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| Monday, June 29 2009 - Speed River Canada's Number One Track and Field Club! Five Medal Haul On Final Day! |
Rob Watson’s gold medal performance in the men’s steeplechase led the Speed River Track and Field club to a five medal haul on the final day of the Canadian Track and Field Championships. Watson’s win also pushed the club into the lead in the team scoring event, a lead they would never relinquish as they would capture their first ever National Track And Field Club Championship.
Owen Willems kicked off the day for the club with an impressive bronze medal in the men’s discus. Conditions were incredibly wet with officials having to frequently blow the water out of the circle using a leaf blower. After the two rounds of throws Willems found himself sitting in fourth but uncorked his best throw of the competition in the third round to move into third. His throw 51.32 metres would remain third best as they entered the final rounds. In a near repeat of last year Greg Pilling let out a throw that looked like it might pass Willems but fell 21 centimetres short giving Willems his first National medal after finishing fourth last year. Canadian Record Holder Jason Tunks won the event for the fourteenth and perhaps final time as he may retire after this year.
While Willems was battling in the men’s discus circle, Michelle Moody was in a battle of her own at women’s high jump. Moody cleared the first three heights with no problems putting her tied for third among the six remaining jumpers, she was unable to clear 1.75 metres and finished in a tie for fourth. Sarnia’s Jillian Drouin won the competition with a jump of 1.80 metres.
The next event for the group was the men’s 3000 metre steeplechase. With six Speed River athletes in the field, including last year’s gold and silver medalists Rob Watson and Alex Genest, a plan was developed before the start of the race to insure a fast pace. Canadian Steeplechase legend Joel Bourgeois had volunteered to ensure a quick pace through the first kilometre and he quickly moved into the lead taking the field through on mid 8:20s pace. At 800 metres Rob Watson took the lead with Bourgeois behind followed by Speed River’s Alex Genest and Ottawa’s Josh Karanja. Watson lead the next lap before Bourgeois reassumed the lead taking the field through halfway still on a pace that would bring them in under the B qualifying standard for the World Championships. At halfway Watson took the lead and began to pull away from Bourgeois, Genest had also begun to pull away from Karanja. At the two kilometres the two athletes Speed River athletes were well ahead of the field with Watson eight seconds ahead of Genest who had another three seconds on Karanja. Watson continued to push and would go onto win in 8 minutes 32.87 seconds meeting the “B” qualifying standard for the World Championships, which puts him a position to receive an at-larger or rising star selection. Genest would close quickly finishing in a season’s best 8 minutes 37.96 seconds to capture his second consecutive silver. Speed River’s Matt Brunsting would finish fifth in his first career Canadian Track And Field Championships with teammates Nigel Wray, Max Paquette and Cody Murray eighth, ninth and twelfth respectively.
The next event on the track was the women’s 1500 metres. Speed River’s Hilary Stellingwerff was looking for a three peat in the event after winning titles in 2007 and 2008. A slow early pace left the pack tightly bunched, as the pace gradually increased the pack began to stretch out and as they entered the bell lap, Malindi Elmore the runner-up the last two years, Stellingwerff and last year’s bronze medalist Nicole Edwards separated themselves from the field. With 200 metres to go all three women were together and the kick for home was in full force. Ultimately, it was Elmore who pulled away going into the home stretch winning in with 4:15.04. Stellingwerff and Edwards would battle right to the line with Stellingwerff capturing the silver in a time of 4 minutes 16.67 seconds, with Edwards a mere 15 one hundredths back in third.
The final track event for Speed River athletes was the men’s 1500 metres. With three athletes in the field including defending champion Taylor Milne it promised to be exciting. As the field took off, it became quite apparent that no one wanted to lead the race. An extremely pedestrian pace ensued with the field going through 400 metres in 67 seconds a time, there was very little pick up as the 800 metres split was 2 minutes 11 seconds. At last year’s Olympic Trials the 800 metres was passed in 1 minute and 56 seconds. As the field passed the 600 metre to go mark Milne began to push the pace and the field quickly split into two with a lead group of seven separating. Milne continued to press as the passed the bell as the lead group of seven gradually dwindled four. As they entered the home stretch last year’s runner up Nathan Brannen moved past Milne and took the lead, Milne tried to respond but was unable to as Brannen took the win in 3 minutes 47.73 seconds. In the final ten metres Milne was also passed by Justin Duncan, who could not catch Brannen but did get the silver in 3:48.63 with MIlne third in 3:48.88. Matt Lincoln would wind up fourth in 3:49.52 with Speed River’s Tim Konoval fifth in 3:50.52. Speed River youngest competitor in the Championships Rob Jackson would wind up ninth overall in his first Senior Championships.
After the 1500 metres the team title was assured to make its first appearance in the Royal City. With only the men’s Hammer Throw remaining Speed River had a 12 point lead over the defending champion Ottawa Lions. The Lions did not have any competitors in the Hammer while Speed River was represented by Dustin McCrank. McCrank would wind up ninth overall narrowly missing the final by 52 centimetres with his best throw of 55.18 metres.
Full Results Available here.
Speed River Medalists
Gold
Coolsaet, Reid 10000 Metres 29:20.81
Watson, Robin 3000 Metre Steeplechase 8:32.87
Silver
Genest, Alex 3000 Metre Steeplechase 8:37.96
Stellingwerff, Hilary 1500 Metres 4:16.67
Gillis, Eric 5000 Metres 13:49.45
Bronze
Milne, Taylor 1500 Metres 3:48.88
Willems, Owen Discus Throw 51.32m |
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| Sunday, June 28 2009 - Coolsaet Golden On Day Three Of Canadian Track And Field Championships |
Reid Coolsaet’s gold medal performance in the men’s 10000 metres highlighted a busy day of action for the Speed River Track and Field Club at the Canadian Track and Field Championships.
Coolsaet won his seventh career Canadian Championship but his first in the 10000 metres. The race started off fairly cautiously due to the hot conditions. A lead pack of six containing all the main contenders quickly formed. As the field move through the half way mark the pack had dwindled to three Coolsaet, Dylan Wykes and Andrew Smith, three of Canada’s top ranked marathoners. Coolsaet took the lead and gradually began to up the pace, Wykes was the first to succumb. Smith remained close to Coolsaet staying within 10 metres until the final kilometre when Coolsaet eventually pulled away for the win in a time of 29 minutes and 20.81 seconds. Smith would finish second in 29:29.39 with Wykes third in 29:45.67. Remarkably this was Coolsaet’s first track race in nearly 18 months. Coolsaet’s teammate Steve Koziarski finished 10th overall.
In other finals action Saturday, Owen Willems placed tenth in the men’s shot put with a best throw of 15.08 metres well off his seasonal best of 15.81 metres.
Saturday’s action also included qualifying heats in the 1500 metres. In the women’s heats, two-time defending champion Hilary Stellingwerff looked smooth and controlled as she easily advanced to Sunday’s final winning her section in a time of 4 minutes 22.63 seconds. She will be joined in the final by incoming University of Guelph student Gen Lalonde who qualified as the 11th qualifier for the 12 women final with a time of 4 minutes 24.91 seconds. Speed River athletes Courtney Laurie, Rachel Cliff and Shantelle Novak, all failed to advance but each recorded a seasonal best performance.
The men’s 1500 metres had its share of drama for the Speed River group. The first section went according to plan with defending champion Taylor Milne easily winning the section in a comfortable 3 minutes 50.23 clocking. The second section boasted five Speed River athletes and they quickly established a fast pace in the hopes ensuring that the three time qualifiers would come out of this section. Ultimately they were partially successful as all three time qualifiers did come from the second section, unfortunately only one, 19 year old Rob Jackson, was a Speed River athlete. Teammate Tim Konoval finished second in the section which was won by Nathan Brannen. In the third section Josh Roundell established himself in the front although in not a particularly fast pace. Roundell still found himself in the lead through nearly the first kilometre of the race, but as the field entered the home stretch a lead pack of four consisting of Kyle Boorsma, Justin Duncan, Matt Lincoln and Cameron Levins would pull away from the field. With the slow pace it appeared likely that only three of the four would go to Sunday's final and it was a blanket finish with 17 one hundredths of a second separating the four. Shockingly it was Boorsma, last year’s fifth place finisher and the fourth fastest performer in Canada this year who found himself on the outside as he finished fourth overall in a time of 3 minutes 50.88 seconds, which was not fast enough to qualify.
Rounding out a busy day of action was Dustin McCrank who qualified for the men’s Hammer Throw Final as the tenth seed with a throw of 54.58 metres. |
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| Sunday, June 28 2009 - Speed River: Canadian Track and Field Championships Sunday Preview |
The Canadian Track and Field Championships will conclude Sunday in Toronto and the Speed River Track and Field Club will look to add to their current tally of two medals with at least four athletes favoured to bring home a medal.
The day will start for Speed River with the Women’s High Jump at 11:30 am. Former CIS Champion Michelle Moody enters the competition ranked sixth. Fellow Speed River athlete Shaneista Haye will also be in the competition and will look to find the form that allowed her to capture the bronze medal at this year’s CIS Championships. Olympian and Canadian Record Holder Nicole Forrester will be the favourite in the event.
As the high jump competition begins to heat up the men’s discus competition will just be getting started as it slated to being at 12:00 pm. Owen Willems enters the event ranked fifth in Canada after finishing fourth at the Olympic Trials last year. Willems will face stiff competition led by Canadian Record Holder Jason Tunks and Greg Pilling.
Following the men’s discus will be the men’s hammer throw which will include CIS All-Canadian Dustin McCrank. McCrank qualified for the final in the tenth position and will be looking to improve on that in a field that boasts Olympic Finalist James Steacy.
Perhaps the brightest prospect for a large medal haul for the Speed River group will be the men’s steeplechase which is scheduled for 2:55 pm. Defending Champion Robin Watson enters the race as the heavy favourite. This year he has lowered his personal best by over 11 seconds. Watson’s stiffest competition will come from teammate Alex Genest. Genest, the Canadian Junior Record Holder in the event has had a nearly seamless integration into the group after moving to the Royal City in May. Genest and Watson will be joined in the field by Speed River teammates Matt Brunsting, Max Paquette and Nigel Wray. Looking to prevent a Speed River 1-2 finish will be Josh Karanja of Ottawa.
Right after the men’s steeplechase will be the women’s 1500 metres. Two-time Defending Champion Hilary Stellingwerff will be looking to make it a threepeat. Expected to challenge her will be Canada’s top ranked 1500 metre runner Malindi Elmore. Elmore and Stellingwerff have raced three times this year, with Elmore emerging on top each time. Also, aiming for the podium will be last year’s bronze medalist Nicole Edwards and Julia Howard. The race will also feature two of Canada’s top Junior (under 20) athletes in Jessica Parry and incoming Gryphon Gen Lalonde.
Rounding out what promises to be a thrilling day will be the men’s 1500 metres to be run at 3:15 pm. The race will be a battle between Taylor Milne and Nathan Brannen. Milne got the best of Brannen at last year’s Olympic Trials setting a meet record in the process. Brannen turned the tables on Milne two weeks ago at the Festival of Excellence on the very same Varsity Stadium track. If Milne or Brannen do not end up winning the spoiler could be Speed River’s Tim Konoval. Konoval was seventh last year and is currently ranked fifth in the country. Other potential spoilers include Matt Lincoln, Kurt Benninger and Geoff Martinson. Like the women’s race the men’s race also features two top Junior athletes in Alexsandr Kuternin and Speed River’s Rob Jackson.
Live results will be available here
Matt Brunsting Event: 3000 Meter Steeplechase Lifetime best: 9:02.10 Hometown: Stirling
-CIS Cross Country Champion
-Currently ranked 7th in the country in Steeplechase
Alex Genest Event: 3000 Meter Steeplechase Lifetime best: 8:30.82 Hometown: Lac Aux Sables, QC
-Canadian Junior Record Holder in 3000 Meter Steeplechase
-2007 CIS Cross Country Champion
-Currently ranked 3rd in the country in the steeplechase
Shaneista Haye Event: High Jump Lifetime best: 1.70 Hometown: Brampton
-CIS Bronze Medalist
Rob Jackson Event: 1500 Lifetime best: 3:47.36 Hometown: Guelph
-University of Guelph Male Rookie of The Year
-Currently 3rd ranked junior in the country in 1500 metres
Tim Konoval Event: 1500 Lifetime best: 3:41.48 Hometown: Parry Sound
-Will represent Canada at the World University Games in Belgrade
-Currently ranked 5th in the country in 1500 Metres
Dustin McCrank Event: Hammer Throw Lifetime best: 56.10 Hometown: Haileybury
-All-Canadian and CIS Runner-Up in Weight Throw
Taylor Milne Event: 1500 Lifetime best: 3:36.00 Hometown: Callander
-2008 Olympian over 1500 Metres
-The 2008 Champion and Canadian Championship record holder in 1500 metres
-Currently ranked 2nd in the country
-Recently ran 3:56 for the mile to finish second at Festival of Excellence
Michelle Moody Event: High Jump Lifetime best: 1.81 Hometown: Newmarket
-Former CIS Champion in HJ
-Currently ranked 6th in the country in High Jump
Cody Murray Event: 3000 Metre Steeplechase Lifetime best: 9:31.36 Hometown: Sydenham
Maxime Paquette Event:3000 Metre Steeplechase Lifetime best: 9:13.11 Hometown: Hawkesbury
-Former Gryphon Captain
Hilary Stellingwerff Event: 1500 Lifetime best: 4:05.69 Hometown: Sarnia
-The two time defending National Champion in the women’s 1500 metres
-A 2007 World Championships Semi-Finalist
-Currently ranked 3rd in the country in 1500 metres
Robin Watson Event: 3000 Meter Steeplechase Lifetime best: 8:27.09 Hometown: London
-The 2008 Champion in the steeplechase
-Fourth at the recent Prefontaine Classic
-Currently ranked 3rd in the country in 5000 metres
-Currently ranked 1st in the country in steeplechase
Owen Willems Event: Discus Lifetime best: 54.49 Hometown: London
-Fourth last year in Discus
-Currently ranked 5th in the country in Discus and 7th in Shot Put
Nigel Wray Event: 3000 Meter Steeplechase Lifetime best: 9:04 Hometown: Oshawa
-Multi-time National Team Member |
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| Saturday, June 27 2009 - Gamble 14th At Canadian Track And Field Championships |
Dustin Gamble’s 14th place finish in the 800 metres led an evening a solid but unspectacular performances for the Speed River Track and Field Club at the Canadian Track and Field Championships. Gamble running in the third section in men's qualifying for the 800 metres, bided his time for much of the heat just off a lead pack of three and looked poised to take a run at the lone automatic qualifying spot for Saturday’s final. As they rounded the corner before entering the home stretch Gamble had moved up to third and was gaining on the lead two. Unfortunately, the lead duo found another gear relegating Gamble to third in his section in a time of 1:53.34.
In the women’s 800 metres Sophia Chow finished 18th overall in a time 2:13.99. Current Gryphon Rachel Aubry finished 12th overall, narrowly missing a spot in Saturday’s final with her 2:10.25 clocking. For both Chow and Aubry this marked their first time competing at the Canadian Track and Field Championships.
The meet will continue Saturday with over 20 Speed River athletes in action, highlighted by Reid Coolsaet in the men’s 10000 Metre final, Owen Willems in the men’s shot put final and the 1500 metre qualifying rounds.
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| Saturday, June 27 2009 - Speed River: Canadian Track and Field Championships Saturday Preview |
The Canadian Track and Field Championships will kick into high gear Saturday with finals is 17 events. The highlight of the day from a Speed River perspective will be the men’s 10000 metres. The event will mark the return to the track of four time Canadian 5000 metre Champion and current Canadian Marathon Champion Reid Coolsaet. Coolsaet has the fastest lifetime best in the field by nearly a minute but has been focusing on the marathon training and has not raced on the track since February of 2008. Expected to challenge Coolsaet is Canada’s top ranked marathoner in 2009 Andrew Smith and 2008 Olympic Trials 10000 metre runner-up Dylan Wykes. Coolsaet will be joined in the 10000 by teammate Steve Koziarski who enters the meet ranked seventh in Canada. The men’s 10000 will be the final event on Saturday’s program with the gun expected to go at 7:00 pm.
The only other final of the day involving Speed River athletes is the men’s shot put. Owen Willems enters the competition ranked seventh in the field. Willems, whose speciality is the discus which he will contest on Sunday, has shown great improvement in the shot put this year and will be looking to breakthrough the 16 metre barrier. The overwhelming favourite in the event will be Olympic fourth place finisher Dylan Armstrong. Armstrong is the top Canadian this year by over three metres. After Armstrong there is a large group of competitiors led by Andy Ysebaert and former Gryphon Athlete of The Year Pat Szpak. The men’s shot put will be contested at 2:00 pm.
In addition to the 17 finals there will also be qualifying rounds in five other events. Dustin McCrank will be looking to make his first National final in the men’s hammer throw. McCrank enters the event ranked ninth with the top twelve qualifying for Sunday’s final. McCrank's qualifying round will begin at 6:00 pm.
By far the event with the most Speed River representation will be the 1500 metres. Saturday evening's prelims promise to be extremely interesting with 13 Speed River athletes competing. Two-time Defending Champion Hilary Stellingwerff will lead the Speed River women. Stellingwerff will be in second heat along with Courtney Laurie, fresh off her seventh place finish in the 5000 and incoming Gryphon Gen Lalonde. Stellingwerff enters the meet ranked third in the country and should have little difficulty advancing to Sunday’s final as she is the top seed in her section by nearly 10 seconds. Also in action the women’s 1500 will be Rachel Cliff and Shantelle Novak both of whom will be in first qualifying heat, which will also feature Canada’s top ranked 1500 metre runner Malindi Elmore. The top three in each of the three qualifying heats as well as the next three fastest times will advance to Sunday’s final.
The men’s 1500 metres is arguably Canada’s deepest event. Last year it was the only event in which Canada qualified three athletes for the Beijing Olympics. Speed River’s Taylor Milne is the defending champion and will be in the first section. Milne will be joined by last year’s fourth place finisher Kurt Benninger and CIS Champion Geoff Martinson. The second section features Canada’s top ranked 1500 metre runner Nathan Brannen. Brannen will face an incredible five Speed River athletes in the fourteen man field. Speed River’s Tim Konoval and Scott Arnald are ranked second and third in the heat respectively and will aim to secure the three automatic qualifying positions along with Brannen. The third and final heat offers two more Speed River athletes including Kyle Boorsma, who was fifth at this event last year and Josh Roundell. They will be challenged by Matt Lincoln and JP Malette. Like the women, the top three in each of the three qualifying heats as well as the next three fastest times will advance to Sunday’s final. The men's 1500 metres will be run at 6:45 pm with the women at 6:30 pm.
Live results will be available here CBC will be broadcasting live from 4:30 to 6:00 pm.
Brief Athlete Profiles
Scott Arnald Event: 1500 Lifetime best: 3:45.65 Hometown: Waterloo
-All-Canadian at University of Waterloo
Kyle Boorsma Event: 1500 Lifetime best: 3:40.55 Hometown: Guelph
-University of Guelph Male Athlete of The Year
-Will represent Canada at the World University Games in Belgrade
-Recently broke four minutes for the mile running 3:59 at Festival of Excellence
-Currently ranked 4th in the country in 1500 Metres
Allan Brett Event: 1500 Lifetime best: 3:47.93 Hometown: Ottawa
-OUA Cross Country Champion
-Two time All-Canadian University of Guelph
Rachel Cliff Event: 1500 Lifetime best: 4:35.90 Hometown: Vancouver, BC
-Three Time All-Canadian
-Finished tenth in 5000 metres
Reid Coolsaet Event: 10000 Lifetime best: 27:56.92 Hometown: Hamilton
-A four time Canadian Champion in the 5000 Metres
-Last month made his debut at the Marathon winning the Canadian Championships
-Currently ranked 2nd in the country in the Marathon
Rob Jackson Event: 1500 Lifetime best: 3:47.36 Hometown: Guelph
-University of Guelph Male Rookie of The Year
-Currently 3rd ranked junior in the country in 1500 metres
Tim Konoval Event: 1500 Lifetime best: 3:41.48 Hometown: Parry Sound
-Will represent Canada at the World University Games in Belgrade
-Currently ranked 5th in the country in 1500 Metres
Stephen Koziarski Event: 10000 Lifetime best: 30:47.31 Hometown: Mississauga
-Multi-time All-Canadian at the University of Guelph
-Currently ranked 7th in the country in 10000 Metres
Courtney Laurie Event: 1500 Lifetime best: 4:32.95 Hometown: Toronto
-CIS Silver Medalist in the 3000 Metres
-Finished Seventh in 5000 Metres
Dustin McCrank Event: Hammer Throw Lifetime best: 56.10 Hometown: Haileybury
-All-Canadian and CIS Runner UP in Weight Throw
Taylor Milne Event: 1500 Lifetime best: 3:36.00 Hometown: Callander
-2008 Olympian over 1500 Metres
-The 2008 Champion and Canadian Championship record holder in 1500 metres
-Currently ranked 2nd in the country
-Recently ran 3:56 for the mile to finish second at Festival of Excellence
Shantelle Novak Event: 1500 Lifetime best: 4:32.68 Hometown: Regina, SK
-All Canadian University of Guelph
Josh Roundell Event: 1500 Lifetime best: 3:49.61 Hometown: Ottawa
-All-Canadian University of Guelph
Derek Snider Event: 1500 Lifetime best: 3:50.94 Hometown: Lindsay
-CIS Bronze Medalist 3000 Metres
-All-Canadian University of Guelph
Hilary Stellingwerff Event: 1500 Lifetime best: 4:05.69 Hometown: Sarnia
-The two time defending National Champion in the women’s 1500 metres
-A 2007 World Championships Semi-Finalist
-Currently ranked 3rd in the country in 1500 metres
Owen Willems Event: Shot Put Lifetime best: 15.81 Hometown: London
-Fourth last year in Discus
-Currently ranked 5th in the country in Discus and 7th in Shot Put
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| Friday, June 26 2009 - Speed River: Canadian Track and Field Championships Friday Preview |
Friday will be the quiet before the storm for the Speed River Track and Field Club, as only two Speed River athletes will be competing as compared to the twenty who will be competing on Saturday. Leading the Speed River contingent Friday is former CIS All-Canadian Dustin Gamble, who will be competing in the qualifying rounds of his speciality the 800 metres. Gamble finished eleventh last year and will be looking to make his first Canadian Track and Field Championships final. Gamble will need to either win his heat or finish among the top four fastest non-automatic qualifiers. The class of the men’s 800 metres will Gary Reed the fourth place finisher at the Beijing Olympics, expected to challenge Reed will be former CIS Champion Geoff Harris and former NCAA All-Americans Adam Currie and Kyle Smith.
Sophia Chow will represent the Speed River group in the women’s 800 metre. Chow, who is finishing her first year after moving to the Guelph area from Halifax will have a tough challenge to make the final as last year’s bronze medalist Leanna Maclean will be competing in her heat. In the women’s 800 metres the top two in each of the three qualifying heats and the two fastest non-qualifiers will advance to Saturday’s final. In addition Maclean, last year’s gold and silver medalists Rebecca Johnstone and Diane Cummins will also be in the field. One other athlete to keep an eye is current University of Guelph athlete Rachel Aubry, the third ranked junior (under 20) athlete in the country, Aubry is undefeated over 800 metres this year.
Results will be available at here. |
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| Friday, June 26 2009 - Gillis Picks Up Silver On Day One Of Canadian Track And Field Championships |
Eric Gillis silver medal highlighted the 5000 metres on day one of the Canadian Track and Field Championships for the Speed River Track and Field Club.
The men’s race got off to a quick start as defending champion Ryan Mckenzie took the early lead. At 800 metres Kurt Benninger took the lead with Canadian Cross Country Champion Simon Bairu and Gillis in tow. Bairu would takeover from Benninger just past 1600 metres with Gillis right behind. As the pack moved passed two kilometres, which was passed in 5:25, Gillis moved to the front quickly dwindling the pack to himself and Bairu. Gillis continued to lead through three kilometres, which the twosome passed in 8:11. With four laps remaining Bairu moved into the lead, Gillis stayed right with Bairu for most of the next lap but as they came through the finishing stretch with three laps remaining a gap began to form. This was all Bairu needed as he pulled away to win his first Canadian Track and Field title after winning eight Cross Country and Road Racing titles. Bairu broke the tape in 13 minutes and 39.23 seconds with Gillis repeating his runner up performance from 2008 with a time of 13 minutes and 49.45 seconds. Gillis’ teammates Derek Snider and Cleve Thorson finished tenth and eleventh respectively.
Like the men’s race the women’s race also got off to a quick early pace. Marie Louise Assellin and Kendra Schaaf quickly gapped a group of five which included Speed River’s Courtney Laurie. Asselin and Schaaf continued to push the pace as the group hit the one kilometre mark in nearly Canadian Record pace. Schaaf would take over the lead from Assellin, while the group of five would split into two with Tara Quinn-Smith and Danette Doetzel giving chase to the leaders, while Laurie, Anita Campbell and Alex Becker were trading leads as they tried to claw back the leaders. As the race wore on the early pace created a war of attrition. Quinn-Smith and Doetzel moved passed Assellin while Laurie fell off Campbell and Becker. Remarkably Laurie passed the three kilometre mark in a lifetime best of 9 minutes and 41 seconds. As the race entered the final lap Quinn-Smith caught and passed Schaaf and would go onto the win in a time of 15 minutes and 50.35 seconds with Schaaf second in 15 minutes and 52.74 seconds and Doetzel third in 16 minutes 04.61 seconds. Laurie would finish seventh narrowly missing her lifetime with her 16 minutes and 35.31 seconds clocking. Teammate Rachel Cliff would finish tenth in 17:10.17, with fellow Speed River athletes Karoline Hoy and Robyn Mildren finishing twelfth and thirteenth respectively with clockings of 17:34.38 and 17:43.15.
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| Thursday, June 25 2009 - Speed River: Canadian Track and Field Championships Thursday Preview |
Thursday marks the start of the Canadian Track and Field Championships at Varsity Stadium in Toronto. The only event involving Speed River athletes on the first day of competition will be the men’s and women’s 5000 metres. The women will be up first at 8:05 PM, with the men following at 8:25 pm.
Leading the Speed River contingent in the women’s race will be Courtney Laurie. Laurie has been improving by leaps and bounds this year improving her lifetime best by nearly a minute over the 5000 metre distance. She enters the event ranked sixth in the country and also finished sixth last year. Laurie’s Speed River teammate Rachel Cliff was fourth last year, she is currently ranked ninth in the country in the vastly improved women’s 5000 metres. Rounding out the Speed River athletes in the women’s 5000 metres are Karoline Hoy and Robyn Mildren. The two youngsters will be looking to dip under the 17 minute barrier for the first time.
The women’s 5000 metres will be one of the deepest events at the Championships. Included in the field is the four time defending champion in the event Megan Metcalfe, the Canadian Record holder in the event Courtney Babcock, the Canadian Junior Record holder in the event and current NCAA 10000 Metre Champion Danette Doetzel as well as four other current NCAA All-Americans, two members of Canada's World Cross Country team and two current CIS All-Canadians.
The men’s 5000 metres should also provided it’s fair share of highlights with a strong Speed River presence. 2008 Olympian Eric Gillis will headline the event for Speed River. Gillis was second in the 5000 last year and went on to compete in the 10000 metres in Beijing. Gillis will be joined by Cleve Thorson, who was sixth last year and Derek Snider a bronze medalist at the CIS Indoor Track and Field Championships.
Challenging the Speed River athletes will be a strong field that includes defending champion Ryan McKenzie, AGSI Canadian Cross Country Champion Simon Bairu, Canada’s top ranked 5000 metre runner Kurt Benninger as well as NCAA All-American Mark Steeds and top Canadian Junior Mohammed Ahmed.
Courtney Laurie Liifetime Best: 16:29.09 Hometown: Toronto
CIS Silver Medalist in the 3000 Metres
Currently ranked 4th in the country in the 10000 metres and 6th in the 5000 metres
Rachel Cliff Lifetime Best: 17:01.97 Hometown: Vancouver, BC
Three Time All-Canadian
Currently ranked 9th in the country in 5000
Karoline Hoy Lifetime Best: 17:23.98 Hometown: Thunder Bay
Bronze Medalist at 2008 Canadian Junior Championships in Steeplechase
Robyn Mildren Lifetime Best: 17:16.62 Hometown: Hamilton
Ontario Junior Silver Medalist in 3000 metres
Currently ranked 3rd junior (under 20) in the country in 5000 metres
Eric Gillis Lifetime Best: 13:36.03 Hometown: Antigonish, NS
2008 Olympian over 10000 Metres
The two time defending National Champion in 10000 Metres
Runner up last year in the 5000 Metres
Currently ranked 4th in the country in 5000 metres
Cleve Thorson Lifetime Best: 14:13.80 Hometown: Port Elgin
All- Canadian at the University of Guelph
Multi-time National Team Member
Derek Snider Lifetime Best: 14:31.93 Hometown: Lindsay
CIS Bronze Medalist 3000 Metres
All-Canadian at the University of Guelph
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| Thursday, June 25 2009 - Rollin' With The River- Will Be Back |
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Rollin' With The River will be back next week in the meantime get ready for some excitement at the Canadian Track and Field Championships. |
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| Thursday, June 18 2009 - Rollin' With The River- Season 3, Episode 6- 6000 Metres Of Pleasure |
With only eight days until the start of the Canadian Track and Field Championships, Speed River athletes are entering the final phase of their preparations for the event. In one of their last major workouts before the competition we check in on the steeplechase group.
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| Monday, June 15 2009 - A Busy Weekend For Speed River |
A busy weekend for the Speed River Track and Field Club concluded yesterday with some outstanding results at the Harry Jerome Track Classic in Vancouver. In the men’s 1500 metres, Kyle Boorsma and Tim Konoval both recorded lifetime bests. Boorsma placed third with a 3:40.55 clocking, while Konoval used a late surge to nip Victoria’s Geoff Martinson at the line to finish fourth with a time of 3:41.48. Their teammate Taylor Milne paced the field through 1200 metres. In early action, Scott Arnald recorded a seasonal best of 3:46.82 in the men’s Olympic Development 1500 metres. Arnald led for most of the race before being passed just before the line by Peter Corrigan of Victoria. Teammate Hilary Stellingwerff also posted a seasonal best performance in placing fourth in the women’s Invitational 1500 Metres with a 4 minutes and 13.63 second performance.
Meanwhile in Portland Oregon, Alex Genest captured the men’s 3000 Metre Steeplechase at the Portland Track Festival. Genest handily defeated the field with a time of 8 minutes and 47.20 seconds. In other action at the Portland Track Festival, Courtney Laurie made her debut in the women’s 10000 Metres. Laurie was shooting for a time under 34 minutes 30 seconds which would have qualified her for the World University Games. Unfortunately, she feel short of her goal but was rewarded with a new Speed River record with her 35 minute 03.81 clocking.
The group will now enter final preparations for the Canadian Track and Field Championships which will be held in Toronto, June 25th to 28th. |
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| Sunday, June 14 2009 - Harry Jerome To Be Webcast Live On Flotrack |
Taylor Milne will return to the site of his breakthrough race last year as he competes in the Harry Jerome Track Classic today in Burnaby. Milne will be running the men's invitational 1500 metres at 7:12 pm EST. He will be joined in the field by his Speed River teammates Tim Konoval and Kyle Boorsma. Boorsma is fresh of breaking the four minute barrier in the mile. Hilary Stellingwerff will follow up the men in the women's 1500 metres which is scheduled for 7:20 pm EST. Rounding out the Speed River contingent will be Scott Arnald who will be competing in the men's Olympic Development 1500 Metres at 5:28 pm.
The meet will be webcast live on Flotrack. |
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| Thursday, June 11 2009 - "Live" Updates From Festival Of Excellence |
We will aim to provide "Live" Updates From Tonight's Festival of Excellence meet in Toronto.
The last hour of the meet will be shown live on TSN from 7:30 to 8:30 pm, but before that you can follow Speed River athletes performance on the
Speed River Twitter, or on our facebook page.
"Live" results will behere.
Speed River Atheltes Competing
Men's CIS 1500 Metres- 6:55 pm
Allan Brett
Rob Jackson
Lee McCarron
Josh Roundell
Derek Snider
Women's Mile- 7:00 pm
Hilary Stellingwerff
Men's 5000 Metres- 7:10 pm
Eric Gillis
Men's Mile- 7:55 pm
Kyle Boorsma
Taylor Milne
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| Thursday, June 11 2009 - Rollin' With The River- Season 3, Episode 5- Sub Four |
Tonight at the Festival of Excellence meet in Toronto, Taylor Milne and Kyle Boorsma will be running the men's mile. Both will be looking for their first ever sub four mile. We sat down with them to talk about the mile, sub four and training together.
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| Wednesday, June 10 2009 - Eight Speed River Athletes To Compete At Festival Of Excellence |
Eight Speed River athletes will be competing Thursday at the Festival of Excellence meet at Varsity Stadium in Toronto. The meet which will feature Usain Bolt, in his only North American appearance, will be broadcast live on TSN from 7:30 to 8:30 pm.
Highlighting the Speed River athletes competing will be Olympians Taylor Milne and Eric Gillis who will be running the mile and 5000 metres respectively. Joining Milne in the mile will be Kyle Boorsma, both Milne and Boorsma will be looking for their first ever sub four minute miles.
The women’s mile will feature Speed River’s Hilary Stellingwerff, the two time defending Canadian champion in the women’s 1500 metres, she will battle Malindi Elmore the runner up at the last two Canadian Championships.
Rounding out the Speed River group will be four athletes competing in the collegiate men’s 1500 metres. Rob Jackson, Allan Brett, Josh Roundell and Derek Snider will face an impressive field of some of the CIS best.
For more information on the Festival of Excellence visit Festivalofexcellence.ca |
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| Wednesday, June 10 2009 - Frost Meets Pan Am Junior Standard |
Nadine Frost took a major step forward to her first National team, Tuesday night at the New Balance 1500 Metre Night in London, Ontario. Frost recorded a nearly six second personal best in the 1500 metres with her time of 4:34.51. Frost's performance was under the Pan Am Junior qualifying standard, all that stands between her and competing in Trinidad is finishing top two at the Canadian Junior Championships in July.
Full Speed River Results
Women's 1500 Metres
2 Nadine Frost SPEED RIVER 4:34.51
7 Rachel Cliff SPEED RIVER 4:37.68
Men's 1500 Metres
9 Matthew Brunsting SPEED RIVER 3:55.78
14 Maxime Paquette SPEED RIVER 3:56.70
24 Nigel Wray SPEED RIVER 3:59.59
Full New Balance 1500 Meter Night Results |
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| Wednesday, June 10 2009 - Konoval Runs 3:44.43 In Victoria |
Tim Konoval continued his west coast swing with a stop at the Track Classic in Victoria, BC. Konoval placed fifth overall in the men's 1500 metres with a seasonal best time of 3:44.43. He will wrap up his west coast tour Sunday at the Harry Jerome Classic.
Full Results from the Victoria Track Classic. |
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| Sunday, June 7 2009 - Watson Fourth At Pre Classic! |
Rob Watson’s dream season added another chapter Sunday Night at the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, Oregon. Watson, who was a last minute addition to the field placed an outstanding fourth overall in the men’s 3000 metre steeplechase. Watson’s time of 8:27.09 was the fifth fastest in Canadian history and improves upon his number one ranking in Canada. The Prefontaine Classic is widely regarded as the top track and field meet in North America.
Post race interview with Watson.
Full Results |
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| Thursday, June 4 2009 - Rollin' With The River- Season 3, Episode 4- Chasing Pre |
Over the past few weeks the Speed River Track and Field club has tried without success to get Rob Watson into an elite steeple to chase World Championships A Standard. Yesterday afternoon we got word that Rob was racing the Pre Classic steeple in Eugene, Oregon. The only problem the meet is on Sunday. In episode IV we follow the guys trying to get Rob to Eugene.
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| Thursday, June 4 2009 - Watson Narrowly Misses World Champs B Standard In London |
Rob Watson put on quite a show Wednesday night in his hometown of London, Ontario. Watson in a largely solo effort ran the second fastest time of his life and narrowly missed World Championships B standard in the men's 3000 meter steeplechase. Watson's clocking of 8:34.32 shattered his own meet record by nearly 25 seconds.
Watson's run was one of many highlights for the Speed River Track and Field Club at the meet. Courtney Laurie joined Watson in the winners circle leading four Speed River athletes in the top six of the women's 5000 meters. Laurie's teammates Rachel Cliff, Robyn Mildren and Karoline Hoy all recorded life time bests. Also recording life time bests in the 5000 meters were Derek Snider and Steve Koziarski who finished third and fifth respectively.
The meet also marked the return to Canadian racing for Hilary Stellingwerff. Stellingwerff, the two time defending Canadian 1500 meter champion, placed second in the women's 800 meters as she was pipped at the line by current Guelph Gryphon Rachel Aubry. Stellingwerff's club mates Nadine Frost and Sophia Chow finished fourth and sixth respectively in the 800 meters, with Frost recording a life time best of 2:11.68.
Men Open 800 Meters
4 Dustin Gamble 85 SPEED RIVER 1:53.92
Men 5000 Meter
3 Derek Snider 85 SPEED RIVER 14:31.93
5 Steve Koziarski 84 SPEED RIVER 14:42.61
Men 3000 Meter Steeple
1 Robin Watson 83 SPEED RIVER 8:34.32!
2 Matthew Brunsting 87 SPEED RIVER 9:02.10
5 Nigel Wray 82 SPEED RIVER 9:32.98
6 Cody Murray 86 SPEED RIVER 9:43.33
Women 800 Meter
2 Hilary Stellingwerff 81 SPEED RIVER 2:08.24 4
4 Nadine Frost 90 SPEED RIVER 2:11.68 4
6 Sophia Chow 82 SPEED RIVER 2:13.07 4
Women 5000 Meter
1 Courtney Laurie 88 SPEED RIVER 16:50.79
2 Rachel Cliff 88 SPEED RIVER 17:01.97
4 Robyn Mildren 90 SPEED RIVER 17:16.62
6 Karoline Hoy 89 SPEED RIVER 17:23.98
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