AUS Championship Preview: Tigers look to add to track and field legacy

Dalhousie shooting to continue track and field dominance

By Corey LeBlanc

(MONCTON, N.B)  – The final countdown is on to the race for conference supremacy this weekend that will feature 263 student-athletes, with Université de Moncton set to host the 2024 Atlantic University Sport (AUS) Track and Field Championships, presented by Bell, on Friday, Feb. 23 and Saturday, Feb. 24, at CEPS Louis J. Robichaud Fieldhouse.

“It is super exciting – we are looking forward it,” Steve LeBlanc, Moncton track and field head coach, said, noting it is expected to be one of the largest championships – in terms of competitors – in AUS history.

Noting that organizers expect some “national-level performances,” LeBlanc added that the university and its athletic department can’t wait to welcome the best from the AUS.

He quipped that Moncton has “a bit of experience” hosting the finale of the track and field season, considering the university once carried out those duties for 35 consecutive years.

“It is going to be a lot of fun,” LeBlanc said.

The Dalhousie Tigers are, once again, favoured to take home team gold. The Black and Gold women are seeking their 35^th consecutive conference crown, while the men are shooting for a 21^st banner in 22 seasons.

Although the Tigers are primed to defend, veteran head coach Rich Lehman noted that they know it is not going to be easy.

“We have titles to defend – that’s a goal for both [women and men],” he said.

Lehman described the gold-medal streak for the Dal women as “pretty impressive,” offering that the pressure to maintain that standard increases with each passing season.

“It becomes a little bit more of a chore,” he added.

Nevertheless, Lehman noted, if his women’s side “performs to their ability,” they should repeat as AUS champions.

“It will be pretty exciting,” he offered of an anticipated battle with UNB for the 2024 conference crown.

On the women’s side, the UNB Reds and STFX X-Women, second and third respectively in 2023, will be vying to knock the Tigers off the top of the podium.

Les Aigles Bleues, meet hosts, Memorial SeaHawks, UPEI Panthers, Cape Breton University Capers, Saint Mary’s Huskies and Acadia Axewomen round out the field.

“They continue to make huge strides,” Lehman offered of the Reds – his program’s “main competitors” on both the women’s and men’s sides.

Although they compete solely in the distance races, he explained the X-Women are “so strong” that they outdistance some of the other programs in the battle for medals.

On the men’s side, the Saint Mary’s Huskies and UNB Reds, second and third respectively in 2023, will be trying to make a move in the standings.

Les Aigles Bleus, Memorial, STFX, UPEI and Cape Breton will be the other varsity teams in the meet.

“They have filled out nicely,” Lehman said of the Huskies, who shot to silver last year on their throwing strength.

He added that Moncton has the “best program,” when it comes to multi-events; not to mention likely the top athlete in the meet – women or men – in thrower Sam Bourque.

UNB head coach Chris Belof described Dalhousie as the “prohibitive favourites” to repeat as AUS champions.

“They continue to be the standard we all measure ourselves against, and [they] do an outstanding job of recruiting and developing talent,” he offered.

Belof also noted the ongoing development of every program in the conference.

“It is exciting to see how the AUS has progressed over the past few years,” he added, offering that depth in many events has “improved dramatically.”

When it comes to the Reds, he expects some strong individual performances, which will contribute greatly to his women and men – as has been the norm in recent seasons – reaching the medal podium.

“We carried our momentum into the track and field season,” Eric Gillis, STFX head coach, offered of a 2023 cross country season highlighted by a bronze-medal finish for the X-Women at the U SPORTS championship meet.

Although they only field student-athletes in the distance races, their depth and talent – as Lehman offered – will keep them in the hunt for the podium, particularly the X-Women.

Gillis noted that the X-Women have a “shot” at capturing a team medal, while the X-Men have an “outside shot.”

“We are going to be ready to go,” he added.

Although a “small school,” LeBlanc expects his women and men to vie for medals.

“It is a comfortable environment for us,” he offered, when asked if his student-athletes will benefit from competing at their home venue.

Noting how the noise from the fans is “next level,” LeBlanc said his group – like the other programs – should feed off that energy.

“It is going to be exciting,” he added.

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 live at www.AUStv.ca.

AUS student-athletes who qualify this weekend—or have already reached the required standard—will move on to the 2024 U SPORTS Track and Field Championships, hosted by the University of Manitoba, at the James Daly Fieldhouse in Winnipeg, from March 7-9.

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