The U of M track and field team thrived during the Canada West (CanWest) conference
championship on Feb. 24 and Feb. 25 in Saskatoon, Sask., as it reached the podium on
several occasions.

Madisson Lawrence and Anna McConnell both won gold medals on the women’s side,
dominating high jump and shot put respectively.

Shot put phenom McConnell secured first place with a 14.62 metre throw in women’s shot
put.

Meanwhile, Lawrence went on to jump a height of 1.72 metres, receiving first place for her
leap.

Lawrence also dominated the women’s indoor pentathlon, which consists of five events:
an 800-metre run, 60-metre hurdles, high jump, long jump and shot put. Her victories in both
the 800-metre race and high jump facilitated her first overall finish in the women’s pentathlon
at this year’s CanWest championship.

The herd absolutely set the track ablaze in the men’s 600-metre, with Tristan Allen and
Dawson Mann coming in first and second place respectively. Allen had a time of 1:18.89,
coming in clutch to grab the gold medal alongside his teammate Mann who finished at a
close second with a time of 1:19.48.

With both men pushing each other in races and into medal contention, internal competition
will be steep enough, let alone the competition these two will face at the upcoming U-Sports
nationals from March 9 to 11.

The Bisons are set to compete in the U-Sports nationals in Saskatoon, Sask. The herd will
look to the results from this recent CanWest championship as motivation and a confidence
builder.

As the Bisons head into the biggest championship of the year, second year Daxx Turner
will feature prominently. Turner placed first in the men’s triple jump at this year’s CanWest
championship with a mighty effort of 15.06 metres.

Overall, the CanWest championship meet was successful for both the women and men,
but it was the men who really stood out.

The aggregate point total for the men’s team was 148.50, winning first place for the
second straight year and receiving the coveted CanWest banner in what was a season
highpoint for the men thus far.

With the men’s team looking formidable coming out of the CanWest championship, they’re
sure to be a shoo-in for some medals at nationals as well.

The women placed fourth overall, just behind the University of Calgary Dinos, with 75
points. They are also looking very strong heading into nationals, especially in both the shot
put and high jump events, as well as pentathlon, which Lawrence completely monopolized at
the CanWest championship.

Ultimately, going into nationals, the track and field teams are both looking promising
event-wise and strong mentally, as the track and field season nears its end.

Track and field fans can look forward to some fast racing as the Bisons’ track and field
season draws to a close March 9 to 11 in Saskatoon, Sask.