Track and field athletes from across Canada will converge on Winnipeg today for the start of a three-day championship at the University of Manitoba.
The best university competitors in the country will meet at the 2012 CIS Track and Field Championships being held at the Max Bell Fieldhouse. It’s the first time the U of M has hosted the meet since 2005.
The Manitoba Bisons go into the championship unranked and are still a young cycle.
“I was worried at the beginning of the season but pleased that we have 12 male athletes at the CIS,” said Bison head coach Claude Berube. “This is a great opportunity for our young team to be a part of a CIS National environment at home and would like to see a Top 10 finish from the men’s side.”
Nine Bison athletes (two female and seven male) of the 22 on the team will compete at the championship for the first time in their athletic career.
The Bisons have the best chance are picking up medal hardware in the relays. In the latest CIS rankings, the Bison men’s 4×200 relay team is ranked eighth (1:29.60), Bison men’s 4×800 relay team is ranked ninth (7:44.92) and Bison men’s 4×400 relay team is ranked tenth (3:21.07).
Competition will get underway at 2 p.m. with the women’s weight throw. The meet concludes Saturday afternoon with the 4x400m relays at 4:15 p.m.
The University of Windsor Lancers will compete with the accomplish of being last year’s champions and will hope to sweep the team banners for a second straight year. It would be the fourth consecutive CIS title for the Lancers if they overcome the competition again. Two weeks ago, Windsor “three-peated” as OUA champion thanks to a 13-point lead over Western.
A schedule of events with updated results can be found on the CIS website.
