Posted: June 1, 2006

Athletics: Canadian Track And Field Athletes Off To Roaring Start

June 1st 2006, OTTAWA – Canadian track and field athletes are off to a roaring start to the 2006 season. Not only are they setting Canadian Records, personal bests and world benchmark standards, but ten athletes are ranked in the top 15 in the world by the IAAF (International Athletics Association Federation) in their respective events.

Despite being early in the season Jessica Zelinka from London, ON, is having a career year, breaking the 13-year old heptathlon Canadian Record at the Commonwealth Games in March, and then improving on that mark this past weekend at the prestigious Hypo-Meet in Gotzis, Austria. Zelinka placed fourth in the event and is currently ranked 11th in the world.

Priscilla Lopes’ time of 12.63 seconds in the 100 metre hurdles is the world standard at this point in 2006. Lopes set the mark at a meet on May 14th in Waco, Texas. Lopes’ time is on par with the United States’ Michelle Perry and sits ahead of Americans Virginia Powell (12.64), Jenny Adams (12.68) and Canadian Perdita Felicien (12.80).

A number of athletes set to compete in the 2nd Pacific World Cup on June 8th in Burnaby, British Columbia are heading into the international competition on strong performances. At the Belem Grand Prix last week Anson Henry had a pair of top five finishes, placing third in the 100m (10.41) and fifth in the 200m (20.93). Windsor’s Scott Russell performed well in the javelin taking second place with a toss of 79.55 metres. At the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, Oregon, Henry placed fifth in the 100m in a time of 10.34 seconds. 2005 World bronze medallist Tyler Christopher made his season debut in the 400m placing fourth in 45.16 seconds. Angela Whyte placed fifth in the 100m hurdles in 12.93 seconds and also on the track Diane Cummins was sixth in the 800m. On the field Jason Tunks finished sixth in the discus throw, while 2004 World junior champion Micheal Mason won the high jump and set a new personal best with a leap of 2.22 metres.

IAAF WORLD RANKINGS
(name, event, ranking, points)
*As of May 29^th, 2006

Gary Reed	800m	6th
Perdita Felicien	100m Hurdles	7th
Tyler Christopher	400m	7th
Jason Tunks	Discus Throw	8th
Dana Ellis	Pole Vault	8th
Jessica Zelinka	Heptathlon	11th
Carmen Douma-Hussar	1500m	11th
Scott Russell	Javelin	14th
Diane Cummins	800m	14th
Mark Boswell	High Jump	15th

Comment on this story.

Subscribe to the Runner's Web Weekly Digest