Lancers elevate performances to bronze
The Windsor Lancers hit their mark.
Aiming for a podium finish for the first time since 2018, the Lancers men's team and women's team each finished in the bronze-medal position after Saturday's OUA track and field championships at the Dennis Fairall Fieldhouse
“I know the last couple years, just the kind of feeling of defeat sinking in because we were just on the cusp of making the podium both times,” said Lancers' third-year thrower A.J. Stanat, who won gold in the men's shot put and weight throw.
“I think both times we were in fourth place, so it's a stinging feeling and it's nice to be back on the podium. I think it's good for the team and hopefully bigger and better things for years to come.”
Ben Tilson had the other gold medal for the men's team by taking the 600 metres in one minute, 20.4 seconds. Teammate Noah Waldmann was right behind with the silver in 1:20.49.
“I knew I had to get out and lead the way,” the 21-year-old Tilson said. “I had a pretty good race and hoped I could hold a couple of the guys off knowing it was a pretty stacked field. To have my teammate (Waldmann) finish right behind me and get that (automatic) spot at U Sports, I was more excited when I heard that. I was happy for myself, but even more him because I know how hard he works.”
The Lancers were projected to get eight points in the race, but with Will Mcbride finishing in the seven spot, the team finished with 20 points in the event.
“Another two points (from Mcbride), 20 points for the team, and that's huge and set us apart,” Tilson said. “Bronze medal (for the team), that's an even bigger accomplishment for us. We haven't finished on the podium for a lot of years. We've been fourth the last two, three years, just a couple points behind U. of T (Toronto). To come away and get on the podium again is huge for us and only the beginning of what we're going to do in the next couple years.”
The Lancer men also got a silver medal from Nojah Parker in the pole vault by clearing 4.85 metres. Owen Macneill won a pair of bronze medals with a jump of 14.66 metres in the triple jump and 7.22 metres in the long jump. Caleb Keeling also captured a bronze medal in high jump by clearing 2.03 metres. With 101.5 points, the Lancers easily finished ahead of Toronto, which had 76 points, for the bronze.
The women's team picked up three medals. Mandy Brunet won silver in the triple jump with a best effort of 12.64 metres. Harley Martin won bronze in the weight throw with a toss of 16.03 metres while Grace Elford earned a bronze medal in pole vault by clearing four metres.
“I still haven't fully taken that (team medal) in because I've never experienced that,” the 23-year-old Brunet said. “It's definitely a great feeling to know how close we've gotten this year and we're just going to continue that momentum.”
It left Windsor with 70 points and in the bronze-medal position with Toronto, which came in ranked higher in the country, in fourth place.
“It means a lot,” Lancers head coach Colin Inglis said. “To see the kids grow, develop, to progress means a lot and I think it means we're on our way back. We're starting to move back to where we want to be, be the program we want to be here at the university and hopefully it's only going to help us in recruiting get more kids in. We've got some good kids in, we just have to fill in a few more holes and we'll be on our way. Now, they've had a taste of finishing third and they're looking at the next colour. Next year, OUA and U Sports are here and hopefully stepping to something bigger and better.”