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August 6th 2006, OTTAWA - Nicole Forrester of Mississauga, Ont., received a tougher battle than expected on Sunday in the women’s high jump but reclaimed the national title to conclude the Canadian track and field championships at the Terry Fox Athletics Facility.
Forrester appeared to have a lock on the gold after clearing 1.88 metres on her first attempt but young veteran Maresa Cadienhead of Toronto cleared the height on her third attempt. That set up a showdown at 1.92 metres. Both jumpers missed their three attempts at that height with Forrester coming agonizingly close on her third try. Forrester was awarded the gold because she cleared 1.88 in fewer attempts.
“Marisa jumped really well today so that put on the pressure,” said Forrester. “It made for along day out in the heat. On that last attempt I was probably thinking too much. I realized I could lose it if I didn’t make it over. I’m happy with the win but I was hoping to get the meet record (1.94).
Cadienhead, whose personal best is 1.95, only had one high performance meet under belt this season.
“Up until a week ago I still wasn’t sure I would compete here but now I’m glad I did,” said Cadienhead. “I was really happy with how I did but I expected more. I was really desperate to get over at 1.92. I gave it my all.”
In the men’s 400 hurdles, Adam Kunkel of Edmonton showed why he has broken the Canadian record three times this year with an easy victory in 49.93.
“I ran a fairly cautious race my leg was sore after running in the 400 as well this weekend,” said Kunkel, who now trains alongside world championships 400-metre medallist Tyler Christopher. “It was a nice smooth race and I kind of let it happened.”
Other winners in men’s competition Sunday were Brian Barnett of Edmonton in the 200, Achraf Tadili of Montreal in the 800, Tim Berrett of Edmonton in the 20 kilometre walk, Matthew Kerr of Elora, Ont., in the 3,000 steeplechase, Jason Wurster of Toronto in the pole vault, Sean Jestadt of Regina in the triple jump Dylan Armstrong of Kamloops, B.C., in the shot put, Jim Steacy of Lethbridge, Alta., in the hammer throw and Trevor Snyder of Windsor, Ont., in the javelin.
Other winners in women’s competition were Esther Akinsulie of Ottawa in the 200, Diane Cummins of Victoria in the 800, Marina Crivello of Montreal in the 20 kilometre walk, Tawa Dortch of Edmonton in the 400 hurdles, Bevin Kennelly of Prince George, B.C., in the 3,000 steeplechase, Tabia Charles of Pickering, Ont., in the triple jump and Marie-Josée Le Jour-McDonagh of St-Laurent, Que., in the discus.
“I was very encouraged by the competitiveness of our athletes here,” said Canadian national team head coach Les Gramantik. “You can see quality in many events, some that are sneaking up on us. We have the people and we have to make sure they are training in the right conditions and are supported. I’m committed to that happening.”
Full results and information at www.athletics.ca.
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