De Grasse, Emmanuel true to form
Canada’s top ranked sprinters take 100m, 200m titles at nationals with a strong wind at their back
OTTAWA — In true Canadian fashion, the country’s top male and female sprinters completed a double-double to cap the national track and field championships Sunday.
Rio Olympic triple medallist Andre De Grasse raced to a wind-aided 19.96 to capture the Canadian men’s 200-metre title for the first time in his career, edging Brendon Rodney (20.02) and Aaron Brown (20.13).
On Friday, De Grasse also won the men’s 100-metre title with a time of 10.13.
Not to be outdone, the fast improving Crystal Emmanuel — sporting colourful Canadian red and white flag long socks to the pleasure of the 5,000 plus fans at the Terry Fox Athletic Facility — won the women’s 200m title with a 22.55 clocking, following up on her 100-metre victory on Friday.
Unfortunately, neither one of the winning 200-metre times will count in “official” record books because of a wind in excess of two metres/second.
“I’m happy about it,” said De Grasse, who wanted to break the 20-second barrier for the Canadian crowd.
“The wind wasn’t legal, but I’m really happy to get my first (200-metre) title out of the way. I’m just looking forward to more in the years to come.”
De Grasse says he was disappointed with his start, forcing him to extend himself in the final 100 metres.
“These guys really pushed me,” he said of Rodney and Brown, who will join De Grasse on Canada’s world championship 4 x 100m relay team in London next month. “I’ve got to go back to training and try to execute the first half of the race.”
De Grasse is planning on running the 200m at a Diamond League meet in Morocco next week, his final tune-up before taking on Jamaican star Usain Bolt and the rest of the world’s elite sprinters in London.
“The time (Sunday) wasn’t fast. I know I have to go faster at the worlds. In order for me to win, I probably have to break my Canadian record (19.80), so I’m looking forward to that.”
At the same time, De Grasse says he’s on the right path, on schedule to hit his peak when it matters most.
“That’s five weeks away, there’s a lot of time,” he said. “Last year at this time, I was a little bit behind.”
While the crowds came out on Friday and Sunday in large part to watch De Grasse, the Canadian championships also served as a coming-out party of sorts for Emmanuel.
If not for the wind, her winning time in the 200-metres would have broken the 34-year-old Canadian record held by Marita Payne.
“I had a perfect race, so the outcome was amazing,” she said. “I just have to go to the world championships and my next meets and execute the same way.”
Emmanuel credits a “different,’’ more positive mindset for the rather dramatic improvement in her times.
While she’s pushing toward the world’s elite women’s sprinters, she isn’t getting ahead of herself just yet.
“One step at a time,” she said. “Heats, semifinals, finals. I’m going to go in positive. Each round, you have to take your time. You never rush. If you rush, you might spill the paint. I’m going to take my time and paint my road down the stretch.”
She couldn’t say enough about the enthusiasm of the crowd, a message that De Grasse also delivered. He has spent a good part of the past few days signing autographs.
“It’s kind of inspiring for me,” he said. “I’m kind of amazed and shocked that so many people want my autograph. It’s cool to see kids’ faces light up. It was a great crowd (Sunday). I’m looking forward to having more championships here.”
Among the other highlights Sunday was Brittany Crew’s shot put throw of 18.32, a championship record.
Laura Dickenson, meanwhile, made quite the splash in a pair of under-20 distance events. Dickenson broke the championship record in the 5,000 metres Sunday morning, running a time of 16:44.60. Earlier in the week, Dickenson also established a new under-20 mark in the 3,000 metre steeplechase, running a time of 10:16.25.
The Ottawa Lions, the host club for the championships, were well represented throughout the weekend. Barbara Bitchova won the bronze medal in the women’s high jump (1.75 metres), finishing behind Alyxandria Treasure (1.92 metres) and Jillian Drouin (1.85).