Track and Field 1/15/2017 11:08:00 AM

T&F REPORT: CanAm Classic

The Guelph Gryphons Track and Field Team descended upon the University of Windsor's CanAm classic this past weekend meet to shed off the rust of the holidays. There were many incredible early season performances from many athletes across all events.

In the sprints, the squad saw a monumental day, advancing all entered athletes to the semifinals in the 60m. In the finals on the woman's side, the gryphons advanced four athletes to the final with huge performances from rookies Zaria Armstrong and Shyvonne-Roberta Roxborough going one-two with blazing times of 7.67 and 7.72 respectively.

The Gryphon men also had an exciting day in sprints with four men advancing to the final. Veteran athlete and USport championship medalist Kyle Thompson won, clocking 6.82, closely followed by rookie multi sport athlete Keysean Powell with a time of 6.87. More fantastic times came out of the 60m hurdles, with consistently fast times from the top two hurdlers in the country, Hailey Hitchings and Sarah Hammond, running 8.57 and 8.79 respectively. Also with a fantastic performance was Emma Nero, clocking a 8.86. Multi-eventers Shawn Beaudoin and Mark Emode also impressed, clocking 8.65 and 8.68 over the hurdles respectively.

The 300m saw the depth of excitement form the talented sprints squad. Huge runs from all female athletes, but the standout performance came from rookie Jenna Smith whose blazing time of 39.71 qualifies her for the USports Championships.

The men's 300m saw great excitement from all levels of athletes, led by veteran sprinter Brandon Shirk who opened with an exciting time 34.94.

From the distance squad, the Gryphons had fantastic performances. Leading the way was veteran athlete Thomas Land in the 600m, clocking a time of 1.19.79, earning a top spot. Honorable mention to rookie athlete Levi Fretz, coming in with a time of 1.24.15.

Brilliant performances by the women's 1km core, led by veteran USport championship medalist Katelyn Ayers, who clocked a time of 2.49.37 earning third. Notable performances followed by Sophia Watts, Cheryse Mitton and Charlotte Ward, who all clocked times under the 2.51.0 mark.
Across the board in the Men's 1km, there were solid performances by sophomore athletes Jeffrey Thornber and Mostafa Elkurdy who placed one-two respectively with times of 2.27.12 and 2.28.26

An exciting showing from the Men's 1500m, with men placing 6th-12th and 17th -21st. Led by distance veteran Brayden Seneca.

On the woman's side, a strong showing from sophomore Danielle Jossinet cemented her spot in fourth, followed by return of senior athlete Kelsey Serviss who placed ninth overall.

From the jumps squad, USports 2-time champion veteran Sean Cate won the high jump event with a height of 2.14 followed by rookie athlete Drew Schulz who placed second with a jump of 2.03. Rookie Erin Young jumps to a personal best of 5.46 in the long jump placing third.

Senior Vanessa Oliver jumped 11.38 in the TJ earning a third place, just short of a personal best.
Rookie Tessa Hamilton vaulted her way into a personal best of 3.61, earning a third spot in women's pole vault. In men's Pole Vault Graham Pitfield continued his consistency streak with jumps of 4.40.

From the throws squad, Ashley Connell lead the way with a throw of 14.52 in shot putt and 16.99 in the weight throw, placing third overall. And former USports Champion Jared Skeath threw a 15.56 in the shot putt to place second overall. Honorable mention goes to Mackenzie Josie, gaining personal bests in both the shot putt and weight throw events.

In the relays, the 4x800m woman suffered some technically difficulties due to lap counting but after overcoming the obstacle of running a race by themselves, the ladies punch their ticket to Edmonton with a qualifying run of 9.01.04.

In the 4x200m relay both men's and women's teams were able to enter two incredibly competitive teams with the Men's A' team placing first just missing standard with a time of 1.29.69 closely followed by a young B' team with a time of 1.33.31.

On the women's side, the A' team blazed their way to a nationally qualifying standard time of 1.40.85, earning them the top spot. An incredibly strong finish by our B' team earned them third spot with a time of 1.42.96.

The gryphons take this week to face off in UofT at the Fred Foot Classic on Saturday January 21st.

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