Records fall at 35th Vancouver Sun Harry Jerome International Track Classic

The 35th Vancouver Sun Harry Jerome International Track Classic concluded with a record 7450 audience over the Tuesday and Wednesday evenings of June 26 and 27.  The China vs Canada Team Sprint Challenge saw the Pacific World Cup go to host country by a score of 139 to 100 points in the eight event contest over 100, 400, 4x100m and 4x400m for men and women.  The regular events of the Jerome Classic attracted athletes from 10 countries, China, France, USA, US Virgin Islands, Jamaica, Great Britain, Australia, Mexico Russian and Canada. 83 athletes achieved their seasonal best performances and 45 recorded their personal best record ever.

from left; Aaron brown, Bolade Ajomale, Andre De Grasse and Gavin Smellie  photo; Brian Cliff

Three meet records and one British Columbia record were broken. The Canadian quartet in the 4x100m of Gavin Smellie, Aaron Brown, Bolade Ajomale and Andre De Grasse dominated with 38.42 for a new meet record. They broke the record of 38.59 set in 1993 by the Santa Monica Track Club anchored by Olympic champion, Carl Lewis. This ranks Canada 6thon the world list for 2018.  

from left YUAN Qiqi, GE Manqi, HUANG Guifen, LIANG Xiaojing with Lynn Kanuka photo: Brian Cliff

China’s women team of YUAN Qiqi, GE Manqi, HUANG Guifen, LIANG Xiaojing won this event in 43.75 over Canada’s 44.30. This ranks China 9th on the 2018 IAAF world list. The past record was set by Canada back in 2005 of 44.51.

YUAN Qiqi takes Leya Buchanan in anchoring 4x100   photo: Reese Raybon

Yuan Qiqi anchored for China over Leya Buchanan who had a difficult exchange from Whitney Rowe. Canada’s time of 44.30 also beat the past record.

Sage Watson receives baton from Travia Jones   photo; Brian Cliff

Madeline Price, Aiyanna Stiverne, Travia Jones and Sage Watson ran 3:32.08 in the 4x400m relay to break Canada’s meet record set in 2007 of 3:36.67. Sage who is ranked 6th on the IAAF world list in the 400m hurdles ran 52.7 split to anchor Team Canada. She will run her favourite event, the 400m hurdles in the national championships in Ottawa this week.  The Canadian team for the NACAC championships set for Toronto on August 10-12, will be selected after the national championships.

from left, Nick Ayin, Jerome Blake, Nathan man and James Linde

Coquitlam Cheetahs broke the British Columbia record in the 4x100m relay with their time of 39.84 just behind China’s 39.62. Nick Ayin led off to Jerome Blake to Nathan Mah to anchor, James Linde.  Jerome Blake had a terrific meet winning the open 100m in 10.35(-0.8) and recording a personal best in the 200m with his 20.74(-0.4) behind Gavin Smellie’s 20.72(-0.4).  He is pointed towards a breakthrough to the national team at the championships this week.

Team Canada takes Pacific World Cup over Team China 139 to 100

By GARY KINGSTON

BURNABY -- The baton exchange execution was near flawless and the speed was sparkling.

Canada’s top male sprinters put an exclamation point on the country’s decisive win over China on Wednesday in the Team Sprint Challenge at the Vancouver Sun Harry Jerome Track Classic by winning the 4x100-metre relay in a time of 38.42 seconds to beat a 25-year-old meet record.

With a crowd of 3,650 in full roar in the Swangard Stadium grandstand, anchor Andre De Grasse, the triple medalist from the 2016 Rio Olympics, delivered on the final leg as Canada put up the 11th fastest time in the world this year. It’s a mark beaten by only five other national teams -- England (three times), the U.S. and Jamaica (twice each), Japan and South Africa.

Canada wins 4x100m with Andre De Grasse anchoring   photo; Allan Hay

“It’s the first time we came together all year,” said De Grasse, who missed the Commonwealth Games in April where Canada’s squad was disqualified in an opening heat. “I’m happy to be back with these guys. These guys are running fast and we got a meet record.”

The old mark of 38.59 was set in 1993 by a Santa Monica (Calif.) Track Club foursome that featured nine-time Olympic gold medalist Carl Lewis. The 4x100 had been run about a half a dozen times at the Jerome since then.

Gavin Smellie, who won the 200 metres in 20.72 only a half-hour earlier Wednesday, ran the lead leg in the cool evening conditions. A blistering second leg by Aaron Brown moved Canada ahead of China before he handed off to Bolande Ajomale.

“Coming from the Commonwealth Games where we didn’t finish, to have Andre back, to have Gavin and Aaron running as well as he’s running, with Bolande from school, everyone’s come together for a good run here,” said Canadian head coach Glenroy Gilbert.

“You know what, these guys are really good. They’re really special and I think that was just a taste of what they can do.”

China finished second in 39.62, just ahead of the Coquitlam Cheetahs, who ran 39.84.

China wins 4x100m women from left,  YUAN Qiqi, Ge Manqi, HUANG Guifen, LIANG Xiaojing with Lynn Kanuka   photo; Brian Cliff

Earlier, China won the women’s 4x100 in a meet record time of 43.75 to Canada’s 44.30, but Canada had already clinched the two-country Sprint Challenge by finishing first, second and third in the women’s 400 metres and first, second and fourth in the men’s 400.

Team Canada wins Pacific World Cup photo: Brian Cliff

Canada tallied 139 points to China’s 100 over the two nights to take the Pacific World Cup, which consisted of eight events, the men’s and women’s 100 and 400 metres and the 4x100 and 4x400 relays. Canada collected $30,000 for the win, with China taking home $10,000.

Philip Osei wins 400m in China vs Canada Team Sprint Challenge photo: Brian Cliff

Philip Osei won the men’s 400 for Canada in 46.81, with Daniel Harper and China’s Wu Yuang both clocked at 47.15 and Austin Cole crossing the line in 47.23.

Aiyanna Stiverne takes China vs Canada Team Sprint Challenge 400m  photo; Allan Hay

The Canadian sweep of the podium in the women’s 400 was accomplished by Aiyanna Stiverne (53.03), Madeline Price (53.46) and Alicia Brown (53.53).

Stiverne lives and trains in Miami, where she ran collegiately.

“Oh yeah, it was quite different here tonight. The temperature was 95 degrees Fahrenheit the other day in Miami.”

Still, she was happy with her race.

“I’ve been working on technique, making sure I finish strong, running smooth, running relaxed, and not panicking throughout the race,” said the 23-year-old. “It’s been a bit of a transition from school to running professionally.”

Farah Jacques wins Jerome Classic 100m hurdles  photo: Allan Hay

Meantime, in the regular Jerome meet, 28-year-old Farah Jacques of Montreal won the women’s 100-metre hurdles in 13.72 seconds. A member of the 4x100-metre sprint team, Jacques recently turned her attention to the hurdles at the suggestion of her coach.

“It’s my first year doing hurdles since I was in high school,” said Jacques, who ran 13.36 in Guelph, Ont., two weeks ago. “I’m trying to see if I can keep going and make the world championships in hurdles. I’m just so excited about it.”

Marco Arop wins Jerome Classic 800m  photo: Brian Cliff

Lindsey Butterworth of North Vancouver won the women’s 800 metres in 2:02.47, with Michael Arop of Edmonton taking the men’s 800 in 1:47.09.

Complete Result available here

Lindsey looks ready to dominate battle for national title after win at Jerome Classic

By GARY KINGSTON

BURNABY -- In her eight previous appearances at the Harry Jerome Track Classic, starting as a Grade 11 and running through her days at SFU, Lindsey Butterworth was mostly an afterthought in the women’s 800 metres.

It was the sub-two minute runners like Canadian record-holder Melissa Bishop, Diane Cummins and Jess Smith who drew much of the attention.

But a 2:01.13 personal best at a meet in St. Louis on May 31 changed all that. Pre-Jerome, Butterworth was the focus of a story on the Jerome website that also ran in the Vancouver Sun and in a cbcsports.ca feature.

“It was definitely different this year, I’m always just kind of there,” said Butterworth, 26, after running Wednesday night. “I’ve been to the Jerome every year, but, of course, Melissa doing so well, she’s always the focus. Now that she’s out this year, (the media) have to find the next person to focus on. That happened to be me, because it happens to be my home town as well.”

Butterworth, settled into second behind the pace-setter Tamara Harris early and then ran in front for the final 400 metres to win in 2:02.47. Canadian Jenna Westaway was second in 2:03.95.

It wasn’t a strong enough field to push her under the magical two-minute mark, but the North Vancouver native was still happy.

“I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect. I was hoping to just get a good position from the start and ended up behind the pacer. It was good and I just tried to finish hard in the last 300, so it worked out.”

Butterworth now heads to the Canadian championships in Ottawa next week, hoping to improve on her third-place finish from last year.

“That’s kind of what we’ve been peaking for,” said Butterworth, knowing full well it could turn into more of a tactical race.

“There’s no pacers at nationals, so it’s definitely everyone to their own and it can become very tactical, which is interesting in the 800 because it is so short. But just to be ready for anything is the goal.”

Butterworth is certainly ready for more of the type of attention she received before the Jerome.

“It’s good experience getting used to that pressure. I just had so much support here, family, friends, and actually all my co-workers came to watch.”

Butterworth said she heard lots of shouts of encouragement, including during the introductions.

“I heard when they were announcing, someone yell ‘BUTTERWORTH!!!’ I was like ‘Whoa, what was that?’ There was some loud person in the stands. It was nice to have the support and to run at home.”

Final showdown for China vs Canada Team Sprint Challenge at Jerome Classic tonight

Team Canada goes forward to the final day of the Team Sprint Challenge with Team China with a 20 point lead. 70 points for Team Canada-50 points for Team China. Does this seem like a comfortable lead?  Not so fast.  China's 100m runners last night gave Canada a good battle. Perhaps better than expected. Today, decisive victories in 4x100m relays for Team China could return a net 16 points.  Now, the placing in the 400m for men and women now become extremely important. Team Canada dominated the 4x400m relays for men and women. Can they duplicate that in the individual 400m?

That is a good reason to get your tickets now for tonight's contest.

GUO Zhongze takes baton form WU Yu'ang will be strong in today's 400m photo: Brian Cliff

Get your tickets online

Ticket Prices Vancouver Sun Harry Jerome Track Classic

Tickets For Adults, $45 For Both Days, $25 For A Single Day

Tickets For Youth (4-17 Years) $19 For Both Days, $11 For A Single Day

Tickets For Families, $96 For Both Days, $58 For A Single Day

Tickets For VIP Hospitality $115 For Two Days, $75 For One Day

Preferred Seating $75 For Two Days, $45 For One Day

Adult Group $16 A Day

Youth Group $9 A Day

All Ticket Packages are available at www.harryjerome.com

CANADIAN WOMEN’S RELAY BREAK RECORD AT OPENING NIGHT OF JEROME TRACK MEET

CANADIAN WOMEN’S RELAY BREAK RECORD AT OPENING NIGHT OF JEROME TRACK MEET

BY BRIAN POUND

BURNABY—The highlight event on the opening night of the Vancouver Sun Harry Jerome International Track Classic at Swangard Stadium was billed as the men’s 100-metre final, part of the Canada-China Team Sprint Challenge and featuring several of the world’s fastest men.

Sorry, gentlemen, that honor went instead to four very fast Canadian women, who toured the 4x400-metre relay distance in 3:32.08, beating the meet mark of 3:36.67 set in 2007 by another Canadian team. Such was their performance that the team of Madeline Price, Aiyanna Stwerng, Travia Jones and Sage Watson finished nearly 90 metres ahead of the Chinese team.

“I thought we each did our part,”said Watson after the race. “As a team it would have been nice to run faster, but when you don’t have the competition and it’s a little bit cool out here tonight and if I think we had a little competition and little warmer weather, we could have gone under 3:30.”

Aaron Brown takes the China Canada Team sprint 100m in 10.21  photo: Brian cliff

The men’s 100-metre race was still exciting and was taken by Canada’s Aaron Brown, who crossed the finish line in 10.21 seconds followed by China’s Xiaosing Liang (10.33) and Canada’s Andre De Grasse (10.36), who afterwards said “I was a little bit rusty. I haven’t raced in a while. Aaron ran a good race, it definitely is going to keep me on my toes. Actually, he wasn’t supposed to be in this race. He wanted to send me a message, but it’s ok, I’m all right with that.”

Brown, for his part, said “today was all about practicing, getting ready for Nationals (starts July 3 in Ottawa). I haven’t run the 100 in a long time, so today I was just kind of getting my feet under me, getting the rhythm of the race back. And then go back to the drawing board to prepare for nationals. To beat Andre is always good, but I understand he’s coming off in injury and he is not at his best.”

Andre De Grasse scores 6 point for Team Canada in 100m with his 10.36 100m  photo: BrianCliff

Both De Grasse and Brown are expected to be members of Canada’s 4x100-metre relay on Wednesday night, the final event on the Canada-China Team Sprint Challenge for the Pacific World Cup.

The Canadian men’s 4x400-metre relay team had a much closer encounter with China in their event, the team of Daniel Harper, Austin Cole, Tremaine Harris and Philip Osei finishing in 3:09.23 compared to China (3:13.08).

christabel netted win 100m in China Canada Team Sprint 100m  photo: Athletics Canada

The women’s 100-metre race saw Canada’s fastest woman, Crystal Emmanuel, do the expected, winning in 11.43 seconds but right behind her came two Chinese sprinters, Xiaosing Liang (11.46) and Qigi Yuan (11.54).

With the first of four Team Sprint Challenges in the books, and based on a points scoring system, Canada takes a 70-50 lead over China into the final night of competition. The windup events are the men and women’s 4x100-metre relays and the men and women’s 400-metres.

Meanwhile, in the Jerome meet itself, two-time 110-metre national hurdler champion Johnathan Cabral of Quebec won his race over the world’s number one decathlete Damian Warner (13.58 to 13.64). “I wanted to get a race in before nationals,” Cabral said, “and I’m satisfied with my performance.”

Christabel Nettey won the gold at Commonwealth Games

The IAAF’s number two world ranked woman long jumper Christabel Netty took her event with a best jump of 6.37 metres and Nanaimo high jumper Mike Mason got a scare when he missed his first two jumps at 2.16 metres, clearing the third, and then winding up winning the event at 2,21 metres.

The meet continues Wednesday night, first event 6:15 p.m.

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Start list for Vancouver Sun Harry Jerome Track Classic June 26 and 27

2018 Start List on June 25 at 10pm

Event   Name    Country PB

100m Men Lane China Canada

20:52 The Vancouver Sun 100M | Hommes 26-Jun

1 LIANG Jinsheng"96 CHN 10.37

2 Bolade Ajomale CAN 10.15

3 MI Hong'93 CHN 10.29

4 Aaron Brown CAN 9.96

5 XU Zhouzheng'95 CHN 10.21

6 Andre De Grasse CAN 9.91

7 XU Haiyang'95 CHN 10.21

8 Bismark Boateng CAN 10.14

100m Men International

20:03 Hertz 100M Internatioal Hommes 26-Jun

1 ZHONG Zhuming GGAC 10.60

2 James Linde CAN 10.42

3 Jerome Blake CAN 10.24

4 MO Youxu GGAC 10.35

5 Andre Ford- Azonwanna CAN 10.38

6 Sam Effah CAN 10.23

7 ZENG Zejia GGAC 10.50

8 Stephen Abosi CAN 10.69

200m Men International

20:05 BC Athletics 200M International Hommes 27-Jun

1 Amarveer Sandu BC 21.76

2 OU Jincai Henan 21.39

3 BIE Ge CHN 20.39

4 Gavin Smellie CAN 20.39

5 James Linde BC 20.70

6 LIANG Jinsheng CHN 20.74

7 Andre Ford-Azonwanna ON 20.69

8 Jerome Blake BC 20.87

200m Men National

18:40 KISS RADIO 200M National Hommes 27-Jun

2 Landon Gill BC 23.12

3 Tanner Carnegie BC 22.23

4 Nick Ayin BC 22.06

5 Ben Tjernagel BC 21.86

6 Stephan Abosi AB 21.83

7 Nathan Mah BC 21.87

8 Jose Davis BC 22.76

400m M Lane China Canada

20:44 Athletics Canada 400M Can/Chn Hommes 27-Jun

1 PAN Hait CHN 46.97

2 Tremaine Harris CAN 46.22

3 WU Yuang'98 CHN 45.83

4 Philip Osei CAN 45.22

5 GUO Zhongze'96 CHN 45.14

6 Daniel Harper CAN 45.60

7 LU Zhiquan CHN 46.08

8 Austin Cole CAN 47.01

400m Men International

18:54 AM 1320 400M International Hommes 27-Jun

3 WANG Jiabao Henan 47.73

4 Nathan George BC 45.94

5 MAO Guorong CHINA 46.38

6 Michael Aono BC 46.79

7 FU Jiahao Henan 48.6

8 Vladislav Tysgankov RUS Ind 47.50

400m Men National

20:11 City TV 400M National Hommes 26-Jun

2 Sam Prevost CAN TB 50.86

3 Paul Fisher CAN TB 49.89

4 Alex Pescitelli CAN TB 48.80

5 CUI Caizhuang Henan 48.13

6 Jake Hanna CAN UBC 48.25

7 Egidio Cantarella CAN TB 49.20

8 Carson Bradley CAN KAJ 49.46

800m Men International

19:06 Fairmont Pacific Rim 800M International Hommes 27-Jun

1 Matt Palmer USA 1:51.40

2 LI Jinshua Henan 1:49.93

3 Adam Paul Morris BC 1:49.82

4 Marco Arop AB 1:45.25

5 Isaiah Jewett USA 1:47.33

6 Eric Avila USA 1:48.82

7 Hans Roelle USA 1:49.22

8a Daniel Block SK 1:49.58

8b Jake Hanna Pace

800m Men National

18:54 The Vancouver Sun 800M National Hommes 26-Jun

1 Rich Torres BC 1:54.00

2 Tim Longley NS 1:53.49

3 Ty Fuoco BC 1:51.72

4 Tyler De Jong BC 1:52.00

5 Jeff Groh USA 1:52.00

6a Adam Marshall BC 1:52.00

6b Matthew Winkler BC 1:52.50

7a James Lamb BC 1:52.50

7b Max Trummer BC 1:53

8a Chris Taylor BC 1:53.00

8b Kieren Lumb pace

1500m Men International

19:43 Government of Canada 1500M International Hommes 27-Jun

Thomas Riva BC 3:37.34

Adam Palamar ON 3:38.92

Blake Haney USA 3:39.07

Robert Denault ON 3:39.71

Justin Kent BC 3:41.00

Corey Bellemore ON 3:41.28

Jack Williams BC 3:45.21

Lukas Jarron BC 3:46.16

Cameron Proceviat BC 3:46.47

Sam Vincent MAN 3:46.20

Jordan Tyler AUS 3:46.90

John Gay BC 3:49.00

Kieren Lumb BC 3:50.00

Daniel Herrera Pace

3000m Men National

18:36 Hertz 3000M National Hommes 26-Jun

Nick Colyn BC 8:14

Liam Kennel BC 8:15

Tyler Dozzi BC 8:16

Charlie Dannatt BC 8:17

Gilbert Gundy GB 8:19

Levi Neufeld BC 8:20

Theo Hunt BC 8:20

David Tyler AUS 8;22

Ben Weir BC 8:25

Ryan Brockerville BC 8:26

Brendan Hoff BC 8:31

Thomas Broatch BC 8:34

Mario Lopez MEX 8:35

Alex Nemethy BC 8:38

Josh Kozelj BC 8:38

Mathew Noseworthy BC 8:39

Riley Miller BC 8:40

Kalum Delaney BC 8:44

Jaxon McKenzie BC

Greg Hetterley SASK

Leopoldo Rincon MEX

Aiden Doherty BC

Daniel Herrera MEX pace

110mH Men International

18:30 RYU 110M Hurdles | Haies Hommes 26-Jun

1 Anastas Eliopoulos BC 13.33

3 Bogdan Pavel BC 14.26

4 Damian Warner CAN 13.27

5 LEI Yiwen Henan 13.77

6 Johnathan Cabral CAN 13.35

7 Kenneth Schultze BC 14.26

High Jump Men International

19:04 Sportsnet 650 High Jump | Saut en Hauteur Hommes 26-Jun

Mike Mason CAN 2.32m

Django Lovett CAN 2.31m

Sean Cate ON 2.20m

Eric Chatten BC 2.18m

Bryce McKenzie BC 2.06m

Aiden Grout BC 2.00m

Liam Espedido BC 1.90m

Basil Spencer BC 1.90m

Nolan McEachern BC 1.85m

Long Jump M National

18:46 Sport Burnaby Saut en Longueur Hommes 27-Jun

Alexander Savage BC 7.10m

Denzel Brown BC 6.94m

Bryce McKenzie BC 6.91m

Landon Gill BC 6.85m

Ryan Pederson BC 6.72m

Ryan Denman BC 6.67m

Pole Vault Men National

18:52 Mahony & Sons Pole Vault National Hommes 26-Jun

Giovanni Hernandez MEX 5.20m

David Boyd BC 5.01m

Nathan Dunford USA 5.00m

Chris Weiss CAN 4.50m

Ethan Foster CAN 4.50m

Glen Johnston CAN 4.15m

Shot Put Men National Para-mixed

20:01 The Press Room  Paralympique Hommes 26-Jun

Jerrett Chong-5kg South Surrey 17.56m

Druv Sobti-5kg South Surrey 17.15m

Garrett Peoples-7.26kg Spokane Falls 15.50m

Greg Stewart-6kg Kamloops 15.80m

Brennan Ettinger-5kg Kamloops 14.25m

Jason Leung China 13.79m

Javelin Men National -mixed

18:10 The Vancouver Sun Javelot National Hommes 27-Jun

HU Haoran Henan 75.80m

Jamie Green USA 58.10m

Sion Griffiths'00 CAN 53.47

Alessandro Marvaldi'00 Italy 52.64

Jarret Chong'01 * SOSA 66.39m

Jacob Taylor'01 * Kamloops 63.18m

Tanner Gerringer'01 * Valley R 49.82m

Eliot Payne'02 * Valley R 59.46

Isiiah Collins'02 * Kelowna 51.89m

* 700g

CHEN Li-women 600g Henan 50.16m

100m Lane China Canada Women

20:44 Athletics Canada 100M  Femmes 26-Jun

1 ZHOU Yanbing'96 CHN 11.75

2 Leah Walkeden CAN 11.58

3 YUAN Qiqi'95 CHN 11.29

4 Leya Buchanan CAN 11.17

5 GE Manqi'97 CHN 11.52

6 Crystal Emmanuel CAN 11.14

7 LIANG Xiaojing'97 CHN 11.49

8 Farah Jacques CAN 11.49

100m Women International

19:57 Mahony & Sons 100M International Femmes 26-Jun

1 LIU Ziyi Henan 12.24

2 Taryn Smiley BC 11.95

3 RAN Wenyi Henan 12.30

4 Schillonie Calvert- Powell JAM 10.94

5 Phylicia George CAN 11.25

6 Valda Kabia BC 11.70

7 TIAN Zhengfen Henan 11.97

200m Women International

19:57 Rogers Media 200M International Femmes 27-Jun

1 Travia Jones CAN 23.65

2 Whitney Rowe CAN 23.52

3 Schillonie Calvert- Powell JAM 23.29

4 HUANG Guifen'97 CHN 23.07

5 Phylicia George CAN 23.10

6 GE Manqi CHN 23.15

7 ZHOU Yanbing CHN 24.05

8 Jasneet Nijjar BC 23.81

200m Women National

18:34 AM 1320 200M National Femmes 27-Jun

4 Kira Pedereson BC 25.25

5 Valda Kabia BC 23.94

6 Hassy Fashina-Bombata BC 24.65

7 ZHOU Jing Henan 12.4

400m Women Lane China Canada

20:36 Province of BC 400M Can/Chn Femmes 27-Jun

1 Madeline Price CAN 52.30

2 HE Ke'93 CHN 54.19

3 Sage Watson CAN 51.62

4 CHENG Chong'92 CHN 52.45

5 Aiyanna Stiverne CAN 51.93

6 PAN Gaoqin'91 CHN 53.58

7 Alicia Brown CAN 51.84

8 LIANG Nuo'99 CHN 53.77

400m Women International

18:48 TELUS 400M International Femmes 27-Jun

1 Jaeland Cummings BC NT

2 Aaryanna Kurucz BC 57.44

3 Cayla Smith BC 57.72

4 Nicole Lindsay BC 57.60

5 Renate Bluschke BC 56.16

6 Natasha McDonald ON 52.20

7 Micha Powell ON 51.97

8 Sophie Dodd BC 55.65

800m Women International

19:00 Athletics Canada 800M  Femmes 27-Jun

1 Julianne Labach Sask 2:03.83

2 Maite Bouchard QUE 2:03.49

3 Justine Fedronic FRA 1:59.86

4 Lindsey Butterworth BC 2:01.33

5a Jenna Westaway AB 2:01.22

5b Adrea Propp AB 2:04.16

6a Annie Leblanc QUE 2:01.564

6b Stephanie Brown USA 2:01.71

7a Savanah Colon USA 2:02.84

7b Laurence Cote QUE 2:03.97

8a Devan Wiebe BC 2:03.10

8bTamara Harris pace

800m Women National

18:48 Muscle MLK 800M National Femmes 26-Jun

1 CUI Leyuan Henan 2:09.00

2a Nicole Bauer CAN 2:11.56

2b Tamara Harris BC 2:07.05

3 Samantha Murphy ON 2:04.67

4 Baylee Mires USA 2:02.57

5 Casey Atkin CAN 2:04.87

6 Addy Townsend BC 2:06.37

7a Alyssa Mousseau BC 2:06.88

7b Mikayla Tinkham BC 2:09.44

8a Chloe Hewitt BC 2:09.92

8b Sophie Dodd Pace

1500m Women International

19:35 Sport Burnaby 1500M International Femmes 27-Jun

Sasha Gollish CAN 4:07.08

Regan Yee CAN 4:09.29

Mariah Kelly CAN 4:09.38

Natalji Piliusina LTU 4:09.51

Sarah MacPherson CAN 4:09.90

Eleanor Fulton USA 4:10.41

Jessica O'Connell CAN 4:11.84

Courtney Hufsmith CAN 4:12.95

Nicole Hutchinson CAN 4:13.71

Aurélie Dubé-Lavoie CAN 4:14.10

Natasha Wodak CAN 4:15.93

Natalia Hawthorn CAN 4:18.09

LI Junqiao Henan 4.20.00

Alycia Butterworth CAN 4:20.00

Kirsten Lee CAN 4:20.58

Lindsay Carlson CAN 4:22.00

Tamara Harris Pace

Samantha Murphy Pace

100m H women International

18:15 RYU 100M Hurdles  Haies Femmes 27-Jun

1 Emily Morley BC 16.00

2 Hana Tyndall BC 14.45

3 CHEN Jiamin Henan 13.59

4 Georgia Ellenwood BC 13.60

5 Katarina Vlahovic BC 13.63

6 Farah Jacques QUE 13.68

7 Diane Voloshin BC 14.01

8 Kristie Elliot BC 15.88

High Jump Women International

18:52 Province of BC Saut en hauteur Femmes 27-Jun

Alyx Treasure CAN 1.94m

Emma Kimoto BC 1.86m

Alexa Porpaczy BC 1:80m

Wanetta Kirby ISV 1.75m

Julie Kawai BC 1.69m

Coleen Ogilvie BC 1.65m

Mackenzie Stewart BC 1.62m

Long Jump Women International

18:40 Government of Canada Long Jump Femmes 26-Jun

Christabel Nettey CAN 6.99m

Kylie Price USA 6.77m

Georgia Ellenwood CAN 6.19m

Wanetta Kirby ISV 6.17m

Jasmine Lew BC 5.99m

Julie Kawai BC 5.75m

Diane Voloshin BC 5.60m

Michelle Yee BC 5.45m

4x100m Women

20:52 TELUS 4 x 100M CAN/CHN  Relais Femmes 27-Jun

Henan

TIAN Zhengfen, LIU Ziyi, RAN Wenyi,ZHOU Universal Coach Jasmne Gill, Jesse Dosanjh

Katarina Vlahovic, Aaryanna Kurucz, Jasneet Manreet Sangha

China

YUAN Qiqi, GE Manqi, LIANG Xiaojing,

ZHOU Yanbing, HUANG Guifen

Canada

Khamica Bingham, Leya Buchanan, Leah Farah Jacques, Whitney Rowe, Crystal Emmanuel

Langley Mustangs, Coach: Ross Browne

Jordan Jacobs, Dominique Ronse,

Prabhasha Wickramaarachchi, Selena Wiley

Oak Bay SS Coach: Kim Fenton

Maya Gatensby, Olivia Fenton,

Taleesha Hall, Makayla Dickinson

4x100m Men 21:00

The Vancouver Sun 4 x 100M Can/Chn Relais  27-Jun

Walnut Grove SS, coach Jason Tait,

Dave Midgley, Nicholas Monro, Bob Nicol,

Evan Wright, Cameron Calbick (alt)

St Thomas More, Coach David Mattziazzo

Emmanuel Dadson, Julian Valerio, Tyler David Osho, and Aaron Field.

Kajaks, Coach: Byron Jacks

Carson Bradley, Serge Serbineko, Liam McLeod,

Tannin Seward

Thunderbird AC coach Andrew Cooke

Paul Fisher, Alex Pescitelli, Egidio Cantarella,

Sam Prevost, Jose Davis,

China

XU Haiyang,MI Hong,XU Zhouzheng,

BIE Ge, MAO Guorong, LIANG Jinsheng,

Canada

Andre De Grasse, Aaron Brown,Bismark Bolande Ajomale, Gavin Smellie, Sam Effah

GGAC, China

MO Youxue,LIN Renkeng,

ZHONG Zhuming, ZENG Zejia

Coquitlam Cheetahs

Michael Anono, Nathan George, Jerome Ben Tjernagel, Nick Ayin

4x400 women

20:28 TELUS 4 x 400M Canada/China |  26-Jun

Simon Fraser University

Sophie Dodd, Addy Townsend, Nicole Lindsay,

Renate Bluschke

Golden Ears Athletics

Mikayla Tinkham, Jade Lenton, Emily Morley,

Madelyn Huston

China

HUANG Guifen, LIANG Nuo, HE Ke, PAN CHENG Chong

Canada

Sage Watson, Aiyanna Stiverne, Alicia Brown,

Madeline Price, Micha Powell, Travia Jones

4x400m Men

20:36 Province of BC 4 x 400M Canada China 26-6

Henan

OU Jincai, WANG Jiabao, CUI Caizhuang,

FU Jiahao

British Columbia

Alexander Pescitelli, Samuel Loewen

Nathan Loewen, Egidio Cantarella

China

GUO Zhongze, MAO Guorong, WU Yu'ang,

FENG Zhiqiang, PAN Haitao

Canada

Philip Osei, Khamal Stewart-Baynes,

Austin Cole, Tremaine Harris, Daniel Harper

U20/HS 800m women

19:00 Sport Burnaby 800M U20 26-Jun Femmes

1 Jamie Hennesey BC 2:17.66

2 Mai Zurkovic BC 2:17.46

3a Megan Roxby BC 2:15.29

3b Brooke Mussche BC 2:14.67

4a Emily Chilton SFU 2:14.67

6a Alisa Lyesina BC 2:10.26

6b Ceili McCabe BC 2:13.33

7a Emmajean Neal BC 2:17.68

7b Grace Featherstonehoff BC 4:31/1500m

8a Rachel Mortimer BC 2:14.57

8b Angelina Shandro pace

U20/HS 800m men

19:06 Jack FM 96.9 800M U20 26-Jun Hommes

1 Fraser Van Allen BC 1:57.96

2a Matti Erickson BC 1:56.09

8b Michael Barber BC 1:59.15

3a Michael Kean BC 1:57.78

3b Paul Buckingham BC 1:57.03

4a Cameron Bates BC 1:55.55

4b Sajjan Sarai BC 1:55.81

5a Lindon Caps BC 1:56.95

5b Nicholas Aron BC 1:55.70

7a Zach WyattBC 1:54.81

7b Will RileyBC 1:55.24

8a Keaton Heisterman BC 1:57.19

8b Alden Miller pace

Para Athletics 100m Wheelchair 27-Jun

19:51 Hilton Metrotown 100M Paralympique Hommes

Balrai Zimich CAN

Dakoda Darling CAN

Sedrick Skabar CAN

Tristan Smyth CAN

18:21 BC Athletics 1500M Paralympiq ue Hommes

1500m Wheelchair27-Jun

Balrai Zimich CAN

Sedrick Skabar CAN

Tristan Smyth CAN

Special Olympics

100m Women 19:45 Dayton 100M SO Femmes 26-Jun

1 Melissa Semke Surrey 17.2

2 Paige Norton Abbotsford 16.85

3 Suraya Pittalwalla North Shore 16.06

4 Arianna Phillips Nanaimo 15.35

5 April Armstrong Burnaby 15.33

6 Olivia Neuman Surrey 16.2

7 Kayley Olund Surrey 16.5

100m Men 19:51 BC Sports Hall of Fame 100M SO  26-Jun

1 Michael Phillips Nanaimo 13.83

2 Sash Barbour Naniamo 13.1

3 Jesse Thibeault Surrey 12.73

4 Malcolm Borsol Surrey 12.08

5 Michael Savage Langley 12.3

6 Daniel Batson Burnaby 12.27

7 Zack Thibeault Surrey 12.73

8 Thomas Rak Surrey 13.3

alternate Ryland Mallari Surrey 13.99

Junior Development Relays

 2018 Harry Jerome Classic JD Relays, Tuesday June 26

4x100m Division 1 - Girls 11 years (2007)/Grade 5 20:17

Lane 1- Airblastoff A 

Lane 2- Ocean Athletics A 

Lane 3- Kajaks 

Lane 4- Lord Kitchener A 

Lane 5- Thunderbirds 

Lane 6- Airblastoff B 

Lane 7- Ocean Athletics B 

Lane 8- Lord Kitchener B 

4x100m Division 2 - Boys 11 years (2007)/Grade 5 20:21

Lane 1- Lord Kitchener A 

Lane 2- Thunderbirds A 

Lane 3- Ocean Athletics A 

Lane 4- Kajaks 

Lane 5- Thunderbirds B 

Lane 6- Ocean Athletics B 

Lane 7- Lord Kitchener B 

Lane 8- 

2018 Harry Jerome Classic JD Relays, Wednesday June 27

4x100m Division 3 Sec1 - Girls 13 years (2005)/Grade 7 20:14

Lane 1- Star of Sea 

Lane 2- Ocean Athletics A 

Lane 3- Airblastoff 

Lane 4- Lord Kitchener A 

Lane 5- Thunderbirds A 

Lane 6- Valley Royals 

Lane 7- Universal Athletics 

Lane 8- Golden Ears 

4x100m Division 3 Sec2– Girls 13 years (2005)/Grade 7 20:18

Lane 1- MJ Norris 

Lane 2- Lord Kitchener B 

Lane 3- Ocean Athletics B 

Lane 4- Kajaks 

Lane 5- Thunderbirds B 

Lane 6- Ocean Athletics C 

Lane 7- Lord Kitchener C 

Lane 8- Ocean Cliff 

4x100m Division 4 Sec1 – Boys 13 years (2005)/Grade 7 20:22

Lane 1- Hershey Harriers 

Lane 2- Airblastoff 

Lane 3- Ocean Athletics A 

Lane 4- Lord Kitchener A 

Lane 5- Thunderbirds A 

Lane 6- Valley Royals A 

Lane 7- Norwesters 

Lane 8- Kajaks 

4x100m Division 4 Sec2 - Boys 13 years (2005)/Grade 7 20:26

Lane 1- Golden Ears 

Lane 2- Fraser Academy 

Lane 3- Valley Royals B 

Lane 4- Thunderbirds B 

Lane 5- Lord Kitchener B 

Lane 6- Ocean Athletics B 

Lane 7- Lord Kitchener C 

Who will lead Canadian sprinters at the China vs Canada Challenge...Why Not Aaron Kingsley Brown?

By GARY KINGSTON

BURNABY -- Given the three medals he earned from the 2016 Rio Olympics in cheeky sprint battles with superstar Usain Bolt, Andre De Grasse is always the focus when he’s competing on home soil in Canada.

But don’t sleep on fellow Canadian Aaron Brown in the China-Canada Sprint Challenge portion of the Vancouver Sun Harry Jerome Track Classic at Swangard Stadium on Tuesday and Wednesday nights.

The Toronto native who made a Nobody Knows My Name video and a Why Not Me? Essay on cbcsports.ca a part of his motivational tools the last couple of years has had a terrific 2018 season. He has four of the top 17 times in the world in the 200 metres, including a personal best of 19.98 seconds on June 7 in Oslo, Norway, and has a faster 100-metre time (10.12) this season than De Grasse’s 10.15.

“I’ve been working really hard with my support team, my coach, my agent, my medical team, all the people who are involved with getting me on the track and being healthy and executing well,” said Brown, who joined De Grasse as the only Canadians to go sub-10 seconds in the 100 metres and sub-20 seconds in the 200.

Aaron Kingsley Brown       photo by Brian Cliff

“It’s all kind of been in sync. This is what I expect and I’ve been expecting it for a couple of years. When it clicks . . . I’m happy when it does. It’s something I’ve been planning for and to see it come to fruition, it’s kind of ‘that’s okay, it’s going to plan’ and now I want to build off that.”

Brown, 26, ran 20.34 at the Commonwealth Games in April in 20.34 and earned the silver medal after being bumped up a spot following the disqualification of England’s Zharnel Hughes. This spring, he has run 20.07 twice -- in Eugene, Ore., and Stockholm -- and 20.05 in Ostava, Czech Republic before the breakthrough in Oslo.

Aaron Kingsley Brown takes silver in Australia's Commonwealth Games this spring.

photo: Athletics Canada

“(The 19.98) was a huge weight off my shoulders,” said Brown at a news conference Monday in Vancouver. “I’ve been so close before (20 seconds flat in 2016). I’m very excited, very excited to keep running and and keep getting faster.”

The 200 isn’t part of the China-Canada Sprint Challenge, but Brown and De Grasse will run the 100 metres on Tuesday night and will likely be part of Canada’s 4x100-metre relay team on Wednesday night.

With the Canadian championships set for July 3-8 in Ottawa, it’s going to be interesting to see how much the Canadian sprinters push themselves at the Jerome.

Brown, who hasn’t run many 100s this season, says it’s going to be a bit of a “training meet . . . to set me up for nationals.”

But he admits running against De Grasse, who followed him to the University of Southern California, “is always motivation for me.

“I want to be the best in Canada. It’s always good to have that competition, especially on Canadian soil. He keeps me honest. I keep him honest. We want to have great performances out there and push ourselves to do great things.”

Andre De Grasse   photo: Brian Cliff

De Grasse, meantime, will be racing for the first time since becoming a father after his girlfriend Nia Ali gave birth Saturday in Philadelphia to a baby girl they named Yuri.

“It’s definitely a new step into becoming a man,” said De Grasse. “It’s a new chapter in my life. I’m looking forward to just enjoying it.”

De Grasse, who skipped the Commonwealth Games as he continued to regain his form after sustaining a hamstring injury in training for the 2017 worlds, has struggled a bit in Diamond League events through May and June. But he says he’s feeling “a little more fit” and ready to go for the Jerome.

“We’ve been clocking some good times at practice. Now I just have to go out there and compete and make it happen.”

garykingston55@gmail.com

GET YOUR TICKETS NOW TO AVOID LINE UP AT SWANGARD STADIUM

Ticket Prices Vancouver Sun Harry Jerome Track Classic

Tickets For Adults, $45 For Both Days, $25 For A Single Day

Tickets For Youth (4-17 Years) $19 For Both Days, $11 For A Single Day

Tickets For Families, $96 For Both Days, $58 For A Single Day

Tickets For VIP Hospitality $115 For Two Days, $75 For One Day

Preferred Seating $75 For Two Days, $45 For One Day

Adult Group $16 A Day

Youth Group $9 A Day

All Ticket Packages are available at www.harryjerome.com

Crystal Emmanuel adds SPEED to Team Canada's quest to contest Team China for Pacific World Cup at Jerome Classic on June 26 and 27 at Swangard Stadium

The communications lines were hot with last minute surprises for the Vancouver Sun Harry Jerome Track Classic invitation's chair, Marek Jedrzejek.  The legendary, now retired, UBC track coach, has assembled a world class lineup for this 35th  edition of the longest  standing track meet in Canada.  

Damian Warner will run the 110m hurdles at the Jerome classic     photo :Athletics Canada

Jedrzejek said “We now have a host of top 10 and top 20 athletes on the world list, coming to the Jerome Classic lead by the world leader in the decathlon, Damian Warner of London, ON,  the number 2 ranked long jumper, Christabel Nettey of Surry, BC, and number 6 ranked, Sage Watson of Medicine Hat, AB in the 400m hurdles and number 8 ranked Mike Mason of Nanoose Bay, BC in the high jump."

Alyx Treasure, Olympian searching for Debbie Brill's record   photo: Athletics Canada

Olympians, Alyx Treasure of Prince George, BC and Crystal Emmanual of Toronto, ON just confirmed their entry for next Tuesday and Wednesday evening at Swangard Stadium in Central Park, Burnaby.  Alyx will be aiming for Debbie Brill's meet record in the high jump. Crystal will add pure speed to the China Canada Dual meet in the 100m and the 4x100m relay. Her addition to Team Canada will give a challenge to Team China's women sprinters lead by YUAN Qiqi. 

Crystal Emmanuel from Toronto, ON      Photo:  Athletics Canada

Crystal who races regularly on the Diamond League circuit is a late addition to Team Canada by coach, Glenroy Gilbert. This will strengthen his team in the women’s 100m and 4x100m relay against Team China.  She is the Canadian record holder in the 200m.

Triple Olympic Medalist, Andre De Grasse will run 1on both nights      Photo: Athletics Canada

She will join the dynamic duo of Andre De Grasse and Aaron Kinglsey Brown who are the only 2 Canadians who have broken 10 seconds in the 100m and 20 seconds in the 200m. They will clash with Team China in the 100m, 400m, 4x100m and 4x400m relays for men and women for  a purse of $40,000 and the Pacific World Cup.  Andre and Aaron will run the 100m on the first evening and the 4x100m on the concluding night.

Aaron Kingsley Brown   photo: Athletics Canada

Team China Team Canada Team Sprint Challenge 

Tuesday evening

8:28pm 4x400m women-4 persons selected to run each leg on relay

Team China: HUANG Guifen, LIANG Nuo, HE Ke, PAN Gaoqin, CHENG Chong

Team Canada: Sage Watson, Aiyanna Stiverne, Alicia Brown, Madeline Price, Micha Powell, Travia Jones

8:36pm 4x400m men-4 persons selected to run each leg on relay

Team China: GUO Zhongze, MAO Guorong, WU Yu'ang, FENG Zhiqiang, PAN Haitao

Team Canada: Philip Osei, Khamal Stewart-Baynes, Austin Cole, Tremaine Harris, Daniel Harper

8:44pm 100m women-4 entries per team in the individual events

Team China: YUAN Qiqi, GE Manqi, LIANG Xiaojing, ZHOU Yanbing

Team Canada: Khamica Bingham, Leya Buchanan, Leah Walkeden, Farah Jacques, Whitney Rowe, Crystal Emmanuel

8:52pm 100m men- 4 entries per team in the individual events

Team China: XU Haiyang, MI Hong, XU Zhouzheng, LIANG Jinsheng, BIE Ge, MAO Guorong

Team Canada: Andre De Grasse, Aaron Brown, Bismark Boateng, Bolade Ajomale, Gavin Smellie, Sam Effah

Wednesday evening

8:34pm 400m women- 4 entries per team in the individual events

Team China: HUANG Guifen, LIANG Nuo, HE Ke, PAN Gaoqin, CHENG Chong

Team Canada: Sage Watson, Aiyanna Stiverne, Alicia Brown, Madeline Price, Micha Powell, Travia Jones

8:44pm 400m men- 4 entries per team in the individual events

Team China: GUO Zhongze, MAO Guorong, WU Yu'ang, FENG Zhiqiang, PAN Haitao

Team Canada: Philip Osei, Khamal Stewart-Baynes, Austin Cole, Tremaine Harris, Daniel Harper

8:52pm 4x100m women- 4 persons selected to run each leg on relay

Team China: YUAN Qiqi, GE Manqi, LIANG Xiaojing, ZHOU Yanbing

Team Canada: Khamica Bingham, Leya Buchanan, Leah Walkeden, Farah Jacques, Whitney Rowe, Crystal Emmanuel

9:00pm 4x 100m men-4 persons selected to run each leg on relay

Team China: XU Haiyang, MI Hong, XU Zhouzheng, LIANG Jinsheng, BIE Ge, MAO Guorong

Team Canada: Andre De Grasse, Aaron Brown, Bismark Boateng, Bolade Ajomale, Gavin Smellie, Sam Effah

Scoring system

Men and Women

100m, 400m -4 entries per team

Scored 1st(8), 2nd(7), 3rd(6), 4th(5), 5th(4), 6th(3), 7th(2), 8th(1)

4x100m and 4x400m -1 entry per team

Scored 1st(16) 2nd(8)

Winner: 

Country with highest points, men’s and women’s combined receives Pacific World Cup

First $30,000 second $10,000

The Jerome events will start at 6:30pm on Tuesday and 6:10pm on Wednesday.

The complete start list and schedule is available at www.harryjerome.com

It is recommended to purchase your tickets online to reduce the line up at the newly resurfaced track at Swangard Stadium.

Ticket Prices Vancouver Sun Harry Jerome Track Classic

Tickets For Adults, $45 For Both Days, $25 For A Single Day

Tickets For Youth (4-17 Years) $19 For Both Days, $11 For A Single Day

Tickets For Families, $96 For Both Days, $58 For A Single Day

Tickets For VIP Hospitality $115 For Two Days, $75 For One Day

Preferred Seating $75 For Two Days, $45 For One Day

Adult Group $16 A Day

Youth Group $9 A Day

All Ticket Packages are available at www.harryjerome.com

IS A MEET RECORD IN THE CARDS FOR NETTEY AT JEROME TRACK CLASSIC?

IS A MEET RECORD IN THE CARDS FOR NETTEY AT JEROME TRACK CLASSIC?

By Brian Pound

Burnaby—Surrey long jumper Christabel Nettey hopes to use the Vancouver Sun Harry Jerome International Track Classic at Swangard Stadium this coming Tuesday and Wednesday as a launching pad into a successful series of meets that will carry her through to September. 

Another repeat of 2015 would suit her just fine, too, thank you.

For Nettey that was a wonderful year as she established the Jerome long jump meet record of 6.86 metres and both the national indoor and outdoor records of 6.99 metres.

Christabel takes top spot          Photo:Athletics Canada

At the age of 27, Nettey would also like to return to the performance she had this March in Queensland at the International Classic. Her 6.92 jump is still tied for number two on this year’s IAAF world rankings, a spot she shares with Serbia’s Ivaba Spanovic. The current leader is Malaika Mihambo of Germany at 6.99 metres, ironically Nettey’s two national records. 

Since her Queensland showing, Nettey’s performances have been mixed, ranking from 6.60 to 6.84, but that latter mark gained her the gold medal at the Australian Commonwealth Games to go in her trophy case along with the gold medal from the Toronto Pan American Games one year earlier and the bronze from the 2014 Commonwealth Games. She just missed the podium at the 2015 IAAF world championships, her 6.95 jump earning her fourth place.

Photo:Athletics Canada

A five-time Canadian champion, Nettey said: “After Australia I was pretty exhausted but knowing that this season would be taking me well into September I continued to train just not as intensely, but I’m back on track and in sync and ready for what hopefully will be another breakthrough.”

Nettey’s main competition at the Jerome meet would appear to be American Kylie Price ( PB 6.77) and newly-crowned NCAA heptathlon champion from Langley Georgia Ellenwood, who will contest both the long jump and 100-metre hurdles.

The meet within a meet  will feature the Canada-China  Team Sprint Challenge for the Pacific World Cup. 

Will Greg Stewart launch a World Record Shot Put at Jerome Classic?

Dylan Armstrong mentors Greg Stewart in his specialty, the shot put  Photo:Brian Cliff

By GARY KINGSTON

Greg Stewart is excited about competing in his first Harry Jerome Track Classic on Tuesday where he will surely be looking forward to the opportunity to rub shoulders with the likes of Canadian Olympic sprint star Andre De Grasse.

“Of course, for me, it would be like rubbing hips to shoulders,” he says with a laugh over the phone from Kamloops.

No kidding. The Bunyanesque Stewart is a 7-foot-2, 320-pound behemoth who will tower over the 5-foot-9, 155-pound De Grasse, a triple medalist from the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics.

Stewart, who turns 32 in July, won’t be found on the Swangard Stadium track. But in a field discipline filled with men of enormous girth, the shot putter will still be easily identifiable in the circle, not only for his massive size, but for the fact he was born without an arm below his left elbow.

That makes Stewart, the CIS defensive player of the year in 2011 when he played basketball for Thompson Rivers University with a prosthetic he likened to a “giant ping-pong paddle,” eligible to compete in the F46 class of para-athletics.

And given the way he was progressed in his year in the sport, and under the tutelage of Dylan Armstrong, the 2008 Olympic bronze medalist from Kamloops, Stewart looks like a sure bet to soon become a world record-holder and a 2020 Paralympic medalist.

His throw of 15.80 metres in Phoenix on Sunday was a personal best -- it marked a nearly  two-metre increase in just one year -- and would have been good enough to win the F46 class gold medal at the 2017 Para-athletic world championships. It’s also just .18 off the world record held by American Josh Cinnamo.

“I was just hoping to go over 15 metres,” Stewart said, adding he was surprised when he launched a 15.27 on his first throw. “Then I went 15.67 and I was like ‘Whoa, what’s going on here?’ I was all jacked and amped.”

Armstrong says he and Stewart won’t be going to the Paralympic Games in Tokyo just to make the final, “we’re going to win.”

Diane Clement, co-founder of Achilles Track Society joins the Big Boys at the Harry Jerome Indoor Games presented by TELUS las twinter   Photo; Brian Cliff

Stewart is less willing to publicly discuss that forecast, preferring to focus on technique and fundamentals, his maturing level of commitment as an athlete and the self-empowerment journey he’s been on the last four years.

“I really don’t know (what I’m capable of),” he says. “I just know I’m capable of being committed. I showed myself that over the last nine months. I know I can have fun, I know I can be a human being with work and competing and all that. I can make it work.”

After bouncing post-graduation between different jobs and cities, including Calgary and Prince George, while also playing for the national sitting and standing disabled volleyball teams, Stewart re-settled in Kamloops five years ago. With the help of a brother who works in the self-improvement field, Stewart says he’s found “a better life.”

“I’ve done a lot of mental work, spent a lot of time on graphic integration. I do a lot with feelings and love and self. It’s probably one of the biggest reasons I’m where I’m at. My connection to self, to love . . . it’s changed my whole perspective in life.”

A chance meeting at a 2016 Christmas party with a wheelchair sports coach led him to a development camp for para sports. Last October, he began training under the now-retired Armstrong and his legendary Ukrainian-born coach Dr. Anatoli Bodnarchuk.

“I’m extremely grateful,” says Stewart. “There’s no question (Armstrong) has got a wealth of knowledge and Dr. B is there too.”

Armstrong says he’s not surprised at Stewart’s quick progression.

“He’s got the body. Having those kind of levers, he’s co-ordinated, he’s athletic. It works for him. He’s got the tools to be able to throw far. Sometimes, I go ‘Oh, wow,’ but that being said, I know the system I’m using has a proven track record. Dr. B did the same with me. I’m very, very familiar with what has to happen.”

Coach Dylan Armstrong knows the challenge of international competition

Photo: Brian Cliff

Armstrong says Stewart could hit the 16-metre mark this summer and “the sky’s the limit.”

Stewart says that after years of being involved in team sports, he’s enjoying the solitude of the shot-put circle, of focussing just on himself. “I’m definitely more committed than ever before.”

He never made a Paralympic Games with the volleyball teams, so to do so in 2020 would “mean almost everything . . . just to represent myself. And I’d be extremely grateful to represent the country.  It’s a tough spot right now, with all the things going on in the world. But we as Canadians, we are good people. To represent a country that is loving, caring and connected, I’m very humbled by it.”

As for the Jerome, where he will compete alongside able-bodied throwers, Stewart says he goes in without any expectations.

“I want to take it all in. I’m not going to break any record. I just want to gain the experience. It’s all so fresh. I’m a rookie really. I just want an opportunity to build on this athletic resume.”

Will Aaron Kingsley Brown be Canada's fastest sprinter at the China vs Canada Team Sprint Challenge during the Jerome Classic on June 26 and 27?

There’s a new generation of sprinters emerging in world athletics and Canada’s Aaron Brown is one of them.

It’s Saturday afternoon in Stockholm’s historic Olympic Stadium. All around the track athletes go through their final preparations ahead of competition day on Sunday. Everyone has their own routine. The mood is pretty relaxed, athletes joking with each other, taking pictures of the stadium, coaches giving final instructions, physios loosening muscles.

In one corner of the stadium, headphones in and almost in his own little world, is Canada’s Aaron Brown. The sprinter has arrived in Stockholm from Oslo, where he went under 20 seconds for 200m for the first time in his career. There’s a calmness to Brown’s movements – a mix between yoga and dynamic stretches.

As we sit down the same evening to talk, the same tranquillity lies in the 26-year-old’s voice. 

“I like to stay calm before the race,” says Brown. “I’m currently learning to play the piano. I love the piano, I love how it sounds. There are certain songs that really speak to me – I even listen to them when I warm up. Moonlight Senata, that’s one of the first songs I learnt how to play – a Beethoven song – or songs like Evanescence – My Immortal. It’s an array of songs that you maybe wouldn’t typically think I would know. Those type of songs keep me at peace and calm my spirit down.”

Once it gets to race day, the beat changes. “That’s when I go up-tempo, that’s when I want to be quick, fast paced.” Before that, Brown doesn’t want to be “too hyped” – over the years the former USC Trojan has learnt the hype-approach doesn’t work well

Full Story in Spikes Magazine Here

Aaron Kingsley Brown will be a leader for our country during the China vs Canada Team Sprint Challenge next week at the Jerome Classic  June 26 and 27 at Swangard Stadium.

4 Canadians from Team Canada vs 4 sprinters from Team China in the 100m, 400m, 4x100m and 4x400m relays ffor men and women will face off for the Pacific World Cup and $40,000 purse.

Team Canada lines up like this

From top left Aiyanna Stiverne, Sage Watson, Micha Powell, Madeline Price, Travia Jones and Alicia Brown

Ticket Prices Vancouver Sun Harry Jerome Track Classic

Tickets For Adults, $45 For Both Days, $25 For A Single Day

Tickets For Youth (4-17 Years) $19 For Both Days, $11 For A Single Day

Tickets For Families, $96 For Both Days, $58 For A Single Day

Tickets For VIP Hospitality $115 For Two Days, $75 For One Day

Preferred Seating $75 For Two Days, $45 For One Day

Adult Group $16 A Day

Youth Group $9 A Day

All Ticket Packages are available at www.harryjerome.com

Marco Makes Mark at NCAA's on move to Jerome Track Classic June 26 and 27

Marco Arop of Edmonton exploded 10 days ago representing Mississippi State University in Nashville, TN  at the NCAA Championships with an outdoor personal best of 1:45.25 in the 800m. This Edmontonian won the Canadian U20 800m gold medal in Ottawa and then took the Pan Am U20 silver in Peru last summer. This 1.91m  and 75kg  relative newcomer to track ended the outdoor season in 2017 with personal bests of 1:47.08 in the 800m and 47.65 in the 400m. Now as a 20 year old he has moved down to 47.39 and 1:45.25

His NCAA mark ranks him 2nd in the world list in the 800m for 20 year olds this season.  Will he provide a challenge for reigning Canadian Champion Brandon McBride of Windsor who ironicly graduated from Mississippi State University one year ago?

At the Jerome Classic Marco will compete against Olympian, Anthony Romaniw of Guelph, ON and a host of runners from China and the USA

Anthony Romaniw at PanAms 2015

800m Men International

1. Matt Palmer USA 1:51.40

2. LI Jinshuai Henan 1:49.93

3. Adam Paul Morris CAN 1:49.82

4. Marco Arop CAN 1:45.25

5.Anthony Romaniw CAN 1:45.60

6.a Isaiah Jewett USA 1:47.33

6b Tyler Smith CAN 1:47.22

 7a Hans Roelle USA 1:49.22

7b Daniel Block CAN 1:49.58

Marco now lives in Edmonton, AB after Arop’s parents came from the Sudan. In 1983, the Second Sudanese Civil War broke out. As a result, Arop’s parents were forced to flee and eventually settled Canada. 

Marco Arop wins Canadian U20 gold in 2017

Marco at 6'4" was initially focussed on basketball but Ron Thompson, a coach with Voléo Athletic Club, said “He was tall. He was fast,” Thompson recalled. “He was more a 400-meter type runner with speed and endurance.” After his silver medal at the PanAm U20 800m in Peru last summer, the offers from US universities began. “I’ve never trained for anything like track and field,” Arop said. “That was a big change from before. We did a lot of hill workouts and weightlifting, which I’d never done before.”

He started at Mississippi State University in January 2018.  “As soon as track came I saw better opportunities arising,” Arop said. “I thought it’d be a better choice for me.”

Thompson is confident his runner will ascend to an even higher level among world-class competitors. It’s a bold proposition for a relative newcomer to the sport, and adds excitement to see what may come.”

“I just had the will to get better every day,” Arop said. “I think that’s been pushing me forward. I think it will continue for years to come.”

He will be competing in the Vancouver Sun Harry Jerome Track Classic for the first time with a host of international performers.  The feature of the 2 evening event will be the contest between China and Canada in the Team Sprint Series. On Tuesday the 4x400m relays for men and women plus the 100m men and women for China and Canada will close the evening. On Wednesday the 400m for men and women plus the 4x100m men and women will conclude the contest for the Pacific World Cup and the $40,000 purse. 

CANADA’S NEWEST TRACK AND FIELD STAR TO COMPETE AT VANCOUVER SUN HARRY JEROME CLASSIC

CANADA’S NEWEST TRACK AND FIELD STAR TO COMPETE AT VANCOUVER SUN HARRY JEROME CLASSIC

BY BRIAN POUND

Langley’s Georgia Ellenwood recently graduated with honors from University of Wisconsin but before she left she presented her school with a historic gift, UW’s first NCAA Heptathlon championship. The heptathlon is a gruelling event featuring seven events over two days with a points formula awarded based on individual performances.  Georgia is bringing that talent to the Vancouver Sun Harry Jerome International Classic June 26-27 at Burnaby’s Swangard Stadium.

She will compete in two events, the 100-metre hurdles and the long jump. It will not take her long to introduce herself to the audience, the long jump is the third event on opening night. The 100-metre hurdles is the first event on the second night.

A six-time All-American, Georgia captured the NCAA heptathlon with 6,146 points, not far off her personal best of 6,173, the Big Ten Conference record for the event. 

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“I think I’m still processing the whole thing and it doesn’t really feel like I won yet,” she said. “I think it hasn’t really sunk in yet. I know so many great heptathletes who have come through this program and to know that I’m one of them and I’m the best one that’s come through Wisconsin hasn’t really hit me yet.”

The NCAA victory capped a historic career for Georgia who won three Big Ten Conference titles and qualified for the national championships every year she competed. She is the number ten ranked performer in NCAA history in the heptathlon.

“I decided to compete in the hurdles and long jump at the Jerome” she said, “because I have been running consistently well in the hurdles so  this meet will help maintain the speed and technique that I’ve developed in that event. I rarely compete in the open long jump so I think competing in that event will give me an opportunity to see where I’m at, and hopefully to get six jumps instead of three.”

Georgia jumped a winning wind-aided 6.04m on her first jump at the NCAA finals. Her time in the hurdles was 13.60 seconds.

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This will mark Georgia’s second appearance at the Jerome meet. “I competed in the Harry Jerome meet in my last year of high school (grade 12). I believe I placed second in both the high jump and long jump, with a PB at that time of 1.78 in the high jump.”

As to the future following the Jerome meet? “The only competition I will be participating in is the Pan Am Combined events Cup in Ottawa July 3 and 4, so competing at the Harry Jerome will help my preparation for that competition. As to the heptathlon I didn’t have a personal point goal this season because as soon as I put a number in my head I focus too much on it and forget to have fun in the process. But since I have scored close to 6,200 points twice this season that would be my next Hep total that I would hope to achieve.”

Georgia was an outstanding performer in the classroom, too. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology and was named the Big Ten Medal of Honor recipient from Wisconsin, an award given by the Conference each year to one male and female graduating student athlete (all sports) from each of the 14 schools who had demonstrated the best combined athletic and academic proficiency. There an estimated 10,000 student athletes competing in all sports in the Big Ten.

The Jerome meet is actually a meet within a meet, highlighted by the Canada-China Sprint Challenge for the Pacific World Cup. 

China vs Canada Team Sprint Challenge

Men’s and Women’s Teams: combined scoring 

for

Pacific World Cup

Prize Money:  1stteam $30,000 CAD    2ndteam $10,000 CAD

Men

100m, 400m -4 entries per team

Scored 1st(8) 2nd(7) 3rd(6) 4th(5) 5th(4) 6th(3) 7th(2) 8th(1)

4x100m and 4x400m -1 entry per team

Scored 1st(16) 2nd(8) 

Women

100m, 400m -4 entries per team

Scored 1st(8) 2nd(7) 3rd(6) 4th(5) 5th(4) 6th(3) 7th(2) 8th(1)

4x100m and 4x400m -1 entry per team

Scored 1st(16) 2nd(8)

Winner:

Country with highest points, men’s and women’s combined

Ticket Prices Vancouver Sun Harry Jerome Track Classic

Tickets For Adults, $45 For Both Days, $25 For A Single Day

Tickets For Youth (4-17 Years) $19 For Both Days, $11 For A Single Day

Tickets For Families, $96 For Both Days, $58 For A Single Day

Tickets For VIP Hospitality $115 For Two Days, $75 For One Day

Preferred Seating $75 For Two Days, $45 For One Day

Adult Group $16 A Day

Youth Group $9 A Day

All Ticket Packages are available at www.harryjerome.com

2018 Vancouver Sun Harry Jerome Track Classic Schedule and Start List-Tentative

Get your tickets now for Vancouver Sun Harry Jerome International Track Classic

The 35th Annual Vancouver Sun Harry Jerome International Track Classic is set for June 26 and 27 at the new track surface on Swangard Stadium.  This event will feature a unique innovation,  a 8 event dual meet with China's and Canada's national sprint teams. The winner of this Team Sprint Challenge of the fastest men and women in China and Canada will be awarded the Pacific World Cup.

The governing bodies from China and Canada, the CAA in Beijing and Athletics Canada in Ottawa have announced their 10 men and 10 women teams . This total of 40 athletes will contest the 100m, 400m plus the 4x100m and 4x400m relays over 2 days in conjunction with the normal Jerome events.

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Tickets were sold out almost a month in advance of last year's Jerome. It is advised that tickets should be bought soon, as many expect another sellout with the addition of the exciting dual meet concept.  Organizers are encouraging fans to wear the colours of their favourite team and wave their flags in support.

Sea of red and white support Canada

Details on Ticket Prices Vancouver Sun Harry Jerome Track Classsic

Tickets for Adults, $45 for both days, $25 for a single day

Tickets for Youth (4-17 Years) $19 for both days, $11 for a single day

Tickets for Families, $96 for both days, $58 for a single day

Tickets for VIP Hospitality $115 for both days, $75 for a single day

Preferred Seating $75 for both days, $45 for a single day

Adult Group $16 a day

Youth Group $9 a day

Tickets On Sale  at www.harryjerome.com

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Can the 2 minute barrier fall at the Jerome Classic in the women's 800m?

By GARY KINGSTON

BURNABY -- The two-minute mark. In track and field circles, it’s a symbolic number for the women’s 800 metres, a race that is seen as the ultimate test of speed and endurance.

Only five Canadian women have ever gone under 2:00, with Melissa Bishop being the current national record holder at 1:57.01. Bishop also holds the Harry Jerome Track Classic meet record at 1:58.79, which she set in 2016 in winning the event for the third time.

Lindsey Butterworth, a 26-year-old SFU grad, would love to put her name alongside the likes of Bishop, Diane Cummins and B.C.’s Jessica Smith and Fiona Benson by going under 2:00 at this year’s edition of the Jerome on June 27. She’s a little leery, however, about discussing the goal.

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“I don’t want to jinx it,” the North Vancouver, said with a laugh in a recent interview.

Butterworth is though edging ever closer, particularly after setting a personal best of 2:01:13 in winning the Festival of Miles 800 at St. Louis on May 31.

“I definitely feel like there’s more,” said Butterworth. “But it’s just continuing to not worry about time. Focussing on exact split times and trying to run a time, I can’t get mixed up with all the numbers and worry about that too much.

“If I focus on competing in every race, it will come from there. Hopefully, the Harry Jerome will be really good and then it’s on to nationals (the following week) and then Europe.”

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Justine Fedronic from France

The women’s 800 at the Jerome could be one of the most competitive races on the docket with France’s Justine Fedronic (1:59.86 personal best) in the field. Fedronic, who went to school at Stanford and who now trains in Seattle with Brooks Beat Track Club, has suffered through a litany of injuries over the years but took four months off at the end of last season “to do a hard reset,” said her coach Danny Mackey.

“She sent a lot of time rebuilding herself, doing a lot of yoga,” he said. “She looks good and is tracking better every week. She’s building for the French championships and needs a 2:00.60 (or better) to qualify for the European championships. Given the time of the year, anyone can pop off a good time.”

Jenna Westaway from Calgary, Alberta

Canadians Jenna Westaway (2:01.22) and Annie LeBlanc (2:01.56) and American Stephanie Brown (2:01.71) are also in the field.

Butterworth’s first dip below 2:02 at St. Louis, where she came from third place going into the final 250 metres, was a big step.

“Finally. I have been running 2:02 consistently and earlier (in the season) than I ever have. I knew a breakthrough was there. (Coach) Brit (Townsend) kept telling me to be patient and just go into every race and be ready to compete for the win.”

Butterworth said the transition from her collegiate career to pro track has been challenging. But while working the last year in student services at SFU, she feel like she’s got a consistent routine going, a good balance between work and training.

“I’ve definitely found my place, found the love for the sport and passion. It was just about finding new reasons to enjoy it and having new goals after university, going from competing for collegiate championships and the team to more competing for myself.”

Butterworth says she’s keen to run for the first time on the newly resurfaced track at Swangard Stadium, although, unlike others, she didn’t have any real problems with the old, worn surface.

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“I knew there was some patches on it . . . but I didn’t notice it to be that bad. I’ve run on that track pretty much all my life, right from elementary meets. This will be my ninth Jerome. It’s always a really good atmosphere, really gets the nerves flowing.”

The women’s 800 is the most controversial race in world track right now because of the presence of 27-year-old South African star Caster Semenya. The two-time Olympic champion is believed by many to have an unfair advantage because of her hyperandrogenism, which causes a person to produce high levels of male hormones, including testosterone.

Of the 26 sub-2:00 times run so far this year Semenya has four of the seven fastest, including a season-best 1:55.92. With her trademark strong burst over the final 100 metres, she seems eminently capable of beating the oldest record in track and field, Czechoslovakian Jarmila Kratochvilova’s 1983 mark of 1:53:28, which is widely considered to be a product of the systematic doping by Eastern Bloc countries.

Semenya, unbeaten in more than 30 races at 800 metres since 2015, has often eased up at the end of races with some speculating she is reluctant to break the record and thereby court more attention to the advantages of her powerful physique.

Under new IAAF regulations set to come into force in November, athletes like Smenya will have to take medication to lower their levels if they wish to participate in certain events, including the South African’s preferred 800 and 1,500-metre distances.

IT RUNS IN THE FAMILY: Micha Powell follows her mother to the Jerome Classic on June 26 and 27

"LIKE MOTHER, LIKE DAUGHTER" Micha Powell was named to Team Canada's roster for the China vs Canada Team Sprint Challenge set for the 35th Vancouver Sun Harry Jerome Track Classic at Swangard Stadium on Tuesday, June 26 and Wednesday June 27. Olympian, Rosey Edeh is the Canadian record holder in the 400m hurdles and daughter Micha Powell was 2016 Olympian in the 4x400m relay. Rosey competed in the Jerome Classic during the 1980's. Micha will return from competing in Europe to join her Canadian team mates for the Jerome Classic.

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Micha and father interview in Ostrava 

The Canadian Olympic Committee reported "Micha Powell has plenty of athletic pedigree. Her mother Rosey Edeh is a three-time Olympian and the Canadian record holder in the 400m hurdles. Her father Mike Powell is a two-time Olympic silver medallist for the United States and the world record holder in the long jump. But the younger Powell only began running track competitively in her senior year of high school. She now holds the University of Maryland records for the 400m both indoors and outdoors and was named a Second Team NCAA All-American for her 2016 indoor season. Powell first represented Canada at the 2015 NACAC meet. She ran a personal best 51.97 seconds in the 400m at the NCAA East Regional in May 2016. Powell was named to the 2016 Olympic team as part of the 4x400m relay ......"

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Aiyanna Stiverne, Sage Watson, Micha Powell, Madeline Price, Travia Jones and Alicia Brown clockwise from upper left corner 

Micha will join team mates on June 24 in preparation to compete in the 4x400m on Tuesday night and 400m on Wenesday night and will face strong competition from Team China lead by CHENG Chong, PAN Gaoqin, HE Ke and LIANG Nuo

Aaron Brown: Breaks 20 seconds on his way to China vs Canada Team Sprint Challenge on June 26 and 27 at Swangard Stadium

Aaron Brown of Toronto became the 3rd Canadian ever to break the 20 second barrier in the 200m at the Oslo Diamond League this week with his second place mark of 19.98(1.0) just behind Turkey's World Champion Ramil Guliyev's 19.90.

He said on Twitter "19.98! Can someone get this monkey off my back?! Been a LONG time coming, thank you for all the love and support. Thank you Oslo! Next stop: Stockholm @Diamond_League @AthleticsCanada

Aaron told Doug Harrsion CBC Sports ""I really like to analyze things and sometimes I second-guess myself," said Brown. "It's not really so much the competition as it is my training. Sometimes, I trained too much and wasn't fully rested for a race and that would make me second-guess myself. But I've been in better sync with my coach this year, getting to the point that I'm confident for every race." See full article here

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Aaron Brown 

Aaron, a University of Southern California graduate took the silver medal in this event at the recent Commonwealth Games in the Gold Coast, Australia.  His mark moves him to the 6th place ranking on the IAAF world list for 2018. The 26 year old won the bronze medal for Canada at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games in the 4x100m relay.

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Aaron Brown will race in the China vs Canada Team Sprint Challenge at the 35th Vancouver Sun Harry Jerome Track Classic set for June 26 and 27 at the newly laid Rekortan M99 track surface at Swangard Stadium in Burnaby, BC. He and team mate Andre De Grasse are both graduates of the University of Southern California and vital members of Canada's 4x100m bronze medal team at the 2016 Rio Olympics.  Aaron has personal bests of 9.96(2.0) in the 100m and 200m in 19.98(1.0), just shy of Andre's 9.91(0.2) and 19.80(-0.3).

Aaron Brown

Aaron is expected to run the 100m on Tuesday night, June 26 and the 4x100m on Wednesday night, June 27. Team Canada will face the 2015 World Championhip silver medal 4x100m team from China in the Team Sprint Challenge for the Pacific World Cup.

Ticket Prices Vancouver Sun Harry Jerome Track Classic

Tickets For Adults, $45 For Both Days, $25 For A Single Day

Tickets For Youth (4-17 Years) $19 For Both Days, $11 For A Single Day

Tickets For Families, $96 For Both Days, $58 For A Single Day

Tickets For VIP Hospitality $115 For Two Days, $75 For One Day

Preferred Seating $75 For Two Days, $45 For One Day

Adult Group $16 A Day

Youth Group $9 A Day

All Ticket Packages are available at www.harryjerome.com