U of M stadium hosts track nationals
Canada’s best track and field athletes compete for national titles
Amanda Laing, Staff
Photo by David Lipnowski.
Despite less than ideal weather conditions, the University of Manitoba hosted some of the world’s top athletes at the 2005 Canadian Track and Field Championships July 15 to 17. The event was held at the U of M stadium and run by Athletics Canada, the national sport governing body for Canadian Track and Field.
Perdita Felicien is now almost a household name across Canada following her fall in the final of the 100-metre hurdles at last year’s summer Olympics. This time, she managed to fight through unfavourable wind conditions to win the 100m hurdles in fine form.
Canadian high jump superstars Kwaku Boateng and Mark Boswell dueled for the national high jump championship with Boateng taking the title. Retired sprinter Bruny Surin also stamped his name on the event as his Montreal-based business, the Surin Group, signed on to be the title sponsor of this year’s national championships.
According to Bison Events Coordinator Jennifer Everard, having some big name athletes competing on U of M soil has some positive spinoffs for the university. “I think that our city and our university are very fortunate to have hosted the 2005 Canadian Track and Field Championships. Any time there is a large event like this, there is naturally going to be a multiplier effect on the surrounding community and businesses. The U of M was playing host to many high-calibre athletes, including some of our own Bison track and field athletes who had the advantage of competing on their home turf,” said Everard.
The event was a chance for 14 Bison track and field athletes to gain experience in preparation for the upcoming Canada Games. It was also an opportunity for some to qualify for possible selection to Canada’s national track and field team. For Kristjan Hunter, who was a medal hopeful in the 3000m steeplechase, it was a chance to stand on the podium, as he captured the bronze medal in front of a hometown crowd.
Several other U of M athletes added top ten finishes to their resumes. Sharon Drake finished 6th in the 400m, while Sam Jerema was 8th, and Darolyn Trembath was 10th in the 1500m event. Brian Walker and Melissa Armstrong also put up solid performances in the 5000m, finishing 7th and 8th, respectively.
