Windsor, ON - For the first time in program history, the Western Mustangs swept the podium at the 2024 OUA Track & Field Championships this weekend in Windsor.
The Mustang men captured their first provincial title since the 1997-98 season, while the women won their first OUA banner since 2002-03.
"Both teams scored points in every event which is how OUA Championships these days need to be won," said Mustangs Head Coach Vickie Croley "We had a few athletes overcoming illness or injury or competing at this level for the first time and when not competing brought positive energy to the team. This also helped us to come away with the double victory."
On the opening day of competition, the Mustangs picked up four gold medals including Liv Sands (Shot Put), Kenneth West (Men's Long Jump), Women's 4x800m Relay & Natalie Thirsk (60m, 300m - Ambulatory). The Mustangs added four silvers and six bronze.
After the opening day the Mustangs sat 2nd on both the men's & women's team standings, the women's team was just 3 points behind Guelph with 98 points while the men's team had 63 points with Guelph leading with 80.
Day two of the event was a showcase for the Mustangs on both sides, including 17 total medals won including 6 gold medals. Favour Okpali continued her remarkable season by setting an OUA record in the Women's 600m running a 1:29.19. That was followed up with Vivian Ogor taking the top spot on the podium in the Women's 60m, the other track-based gold came from the Men's 4x200 metre relay. On the field side, Kenneth West & Chloe Knox each won gold in the Triple Jump and then Quinn Cameron won gold in the Heptathlon.
"The women were exceptional throughout the two days right from the start of the pentathlon to the last event the 4x400." said Croley "It really was a close competition between us and Guelph for the whole meet and not until prior to the last event did we know we were going to take the team gold."
The Mustangs picked up 7 silver medals and 4 bronze on day two.
"We knew it would be a tight race on the men's side with Guelph and that race didn't disappoint," said Croley "With 4 x 200m and 4 x 400m relays, triple jump, pole vault, high jump all happening within the span of two hours our eyes were on them to see how things would play out."
Western swept the coaching award as Croley was named Bob Vigars and Sue Wise Coach of the Year by her peers.
"The double coach of the year award is not mine. It belongs to our incredible staff that work directly with our student-athletes from assistant coaches, medical staff, team managers and department administrators," said Croley of the honour "I'm glad these groups can be recognized in this all-encompassing award."
The Mustangs will now look towards the 2024 U SPORTS Track & Field Championship set for March 7-9, 2024 in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Team Standings
Women's
| Place |
|
Scores |
| 1 |
Western |
185 |
| 2 |
Guelph |
175 |
| 3 |
Windsor |
70 |
| 4 |
Toronto |
61 |
| 5 |
York |
38 |
| 6 |
Ottawa |
37.5 |
| 7 |
Waterloo |
25.5 |
| 8 |
McMaster |
23 |
| 9 |
Brock |
18 |
| 10 |
Lakehead |
17 |
| 11 |
Queens |
10 |
| 12 |
Laurier |
3 |
Men's
|
|
Team |
Scores |
| 1 |
Western |
170.5 |
| 2 |
Guelph |
151 |
| 3 |
Windsor |
101.5 |
| 4 |
Toronto |
76 |
| 5 |
York |
45 |
| 6 |
Queens |
34 |
| 7 |
Brock |
20.5 |
| 8 |
Waterloo |
18.5 |
| 9 |
McMaster |
17 |
| 10 |
Lakehead |
16 |
| 11 |
Laurier |
6 |
| 12 |
Ottawa |
4 |
Day One Results
Gold
Liv Sands (Shot Put)
Kenneth West (Men's Long Jump)
(OUA Record)
Women's 4x800m Relay
Natalie Thirsk (60m, 300m - Ambulatory)
Silver
Robin Selkirk (Women's Pentathlon)
Aaron Thompson (Men's 300m)
Favour Okpali (Women's 300m)
Olivia Roussel Women's 3000m)
Bronze
Rachel Watson (Women's 60m Hurdles)
Sophie Coutts (Women's 1000m)
Christie Collins (Long Jump)
Emma Hendriksen (Women's Pentathlon)
Tieghan Wallace (Women's 300m)
Robbie Menzies (300m)
Day Two Results
Gold
Vivian Ogor – Women's 60m
Favour Okpali – Women's 600m
(OUA Record)
Men 4x200 Meter Relay
Kenneth West – Men's Triple Jump
(OUA Record)
Chloe Knox – Women's Triple Jump
Quinn Cameron – Heptathlon
Silver
Women 4x200 Meter Relay
Women 4x400 Meter Relay
Men 4x400 Meter Relay
Liv Sands – Women's Weight Throw
Seth Edwards – Men's Shot Put
Winston Clarke – Heptathlon
Aaron Thompson – Men's 60m
Bronze
Sophie Coutts – Women's 1500 Meter
Emanuel Desilets – Men's Pole Vault
Hanna Jodoin – Women's Triple Jump
Denis Tzvetkov - Heptathlon
