PREVIEW: 2025 Bell AUS Track and Field Championships get underway today in Saint John, N.B.

Dalhousie Tigers primed to defend conference crowns 

By Corey LeBlanc  

(SAINT JOHN, N.B.) The Dalhousie Tigers are ready to roar as they look to continue their dominance as conference champions in track and field. 

At the 2025 Bell Atlantic University Sport (AUS) Track and Field Championships this weekend at the Irving Oil Fieldhouse in Saint John, N.B., the Dalhousie women will be shooting for a 36th consecutive conference banner, while the men will be racing for a 22nd title in the past 23 seasons. 

"We are ready," Dalhousie head coach Rich Lehman said, noting that his student-athletes are "most importantly, healthy" heading into the annual title meet. 

On the men's side, he offered, their approach will be a little bit different with several Tigers likely to compete in only one race and one relay, rather than multiple disciplines. 

"We have a chance to do something nationally," Lehman said, in explaining the reason for that approach, added that being major players on the national stage is "something that doesn't happen every year." 

The Dalhousie men are ranked seventh in the U SPORTS Top 10. 

On the women's side, Lehman expects Abbi Gaudry (Windsor Junction, NS) – the 2024 AUS MVP – to be a heavy favourite to repeat as the pentathlon champion; not to mention her medal aspirations in the  high jump and hurdles.  

Chelsea MacIsaac (Greenfield, NS), the defending AUS Field Athlete of the Year, is ranked in the top four in Canada in both the weight and shot put events. 

"Our goal is always to defend [our championship], but it is getting a little bit harder every year," Lehman said. 

While crediting the UPEI Panthers for their steady improvement in recent seasons, he described their women's side as a "threat" to earn bronze this weekend.  

On the prowl  

UPEI associate head coach Damon MacDonald said the Panthers have "a chance to take a big step forward for the program as a whole, with the potential to establish ourselves as a top-three team in the conference." 

Helena Ikpotokin (Dublin, Ireland) – the top-ranked athlete in the 60 and 300m races for the conference this season – and Alaere Peterside (Opobo, Nigeria), who has already met the U SPORTS standard in the high jump, are expected to lead the program on the women's side. Bianca Boutilier (Charlottetown, PE) – the defending AUS 60m bronze medalist – and sprinter Carmen Seaman (North Wiltshire, PE) will also be key contributors in individual events and relays, while distance runners Stefania Angona (Brampton, ON) – along with twins Katie and Grace Richard (Charlottetown, PE) – are expected to be in the mix for the Panthers. 

On the men's side, MacDonald said Sidiki Diakite (Bamako, Mali) has the opportunity to compete for a medal in the 300m. He added the Diakite and freshman Daniel Onuwor (Lagos, Nigeria) should be medal contenders in the 60m, while Jeremy Norman (Charlottetown, PE) will try to finish his AUS career with a medal in the triple jump. Colin Blanchard (Charlottetown, PE) and Owen Headley (Charlottetown, PE) are expected to lead the UPEI relays in an effort to repeat their medal performances, while middle-distance runners Baleyon Wolfe (Onslow Mountain, NS) and Benji Dueck (Morden, MB) will be seeking strong performances on the conference stage.   

Seeing REDS 

As for the UNB REDS, who captured silver medals in both the women's and men's team competitions last season, they are excited for the championships according to head coach, Chris Belof.  

"[We are] looking to build on our 2024 championships and continue to improve our overall team scores. There are some great teams in our conference; as we continue to improve, so does the conference.  We're looking to finish on the team podium for both groups," he said. 

When asked who will lead the way for the REDS this weekend, Belof added, "We certainly have some great athletes on our team," noting that Jared Howse (Red Deer, AB) and Shelby MacIsaac (Riverview, NB) have achieved the standard for nationals and are ranked in U SPORTS for their respective events. 

Lexie Shannon (Richibucto Road, NB), who is ranked fifth in U SPORTS and the AUS record holder, will be seeking a triple jump medal in her final conference championship meet, while Christopher Grant (Truro, NS) and Ashley Morrow (Pilot Mount, MB) – leaders of the REDS' throwers – "will play a key role in our team score," according to Belof.  

First-year student-athlete Naomi Corwin (Victoria, BC) holds the top-seed in the pole vault, while Haley Angus (Amherst, NS) is ranked in both the long and triple jumps.  

Oliver Arnfast (Valley, NS) – a key leader on the men's side – will compete in the 60m hurdles, heptathlon and pole vault.    

Plenty of bite 

Heading into the AUS championships, the Saint Mary's Huskies – men's bronze medal winners in 2024 – are "focused on competing and doing our best," according to head coach Kevin Heisler, with an eye towards achieving seasonal and personal bests, which will put some student-athletes in the hunt for spots on the podium. 

"We expect to have some excellent performances," he said of opportunities to medal, particularly in the "power and speed" events – the strength of the Saint Mary's roster. 

The men's side – ranked third in the AUS – is expected to, once again, contend for a medal. 

"But, who knows?" Heisler mused, suggesting his Huskies could be second or fourth, depending on how the meet unfolds. 

Mason Dunlop (Middle Musquodoboit, NS) is the top-ranked athlete in the shot put for the conference; not to mention eighth in U SPORTS, while the 4X200m relay team is first in the AUS and 13th in the nation heading into championship weekend. Andy MacMullin (Boisdale, N.S.) is ranked first in the 300m, while Chad Smith (Halifax, N.S.) is the second-seeded 60-metre runner. 

On the women's side Raeden Black (London, ON) comes in as the second-ranked in the pentathlon, while Paralympic athlete Katie Pegg (Scarborough, ON) is a top contender in the shot put. 

Toeing the line  

In the final meet of the conference season – the SMU Open in Halifax – 80 per cent of the STFX X-Women and X-Men who competed achieved personal best times. 

"We have some great momentum heading into the AUS championships," STFX head coach Eric Gillis said. 

Even though STFX only competes in track events, the Antigonish native said the X-Women can "definitely" compete for a podium spot, while the depth of the X-Men's roster "bodes well" for a potential top-three finish.  

Leading the way for the X-Women will be Eileen Benoit (Windsor, NS), who has already achieved the national standard in the 3,000m, while Caden Lee (Richmond Hill, ON) and Caroline Ash (Newmarket, ON) are expected to be medal contenders in the 1,500m, where they have already established top-12 times. Ash has achieved the same in the 1,000m.    

Gillis also anticipates a strong showing for the X-Women in the 4X800m relay. 

For the X-Men, Brett King (Wolfville, NS) and Liam McCullagh (Toronto, ON) will be contenders in the 3,000 and 1,500m, respectively.  

The events  

Spectators will have the opportunity to watch the men compete in the 60m, 300m, 600m, 1000m, 1500m, 3000m, 60m hurdles (5 x 107 cm), 800m relay (4 x 200m), 1600m relay (4 x 400m), 3200m relay (4 x 800m), high jump, pole vault, long jump, triple jump, weight throw (35#), shot put (7.26kg) and heptathlon (60m, LJ, SP, HJ, 60mH, PV, 1000m). 

The women will compete in the 60m, 300m, 600m, 1000m, 1500m, 3000m, 60m hurdles (5 x 84 cm), 800m relay (4 x 200m), 1600m relay (4 x 400m), 3200m relay (4 x 800m), high jump, pole vault, long jump, triple jump, weight throw (20#), shot put (4kg) and pentathlon (60mH, HJ, SP, LJ, 800m). 

All championship events will be webcast at AUStv.ca  

AUS student-athletes who qualify this weekend—or have already reached the required standard—will move on to the 2025 Biosteel U SPORTS Track and Field Championships, hosted by the University of Windsor, at the Dennis Fairall Fieldhouse, from March 6-8.