Women
The women are looking to claim their 28th straight AUS conference title, and have had a number of strong performances through the first four meets of the season.
It’s been business as usual for fourth-year jumper Macayla Cullen and fifth-year distance runner Colleen Wilson, both of whom were AUS all-stars last year.
Cullen has had numerous podium finishes, including first place in high jump during the first meet of the season, the Athletics Nova Scotia Last Chance Meet, as well as second place in the most recent meet, the McGill Team Challenge, which took place January 27-28 at McGill. She also placed first in the open category of long jump at the Athletics Nova Scotia Indoor Open, held on January 21.
Wilson has been tearing up the track, placing first in the 1500 metre open category at the Indoor Open as well as second in the 3000 metre at the Team Challenge.
Two rookies have also stepped up for Dalhousie, with sprinter/hurdler Maya Reynolds and jumper Megan Beamish taking the conference by storm.
Reynolds is currently ranked first in the conference in both the 60 metre hurdles and 60 metre dash, and has taken home first place on three separate occasions this season.
Beamish is currently ranked third in the conference in the triple jump, and has already claimed first in five separate events on the year, three in the junior category of long jump and two in the junior category of triple jump.
Men
With a well-rounded roster, the men look well on their way to claiming a third straight AUS banner and are currently ranked eighth in the nation, with 34 total points.
The team has been led by their jumpers, fifth-year Jordan Bruce, fourth-year Devin Errington and first-years Kaelen Schmidt and Dennie d'Entremont. Last season’s AUS track athlete and rookie of the year, sprinter/hurdler Matt Coolen, has also picked up where he left off last year.
Bruce, a U SPORTS bronze medallist and AUS all-star last season, has been dominant, securing event wins in all four meets thus far, with two first-place finishes in both the long jump (open category) and triple jump.
Errington, another AUS all-star from last season, has claimed first in the open category of high jump on two separate occasions, once at the Last Chance Meet, and again at the Indoor Open.
Schmidt has been just as impressive, with three high jump victories to his name in the junior category, as well as two in the long jump, while d’Entremont is right beside him with a number of top-three placings.
Coolen, who was fourth in the 60 metre hurdles at last year’s national championship, displayed his abilities at the Last Chance Meet, securing first place in both the 60 metre and 60 metre hurdle events, and also had a strong showing at the Team Challenge, placing in a tie for seventh out of 72 competitors.
The Tigers are back in action this Saturday at the Saint Mary’s Open at the Canada Games Centre. It’s the last meet before the AUS championships in Moncton, N.B.