Pickering's Speed Academy sends 11 to podium

Club members turn in a number of personal bests

EDMONTON — The Speed Academy had a number of its athletes turn in outstanding performances at the Canadian track-and-field championships in Edmonton.

The Pickering-based club had 11 podium finishes and six top-eight finishes at nationals.

Leading the way was Andre De Grasse, who won gold in the 100m, setting a personal best time of 9.95. De Grasse is on quite a roll heading into the Pan Am Games, having won the 100m and 200m at the NCAA championships as a member of the USC Trojans track team.

Other members of the club who turned in strong results were: Matthew Leliever, junior 400m gold; Leya Buchanan, junior 100m and 200m gold‎, setting new personal best times; Taylor Sharpe, junior 400m silver; Joshua Cunningham, 400m silver;  Mariam Abdul-Rashid, junior 400m hurdles silver; Maya Stephens, junior 100m silver, new personal best, 200m 8th; Daijha Heron, junior triple jump silver, new personal best, long jump bronze; Emma Li, junior pole vault bronze; Brittany Vernon, junior long jump 4th; Micah Peters, junior triple jump 4th; Ingvar Mosley, 110m hurdles 4th, new personal best; Shemar Hines, junior triple jump 8th.

 

Canada's Morales Williams riding with confidence as NCAA indoor 400m champion Morales Williams riding success with confidence.

Christopher Morales Williams

Christopher Morales Williams, of Vaughan, Ont., is seen in action for the University of Georgia during the NCAA Southeastern Conference indoor championships, in Fayetteville, Ark., in a Sunday, Feb. 25, 2024, handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-University of Georgia, Wesley Hitt, *MANDATORY CREDIT* GAC

The switch flipped for Christopher Morales Williams in the time of the 2023 outdoor season.

Last spring, the runner from Vaughan, Ont., learned to control his negative thoughts, discovered that it was OK to feel nervous before races, and built his confidence.

Morales Williams credits the change in philosophy for the recent addition of NCAA national champion to his growing resume.

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