REDS Sweep Men's 1500M Podium

(MONCTON, NB) Jillian Langille’s double-gold medal day and a REDS’ sweep of the medal podium in the men’s 1500-metres were UNB highlights on the second day of competition at the Atlantic University Sport Track & Field Championships, in Moncton.

Langille won the women’s 60-metres in a time of 7.66 seconds before helping REDS teammates Katrina Stefaniuk, Peighton Johnson, and Shelby MacIsaac win the women’s 4-by-400-metre relay.

“Throughout the season my races and times have been consistent, and I’m pleased with the results today,” said Langille. “I’m looking forward to pushing for faster times at the U SPORTS Championships.”

In the men’s 1500, Mitchell Kean finished first in a time of 3:53.72, fractions of a second ahead of teammates Jared Howse (3:53.94) and William Boyle (3:54.28).

“The conference is very talented in the event, so it’s never easy,” said Kean. “We took turns making moves and pushing one another like we do in training. Crossing the finish line and seeing that we’d finished 1-2-3 was so exciting. That doesn’t happen too often and doing it alongside some of your best friends was special.”

UNB’s Oliver Arnfast captured the gold medal in the men’s heptathlon, recording a score of 4354 points, more than 600 points better than runner-up Tristan Sutherland, from Saint Mary’s.

“On the men’s side, day two went to script in almost every way,” said REDS’ head coach Chris Belof. “It was a positive way to cap off our conference championships.”

MacIsaac earned her second medal of the day with a second place finish in the women’s 600-metres while Emily Doucet took bronze in the women’s 1500-metres.

“Jillian and Shelby really stepped up to lead the day,” said Coach Belof. “Our women had a solid second day, capped by that amazing 4-by-400 win.”

“I’m so proud of our team and what we’ve accomplished,” said Langille, of the relay win. “Everyone played a part and executed the way we wanted to and doing exactly what we set out to do.”

Julia LeBlanc was second in the women’s long jump and Thomas Vickers grabbed the bronze medal in the men’s weight throw.

The Dalhousie Tigers won both the women’s and men’s overall team titles.

The Tigers won the women’s title with 167 points, followed by UNB with 77, and Memorial with 50. Dal won the men’s title with 136 points. UNB was second with 73 and Saint Mary’s was third with 59.

Howse was named the AUS male Track Athlete of the Year.

The U SPORTS Track and Field Championships take place March 7-9 at the University of Manitoba, in Winnipeg.

RECAP BY: Andy Campbell/UNB Athletics

PHOTOS BY: Normand Leger/for U de Moncton Athletics