Canada enjoys best NACAC ever

OTTAWA- Athletics Canada's entry at the NACAC (North American, Central American and Caribbean Athletics Association) under-23 Championships won an amazing 18 medals over the course of the three day competition this weekend in Guanajuato, Mexico. Canada's previous best event finish at this event was a haul of 17 medals at the 2010 edition held in the United States. The next edition of this event will take place in Kamloops, B.C., in 2014.

Gold

Tremaine Harris of Markham, Ont., turned in an outstanding performance taking the men's 200-metres in a personal best time of 20.22. Harris' time puts him third all time for Canadians in the 200-metres event.

Mélanie Blouin of Quebec, Que., won the woman's pole vault in a new NACAC U-23 Championship record of 4.36 metres. The men's 20 kilometre race walk was won by Evan Dunfee of Richmond, B.C., in 1:26:15. Rounding out the Canadian gold rush was Christabel Nettey of Surrey, B.C., in the women's long jump with a performance of 6.18 metres.

Silver

Annie LeBlanc of Repentigny, Que., won double silver with second place finishes in the women's 800 and 1500-metres in 2:05.61 and 4:24.97 respectively. Philip Osei of Toronto, Ont., claimed silver in the men's 400-metres in a personal best time of 45.51. In the men's 1500-metres Charles Philibert- Thiboutot of Quebec, Que., took second in a time of 3:52.00. Tiffany Perkins of Abbotsford, B.C., took silver with a best throw of 56.20-metres in the women's javelin. Michelle Theophille of Whitby, Ont., earned silver with a jump of 1.82-metres in the women's high jump.

Bronze

Taryn Suttie of Hanley, Sask., had a best toss of 16.22-metres in the women's shot put earning her a bronze medal. Taylor Stewart of London, Ont., came away with bronze in the men's long jump with a best jump of 7.50-metres. Rachel Francois of St Albert, Alta., finished just behind LeBlanc to win bronze in the 800-metres in 2:06.77. Crystal Emmanuel of Toronto, Ont., finished the women's 100-metres in third place in a time of 11.43 seconds.  Alana Kovacs of Barrie, Ont., threw 51.70-metres for bronze in the women's javelin.  In the women's 100-metre hurdles Ashlea Maddex of St Pascal-Baylon, Que., crossed the line in third place in 13.21 seconds. In the women's hammer throw Lauren Stuart of Smithers, B.C., finished in third place with a throw of 56.35-metres. Jessica Furlan of Regina, Sask., came away with bronze in the women's 3000-metres steeplechase in 10:51.26.