It can only be described as one of the gutsiest runs in CIS Track and Field history against one of the most decorated athletes in CIS history. When the gun went off in the women's 3000 metres at the CIS Track and Field Championships it became clear in a matter of seconds which strategy Guelph's Rachel Cliff would employ in her attempts to take down three time CIS Cross Country Champion Megan Brown of Toronto. Cliff's plan was as subtle as a sledgehammer, she went right to the front and pushed the pace. Brown who had run the 1000 metres a mere 30 minutes beforehand was left to try to keep it close so she could use her stronger finish. Through halfway Cliff was still on sub 9:10 pace and had built up a 30 metre lead on Brown. Cliff's pace gradually slowed through the second half as her aggressive early tactics were taking their toll, but as they entered the final lap she still had 20 metre lead on Brown and was able to hold off the hard charging fifth year senior for the win in 9 minutes 21.29 seconds. The win gave Cliff her first track All-Canadian honors to go with the the four she has in cross country and also pushed the Gryphons' streak of women's CIS 3000 metre victories to three years in a row.
Cliff would try to repeat the feat the next day in the 1500 metres once again going out and building a significant lead. Through 800 metres Cliff had 10 metres on Brown as she was on pace for the meet record, as they entered the penultimate lap, all of the leading and the quick early pace appeared to catch up to Cliff as Brown moved passed her on the backstretch and would not look back capturing the victory. Cliff would hold on for second with a life time best performance of 4 minutes 25.32 seconds.
Cliff's two medals would amount to half of the Gryphon women's team total as her silver would be equaled by the women's 4 x 800 metre relay and Sarah Peirce in the women's 60 metres.
Peirce continued her magical season by slicing another 5 one hundredths off her lifetime best with her 7.45 seconds clocking in the 60 metres. Peirce who started the season with a lifetime best of 7.60 seconds has lowered her personal best in each of her last three competitions. Her silver medal also garnered her her first All-Canadian honours.
Rounding out the Gryphons' female medalists was the women's 4 x 800 metre relay team of Nadine Frost, Lydia Frost, Jess Vanhie and Rachel Aubry. The defending champions in the event, the Gryphons were locked in a tight battle with perennial rival the Windsor Lancers. After a solid first three legs which left the Gryphons 5 metres back of the Lancers, Aubry charged passed the Lancers Melissa Bishop but the two time CIS Champion proved to strong as she moved back passed Aubry on the final lap to secure the victory for the Lancers. Along with the silver medals the Gryphons also earned All-Canadian honors. For Lydia Frost it marked her first All-Canadian honors while, for Aubry and Nadine Frost it was their second after receive the award last year. It was the third such honour of Vanhie's career adding to her track honors from last year and cross country from her rookie season.
Overall the Gryphons placed a strong fourth given the loss this year of two time CIS Track MVP Lindsay Carson and CIS Rookie Of The Year Genevieve Lalonde who both succumbed to injury, Carson earlier in the season and Lalonde during the 3000 metres at the Championships. With Carson and Lalonde back in the mix and none of the Gryphons competing at the CIS Championships in their final year of eligibility, the Gryphon women look like they will be back in the hunt for the national title next winter.
Full results are available at www.windsorlegiontrack.com.
Chris Moulton
University of Guelph
Track and Field
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