Reds 2nd Team At AUS Championships

(MONCTON, NB) The 2019 Subway Atlantic University Sport Track and Field Championships came to an exciting end for the UNB Reds.

At the post-event awards banquet, four Reds were honoured.

Lexie Shannon was named the female field athlete of the year.

Erin McCavour was named female rookie of the year.

Eric Hughes was named male rookie of the year.

Reds head coach Chris Belof was named men's track and field coach of the year.

"Eric Hughes getting men's rookie of the year was great to see," said Belof. "He's been a threat in the conference since day one and will only continue to get better."

In competition, the second and final day of events was a productive one for UNB.

McCavour and teammate Victoria LeBlanc finished first and second in the women's long jump.

"Our women's jumps program has been dominant this year," said Belof. "It's been great to see them grow as a group. Coach Carl McIntosh has done an outstanding job with their development and we continue to build around this core group of very talented women. The AUS Championships were a great opportunity for this group to showcase all the hard work they've put in over the past year."

Brandon Cleghorn and Ryan Olson finished first and second in the men's high jump.

Cleghorn also earned a bronze medal in the men's triple jump, while Olson took bronze in the men's pole vault.

"Brandon has been outstanding. He steps up in big meets and did it in a huge way for us this weekend," said Belof. "Three events and three medals. To have Brandon get those performances in his fifth year, at the biggest meet of the season, is very special."
Jarod Manuel won the men's weight throw, with a personal best of 16.06 metres, while teammate Thayne Hebb finished third.

For Manuel, it was his second gold of the weekend, following Friday's victory in the shot put.

"Jarod has been building to this meet for 364 days," said Belof. "His silver and bronze last year were certainly a point of contention that he wanted to improve on. Coach Mark Sheehan has done a great job with our men's throws group, especially managing Jarod's season." 

Michael Colford ran third in the men's 1500 metres.

Micah Hesman was third in the men's heptathlon.

And UNB ran to a bronze medal in the men's 4 X 200 metre relay.

Overall, UNB finished second in the men's standings and third in the women's standings.

"It was a great weekend for both teams," said Belof. "The men were very close to winning the team title. It's very exciting to be a part of such a well-rounded team and great staff."
A number of Reds will now move on to compete at the U SPORTS Track and Field Championships, March 7-9, at the University of Winnipeg.

PHOTOS: U de M Athletics