate Tyler Nightingale and came from behind to nip him at the wire to come up with a new PB.
TYLER NIGHTINGALE: 300m – 37.03, PB; 4x4 – 51.6, PB, GOLD
Tyler ran a great 300m, but was unable to hold a determined rookie – Gord – off. He came back a while later with an even better effort in the 4x400m running to a new PB clipping 0.2 seconds off his old PB of 51.8 posted on the Dome track two weeks ago.
OUA STANDARDS
BRIAN WILSON: 60mH – 8.91, #8 ALL TIME, PB, SILVER
JEN TAM: LONG JUMP – 5.14m, GOLD
Jen broke 5m for the first time this year. She jumped very well and had she been any where close to hitting the board would likely have posted a big new PB.
GRACE KEENLEYSIDE: 3000m – 10:46.02, PB, SILVER
This was only rookie, Grace Keenleyside’s, second meet of the year. She ran 11:06.44 on this same track January 12. She’s obviously done some quality work in the interim as she cracked the 11-min barrier for the first time ever.
NOTABLE PERFORMANCES
SCOTT JOHNSON: 1500m – 4:10.77, PB
Rookie Scott Johnson seized every opportunity granted and each race opportunity showed positive progress. Scott crushed his previous 1500m PB of 4:22.14 and surpassed his outdoor PB with this sensational effort.
MICHAEL FERRARELLI: 60m – 7.57, PB; 300m – 38.83, PB
Sprint group leader Michael had himself a great meet post two solid PB’s.
JAMES McCRACKEN: 3000m – 9:22.46, PB, GOLD
James also made the most of every opportunity this year. If he had had the confidence to go sooner he may well have clipped off even more from his old PB.
ATHLETES OF THE MEET
ROOKIES: VERONICA CATRY AND MIKEY PRIME.
This sprint duo has consistently posted outstanding results and as a result is always in the mix for this honour. Both Mikey and Veronica seem to be getting better as the season progresses and are consistently working their way up their respective ALL TIME LISTS.
VETERANS: LESLIE SEXTON AND BRIAN WILSON.
Leslie is having the type of season that every athlete dreams of… she put in quality work, has executed race plans and as a result is being rewarded with sensational results. Fifth year team veteran Brian Wilson has consistently put the work in. He hasn’t always been rewarded but so far this year things have been going his way. He’s posted big PB’s in the 60mH, 4x2, 300m, and 4x4; everything he’s run this year!
PERSONAL BEST PERFORMANCES
WOMEN
- Veronica Catry: 60m – 7.81 old PB 7.84
- Bri Eshleman: WT – 12.99m old PB 12.71m
- Kelsey Hawryluk: 300m – 45.80 old PB 45.93
- Grace Keenleyside: 3000m – 10:46.02 old PB 11:06.44
- Celine Lee: 300m – 47.99 old PB 48.32
- Leslie Sexton: 5000m – 17:06.62 old PB 18:00
MEN
- Mike Arnold: 600m – 1:26.61 old PB 1:27.86
- Mike Arnold: 4x4 – 53.2 old PB 55.2
- Adam Campigotto: 4x4 – 52.7 old PB 52.8
- Michael Ferrarelli: 60m – 7.57 old PB 7.61
- Michael Ferrarelli: 300m – 38.83 old PB 38.93
- Gord Frenke: 300m – 36.87 old PB 36.95
- Adrian Heller: 300m – 36.03 old PB 36.41
- Scott Johnson: 1500m – 4:10.77 old PB 4:22.14
- James McCracken: 3000m – 9:22.46 old PB 9:23.02
- Russell Morrison: 300m – 36.18 old PB 36.34
- Tyler Nightingale: 300m – 37.03 old PB 37.16
- Tyler Nightingale: 4x4 – 51.6 old PB 51.8
- Mikey Prime: 300m – 35.64 old PB 35.84
- Brian Wilson: 60mH – 8.91 old PB 8.98
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