view . fall 2009
27
Lancer Track and Field standout
Derek Watkins bested
an Olympian to capture his first gold medal at the 2009
Canadian Track and Field National Championships in
Toronto this summer.
The native of Ottawa
tied his personal best by
clearing 2.18 metres to win
the men’s high jump ahead
of Olympian Michael Mason,
who had to settle for the
bronze by clearing 2.15
metres.
“It finally came together
at the right time,” said
Watkins. “It’s been a really
good year and this was a
really big situation for me at
nationals.”
Earlier this year, Watkins
won the CIS Men’s High
Jump title, helping his
Lancer team capture the CIS
National Championship.
Competing at national seniors for the fourth time, he
had never finished higher than third.
“Beating an Olympian was a great feeling,”
added Watkins.
His efforts have likely earned him a spot on Canada’s
team for the Francophone Games, which are set for
September 27-to-October 6 in Lebanon.
“I’ll have to check with Coach Lumley to see how
everything fits together with our schedule, but it would
be a great honour to be on
another national team,”
Watkins said.
Teammate and Lancer
grad Osi Nriagu BComm ’05,
BEd ’07 could also be
looking at a spot at the
Francophone Games after
earning his first medal at
national seniors.
Nriagu grabbed a bronze
medal in the men’s long
jump, with a personal best of
7.53 metres.
“I’m obviously really
happy with the result,” said
Nriagu. “I almost called it
quits last year. It was a
last-minute decision to
keep going.”
He took the lead with his 7.53 effort on his first jump,
though he was eventually passed by Brian Chibudu, who
won gold at 7.63 metres.
“Everyone was jumping further and further,” Nriagu
said. “Getting a medal against the best long jumpers in
Canada is all I can ask for.”
WATKINS DEFEATS OLYMPIAN, CAPTURES GOLD AT
CANADIAN CHAMPIONSHIPS
LANCER
NEWS
SCORE BOARD
–
What’s been happening with your teams, events and celebrations.
Get the latest on the Lancers by visiting
By Elisa Mitton BComm ’05
Track and Field star Derek Watkins.
