EDMONTON – It was another big weekend for the University of Calgary Dinos track & field program, winning an impressive nine events over two days of action at the annual Golden Bear Open hosted by the University of Alberta inside the Butterdome.
Sienna MacDonald grabbed the early headlines as she put forward one of the best pentathlon performances in U SPORTS history. Powered by jaw-dropping performances in the 60m hurdles (8.19 seconds) and long jump (6.49m), MacDonald finished with a personal-best score of 4373 points – a mere 13 points shy of the Calgary and U SPORTS record of 4386 points set by head coach
Jessica Zelinka back in 2007.
That score is by far the best in the country so far and breezes past the U SPORTS standard of 3702 to automatically qualify her for a berth to nationals.
In the men's heptathlon,
Jaxon Turner finished up the two days of action with 4666 points to earn a bronze medal.
It was another big weekend for the Dinos throwers.
Tristan Friesen picked up the win in shot put with another big PB of 16.47m – punching his ticket to nationals.
Matthew Minchin followed that lead in weight throw, uncorking a toss of 17.22m – a new personal best by nearly a full metre. That now ranks him tops in Canada West so far this season and ranks him fifth nationally.
Michael Akintunde continued to make strong early impressions, as he brought home the gold medal in long jump with a leap of 7.30m on his final approach to earn the win. That mark now ranks him second in U SPORTS thus far this season and equals the program record set by Scott Kimmins back in 1999.
Also in jumps,
Sierra Sweeney had a big showing in triple jump – with her second approach measuring 11.53m to see her finish third overall on the day.
Danae MacKenzie also brought home a bronze medal, clearing 3.43m in pole vault.
The Dinos took three of the top four spots in men's high jump.
Noel Vanderzee floated over the bar at 2.08m for the win, while
Dominic Anamali (1.97m) finished third and
Colby Sych (1.92m) was fourth.
It was a strong weekend for the Dinos mid-distance crew, with the women's 600m leading the way with a 1-2 finish.
Tatum Wade picked up the win in 1:28.92, while
Csenia Irvin claimed silver in 1:36.07. Wade still holds the U SPORTS top time in the event, while Irvin now ranks 10th nationally with that PB.
Ethan Meyer led a host of Dinos in the men's 1000m, crossing the line first in 2:25.75.
Max Cook finished runner up in the 1500m in 3:58.40, while
Sam Prezio placed fourth in the 3k in 8:48.93.
Calgary nearly swept the 300m, with
Georgia Oland racing to the win in 38.88 – the second-fastest time in the nation, thus far. Meanwhile,
Ethan Parnetta clocked in at 34.64 on the men's side to earn a bronze medal in the loaded field.
The Dinos' relays also did well in Edmonton, led by the women's 4x800m crew that brought home the win.
Up next, the Dinos return to the Jack Simpson Gym for their final home meet of the season, hosting the annual Dinos Classic next Sunday.
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