Thunder Bay – SPORTS – Lakehead’s track & field successfully competed at two American today, with several athletes marking major achievements.
Five members of the squad travelled to Boston to compete at the Boston University David Hemery Valentine Invitational. Four of the athletes hit lifetime personal bests at the event.
“I’m really proud of the way the athletes competed this weekend,” Thunderwolves coach Kip Sigsworth said.
Rebekkah Pyle, who is currently ranked 9th nationally in USPORTS rankings, ran the 3 km in 9:50. Hailee Morisseau ran the same race in 10:24, achieving OUA standard. On the men’s side, Will McDonough ran the 1 km in 2:30, which puts him 2nd all-time in Lakehead rankings (ahead of current coaches Sigsworth and Joe McDonough). Derek Patterson and Colin Warwick each ran the 1 mile in 4:20. Both achieved OUA standard.
“Our athletes took advantage of the opportunity,” Sigsworth said, “and they used the competition to run their best.”
Boston results can be found here.
The University of Wisconsin-Superior Yellowjacket Invitational saw the other cadre of Thunderwolves runners compete, with several claiming top-three finishes in their respective races.
Taij Mann finished first in the men’s 3 km with fellow Lakehead runner Dylan Burry taking the second spot. Braedan Prochnicki finished second in the 60m dash. On the women’s side, Kayla Gallo also claimed a second-place finish, while also achieving OUA standard in the 3 km. Janet Chukwu came second in the 60m, collecting yet another second-place finish for the Thunderwolves.
“We had some solid results at the Yellowjacket Invitational,” Sigsworth said, “it was great to see Kayla get OUA standard in her last chance after spending the last month crisscrossing the country for medical residency interviews.”
The Thunderwolves track & field team next travels to Toronto for the OUA provincial championships on February 22nd and 23rd.
“We are in a good place with two weeks to go until OUA championships,” Sigsworth said. “We still need to put in some hard work and to improve, but I am excited to see what we can do.”
