Written by Thomas Scott
The Dalhousie Tigers prepare for another season, searching for a historical 34th straight AUS title. The 33 straight is a U SPORTS record for the most consecutive conference championships.
The season's first meet was the ANS Last Chance Meet at the Canada Games Centre last weekend.
Fourth-year thrower Chelsea MacIsaac threw a personal best weight throw with a distance of 15.47m and an indoor personal best of 12.21m at the meet last weekend. These distances place MacIsaac in the top three all-time at Dalhousie.
Nationally, the Tigers achieved incredible success last season, placing sixth in the 4x400m race, and Amelia Reid finished 11th in the high jump. The Tigers also finished fifth nationally in the 4x800m race.
Last year, third-year runner Danielle Keefe got injured ramping up to the AUS Championship. Coming off another successful cross-country season, she will be looking to help the Tigers continue their dominant run.
“This season I'm really excited to get back and hopefully improve my times from last year, and maybe improve some placements,” says Keefe.
At the University of New Brunswick SJ Meet, the StFX X-Women filled the top four finishes for the 3000m run. Keefe says she is excited and motivated by the competition.
“I want to see if I can match up with them. That's definitely a goal,” says Keefe.
With the next meet not coming until Jan. 21, the Tigers will have the break to physically and mentally prepare for the rest of the season. With such a historical record to hold up, the Tigers are not feeling the pressure.
“We are all excited and are working very hard to continue to build on the record,” says first-year runner Maisyn Battams.
The Tigers added Claire Covert in the offseason. Covert, hailing from Whites Lake, Nova Scotia, competes in the pentathlon. Covert is a two-time team MVP in the School Sport Nova Scotia Track and Field Championships representing Halifax West.
When recruited, Head Coach Rich Lehman says Covert can compete for AUS medals immediately and has national long-term potential.
Be sure to follow your Tigers throughout the rest of the track & field season.