Western women take early lead in standings at CIS track & field championships

TORONTO (CIS) – The hometown York University Lions got off to a good start as three of their top athletes picked up medals on Day 1 of the 2016 CIS Track and Field Championships, on Thursday. The Western Mustangs and Regina Cougars also got off to strong starts as their athletes reached the top of the podium as well at the Toronto Track and Field Centre.

The York Lions were on the podium in three of the four medal events on Thursday (Mar. 10), with Brittany Crew receiving the gold medal in the weight throw with a groundbreaking toss of 18.90m. Fellow Lion Sheereen Harris placed second in the women's 60m with a time of 7.54sec, although ecstatic about her individual accomplishment Harris acknowledged that this is just the beginning followed by saying "we just have to keep the momentum going", as Harris and the rest of her teammates understand that there is an uphill battle for CIS supremacy.

The third and final Lion that broke onto the podium on Thursday was Bismark Boateng who placed second in the men's 60m with a time of 6.74sec and after the race Boateng shared the same philosophy as Harris saying "I'm focused on Friday and Saturday".

The University of Regina Cougars also had a strong day after Thursdays festivities, as they saw one member of their squad reach the podium. Tevaughn Campbell had the entire Toronto Track and Field Center on their feet during his explosive 60m race as Campbell finished with a time of 6.67sec placing him at the apex.

The humble nature of Campbell said post-race that "I just wanted to keep up with them" referring to the rest of men's 60m participants. Campbell although disappointed that his 4x200 relay team was disqualified due to the dropping of the baton he remained positive and explained that training for next season begins once he returns back in Regina.

The Guelph Gryphons slid into the third spot with an all-around team effort, leading the charge was Kyle Thompson who finished the men's 60m dash in 6.78ec which was good for third place.

The last event on Thursday evening could not have been scripted any better, as Kaleigh Hole stole the show with a dramatic finish in the women's Pentathlon. Hole is coming off a hamstring injury but persevered through all five events, and in the 600m she capped off her career night with a fourth place finish which ultimately sealed the gold medal.

Afterward she was swarmed by a crowd of purple Mustangs, Hole eventually was able to catch her breath and reveal her emotions throughout the day. Hole summed up Thursday night as crazy, as she explained that all that was going through her mind in the final lap of the women's 600m was "I am 34 points behind first" says Hole. "And I want to get that gold medal for my teammates". If Thursday's finish is any indication as to what may be coming in the next few days, the 2016 CIS championships will be one to remember for years to come.

TEAM STANDINGS: AFTER DAY 1

Women
1) Western, 20 points
2) York, 18
3) Saskatchewan, 14
4) Toronto, 10
5) Windsor, 9
5) Guelph, 9
7) McGill, 8
8) Dalhousie, 6
9) Alberta, 5
10) Calgary, 4
11) Regina, 3
11) St. FX, 3
11) Sherbrooke, 3
14) Manitoba, 2
14) Laval, 2

Men
1) Regina 14 points
2) York. 8
3) Guelph, 6
4) Dalhousie, 5
5) Saskatchewan, 3
6) Laval, 2
7) TWU, 1

INDIVIDUAL MEDALLISTS: DAY 1

Weight Throw (W)
1. Brittany Crew, York, 18.90
2. Olena Olenick, Saskatchewan, 18.08
3. Jordana Badley-Castello, Windsor, 17.61

60m (W)
1. Joy Spear Chief-Morris, Western, 7.40
2. Sheereen Harris, York, 7.54
3. Shannay Beals, Dalhousie, 7.54

60m (M)
1. Tevaughn Campbell, Regina, 6.67
2. Bismark Boateng, York, 6.74
3. Kyle Thompson, Guelph, 6.78

Pentathlon (W)
1. Kaleigh Hole, Western, 3,940
2. Helena Reinfels, McGill, 3,868
3. Astrid Nyame, Saskatchewan 3,824

DAY 2 & DAY 3 SCHEDULE (selected events webcast daily at www.CIS-SIC.tv)

Friday, March 11
13:00Weight Throw (M) Final
14:4560m Hurdles (M) Heptathlon
15:45Pole Vault (M) Heptathlon
16:3060m Hurdles (W) Heats
16:4560m Hurdles (M) Heats
17:00Long Jump (W) Final
17:00High Jump (M) Final
17:001000m (W) Final
17:101000m (M) Final
17:3060m Hurdles (M) Final
17:4060m Hurdles (W) Final
17:50300m (W) Heats
18:05300m (M) Heats
18:30Pole Vault (W) Final
18:303000m (W) Final
18:503000m (M) Final
19:00Long Jump (M) Final
19:10Shot Put (W) Final
19:301000m (M) Heptathlon
19:40300m (W) Final
19:50300m (M) Final
20:004x800m Relay (W) Final
20:154x800m Relay (M) Final

Saturday, March 12
12:30Triple Jump (W) Final
12:30Pole Vault (M) Final
13:15600m (W) Final
13:30600m (M) Final
14:154x200m Relay (W) Final
14:254x200m Relay (M) Final
14:30High Jump (W) Final
14:45Triple Jump (M) Final
14:45Shot Put (M) Final
14:451500m (W) Final
15:001500m (M) Final
16:004x400m Relay (W) Final
16:154x400m Relay (M) Final