by Cody Baugh

It was another successful year for the men’s track and field team, capturing their second straight AUS championship banner with 10 individual AUS titles. Jordan Bruce and Matt Coolen led the way and were virtually unbeatable all season long in the AUS.

Prior to the AUS and CIS championships, the Tigers had a healthy season of competition, competing in seven meets.

They kicked off the season at the ANS Open November 23 at the Canada Games Centre, where they won 12 individual events. Matt Coolen, Corey Conforzi, Chas Smith and Stephen Belyea each won two events at the meet.

After the Holiday break, the Tigers headed to the Jump Start Athletics Open in Moncton where Jordan Bruce took home two event wins. The next day, Tigers runners won eight events at the second ANS Open. Matt Coolen led the way for the Tigers, winning both the 60m and 60m hurdles events.

At the third ANS Open, Devin Errington won the men’s high jump, while the Tigers won both the 4x200m and 4x400m relays. The Tigers were off to the McGill Team Challenge to close out the month of January, where Coolen, Bruce and the 4x200m relay team came out winners to pace the Tigers team to a meet win.

In February, the Tigers won eight events at the Tigers Track Classic and another seven at the Saint Mary’s Open before heading to the AUS championships in Moncton. Coolen continued his sprinting dominance, winning the 60m and 60m hurdles events at both meets.

The Tigers combined to win 12 events at the AUS championship, taking home their second consecutive championship banner. Matt Coolen was named both the AUS track athlete and rookie of the year. Rich Lehman took home his second consecutive coach of the year award. At the end of the weekend, Jake Wing was named the championship track MVP. Jordan Bruce, Corey Conforzi, Matt Coolen, Devin Errington, Shiloh Johnson, Adam Karakolis, Adam Manuel, Matt McNeil, Will Russell and Jake Wing were all named AUS all-stars.

At the CIS championship, Jordan Bruce had the best finish of any Tiger, earning a bronze medal in the triple jump. Matt Coolen was the standout for the Tigers on the track, taking home fourth place finishes in both the 60m and 60m hurdles.

Adam Karakolis and Chas Smith were the other top finishers at the CIS championship, helping the Tigers to an eighth place team finish. Karakolis posted a fourth place finish in the shot put, while Smith was fifth in the triple jump. Karakolis also placed eighth in the weight throw.