Ottawa, Ont. – With last night’s Aileen Meagher International Track Classic in the books, only one competition remains in the 2011 National Track League (NTL) series.  The Toronto International Track + Field Games & NTL Finale is set for this Wednesday July 13 at University of Toronto’s Varsity Centre.  The action packed Finale will be dripping with drama as points are doubled in the hotly contested NTL standings.     

NTL Standings – men

It’s a two horse race between Justyn Warner of Markham, Ont., and Bryan Barnett of Edmonton, Alta., in the 100-metres.  Warner sits atop the standings with 24 points to Barnett’s 12, however with 16 points on the line for the winner this NTL trophy race is far from over.  Added into the mix are Americans Walter Dix and Lerone Clarke of Jamaica who will both do their best to ensure the clock is stopped before the ten second mark.  

The 200-metres will come down to one of four men after Jared Connaughton of New Haven, P.E.I., won in Halifax last night.  Barnett and Warner will have a role to play in determining the NTL champion in the 200 as will Dontae Richards-Kwok of Mississauga, Ont.  Only two points in the standings separate the four men.

The TIMEX 1500-metres will be decided by Kyle Boorsma from Guelph, Ont., (11 points), Anthony Berkis of Oshawa, Ont., (8 points) and Peter Corrigan of Kamloops, B.C., (8 points).   Corrigan was the top Canadian finisher in Halifax last night (3rd overall), Boorsma was third (4th overall) at Harry Jerome and last night finished as the second fastest Canadian (4th overall).  

The NTL high jump trophy will be determined by two men, Mark Dillon of Toronto, Ont., and Derek Watkins of Windsor, Ont., are tied in first place with 14 points apiece.  The javelin is one of the most hotly contested disciplines with three men still in the NTL trophy race.   Scott Russell of Windsor, Ont., leads the way with 22 points just ahead of Kyle Nielsen from Langley, B.C., who has earned 16 points and Caleb Jones of Saint John, N.B., is in third with 14 points.

NTL Standings – women

Phylicia George from Markham, Ont., not only set a new personal best of 12.76 in her win last night, she also extended her lead in the 100-metre hurdles setting herself up nicely for Wednesday’s Finale.  George is in first place with 20 points ahead of Nikkita Holder from nearby Pickering, Ont., who is in second with 11 points.  Angela Whyte of Edmonton, Alta., is in third with 10 points and Perdita Felicien of Pickering, Ont., sits in fourth with 8 points.  A win by Perdita Wednesday would earn her 16 points and make the final standings very interesting.

Four women are within 5 points of each other in the 400-metres.  Adrienne Power of Halifax, N.S., leads with 16 points, ahead of Esther Akinsulie of Ottawa, Ont., and Ese Omene of White City, Sask., who both are at 14 points.  In fourth place is Amonn Nelson of Calgary, Alta., at 11 points.  This one is too close to call, their race on Wednesday evening will determine who takes the top prize home.

Lemlem Ogbasilassie of Montreal, Que., is the current leader in the RUNNING ROOM 800-metres with 14 points, just two points ahead of Karine Belleau-Beliveau also from Montreal.  Melissa Bishop of Eganville, Ont., is not out of the picture with 9 points and with a strong showing in the Finale could easily come from behind to take the NTL title in this event. Krysha Bayley of Edmonton, Alta., has a ten point lead over Ruky Abdulai of Coquitlam, B.C., in the long jump. 

Alice Falaiye from Brampton, Ont., is at five points but with 16 points on the line for the winner in Wednesday’s Finale all scenarios are still possible.   Crystal Smith of Creston, B.C., is in first place in the hammer throw having earned 17 points.  Hot on her heels are Sultana Frizell of Perth, Ont., (16 points), Megann Rodhe of Oakville. Ont., and Heather Steacy of Lethbridge, Alta., who both have 14 points.  Frizell is undefeated in NTL competition; another win on Wednesday would assure her the NTL hammer throw trophy. 

Complete NTL standings. For more information on Wednesday’s NTL Finale please visit www.nationaltrackleague.ca