On July 10th, Athletics Canada announced the 58 Canadian athletes who have been selected to represent Canada at the 2018 NACAC Championships, that will take place August 10-12 at Varsity Stadium in Toronto. The Canadian team is comprised of 29 women, 15 of which are from Ontario, and 29 men, 18 of which are from Ontario. A special congratulations to Ontario coach, Glenroy Gilbert for being named at the head coach of the Canadian Team. The Canadian athletes will compete in a total of 39 events over the course of the 3-day competition.
Head Coach Glenroy Gilbert and select athletes shared statements about the amazing opportunity, and what it means to compete in front of a home crowd.
Gilbert stated “athletes and coaches alike know how special it is to compete at home. Being able to showcase your talent in front of a home crowd is an athlete’s dream.†He added that “we have selected a group that features a mix of veterans and newcomers to the national team program, which will provide our athletes an international platform to practice our ‘performance on demand’ approach.â€
Aaron Brown, 2018 national Champion sprinter, from Phoenix Athletics shared, “I remember being at the Pan American Games, I saw a lot of familiar faces in the crowd, including people that I grew up with. It’s fun to be able to run in a world-class meet in front of family and friends. That’s what I’m looking forward to the most, but I also want to come out with a winâ€.
Brittany Crew, a now three-time national champion, of SISU Throws Club stated “I missed out on the 2015 Pan American Games. I sprained my ankle, so I didn’t hit the qualification mark before the deadline. I ended up going to FISU that year, which was a blessing in disguise, but I missed out on the opportunity to compete at home. I’m excited that the NACAC Championships are in Toronto this year. My mom can’t make it out to a lot of meets, especially international meets, because she can’t travel. She will be there in Toronto cheering me on; that’s going to be special for the two of us.â€
Good luck to all Athletics Ontario members, as well as all of Team Canada, on your journey leading up to the NACAC Championships.
Come out and support your Ontario Athletes by purchasing your tickets here.
Ontario Athletes and Coaches are listed below:
| WOMEN | ||||
| NAME | HOMETOWN | CLUB | PERSONAL COACH | EVENT(S) |
| Alicia Brown | Toronto, Ont. | University of Toronto Track Club | Bob Westman | 4x400m |
| Leya Buchanan | Mississauga, Ont. | Speed Academy | Tony Sharpe | 100m, 4x100m |
| Brittany Crew | Toronto, Ont. | SISU Throws Club | Richard Parkinson | Shot put |
| Caroline Ehrhardt | Espanola, Ont. | London Western | Vickie Croley | Triple jump |
| Crystal Emmanuel | Toronto, Ont. | Flying Angels | Charles Allen | 100m, 200m, 4x100m |
| Phylicia George | Markham, Ont. | Flying Angels | Stuart McMillan | 4x100m |
| Shaina Harrison | Maple, Ont. | Flying Angels | Charles Allen | 4x100m |
| Noelle Montcalm * | Windsor, Ont. | University of Windsor Athletics | Don Garrod | 400mH |
| Alysha Newman | London, Ont. | Bolton Pole Vault | Doug Wood | Pole vault |
| Micha Powell * | Toronto, Ont. | Unattached | Rosaline Edeh | 4x400m |
| Madeline Price | Toronto, Ont. | Unattached | Mark Mueller | 4x400m |
| Gabriela Stafford | Toronto, Ont. | University of Toronto Track Club | Terry Radchenko | 1500m |
| Kate Van Buskirk | Brampton, Ont. | Unattached | Dave Reid | 5000m |
| Jillian Weir | Kingston, Ont. | Unattached | Zeb Sion | Hammer throw |
| Jellisa Westney * | Cambridge, Ont. | Supreme Athletics | Desai Williams | 4x100m |
| MEN | ||||
| NAME | HOMETOWN | CLUB | PERSONAL COACH | EVENT(S) |
| Mobolade Ajomale | Richmond Hill, Ont. | Flying Angels | Kevin LaSure | 4x100m |
| Shawnacy Barber | Toronto, Ont. | Project Athletics | Jeff Hartwig | Pole vault |
| Bismark Boateng | Toronto, Ont. | Unattached | Charles Allen | 4x100m |
| Aaron Brown | Toronto, Ont. | Phoenix Athletics | Dennis Mitchell | 200m, 4x100m |
| Joshua Cunningham | Markham, Ont. | Speed Academy | Tony Sharpe | 400m, 4x400m |
| Andre Ford * | Toronto, Ont. | Strive Athletics | Desai Williams | 4x100m |
| Daniel Harper | Brampton, Ont. | Brampton Track Club | Frank Bucca | 4x400m |
| Tremaine Harris | Markham, Ont. | Unattached | Desai Williams | 4x400m |
| Matthew Hughes | Oshawa, Ont. | Newmarket Huskies | Jerry Schumacher | 3000m steeplechase |
| Evan Karakolis | Scarborough, Ont. | University of Toronto Track Club | Brek Christensen | Javelin throw |
| Jared Kerr | Brampton, Ont. | Unattached | Jeff Huntoon | Long jump |
| Justyn Knight | Toronto, Ont. | UTTC | Chris Fox | 5000m |
| Brandon McBride | Windsor, Ont. | Windsor Legion | Kurt Downes | 800m |
| Malik Metivier | Toronto, Ont. | Etobicoke Track Club | Godfrey James | 400mH |
| Tim Nedow | Brockville, Ont. | Ottawa Lions | Richard Parkinson | Shot put |
| Philip Osei * | Toronto, Ont. | Flying Angels | Desai Williams | 4x400m |
| Sergio Raez Villanueva | Mississauga, Ont. | Harbour Track Club | Paula Schnurr | 10000m |
| Gavin Smellie | Brampton, Ont. | Flying Angels | Desai Williams | 100m, 4x100m |
*Competed in the 2015 NACAC Championships in San José, Costa Rica
| STAFF | ||
| NAME | HOMETOWN | ROLE |
| Glenroy Gilbert | Ottawa, Ont. | Head coach |
| Simon Nathan | Ottawa, Ont. | Team leader |
| Corey Dempsey | Niagara Falls, Ont. | Team manager |
| Charles Allen | Toronto, Ont. | Team coach |
| Bob Westman | Toronto, Ont. | Team coach |
| Kurt Downes | Windsor, Ont. | Team coach |
| Richard Parkinson | Stouffville, Ont. | Team coach |
| Jeff Huntoon | Toronto, Ont. | Team coach |
| Brett Lumley | Windsor, Ont. | Team coach |
| Andrea Stephen | Toronto, Ont. | Physiotherapist |
| Dr. Duane Smith | Ottawa, Ont. | Chiropractor |
| Remo Bucci | Toronto, Ont. | Massage therapist |
| Danielle Chow-Leong | Toronto, Ont. | Massage therapist |
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To view the full press release, including the list of athletes and coaching staff, click here.