Written by Thomas Scott

The Dalhousie Tigers wrap up another season, tallying a 21st AUS title in the last 22 seasons.

Heading into the conference championship, hosted by the UNB Reds, as heavy favourites, Dal lived up to expectations.

On day one, Dal achieved three gold medals. Jacob Benoit won the 3000m, Matt Aftanas winning the 300m and Nick Beaulieu winning the long jump. The Tigers tallied another seven medals on the day, leading all schools with 65 points.

Dal looked to close the deal the next day. With gold medals from Dan Lord, the championship MVP, in the 600m, Jojo Swaniker in the 60m and Tobi Oshikoya in the triple jump, Dal took home the AUS title.

The Tigers also received gold in the 4x400m relay, led by Aftanas, Lukas Rudaitis, Zach James, and Lord.

Adding another six medals on the day, Dal accomplished 136 points on the weekend, 63 more than the second place UNB REDS.

“We scored about 15 more points than what I thought was our best-case scenario,” says head coach Rich Lehman, this year’s AUS Coach of the Year.

Dan Lord was named the male championship most valuable athlete while Blake Marchand was named the rookie of the year and Rich Lehman was named coach of the year.

Then came nationals at the University of Manitoba from March 7-9.

Benoit finished fifth in the 3000m, qualifying as an event finalist. Jumper Skeets Greene placed sixth in the long jump, and first-year engineering major Blake Marchand placed seventh in the high jump. Marchand took home AUS Rookie of the Year this season. In the 4x800m relay, Rudaitis, Harmon Grimshaw-Surette, Lord, and Aidan Goslett placed seventh.

The Tigers went out with a bang on the final day of nationals as James won silver in the 600m race.

“We knew he had it. He was ready to perform and got it done on the day,” says Lehman. Adding to the accomplishment was Oshikoya placing seventh in the triple jump and the 4x400m relay team placing eighth. The Tigers finished 12th nationally on the weekend. For his silver medal performance, Zach James was named the co-male athlete of the year at Dalhousie. Ethan Dahr was named the Tiger of the year and Lehman was named Dalhousie’s coach of the year.