Today we Talked Track with Joe Duchesne, the leader in morning talk radio. During the show Joe (second from the right) talked with London Legion athletes; Canadian Champion Andrew Graham (far left), 2 time Ontario Champion Charlotte Crombeen (second from left), and two time Ontario Champion Emma Crombeen (middle). In the conversation with Joe were Legion executives Art Scadden (centre Zone Commander) and R.T. (Bob) Walsh (far right, Zone Public Relations). Art is a Veteran of World War II.
The group discussed the tremendous success of London Legion this year, our #1 Indoor Provincial ranking, and #2 Outdoor Provincial ranking and the challenges and rewards of competitive Track & Field for athletes. Many, many thanks to Andrew, Emma and Charlotte for agreeing to be on Joe's show. Thanks also, to Art and Bob from the Royal Canadian Legion. Most of all, thanks Joe Duschene for hosting the very proud team from London Legion Track & Field.
August 29, 2007.
The September X-C Training Plan and Schedule is now available at this link. In September, Nathan Hofstetter (left) will be returning to help coach one of our fastest growing programs. Welcome back Nathan. CLICK HERE FOR SEPTEMBER TRAINING PLAN & SCHEDULE
PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE WILL BE NO PRACTICE ON SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 1. HAVE A GREAT LONG WEEKEND!
Abdull Zubair U.W.O. T&F
Jamie Ryder University of Nebraska T&F
Stephanie Muise University of Guelph T&F Cross Country
Jenn House U.W.O. T&F
August 28, 2007.
The London Legion coaches, athletes, managment team and Board of Directors, express best wishes to our 2 Seniors and 2 Juniors as they return this week to their university T&F and Cross Country Teams. We are all extremely proud of these talented young athletes. Have a great season.
Coaches start Cross Country Training, detailed schedule soon.
August 21, 2007, London, ON
Cross country starts August 21. Please meet at T.D. Waterhouse at 5 PM on Tuesday and Thursday, Saturday's at 9:15 at Springbank Park (across from Shoppers Drug Mart).
Linda Findley World Masters Finalist
Aleccia Hofstetter Syracuse University Cross Country Captain
Bud Willis NCAA - U of Washington Marathon
August 15, 2007.
London Legion is now the #2 Outdoor T&F Club in Ontario, up from #5 in 2006. Earlier this year, London Legion became the #1 Indoor T&F Club in Ontario. This is a remarkable accomplishment since we have only 1 active Senior and only 2 active Juniors. 100% of our athletes were developed within the London Legion T&F Program. This is an incredible accomplishment for a club only 3 years old. Another important consideration, is that London Legion was strong across the board, with top finishes by our Bantams, Midgets and Juveniles. Our Juniors and Senior were the best in Ontario and contributed greatly to our team success. Congratulations to all athletes and coaches.
August 11, 2007, Oromocto, NB
Three London Legion athletes became Canadian T&F Champions this weekend at the Royal Canadian Legion T&F Championship for Midget and Juvenile T&F Athletes. Andrew Graham (far left), won Gold in the Juvenile Men's Octathlon and narrowly missed setting a new Multi-Event record. Shauna Malek (middle) continued her amazing T&F season winning Gold in the 400mh and Silver in the 400m. Gabriel Tesfaye also won 2 Championship medals, a Gold in the 100m hurdles and bronze in the 100m. Congratulations Andrew, Shauna and Gabriel.
Andrew Graham Octathlon Gold
Shauna Malek 400mh Gold, 400m Silver
Gabriel Tesfaye 100mh Gold, 100m Bronze
August 8, 2007. Oromocto, NB
Congratulations to Collette Tesfaye who this week received her NCCP Level II Coaching Certification for Sprints and Hurdles at the Athletics Canada Coaching Clinic held prior to the Canadian Legion National Track & Field Championships. Collette has been a coach with London Legion for 2 years and has played a very large role in helping build our organization. Collette is a PhysioTherapist at the London Health Sciences Centre. The Ontario Team coaching staff asked Collette to help prepare athletes for this weekend's Legion Canadian Championship. London Legion has 3 athletes selected to team Ontario, Shauna Malek, Andrew Graham and Collette's son Gabriel. Best wishes to everyone in Orimoncto.
About London Legion SAC
Who: Grade 5 - 12 Males & Females Where: Banting High School Special: We take full teams When: August 13-17 Cost: $125 one week Register August 13 Banting Registration FORM
Andrew Zadorsky WLU DB, RB
Ryan Tremblay SFU RB Ontario Decathlon Junior Champion Canadian Junior Bronze Medal 110mh
Jamie Ryder University of Nebraska Canadian Junior Champion 110mh
August 1, 2007, London ON
Three of London's best athletes have agreed to lead the London Legion SAC Summer Camps. Details of London Legion's SAC program are on the SAC Section of this website. This program was written for London Legion by Canadian Olympic Head Coach, Brent MacFarlane. Brent designed the SAC program when he coached the WLU Golden Hawk SAC program from 2000-2006.
July 27, 2007, Abbotsford, B.C.
Jenn House and Damian Warner mined Canadian Bronze Medals in the mountains of British Columbia at the Canadian Junior National Championships. Jenn House jumped 3.40m in the Junior Women's Pole Vault and Damian Warner jumped 6.98m in the Canadian Junior Men's Long Jump. Congratulations Jenn & Damian. Damian competes tomorrow in the Triple Jump.
13 Ontario Legion Championship, 5 Ontario Minor Track Championship Medals
Andrew Graham(below) shows determination and heart to win Heptathon Gold
London Legion had split squads compete at 2 Ontario
Championship Meets. At the Ontario Minor
T&F Championship, held in Oshawa,
six elementary London Legion athletes won 5 Ontario T&F medals. Congratulations to Locky Butcher (Gold Medal
- HJ), Alanna Fournie (Bronze Medal -800m), Nicolas Fournie (Bronze Medal
1500m, Silver Medal 800m), and Ian
Turnbull (Silver - 1500m).
In Ottawa, London Legion high school athletes won at total
of 13 Ontario Legion Provincial Championship medals, including Emma Crombeen
(Gold PV), Michael Lopatowski (Gold PV), Shauna Malek (Gold 400m, Gold 400mh,
Bronze 200m), Andrew Graham (Gold - Heptathlon, Bronze 400mh), Gabriel Tesfaye
(Gold 100mh, Silver 200m), Charlotte Crombeen (Silver 80mh, Bronze LJ), Meghan
Harris (Silver 100mh), and Scott Leitch (Silver 400mh).
The highlight of this weekend's competitions was the come
from behind finish that Andrew Graham had in the Men's 17 and Under Heptathlon.
Andrew won the respect of every athlete and club all across Ontario, because he delivered one of the
most impressive and gutsy athletic performances of the entire Championship
competition in the 800m, the final event of the competition.
London Legion is extremely proud of all 21 athletes that competed in Oshawa and Ottawa. Well done coaches and athletes.
July 15, 2007. Ostrava, Czech Republic
Shauna Malek won a Bronze Medal at the IAAF World Youth Games. Shauna was a member of Canada's women's relay team who won Canada's only medal at this major international competition. At left, Shauna shares a proud moment for her, London Legion, and Canada with some of her very talented hurdle team members. In her hurdle training group (picture left) are 6 Ontario and 2 Canadian Hurdle Champions. This is the first World Championship medal won by a London Legion athlete in our brief 3 year history. Congratulations Shauna!
Jamie Ryder, 19 5th in Canada
Jenn House, 18 11th Place finish
Damian Warner 18 - 18th Place 7.28m PB is 6th Best Jump in Canada
July 12-15, 2007, Windsor, ON
London Legion is so proud of our 3 very talented athletes that competed this weekend at the Canadian Senior T&F Championships. This event is the highest level of T&F in Canada. All of our athletes are under 20 and represented our club extremely well. Congratulations Jamie Ryder who is now ranked #5 in Canada in the 110mh. Jenn House placed 11th in a very competitive field of Canada's best pole vaulters. Jenn is the #3 ranked Junior in the Women's Pole Vault. Damian Warner, 18, placed 18th, but currently has the 6th best long jump result in Canada for 2007. Damian is the #1 ranked Junior Long Jumper in Canada. All of the London Legion team are extremely proud of these tremendous results.
July 12, Ostrava, Czech Republic
London Legion's Shauna Malek placed 19th in the World at this week's World Youth Games, held in Ostrava, Czech Republic. Our talented young athlete was leading her heat up to the 200m, posting one of the best 200m splits in the competition. Shauna also recorded the fastest start, electronically measured, in the competition. Strong winds and slight rain during her race, impacted great performances for all the athletes, but Shauna held on to 5th position, in her heat. Congratulations Shauna!
This weekend in Windsor, Ontario, 3 London Legion athletes compete in their first ever Canadian Senior Championships. Jamie Ryder 19 (110mh), Damian Warner 18 (LJ), and Jenn House (PV), compete on Friday July 13, and Saturday July 14. London Legion now has 3 athletes, under 20, on the Athletics Canada Top 10 List for Canadian T&F Athletes. Best wishes, Jamie, Damian and Jenn. Also, this weekend, London Legion sends a group of elementary athletes to the Minor Track Association meet in Brampton.
July 5, 2007
Fifteen London Legion Track & Field Club Athletes have been selected to compete at the Royal Canadian Legion Ontario Championship, to be held in Ottawa on July 20-21. Congratulations to Fatima Braimoh, Charlotte Crombeen, Leah Ditchfield, Stephanie Van Raay, Alanna Roy, Gabriel Tesfaye, Zach Gray, Meghan Harris, Shauna Malek, Emma Crombeen, Taylor Stewart, Austin Roth, Andrew Graham, Scott Leitch and Michael Lopatowski. This is the largest group of athletes selected from London Legion in our 3 year club history. Last year 7 were selected and in 2005, three athletes were chosen. Winners of the Ontario Legion T&F Championships may be selected to represent Ontario at the Canadian Legion T&F Championship held this year in New Brunswick.
Malek Trust Fund Campaign Continues.
Shauna is now in the Czech Republic preparing for the World Youth Competition on July 11-15. You still have time to give to the Trust Fund established to help Shauna and her family cover the expenses of this trip. See story below and in last weeks Londoner Newspaper.
Please help by making a cheque out to: London Legion Athlete Trust
Give your cheque to a club official or mail to 5 Beech Drive, London, Ontario N6P 1E1
To represent Canada in 400m Hurdles in Ostrava, Czech Republic July 11-15 - Club Establishes New Athlete Trust Fund.
June 21, 2007, Ottawa, ON
Today, Athletics Canada announced the 2007 World Youth Games team for Canada. London Legion's Shauna Malek was chosen to be a part of this very talented team of young people, aged 15-17, who will represent Canada. Shauna was chosen after meeting the tough qualification standard for the 400m hurdles of 102.5. Last weekend, in Toronto, Shauna ran an impressive world standard winning time of 101.93. Congratulations Shauna and congratulations to all regional athletes who have been selected as well.
To help Shauna get to the World Youth Games, London Legion has established the London Legion Athlete Trust Fund. We encourage everyone to help Shauna. We recommend contributions by cheque only. Please make the cheque out to LONDON LEGION ATHLETE TRUST - Shauna Malek. and give your contribution to a club coach or official. You can also mail a contribution to LONDON LEGION ATHLETE TRUST, 5 Beech Drive, London, ON, N6P1E1. Thank you in advance for your support of this talented young athlete.
June 17, 2007, York University, Toronto, ON
Incredible. Damian Warner jumped 7.05m at the OTFA National Qualifier held at York University. Damian jumped the 3rd best jump in one of the best fields of Junior and Senior long jump athletes in Ontario. Damian narrowly missed the Pan Am Junior qualifying mark of 7.15m. Damian is the first London Legion athlete to jump over 7m in competition. Congratulations Damian.
Four young London Legion athletes brought Gold Medals home on Father's Day. Erica (left), Erin (centre left), Meredith (centre right) and Cassidy (right) ran an impressive 4:50.11 to win the Ontario Bantam Championship 4X400 Relay. Well done!
June 19, 2007. London, ON
Jenn House won the honour of winning the Bob Gage Award which recognizes the top male and female Track & Field Athlete in London. This accomplishment caps off an amazing month for Jenn that has included a Gold Medal at OFSAA, an OFSAA Pole Vault Record, and the receipt of a Track & Field scholarship at U.W.O. Congratulations Jenn.
Congratulations to several young London Legion athletes that set new T&F records in the recent London Conference T&F Meets. Many other amazing medal winning performances were completed over this season.
Congratulations to all athletes competing at OFSAA West and OFSAA. It is said that a picture is worth a thousand words. London Legion videos can be described in one word - AWESOME. Stay tuned for an announcement shortly for a new athlete profile, video and Internet service available for club athletes with www.ontarioathletes.com. Call 519-652-9477 if you would like your profile and videos on this exciting new website that profiles the best athletes in Ontario from all sports. An authorization form and parental signatures are required.
Thanks to Ontario Master's Championship Track & Field Meet Director Linda Findley, this years meet was a huge success. A near record number of athletes attended this year. Ontario Master's T&F is a rapidly growing part of the OTFA T&F program. Many, many thanks to club volunteers including Harvey Barkauskas, Jason Spalding, Penny Yip, and Sine Pettit. Several new meet, Ontario, and Canadian records were established at this meet.
On Sunday June 3, 2007, London Legion T&F will host the Ontario Masters T&F Championship. So far 181 athletes have registered, close to record for this competition. Everyone is welcome to watch some of the best athletes in Ontario, compete to qualify for the Canadian Masters T&F Championship. London Legion's Linda Findley (left) is the Meet Director, and club Master's athlete, Dr. Don Millar (right) will be competing. This is the second year that London Legion T&F has hosted this meet. So far this year, London Legion has hosted 2 major meets and 6 twilight meets for children.
Please welcome 2 new members of London Legion T&F coming to
us from Montcalm High School. Damian Warner is the 2007 TVRAA and WOSSAA
Individual Champion, winning Gold in the 100m, LJ, and TJ. Max
Dubinovsky has won several medals during this years regional
championships. Max also achieved a silver medal in the 2006 OFSAA
Championship in the TJ. Videos of their medal winning performances are above. Damian and Max are the first Cougars
ever to join London Legion.
WOSSAA T&F Championship. May 23-24, 2007, London, ON
Four Club Athletes broke long standing records at WOSSAA T&F. From left to right..... Corey Crawley 100m 200m Ryan George 400m Stephanie Muise 1500 Steeplechase Taylor Stewart LJ TJ
Videos of OFSAA Regional qualifying athletes will be placed on the website soon. Congratulations to all regional athletes for tremendous performances. More stories and videos from WOSSAA coming soon.
May 23-24, 2007, London, ON WOSSAA T&F Championship
WOSSAA results are on their way, including many incredible record breaking highlights. Stay tuned.....
Club Athletes set new records, win individual championships, May 15-16, 2007, London, ON
Congratulations to all athletes in the London and Area region for a significant increase in participation and performance at this years TVRAA Conference Championship. Video Highlights will be placed on www.londonlegiontrack.com througout the day. Next up 400m, long hurdles, 200m and middle distance and field events. For full results CLICK HERE. These high quality videos and professional athlete profiles, including results, are included in the membership fees for all London Legion T&F members. Stay tuned for a powerful new service, for high school athletes, that will be available shortly. New members can join London Legion for the remainder of 2007 for $225. Summer only program is $175. Call 519-652-9477. London Legion is the #1 Indoor T&F Club in Ontario and #1 in Ontario Outdoors, for T&F athletes 17 and under.
In the next few weeks all Indoor competition
hightlights will be up. London Legion currently has over 3 Terabytes
of videos for club athletes in Track, Football and Basketball.
May 14, 2007, LETS RACE SERIES, St. Thomas Aquinas H.S
The results are in. The story of the night was close races, very close races. Enjoy watching the effort of these young people on a picture perfect night.
Last year www.londonlegiontrack.com welcomed over 60,000 on-line visitors. This year, we are on track to having over 120,000 visitors. It is very exciting to watch the interest in Track & Field grow so dramatically in London. Welcome to London Legion Track & Field, a leader and innovator in Track & Field in Canada. London Legion currently is the #1 Indoor Club in Ontario and #1 Outdoors for Youth Development under 17. Stay tuned for new exciting services and changes to this industry leading website.
Chin-Yee
Crombeen
Flack
Kok
McCoskey
Ridgeway
Papini
Turpier
Vettraino
Walker
Welker
Howlett
Nesbitt
May 9, 2007
Lets all welcome several new athletes to London Legion, joining us as part of our SAC Program. These grouping of athletes comes to us from regional football and hockey program. Welcome to London Legion Track & Field. Profiles of these athletes are included in the SAC Athletes Section of our website.
May 7, 2007. St. Thomas Aquinas High School, London, ON
It doesn't get better than this! Perfect weather. Perfect systems. Fantastic Results. Lots of fun.
One of the great new stories for 2007 is the growing leadership of some of our wonderful London Legion athletes that are helping Coach Liz House operate this weekly series of meets. Thank you Andrew Graham, Joe Harris, Charlotte Crombeen, Chris House, Sean Ryder and Jamie Ryder.
New children are welcome to join in the fun. See you next week. LETS RACE on Monday May 14, 6:30 PM at St. Thomas Aquinas High School.
LETS RACE (2) on April 30, 2007. London, ON
The theme of LETS RACE 2, was 'Continuous Improvement'. The reason we exist is to help young people improve their athletic skills and to help create a love of sport, especially for Track & Field. It was very exciting to watch young people continue to gain experience, continue to improve skills and most important of all...continue have fun. London Legion's Meet Management Skills also improved significantly. Please make sure you thank Coach Liz House for her dedication to this development program for young people. Liz also worked hard to improve the markings on the St. Thomas Aquinas Track. Thank you Liz. Our timing system and technology also continued to improve and we lead Canada in tools and technology for Track Meets for children. Never satisfied, we always strive for continuous improvement.
New young people and families are welcome to join us next week.
April 27, 2007. London, ON.
The London Legion Board of Directors, Management Team and Coaching Staff are very excited to announce the arrival of Bud Willis to our team. Bud is a regional leader in Distance coaching and elite event management, having led the Canada Games, World Transplant Games, Ontario/Canadian Paralympic Games and TVRAA Track & Field and Cross Country finals. Bud is a certified Level III NCCP Distance coach. An avid athlete, himself, Bud ran middle distance at Western Washington University in the US and continues to run road races and marathons. Bud is also a graduate of UWO's Althouse College and was a teacher with the Elgin and Thames Valley Board of Education. Bud's full bio is in our coaches section.
April 23, 2007, London, ON
The first meet of the 10 week LETS Race series started today and was a huge success. On a cold, rainy and windy day families enjoyed an evening of fun.
London Legion continued to demonstrate leadership with state of the art starting and timing equipment and highlights of several of the races are on our new London Legion Photo Album site. Shortly, videos of these races will be published.
Enjoy. New families wishing to join in on the fun are welcome. See you next Monday at St. Thomas Aquinas High School at 6:30 P.M.
10.
TEN
WEEKS OF RACING FUN starting April 23 (6:30) 9.
IT'S FREE
FOR CLUB T&F & SAC MEMBERS 8.
IT'S GR8T ..gr8t COACHES, gr8t PROGRAM, gr8t PRICE 7.
FULLY ELECTRONIC TIMING (very rare for elementary) 6.
ONLY 6 BUCKS A NIGHT at STA H.S. every Monday 5.
GREAT
RACE PRACTICE FOR
SCHOOL MEETS 4. PRACTICE RELAYS WITH YOUR FRIENDS 3. COMPETE
IN UP TO 3 RACES EACH NIGHT 2. COMPETE IN UP TO 2 RELAYS EACH NIGHT 1. WORK WITH THE #1 T&F TEAM IN ONTARIO
Gold Package
Silver Package
Bronze Package
SAC
What
Competitive Program Ontario T&F Association Meets Minor T&F Assocation Meets LETS RACE Meets
Elementary Prep No OTFA or MTA Meets LETS RACE Meets
Best Effort Video of Competitions Bronze Package (LETS RACE) On-Line Profiles On-Line Result History Elementary SAC (when available) All Entry Fees MTA Membership
Bronze Package Weekly Races & Relays MTA Membership
Electronic Timing Best Effort Video Video Results MTA Membership
Electronic Testing SAC Training
Who
Grade 6 - 8
Grade 5 - 8
Grade 2 -8
LMFA Section - Grade 4 - 8 High School/Univer - Grade 9 up
Credits Club Coaches for Gold (200m), Silver(TJ), Bronze(60m) and 4th Place(LJ) at Ontario Masters Championship
March 3, 2007. Toronto, Ontario
London Legion Masters athlete, Dr. Don Millar completed a rare Track & Field cycle at the Ontario Master's Championship held at York University. Dr. Millar won the Gold in the 200m, a Silver in the Triple Jump, a Bronze in the 60m, and a 4th place in the Long Jump. Dr. Millar was competing in the Men's 50 -55 age division. Dr. Millar credits his London Legion coaches for his personal best performances that led to these tremendous results. Congratulations Dr. Millar and London Legion coaches.
March 3-4, 2007. Windsor, Ontario.
London Legion returned home with 4 Ontario Track & Field
Championships; the Overall Club T&F Championship, the Bantam,
Midget and Juvenile Championships. Congratulations to all athletes and
coaches on a record setting indoor season. An article on our team success
is on the cover of the OTFA March 2007 Magazine. Click here to view. Below are video highlights from this very exciting weekend.
Olympian Milt Ottey & Club Head Coach implement OTFA Youth T&F Event at Banting High School
March 2, 2007. London, Ontario.
London Legion Head Coach Sandy Cooper-Ryder has collaborated with Olympian Track Athlete Milt Ottey to bring the International Fun in Team Athletics (IFTA) program to London at Banting High School. The IFTA program is recognized around the world and operates in 33 countries for over 500,000 children.
Milt Ottey represented Canada in the 1982, 1984, and 1988 Olympics. In 1984, Milt was ranked as the #1 High Jumper in the world.
The initial IFTA program in London was a huge success with over 150 elementary athletes participating. A huge thanks to Milt Ottey, and program sponsers including the Ontario Track & Field Association (OFTA).
Several London Legion athletes were student leaders that helped implement this hugely successful event.
12 Medals won at Ontario Legion Championship
London Legion wins 1st Ontario Juvenile Championship
Congratulations to Jenn House(left), Shauna Malek(centre left), Andrew Graham(centre right) and Meaghan Harris(right) for their selection by the OTFA to represent Ontario at the U.S. High School Indoor T&F Championship that will be held in N.Y. on March 10-12.
London Legion welcomes former International Monetary
Fund(IMF) Economist
February 10, 2007. London, Ontario.
The Board of London Legion T&F met earlier this week and we are pleased
to announce that Mr. Carlos Leite, has decided to join our growing non-profit,
100% volunteer organization. Carlos Leite holds a PhD in Economics (1994) from
McMaster University as well as an undergraduate degree in accounting (1988)
from Waterloo University. Currently a senior manager with the national tax
practice of Deloitte & Touche, Carlos spent 9 years at the International
Monetary Fund (IMF), where he advised national governments on macroeconomic and
financial policy. His tenure at the IMF included 2 years as the IMF's resident
representative in Angola, Africa. Prior to joining the IMF, Carlos was
assistant professor of Economics at the University of Western Ontario in
London, Canada. Carlos and his wife Sandra are frequent visitors to
London Legion practices and Track/Cross Country Meets. We encourage club
athletes and parents to welcome Carlos to our team.
Corey Crawley & Ryan George talk about Relays with Radio Stars (story & videos below)
February 9, 2007 Club Athletes Corey Crawley and Ryan George were invited to talk with local radio stars Tucker & Taz about the London Legion Relay Team. The team of Corey, Ryan, Winston Campbell and Gabriel Tesfaye won the coveted Gold Medal in the 4X200 Relay. Above right is Legion executive, Mr. R.T.(Bob) Walsh.
Joe Duchesne, of AM980, also invited Ryan and Corey to his top rated morning talk show. Joe had a great time with Corey and Ryan. Our athletes spoke during a section of Joe's program that highlights the contribution of Legion veterans for community initiatives. Above, Joe gives a big thumbs up for Ryan and Corey's performance.
February 4, 2006. York University, Toronto, Ontario.
The depth of London Legion's sprint, and middle distance program was tested at the Ontario Track & Field Association's Indoor Relay Championship. The result's are in and our team achieved tremendous results against the best teams in Ontario. London Legion relay teams achieved a record 19 medals, 7 Gold, 5 Silver, and 7 Bronze Medals. A record 138 teams competed in this meet held at York University. This is the second Ontario Championship won by London Legion in the last 2 weeks.
Ivey Business School Professor & OHL/NHL Star will help create a better future for Track & Field in London
February 3, 2007. London, Ontario
During the week that London Legion T&F won the Ontario Multi-Event Championship, it is extremely exciting to announce that Mr. David Simpson has joined the Board of Directors of the London Legion Track & Field Alliance.
David Simpson is the Director of the
Business Families Centre at the Ivey School of Business and teaches
entrepreneurial finance and leading family firms. He has twenty years
experience as an active entrepreneur, owning and operating companies in
a range of industries including aerospace, oil field services,
restaurants and recreational facilities (golf, tennis). David is the
former captain of the London Knights and played professionally in the
New York Islanders organization winning two championships in
Indianapolis. David trained in the decathlon while at Oakridge high
school and has a life long love of track and field.
Mr. Simpson is the first of three major business leaders to join the London Legion Track & Field Board of Directors. Future announcements will be made in the following weeks.
Gabriel Tesfaye & Andrew Graham Break Ontario Multi-Event Records
January 28, 2007. York University, Toronto.
London Legion won the 2007 Overall Ontario Indoor Multi-Event Championship. Our team sent 16 athletes and came home with a team record 39 points and 5 Provincial Medals, 1 Gold, 1 Silver, and 3 Bronze. Gabriel Tesfaye won the Gold in the Midget Boys Division with an Ontario Record 2372 points. Andrew Graham also broke the old Ontario Record for Juvenile Men with an incredible 3151 points, however Derek Drouin from Sarnia Athletics won the gold and the new Ontario record with 3220 points. Winning Bronze Medals for London Legion were Meghan Harris, Michael Lopatowski, and Jesse Smith. Highlights of this exciting competition are below and athlete result files will be updated soon. Click here to see all of the results from this meet.
Ontario Results
1. London Legion 39 2. Laurel Creek 14 3.Sarnia Athletics 12
London Legion Track & Field is very proud to announce that Mr. Roger Crawley, an RCMP officer attached to London, has agreed to become a club coach. Roger was recognized at an early age for his speed over 100 meters. Born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Roger was heavily recruited by several Canadian and U.S. University T&F Teams, before deciding to attend the University of Oregon. During his varsity T&F Career, Roger attained
a blistering 10.4 second personal best in the 100m. The University of
Oregon also chose Roger to be the lead runner on their NCAA 4X100 relay
team.
London has been home to Roger, his wife Christine and their 2 boys since 1992. While in London, Roger has coached hockey, soccer, football and the 100 meter sprint. Roger is also a part time Community College teacher.
Roger is the 4th NCAA Track & Field Athlete to return to coaching with London Legion Track & Field.
Jenn House, Shauna Malek & Andrew Graham Meet U.S. High School Championship Standards
January 19-20, 2007. Toronto, Ontario.
London Legion T&F started our 3rd season at the prestigious Nike Classic held at the University of Toronto. Our athletes had tremendous competition from top clubs and many university track teams across Ontario. Many personal bests were established. A Multi-event competition was held on Friday evening and 10 club athletes participated. On Saturday another 31 club athletes participated in a variety of field, sprints and middle distance events. Ian Turnbull won a free club T-Shirt when he correctly identified the three club athletes that met the performance standards for the U.S. High School Championships. Congratulations Jenn House (PV), Shauna Malek (600m) and Andrew Graham (Pentathlon). Below is a link to the meet results and some video highlights. Next up the Multi-Event Championship at York University on January 28. Don't forget the relay championship on February 4, to be held at York University also. Make sure you are registered. Click here to see the Nike Classic Results.
Power & Speed Specialist was former Canadian Junior Record Holder in Javelin.
January 17, 2007 London Ontario.
London Legion Track & Field is extremely excited to announce that Mr. Jason Spalding has decided to join our coaching staff. Originally from the rural farmlands of New Brunswick, Jason developed into one of the top all round athletes in the province, and in Canada. Jason was a sought after Baseball player, and a top ranked basketball player. In Track & Field Jason became nationally ranked in the Javelin and broke the Canadian Junior Javelin record. Jason's javelin marks have him still ranked as one of Canada's best javelin throwers. Jason also competed in the NCAA in the javelin, and represented Canada at international T&F competitions.
Jason brings many talents to our team including knowledge of Olympic Weight Lifting, and Power & Speed athletic training. Jason has coached many National Team and University team athletes in Football(CFL), Basketball, and Hockey (Junior A). Jason has a passion for coaching and has been a Special Olympics coach for 7 years. A competitive golfer, Jason competes in the Long Drive competitions and has a personal best drive of 378 yards.
Welcome Jason to the London Legion Track & Field family!
Competes for hurdle title with over 80 athletes in 22 universities in Holiday Inn Invitational Championship.
January 13, 2007. Lincoln, Nebraska.
London Legion T&F athlete and Banting Secondary Grad Jamie Ryder won the Silver Medal in the NCAA Holiday Inn Invitational held in Lincoln, Nebraska. Jamie competing for the University of Nebraska, ran the 60m hurdle heats, semi-finals and final competitive races against 82 athletes from 22 universities over the last 2 days. It was Jamie's first competition in a NCAA Division I Track & Field Competition. Congratulations Jamie, you make everyone in London Legion T&F very proud.
The votes are in! With over 200 votes cast by club members, we have a tie for the 2006 Story of the Year for London Legion Track & Field. Tied with 44 votes each were the stories about London Legion's first ever Ontario Overall Indoor Club Championship title, and our team unity being such a strong part of our club culture.
These stories are similar, but contrast in many ways. The OTFA called our Ontario Championship win, surprising and dominant. The results were tangible and measurable in the athletic performances of our athletes. Winning this title in just 2 years was truly a Story of the Year.
It is not possible to measure team unity, however it was very obvious that our athletes and parents felt that our organization is different in many ways because of it Led by our incredible coaching staff, our management group, and our Legion executive that supports us, our young athletes have evolved into a high performance team that works hard to make everyone in the organization successful. The story of our teamwork and our culture, is equally deserving of being the 2006 Story of the Year. Click here for the final votecount.
On June 10, 2006, at York University in Toronto, Ontario, UWO Track & Field and London Legion Track & Field Athlete Abdul Zubair was competing to qualify for the Ontario Senior Men's 110m and 400m Hurdles Championship. In the race you are about to witness, Abdul is in the final of the 110m Hurdle competition, his less familiar event. Abdul, known as a powerful, and very strong hurdler, actually physically explodes hurdle 2. Watch closely to see how Abdul amazingly recovers while pieces of the hurdle fall on him over Hurdle 3. In 2006, Abdul qualified for the 400m Hurdles and won Gold at the Ontario Championship, winning London Legion T&F's first ever Ontario Senior Men's Gold Medal. Abdul went on to place 6th at the Canadian 400m Men's Hurdle Championship. The 20 year old hurdler is now ranked in the top 10 of all men in Canada.
What a year 2006 has been! As 2006 winds down, we would like your input as to the Story of the Year for London Legion. If there is any story that we have missed, please write info@londonlegiontrack.com.
The voting will last for 14 days.
December 20, 2006
London Legion is extremely proud to announce the return of Benny Roberts to London Legion's Speed, Agility and Conditioning (SAC) winter program. The St. Thomas Aquinas running back, linebacker, punter and field goal kicker, recently won the Most Valuable Player award at the 2006 OFSAA Football Western Bowl. The St. Thomas Aquinas team won this major OFSAA Championship. Below are highlights of Benny's tremendous abilities from the Western Bowl. Ben's highlights from the last few years are on the SAC Football section of our website. Welcome back Benny!
Four London Legion SAC and Track University athletes returned home to London Legion last night from across North America. Welcome home Grant McDonald (Football Guelph, left), Andrew Zadorsky (Football Wilfrid Laurier University, centre left), Ryan Tremblay (Football & Track - Simon Fraser University, centre right), and Jamie Ryder (Track - University of Nebraska, right). Welcome home!
December 17, 2006
Talented local athlete, Luke Thomas, has joined the London Legion SAC & Track & Field Programs. Luke is the Quarterback of the Saunders High School Senior football team and he is also a gifted hockey player. In Track & Field, Luke will be training in the Sprints and Hurdles. Below are highlights of Luke's 2006 TVRAA Football Season. The rest of Luke's Football Highlights are in the SAC Football section of our website. Luke is the 4th TRVAA Football Quarterback to join London Legion's SAC Program.
Improves both Coaching Group and London Legion Executive Team
December 15, 2006. London Legion is extremely proud to announce that Mr. Doug Ditchfield has become a Coach and Board Member for our organization. Doug is a CIS (CIAU) Track & Field Medalist and was 4th in the Canadian Interuniversity Sports Championship in the Long Jump. He has also earned 10 Gold and 3 Silver Canadian Championship Medals in Long Jump, Triple Jump and Sprints as a Master's Track & Field Athlete. Doug is a graduate of the University of Western Ontario and the Ivey School of Business. Mr. Ditchfield will be also joining our Board of Directors as part of our Board renewal program for 2007. It is very rare for a club to get an athlete, coach and Board Member with Doug's track record and experience. Doug will help us improve both our coaching program and our club executive team. Welcome aboard Doug! Doug's full bio is in our Coaches section.
Dec 12, 2006. "If you can't measure it....you can't manage it", is a common expression in business. For athletes and athletic performance, the principle is the same. Today, London Legion announces, Results Reporting for Individual Athletes. Take a look at the following results for several of our athletes. London Legion continues to innovate and create new services for the benefit of our athletes, coaches and parents.. This feature will be added for each Senior Track & Field athlete, at their request, and integrated into their Internet athlete profile. These reports will be used for goal setting for this year and for recognition of program needs. A Results Package for Bantam & Midget T&F Athletes and SAC athletes is next.
London Legion Bantam Cross Country athletes, Alanna Fournie and Ian Turnbull competed in the OTFA Ontario Championships, held in Brockville. Congratulations, Alanna and Ian on tremendous results in this very competitive cross country meet.
November 27, 2006.
Sometime today, London Legion Track & Field received our 50,000th visitor for the 2006 year. Every month we are creating new records in the number of visitors with growth averaging 15% a month. Our club website www.londonlegiontrack.com was designed to recognize our wonderful coaches and the many, many talented athletes they work with.
Congratulations to Coach Rick Sheardown and the Regina Mundi Senior Girls Basketball Team for winning the TVRAA and WOSSAA titles. Several players on the Titans were members of London Legion's first Basketball SAC program, and will be running track this spring & summer. Highlights of the championship games will be placed in our Basketball SAC Section. Watch these videos to see some amazing steals by these very fast and quick athletes. (see SAC Basketball for more highlights).
London Legion T&F welcomes 3 talented young Running Backs in TVRAA Football. In addition , to be being part of London Legion's growing SAC program, these fine athletes will be members of London Legion T&F. Below are highlights of their incredible 2006 Football Season.
The 2007 Winter SAC program starts Dec 4. Call 519-652-9477 to pre-register.
The
monthly schedule will be posted on the London Legion web site each month. We will be meeting each Wednesday at 5:30 pm
and each Saturday at 10 am. Check the
posted schedule for locations. During
the month of December on Wednesdays, we will be meeting at Brescia Lane off Sarnia Rd opposite Althouse
College and on Saturdays, we will be
meeting at Springbank
Park opposite Shoppers
Drug Mart in Bryon. See Training Schedule X-Country for details.
PLEASE NOTE:
If the weather is bad on a Wednesday we will meet at the indoor track at 8 pm
instead. If the weather is bad on a
Saturday, the practice will be cancelled.
Mother Theresa Quarterback Luke Thompson has joined London Legion T&F Winter SAC Program. Luke is known as one of the best passing quarterbacks in TVRAA and he has incredible running speed as well. Below are highlights of Luke's impressive 2006 High School Football Season. More highlights of Luke and all London Legion SAC Football athletes are included in the Athletes- Football SAC section. The SAC program starts officially on Dec 4 at Thompson Arena. Video highlights like the ones below for Luke are included for all SAC athletes.
The greatest honour that our proud organization has ever received was given to us by our Veterans at the Remembrance Day event in London. London Legion T&F was the 5th organization to place a wreath at the Victoria Park Cenotaph behind the Mayor of London, the Ontario Government, the Federal Government and the 6 Branches of the Royal Canadian Legion that help manage our team. What a humbling and proud moment for all of us. London Legion athletes Michael Lopatowski and Kristin Bujnowski represented all of us on this special day of Remembrance for Veterans. The Latin Phrase that is embedded in the Legion Crest on our team uniform means "We Will Always Remember Them".
Congratulations to Mr. Rick Sheardown (right) and the Regina Mundi Titans Basketball Team on their 9-0 Season. Many of you will recall these young women training with London Legion Track & Field last summer in our first Basketball Speed,Agility, Conditioning Program. Go to the BASKETBALL SAC Section to watch these talented athletes. Video Highlights, are included for all SAC and T&F athletes at no charge. Winter S.A.C. (Football) starts in December.
November 5, 2006 12 P.M.
London Legion T&F was invited by Lambeth Legion to be part of the Remembrance Week event during this special week to remember our Veterans. London Legion athletes Megan Shannon (left) and Nicole Setterington (right) met the Mayor of London, Anne Marie DeCicco-Best before placing a wreath at the Lambeth Cenotaph.
Many thanks to Lambeth Legion executive Joanne Lampman (centre right) for the honour to be a part of this important recognition of our Veterans.
Meet Nicholas Makukutu (aka Nick Mak) from Houston Texas beside London Legion's Jamie Ryder. The Nebraska Husker Track & Field roomates & teammates are both freshmen athletes at UNL. Nick is a member of the US Gold Medal winning 4X400 team. He is also a 400m Hurdler. You can track Jamie and his new friend Nick's progress at www.huskers.com. Jamie returns home to London during the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday.
Waterloo: September 30, 2006.....Andrea McFarlane, daughter of Victoria and Brent McFarlane was married to Mr. Tim Penner of Waterloo. Brent is London Legion's mentor coach and the designer of London Legion's SAC Program. Brent was Canada's Head Coach for the 2000 Olympic Games. Congratulations to all.
Welcome to London Legion Track & Field. We are getting ready now for the 2007 Season. London Legion is a leader in Canada for Track & Field Development with a rich set of services for athletes and their families. Our coaches, programs and services are highlighted on this site. Below is our 2007 Club Registration Form. We look forward to working with you in 2007. If you have any questions, at any time, please call us at 519-652-9477.
Monday - 5 P.M. Parkwood Hospital Meet at Baseball Diamond behind the hospital off Commissioners Road
Wednesday - 5 P.M. Meet west end of Springbank Park...near Shoppers Drug Mart
Saturday - 10:30 A.M. (except Sep 2) Meet west end of Springbank Park...near Shoppers Drug Mart
London Legion Introduces Latest Advancement in Internet Video Technology
Thanks to the extremely hard work of several dedicated professionals who are part of the London Legion Management Team, we are able to provide our next generation of Internet Video Highlights for our club athletes.
Go to the Athletes Section to watch our athletes compete with the best athletes in Ontario. Enjoy the highest quality Internet Video available today. We recommend that families download Microsoft Media Player 10 (www.microsoft.com). Enjoy!
Coaches Findley and Hofstetter map out Fall Training Program
Led by coaches Linda Findley (left), and Aleccia Hofstetter (right) London Legion begins our cross country training August 21 at 5 pm at the London Rowing Club off Wonderland Rd. We will train in Springbank Park for the month of August and then move to various other locations such as Gibbons Park, Harris Park, Elsie Perron and Komoka Trails. The purpose of this training is two fold. For the sprinters, jumpers and long hurdlers who are joining us, it will build their base and expose them to a different type of tempo running. For the middle distance runners, it will prepare them for the cross country running season which ends with the Nationals in Vancouver BC at the end of November. Practices will last about 1 1/2 hours and will incorporate speed and strenghtening work as well as tempo work. Bring water and hope to see you August 21 at 5 pm!! New members are welcome anytime. This is a great opportunity to learn cross country running skills from two very talented coaches and athletes. Linda is ranked in the Top 5 in the World Master's in several cross country events and Aleccia was the Captain of the Syracuse University Cross Country Teams in one of the best Distance Programs in the NCAA. View August Training Schedule.
4X100 Relay Gold, 4X400 Relay Gold, 400m Silver, 200m Bronze and 400mh Bronze
Burnaby, B.C. August 13, 2006.... At the Canadian Legion National Track & Field Championship, held in Burnaby B.C., London Legion's Shauna Malek won 5 Canadian Championship Medals. In only her first year at competitive Track & Field, Shauna has set new Personal Bests 4 times this year at major competitions including OFSAA, the OTFA Ontario Championship and the Ontario Summer Games. This weekend, Shauna placed second in a very competitive field of top 400m athletes with a time of 57.20. Shauna also came in 3rd at the Canadian Championship in the 200m with a very quick 25.85 and in the 400m Hurdles (1:04.15). Shauna is a first year Juvenile.
The coaches of the Ontario team, recognizing Shauna's combination of speed and endurance, asked her to start the lead leg's for the Ontario Relay Teams in the coveted 4X100 and 4X400 events. Ontario won Gold Medals in both events.
Canadian Seniors Ontario Summer Games Hershey North American T&F
Ottawa: August 4-6: Canadian Senior Championship/Ontario Summer Games Championship. Adbull Zubair (far left)placed 6th and recorded a Personal Best 53.16 in the 400m Hurdle Final at the Canadian Senior T&F Championship. At the Ontario Summer Games, also in Ottawa, Jenn House (centre left) won the Gold Medal in the Pole Vault with a 3.55m vault. Shauna Malek (centre right) won a Bronze Medal in the 400mh and placed 4th in the 400m. Jenn and Shauna compete this weekend in Burnaby, BC in the Canadian Legion T&F Championship.
Pittsburgh, PA. August 3-5: Hershey North American Track & Field Championship. Taylor Farquhar (far right) won the Silver Medal in the Girls 11 & 12 year old division in the 400m. Taylor's North American Silver is an amazing accomplishment for a young athlete. A week earlier, in Windsor at the Ontario T&F Championship, Taylor won 3 Gold Medals and set 3 new Ontario Records in the 400m, 200m Hurdles and the 80m Hurdles.
Taylor Farquhar wins 3 Gold's & Sets 3 Records, Zach Gray wins 3 Gold Medals, Team Record
London Legion is now ranked #5 Overall in Ontario (Outdoors), #1 Indoors
Windsor: July 28-30. It came down to the last event of the OTFA Bantam, Midget and Juvenile T&F Meet. London Legion was 1 point behind a powerful Saugeen T&F Club. The final event, the 4X800 relay, placed both clubs head to head for the championship. London Legion Bantams, Ben Hyland, Josh Millard, Adam Lo, and Zach Gray stepped up to the challenge and took the 4X800 Gold. What an exciting end to a great weekend of Track & Field. Coaches in the picture above, from left to right include Dave Hyland (left), Collete Tesfaye (centre) and Sandy Cooper-Ryder (right)
Other outstanding Bantam results this weekend included Taylor Farquhar's 3 Gold Medals in the 400m (59.50) , the 80m Hurdles and the 200m Hurdles. Zah Gray had a huge PB in the 400m with a time of 56.10 and a 25.17 in the 200m. Zach also had excellent times in winning Silver medals in the 80m Hurdles and 200m Hurdles. Finally Zach was anchor of the 4X100 Relay Gold Medal Team that set a new Ontario Record. Video highlights of these record breaking performances will be coming soon. Ian Turbull won the 1500m with a sub 4:55 PB and Brandon Graham won Silver in the High Jump and 3rd int the 800m. Alanna Fournie won two Silver Medals in the 400m and 800m. Jacob Crombeen placed 3rd in the Shot Put. Josh Millard also placed 4th in the 800m and Long Jump.
London Legion moved up 4 positions to become the #5 Ranked Overall Club in Ontario Outdoors. A proud accomplishment for the coaches and athletes of London Legion Track & Field. Another tremendous accomplishment for a second year club.
The Ontario Summer Games returns to Ottawa from August 4-6, at Terry Fox Stadium. Athletes from across Ontario will be will be vying for Ontario Medals in all T&F events. Our own Sandy Cooper-Ryder has been named an Ontario Games Coach. This year, the Ontario Summer Games athletes will be competing along with athletes in the Canadian Senior Championships. London Legion athletes Jenn House (PV) and Shauna Malek (400m, 400mh) will be competing in the OSG. Abdull Zubair is entered in his first Senior Canadian Championship in the 400m Hurdles.
London Legion T&F is Proud to Welcome Home our World Class Athlete and Coach
July 23, 2006. ... Inverness, Scotland. At the home of the Highland Games, Inverness, Scotland, London Legion coach, Havey Barkauskas, became the World Scottish Games Heavy Events Champion for the second year in a row. Well done Harvey. Harvey returns tomorrow to provide leadership to young throwers at London Legion. Harvey is a member or the UWO Hall of Fame for his throwing records at UWO. London Legion is very proud of coach Harvey Barkauskas, a work class athlete, coach and teacher.
Sherbrooke, PQ: July 22, 2006. Jenn House won the Bronze Medal in the Pole Vault, at the Canadian Junior T&F Championship. Jenn jumped 3.55m to claim the Bronze. First year Juvenile, Meghan Harris, made London Legion proud by placing 13th in her specialty event the 100m Hurdles. Congratulations Jenn & Meghan.
Toronto: July 22, 2006....York University. Taylor Farquhar broke the Ontario Minor Track Association Atom Girls 400m Record for Girls 12 and Under. Her incredible time was 1:00.47 a huge Personal Best for Taylor. In 2006, Taylor has broken 3 Ontario Records including the 60mh Indoor Record and the Outdoor OTFA Tetrathlon Record. In June, Taylor's qualifying time or 1:02.80 at the Ontario Hershey Games was the best time of Ontario and 8 U.S. States including Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Wisconscin, Iowa and Missouri. Taylor will be competing at the North American Hershey Games in Pittsburgh, PA in August.
Club Athletes Contribute to District A Team on Day 1 of RCL Ontario Championship
Timmins...July 14, 2006. In a city known around the world for Gold, London Legion Athletes have found some. On Day 1 of the Ontario Legion T&F Championship, 3 London Legion Athletes have won Gold Medals. Congratulations Jenn House (left) Ontario Pole Vault Champion, Meghan Harris (centre) Ontario 100m Hurdle Champion and Shauna Malek (right) Ontario 400m Champion. Congratulations also goes to Charlotte Crombeen placing 6th in the 80m Hurdles and Andrew Graham for placing 3rd in the 100m Hurdles. Andrew and Charlotte are in their first year of eligibility and we look forward to an exciting 2007 season for these outstanding athletes.
London Legion Athletes have been named to the Ontario Summer Games Team. Congratulations to Meaghan Harris, Jenn House, Shauna Malek and Jamie Ryder. The Ontario Summer Games is designed to promote the highest level of competition for athletes 22 and under.
From Left to Right, Meaghan Harris, Jenn House, Shauna Malek and Jamie Ryder.
Zubair Gets Gold, House Claims Silver at OTFA Junior & Senior Championship
On Canada Day Weekend in our Nation's Capital Ottawa, Abdull Zubair won the Ontario Senior Men's 400mh Gold Medal. This is London Legion's first Senior Outdoor Championship Medal. Juvenile Women's athlete, Jenn House competed in the Junior Women's Pole Vault and won Silver with a jump of 3.50m. View Abdull's 400mh Qualifier
Ontario Legion Qualifiers Require Consent Forms
District A Qualifiers Need to Sign the following consent form and bring it to the bus. District A Consent Form
Charlotte Crombeen Meaghan Harris Jenn House Shauna Malek
TJ, 80mh, 300mh 100mh PV 200m, 400m
Andrew Graham Gabriel Tesfaye Jordan Timpany
100mh, 100m 100m, 200m HJ, TJ
Congratulations to the above athletes who qualified for the Royal Canadian Legion Ontario Command District A Team. These athletes will compete for a place on the Ontario Team, in Timmins ,on July 14 & 15th. Qualifiers at the Ontario Meet will go to Burnaby, BC to compete at the Legion Nationals. We are very proud of all of the athletes who attended the RCL District A qualifier held in Strathroy. Good luck and best wishes to all District A Athletes.
13 London Legion Athletes took the Ontario Multi-Event Championship held at York University. The team scored 69 Mult-Event points winning the overall. Congratulations.
Watch the videos in the Athletes Section from this exciting competition.
We have had many questions about our visitor at recent London Legion practices. London Legion welcomes Mr. Steve Brooks, the former 1990 World Paralympic Silver Medalist in the 26 Mile Marathon. Steve won his World Silver Medal with an amazing time of 2 hours and 47 minutes. Steve was also the 1992 Bronze Medalist at the Paralympic Olympic Games held in Barcelona in 1992. Steve will be competing in the Canadian Paralympic Games, to be held in London on July 6, 7, and 8. Steve is Blind. He will be running with London Legion athlete Thomas van der Hoff during his running competitions. Everyone in our club is impressed with the leadership and maturity, shown by Thomas as he helps Steve. If you would also like to help with these games, please contact Mr. Bud Willis (above beside Linda Findley) at runner225_59@hotmail.com or during our practices. Bud is the regional chair for the Paralympic Games and he needs additional volunteers and helpers for the meet. Also, don't forget to meet and encourage Steve at our practice . You have a rare opportunity to meet an Olympian.
OFSAA Finalists bolster 200m, 400m, 400mh and 800m Programs
London Legion is very proud to announce the additions of 3 top regional athletes to the London Legion Track & Field family. From Elite regional Soccer Programs we welcome Shauna Malek (above left) and Becca Rauch (above right). Both Shauna and Becca are OFSAA Finalists and Shauna is a double Silver Medalist in the 400m and 400mh. Both Shauna and Becca were part of the OFSAA Gold Medal 4X100 Relay team. This year is Shauna and Becca's first year of competitive track. Lindsay Ferguson(right), another track & field rookie, also qualified for OFSAA Track. Lindsay plays competitive hockey in the London Devillettes Hockey Program. Lindsay is a 400m, 400mh and 800m specialist. Welcome Lindsay to London Legion Track & Field.
Depth of Program shows in Bantam, Midget and Juvenile Divisions
Mult-Event Athletes Austin Roth (far left), Jordan Timpany (left center), Malcolm Noel (center right) and Jeff Mitchell (far right).
London Legion sent 12 athletes to the Ontario Multi-Event Track & Field Championship at York University on June 11 and 12 and returned home with 6 Championship Medals, including 2 Gold, 1 Silver and 3 Bronze Medals. Taylor Farquhar broke the Bantam Girls Under 13 Tetrathlon Record with an impressive 1813 points. The success of this extremely difficult development program is a proof point of the leadership, quality, and teamwork, of London Legion coaches. This is the second impressive Ontario Championship result for our Multi-Event Program that started only 12 months ago.
On June 11, London Legion T&F coordinated our club's first Ontario Master's Championship. London Legion Master's Athlete Tim Bourgard won Gold in the Ontario Master's Long Jump and Silver in the Ontario Master's 100m Competition. Congratulations to our own Linda Findley who was this year's Meet Chairperson. Several London Legion coaches, athletes and parents helped make this years Ontario Championship a huge success.
New Marks set in Long Jump, 100m Sprints and 400m
At the recent Thames Valley Elementary Track Meet, Katelyn Olar, Gabriel Tesfaye and Taylor Farquhar set new records. Katelyn set a new mark for the Senior Girls Long Jump at 4.77m. Katelyn also jumped an equally impressive 9.97 in the Triple Jump to win her second gold.
Taylor Farquhar was another Double Gold Medalist at the Thames Valley Meet winning the 400m and High Jump events in the Intermediate Girls Division. Taylor 400m time of 102.88 was a new record for Thames Valley beating the old record by several seconds.
Gabriel Tesfaye was the winner of the 100m Senior Boys event running a record time of 11.87. Gabriel also placed second in the Senior Boys High Jump with a jump of 1.63m.
London Legion athletes winning medals at this competition included Nicole Setterington (Gold - 80m), Zachary Gray (Gold 400m, Bronze 100m), Rachel Dodd (100m Bronze), Elizabeth Bentley (Silver 800m), Ian Turnbull (Silver, 800m and 1500m) and Adam Lo (Gold 100m).
Driving rain did not stop London Legion teammates, Michael Lopatowski (Right) and Emerson Grigg (left) from great performances on June 3 at the OFSAA Ontario High School Championship. Michael, a member of Mother Theresa High School won Bronze with a jump that tied his Personal Best at 1.80m. Strathroy District's Emerson Grigg jumped 1.75m to place 6th.
London Legion athletes Meghan Harris, Jamie Ryder and Andrew Graham broke Ontario Records at the OFSAA Championships held in Toronto from June 1 – 3, 2006. Oakridge's Jenn House won OFSAA Silver in the Pole Vault, Banting's Shauna Malek won 2 Silver Medals in the 400m and 300mh; Lucas athlete Corey Crawley won Silver in the 100m Midget Final; Mother Teresa's Michael Lopatowski won Bronze in the High Jump and Emma Crombeen placed 15th in the 80mh. Strathroy's Emerson Grigg placed fifth in the High Jump; Jerermy Leite placed 8th in the 1500m, and Scott Leitch placed 4th in the 300mh. STA's Nicole Courtney won a Silver in the Junior Girls 4X100 Relay. Central's first year senior, Stephanie Muise, was 9th in the 3000m and 18th in the 1500m. OFSAA Highlights will be added to the Athletes Section.
London Legion Track & Field is extremely proud to announce the London Elementary Track Series, L.E.T.S. RACE. Our youngest athletes have asked us over and over to create opportunities for them to compete, and to race. Many people have helped with this wonderful project and we are greatly appreciative of their support. A special Thank You goes to the London Community Foundation who provided a grant for our state of the art timing equipment. L.E.T.S. RACE starting June 7.
"London Community Foundation supports the engagement of youth in recreational activities that positively encourage all aspects of their health and well-being. We are, therefore, pleased to support the excellent work of the London Legion Track & Field Alliance through the Sport Alliance of Ontario. This grant, from the Ontario Endowment for Children & Youth in Recreation Fund will enable the Alliance to purchase professional timing equipment, which will enhance the participants' competition experience here in London. We look forward to celebrating with local athletes as they realize their potential and meet their personal goals." London Community Foundation
To be held June 11 at T.D. Waterhouse, UWO....Linda Findley Named Meet Chairperson
London Legion Coach, Athlete and club Board member, Linda Findley, has brought the Ontario Master's T&F Championship to London. This competition attracts Ontario's best Master's athletes looking to qualify for this summer's Canadian Master's Championship. Linda will be also competiting at this meet along with team member Tim Bourgard. Linda is looking for volunteers to help with many simple jobs at the meet. Please contact Linda at lindafindley@sympatico.ca if you can help. Our amazing Linda placed in the top 6 in the 800m, 1500m, 5000m, and 8000m at the recent World Master's held in Barcelona. A retired Principal, Linda now teaches future Physical Education Teachers at Althouse College, UWO.
Ryan Tremblay has signed with Simon Fraser University (SFU). In the fall of 2006, Ryan will be competing on both the SFU Football and Track Teams.
Ryan is the 2005 Canadian Junior Bronze Medalist in the 110m Hurdles, and the Ontario Track & Field Gold Medalist in the Indoor Multi-Events (Heptathlon). This summer, Ryan is ranked #1, in Canada, for the Canadian Junior Decathlon Championship to be held in June, in Montreal. Simon Fraser competes in the highly competitive NAIA, on the NCAA Track & Field Circuit. Ryan will also compete for London Legion next summer.
Jamie Ryder has become a University of Nebraska Cornhusker. He will move to Lincoln, Nebraska in August. Lincoln, NE and London are similar in many ways. At Nebraska U, the "Power of Red" , is the school colour. Jamie will wear the Big N at Nebraska, and the Red colours and Big L of London Legion, when he returns each summer. Nebraska has a tradition of developing many Canadian and International Olympic Athletes.
On track to welcoming over 50,000 visitors for 2006 Calendar Year
London Legion Track & Field welcomed over 15,295 people to our website for the first four months of 2006. This represents an amazing 520% increase in visitors from 2005.
London Legion T&F is proud to announce 2 new Spring Programs for London & Area Athletes. London Legion Minor Track Field is a competitive Track & Field Program for young athletes. London Legion's T&F program won the 2006 Ontario Indoor Championship. Our highly successful SAC Speed Running Program helps young football athletes develop running skills with improved agility, strength and speed. This program was designed for London Legion T&F by Brent McFarlane former Head Coach of Canada's Olympic Team and SAC Coach for Vanier Cup winning Laurier Golden Hawks Football Team.
On March 25, 2006, London Legion sent 23 Elementary Athletes to the Ontario Minor T&F Championships and came home with 20 medals. Great athletic performances by all. Registration for Spring/Summer Minor T&F starts on April 1 at London Source for Sports, 458 Wharncliffe Road South from 9 AM to Noon.
Jamie Ryder placed 2nd at the U.S. High School Championship held in New York from March 10-12, 2006. Jamie won the 60m hurdle heats with a blazing 7.96. He also won the semi finals with a Personal Best 7.92. In the final, Jamie ran 7.91, another Personal Best and was only .01 sec behind the first place finalist. Congratulations Jamie!
23 Medals Won at Ontario Bantam, Midget & Junior Championships at U. Of Windsor
23 Medals and 2 New Ontario Records were set at the Ontario Bantam, Midget and Junior Championships held at the University of Windsor on March 4 and 5. London Legion won 11 Gold, 6 Silver and 6 Bronze Medals. More important was the great number of Personal Best Performances by all of our athletes. London Legion athletes have also broken 5 Ontario Records in the 2006 Indoor Season and 1 Canadian Record. Record breakers include Taylor Farquhar with 2 Records in the 60mh and 300m, Jenn House in the Pole Vault, Gabriel Tesfaye in the Multi-Event and Jamie Ryder's 60mh Ontario and Canadian Records.
Personal Best Performances lead to medals and new Ontario & Canadian Records
At the Ontario Indoor Juvenile and Senior Championship (February 18-19, 2006), London Legion T&F Athletes won 2 Gold Medals including Jenn House (upper left) in the Juvenile Pole Vault jumping a PB of 3.30m. Jenn narrowly missed setting a new Ontario Record of 3.41m. Jamie Ryder broke the Ontario and Canadian Under 20 record for the 60m Hurdles in a time of 8.12 in winning Gold in the Seniors. Andrew Graham (lower left) also ran a PB in winning Ontario Silver in the 60mh. Hannah Keating (lower right) also threw a competition PB in winning the Silver Medal in the Juvenile Womens Shot Put. Hanna threw 9.57m.
A new record for London Legion T&F website monthly visits was set in February. A total of 4062 visitors came to www.londonlegiontrack.com . In 2006, we expect to more than double the 17,000 visitors we had for the entire 2005 year.
On February 3, 2006, Taylor Farquhar broke the Ontario Indoor 300m Record. Her winning time of 46.53 smashed the old record of 49.28 for women under the age of 13. This record was an unexpected bonus after Taylor helped her teammates win 2 Ontario Relay Championship Medals, one Gold and one Silver. Congratulations Taylor!
London Legion Wins 5 Ontario Relay Championship Medals, Two 4th Place Finishes
Bantam Girls Team Wins Gold and Silver Medals in 4 X200 and Sprint Medley Relays
Midget Boys Win Silver in an Exciting 4X200 Relay, Gold in Sprint Medley Relay
Left to Right Corey Crawley, Mitchell Donnan, Zachary Gray, Jeff Mitchell and Gabriel Tesfaye. Tesfaye, Donnan, Mitchell and Crawley won 4X200 Silver. Gray, Mitchell, Tesfaye and Distance Specialist Jeremy Leite won Gold in the Sprint Medley. View 4X200 Relay (Note: 20MB Download)
Juvenile Girls Race to Ontario Bronze Medal in Competitive 4X200
Corey Crawley (left), Gabriel Tesfaye (middle), Jeff Mitchell (right) sweep Midget Boys Ontario Multi-Event Championship. Gabriel Tesfaye broke the Under 15 Multi-Event Tetrathlon Record.
Graham, Lopatowski Win Silver and Bronze Juvenile Pentathlon Medals
Andrew Graham (Left) and Michael Lopatowski (Right)
Ryan Tremblay wins Ontario Pentathlon Gold in Junior Division
Ryan Tremblay (right) won the Junior Mens Indoor Pentathlon Gold with 2956 points.
Track & Field and SAC Athletes (Football) to Benefit from New Services
London Source For Sports and Adidas have come together to create new services for London Legion athletes. This regional partnership is aimed at helping athletes acquire the best sporting equipment available.
Canada’s 2000 Olympic Head Coach Designs New SAC Speed Running Programs
London Legion is extremely proud to announce that Brent McFarlane has chosen to become Program Consultant to the London Legion Track & Field Alliance. Mr. McFarlane has been a coach on 33 Canadian National teams, 4 Olympic teams, and was Canada’s Head Coach for the 2000 Olympic Games. He has developed over 39 National Champions and his athletes have established over 22 Canadian records. He is also the author of two books on Sprints & Hurdles and on SAC (Speed, Agility and Conditioning) Training. Brent has been the SAC Training Coach for the current undefeated , #2 CIS ranked, and 2005 Vanier Cup Champion Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks football team from 2002-2005. In his role as a Consultant to London Legion, Brent will be the architect and designer of the new London Legion Speed, Agility & Conditioning (SAC) Program for Speed Running. This unique speed and conditioning program helps athletes of power sports, like track and football, to develop skills for speed running up to 60m. Brent will also be resource for all London Legion coaches. Details of the SAC Speed Running program are now available (See SAC Speed Running).
London Legion Welcomes Syracuse University Cross Country/Middle Distance Captain
Aleccia graduated in 2003 from Syracuse University in New York with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Minor in Nutrition. While attending Syracuse University, she competed in cross country and middle/long distance track. Aleccia was the captain of the SU team in her final year and lead her team during the cross-country season. Aleccia was awarded the MVP and the Most Improved award in 2003. Member of the Athletic Director’s Honor Roll and named to the Deans List from 1999-2003. Two-time BIG EAST Academic All-Star. Prior to SU, Aleccia Attended Banting S.S. Multi OFSAA medallist in the 800m, 1500m, 4X400m. Placed 4th in the 1500m at Junior Nationals in 1999.
Aleccia is married and working in London as a Public Health Nurse and Labor and Delivery nurse. She enjoys playing soccer, biking, and running of course. Daughter of Fred and Marilyn Boland.
Highland Games Heavy Events Winner gains #1 World Ranking
London Legion Throws and Strenth & Conditioning Coach, Harvey Barkauskas (centre) won the Highland Games Heavy Events Championship held in New Hampshire. The Highland Games were held from Sept 22-24, 2005.
Coach Harvey Barkauskas watches the results of his Braemer Stone throw. In this event Harvey threw a 32 pound weight without a spin or glide.
Congratulations Harvey.
The Highland games dates back over 1000 years and is the foundation for modern Track & Field competitions.
Harvey competed in the following Heavy Events competitions to win his World Championship title.
Turning the Caber – tossing a 120 pound log, 20 feet tall.
Sheaf Toss – tossing a 20 pound bail of hay with a pitchfork.
Weight Throw – throwing a 56 pound stone for distance
Weight Toss – throwing a 56 pound weight for height
Stone Throw – throwing a special 36 pound circular stone for distance
Hammer Throw – similar to modern hammer throws
Farmers Walk – athlete carries two 150 stones through a circuit – farthest wins.
WINS TRVRAA GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP, 2ND PLACE IN WOSSAA TOURNAMENT
London Legion 400m sprinter, 400m hurdler and long jumper, Sarah Ross, advanced to the OFSAA Golf Championship. Sarah qualified by placing 2nd in the WOSSAA Women's Golf Championship held at Sunningdale Golf Course. Sarah shot an impressive 81. Earlier, Sarah's round of 84 won the Thames Valley Region Athletic Association (TVRAA) Championship. Congratulations Sarah! Good Luck at the Ontario Championship.
22 ONTARIO MEDALS WON IN OUR FIRST YEAR! 6 Gold, 7 Silver, & 9 Bronze.
London Legion's Bantam Girls 4X100 Relay Team. Coaches Dave Hyland, Julie Kirkhope , Linda Findley and Laurie Hughes build an impressive Bantam Team. Our Bantam Team (13 and Under)placed 4th in Ontario and our Midget Team (15 and Under) also placed 4th in Ontario. This is remarkable for a 1st year Track & Field Club.
Abdull Zubair, 19, cools down after a sizzling hot performance in the Junior Mens 400m Hurdles winning the Gold Medal. Abdull's time of 53.62 is one of the best times in Canada this year. The 400m Hurdles is considered the toughest event in Track & Field. The extreme heat on Sunday afternoon made this event even more difficult.
Jared Rundle Drake earned Pole Vault Gold in the Juvenile Mens Section
1500 and 3000 distance specialists, Jeremy Leite (Left) and Thomas De Vries (Right) compete in the 3000 metres on Sunday morning. Thomas won the 3000m Gold and 1500m Bronze Medals.
Our Midget Girls Win 4X100 Gold in a very competitive and exciting relay final. Congratulations Emma Crombeen, Meaghan Harris, Katerina Karidas and Kelsey Law.
Jenn House wins a Gold Medal with a Pole Vault of 3.05 metres. A second Pole Vault Gold Medal for London Legion. cappping a great coaching season for Dave Collins.
Meaghan Harris sprints to a Bronze Medal in the Midget Girls Final. Andrew Graham won 2 Hurdle Bronze Medals. London Legion Hurdlers won a total of 6 Ontario Championship Medals. Great results for the team and Hurdles coach Sandy Cooper-Ryder.
WINDSOR LEADS FIRST CLASS INTERNATIONAL TRACK & FIELD EVENT
Jamie Ryder (centre left) enters the Pan Am Stadium in Windsor for the Opening Ceremonies. of the Pan Am Junior Championships. Congratulations to the City of Windsor and the University of Windsor for leading a first class International Track & Field Event. Special congratulations to University of Windsor Lancer Head Coach Dennis Fairall.
Jamie Ryder, representing Canada (right), hurdles to 6th place at the Pan Am Junior Championship. Jamie was second among 18 yr old Junior Competitors. Jamie's 42" Hurdle time is now 6th in Canada for Senior Men.
London Legion Head Coach and Jamie's Mother Sandy Cooper-Ryder congratulates Jamie on 2 years of effort. Next stop Beijing, for the World Juniors. We are hopeful to take more London Legion Athletes to compete at this event.
YOUNG ATHLETES EARN 9 MEDALS AT ONTARIO CHAMPIONSHIP
A total of 9 Provincial Medals were earned by young London Legion Athletes aged 8 -13. at the Ontario Minor Track & Field Championships held at York University. All 17 London Legion athletes had Personal Best performances. Congratulations to all and a special thanks to coaches Dave Hyland, Julie Kirkhope and Laurie Hughes.
Congratulations to Jenn House and Coach Dave Collins for an impressive Pole Vault Gold Medal at the Legion Championship held in St Catharines. Jenn jumped 3.0 metres. London Legion T&F teammate Andrew Graham won a Bronze Medal in the 110m Hurdles and came 4th in a very competitive 300m hurdle field. Meaghan Harris came 6th in Ontario in both the 80m and 300m hurdles. Finally Sarah Ross came 5th in the 400m sprints.
Legion Executive R.T.(Bob) Walsh (right)congratulates Coach Julie Kirkhope (left) on a job well done! London Legion sends a team of 17 young athletes to the Ontario Minor Track & Field Championship on July 16. A great season, with fantastic performances. More to come this weekend!
London Legion is proud to announce that Jamie Ryder, Abdull Zubair and Ryan Tremblay (Independent) achieved medal winning performances at the Canadian Junior Championship.
Both Jamie Ryder and Abdull Zubair are now ranked in the Top 10 of all active Canadian men in the 110m Hurdles (Jamie) and 400m Hurdles (Abdull). Independent Athlete training with London Legion, Ryan Tremblay is now on the top 10 Junior Ranking, with Athletics Canada, for both the 110m hurdles and 400m hurdles. This is an amazing accomplishment.
Below are pictures of the medal presentations for our special athletes.
Ryder (centre) and Independent Tremblay (right) at Junior National Medal Ceremony
Adbull Zubair receives Bronze Medal in the 400m Hurdles. Abdull is now ranked in Athletics Canada's Top 10 List of Active Canadian Men.
Royal Canadian Legion Executive R.T. (Bob) Walsh with Canadian Junior Champions Abdull Zubair (left), Ryan Tremblay (Independent)(centre) and Jamie Ryder (right)
August 30, 2007. London, ON
August 29, 2007.
August 15, 2007. 
August 8, 2007. Oromocto, NB
July 21, 2007. Oshawa, Ontario (MTA Championship), Ottawa Ontario (RCL Ontario Championship)
July 15, 2007. Ostrava, Czech Republic
July 12, Ostrava, Czech Republic
June 17, 2007, York University, Toronto, ON
June 16 & 17, York University, Toronto, ON
June 19, 2007. London, ON
Kerr
Butcher
Setterington
June 4, 2007. London, ON
WOSSAA T&F Championship. May 23-24, 2007, London, ON
May 28, 2007, St. Thomas Aquinas High School
May 14, 2007, LETS RACE SERIES, St. Thomas Aquinas H.S
May 12, 2007
May 7, 2007. St. Thomas Aquinas High School, London, ON
LETS RACE (2) on April 30, 2007. London, ON
April 27, 2007. London, ON.
April 23, 2007, London, ON
10.
TEN
WEEKS OF RACING FUN starting April 23 (6:30)
March 3, 2007. Toronto, Ontario
March 3-4, 2007. Windsor, Ontario.
March 2, 2007. London, Ontario.
February 23, 2007. Toronto Ontario
London Legion welcomes former International Monetary
Fund(IMF) Economist
February 4, 2006. York University, Toronto, Ontario.
February 3, 2007. London, Ontario
January 25, 2007. London, Ontario
January 17, 2007 London Ontario.
January 13, 2007. Lincoln, Nebraska.
The votes are in! With over 200 votes cast by club members, we have a tie for the 2006 Story of the Year for London Legion Track & Field. Tied with 44 votes each were the stories about London Legion's first ever Ontario Overall Indoor Club Championship title, and our team unity being such a strong part of our club culture.
December 20, 2006
December 19, 2006 
December 17, 2006 
December 15, 2006. London Legion is extremely proud to announce that Mr. Doug Ditchfield has become a Coach and Board Member for our organization. Doug is a CIS (CIAU) Track & Field Medalist and was 4th in the Canadian Interuniversity Sports Championship in the Long Jump. He has also earned 10 Gold and 3 Silver Canadian Championship Medals in Long Jump, Triple Jump and Sprints as a Master's Track & Field Athlete. Doug is a graduate of the University of Western Ontario and the Ivey School of Business. Mr. Ditchfield will be also joining our Board of Directors as part of our Board renewal program for 2007. It is very rare for a club to get an athlete, coach and Board Member with Doug's track record and experience. Doug will help us improve both our coaching program and our club executive team. Welcome aboard Doug! Doug's full bio is in our Coaches section.
November 27, 2006. 
Congratulations to Coach Rick Sheardown and the Regina 
Mother Theresa Quarterback Luke Thompson has joined London Legion
November 11, 2006. 11 A.M.
Congratulations to Mr. Rick Sheardown (right) and the Regina Mundi Titans Basketball Team on their 9-0 Season. Many of you will recall these young women training with London Legion Track & Field last summer in our first Basketball Speed,Agility, Conditioning Program. Go to the BASKETBALL SAC Section to watch these talented athletes. Video Highlights, are included for all SAC and T&F athletes at no charge. Winter S.A.C. (Football) starts in December.
November 5, 2006 12 P.M. 
Many thanks to Lambeth Legion executive Joanne Lampman (centre right) for the honour to be a part of this important recognition of our Veterans.
October 18, 2006...Lincoln Nebraska...
Waterloo: September 30, 2006.....Andrea McFarlane, daughter of Victoria and Brent McFarlane was married to Mr. Tim Penner of Waterloo. Brent is London Legion's mentor coach and the designer of London Legion's SAC Program. Brent was Canada's Head Coach for the 2000 Olympic Games. Congratulations to all.
Welcome to London Legion Track & Field. We are getting ready now for the 2007 Season. London Legion is a leader in Canada for Track & Field Development with a rich set of services for athletes and their families. Our coaches, programs and services are highlighted on this site. Below is our 2007 Club Registration Form. We look forward to working with you in 2007. If you have any questions, at any time, please call us at 519-652-9477.
Led by coaches Linda Findley (left), and Aleccia Hofstetter (right) London Legion begins our cross country training August 21 at 5 pm at the London Rowing Club off Wonderland Rd. We will train in Springbank Park for the month of August and then move to various other locations such as Gibbons Park, Harris Park, Elsie Perron and Komoka Trails. The purpose of this training is two fold. For the sprinters, jumpers and long hurdlers who are joining us, it will build their base and expose them to a different type of tempo running. For the middle distance runners, it will prepare them for the cross country running season which ends with the Nationals in Vancouver BC at the end of November. Practices will last about 1 1/2 hours and will incorporate speed and strenghtening work as well as tempo work. Bring water and hope to see you August 21 at 5 pm!! New members are welcome anytime. This is a great opportunity to learn cross country running skills from two very talented coaches and athletes. Linda is ranked in the Top 5 in the World Master's in several cross country events and Aleccia was the Captain of the Syracuse University Cross Country Teams in one of the best Distance Programs in the NCAA. 
Burnaby, B.C. August 13, 2006.... At the Canadian Legion National Track & Field Championship, held in Burnaby B.C., London Legion's Shauna Malek won 5 Canadian Championship Medals. In only her first year at competitive Track & Field, Shauna has set new Personal Bests 4 times this year at major competitions including OFSAA, the OTFA Ontario Championship and the Ontario Summer Games. This weekend, Shauna placed second in a very competitive field of top 400m athletes with a time of 57.20. Shauna also came in 3rd at the Canadian Championship in the 200m with a very quick 25.85 and in the 400m Hurdles (1:04.15). Shauna is a first year Juvenile.
The coaches of the Ontario team, recognizing Shauna's combination of speed and endurance, asked her to start the lead leg's for the Ontario Relay Teams in the coveted 4X100 and 4X400 events. Ontario won Gold Medals in both events.
Windsor: July 28-30. It came down to the last event of the OTFA Bantam, Midget and Juvenile T&F Meet. London Legion was 1 point behind a powerful Saugeen T&F Club. The final event, the 4X800 relay, placed both clubs head to head for the championship. London Legion Bantams, Ben Hyland, Josh Millard, Adam Lo, and Zach Gray stepped up to the challenge and took the 4X800 Gold. What an exciting end to a great weekend of Track & Field. Coaches in the picture above, from left to right include Dave Hyland (left), Collete Tesfaye (centre) and Sandy Cooper-Ryder (right)
Other outstanding Bantam results this weekend included Taylor Farquhar's 3 Gold Medals in the 400m (59.50) , the 80m Hurdles and the 200m Hurdles. Zah Gray had a huge PB in the 400m with a time of 56.10 and a 25.17 in the 200m. Zach also had excellent times in winning Silver medals in the 80m Hurdles and 200m Hurdles. Finally Zach was anchor of the 4X100 Relay Gold Medal Team that set a new Ontario Record. Video highlights of these record breaking performances will be coming soon. Ian Turbull won the 1500m with a sub 4:55 PB and Brandon Graham won Silver in the High Jump and 3rd int the 800m. Alanna Fournie won two Silver Medals in the 400m and 800m. Jacob Crombeen placed 3rd in the Shot Put. Josh Millard also placed 4th in the 800m and Long Jump.
The Ontario Summer Games returns to Ottawa from August 4-6, at Terry Fox Stadium. Athletes from across Ontario will be will be vying for Ontario Medals in all T&F events. Our own Sandy Cooper-Ryder has been named an Ontario Games Coach. This year, the Ontario Summer Games athletes will be competing along with athletes in the Canadian Senior Championships. London Legion athletes Jenn House (PV) and Shauna Malek (400m, 400mh) will be competing in the OSG. Abdull Zubair is entered in his first Senior Canadian Championship in the 400m Hurdles.
July 23, 2006. ... Inverness, Scotland. At the home of the Highland Games, Inverness, Scotland, London Legion coach, Havey Barkauskas, became the World Scottish Games Heavy Events Champion for the second year in a row. Well done Harvey. Harvey returns tomorrow to provide leadership to young throwers at London Legion. Harvey is a member or the UWO Hall of Fame for his throwing records at UWO. London Legion is very proud of coach Harvey Barkauskas, a work class athlete, coach and teacher. 
Sherbrooke, PQ: July 22, 2006. Jenn House won the Bronze Medal in the Pole Vault, at the Canadian Junior T&F Championship. Jenn jumped 3.55m to claim the Bronze. First year Juvenile, Meghan Harris, made London Legion proud by placing 13th in her specialty event the 100m Hurdles. Congratulations Jenn & Meghan.
Toronto: July 22, 2006....York University. Taylor Farquhar broke the Ontario Minor Track Association Atom Girls 400m Record for Girls 12 and Under. Her incredible time was 1:00.47 a huge Personal Best for Taylor. In 2006, Taylor has broken 3 Ontario Records including the 60mh Indoor Record and the Outdoor OTFA Tetrathlon Record. In June, Taylor's qualifying time or 1:02.80 at the Ontario Hershey Games was the best time of Ontario and 8 U.S. States including Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Wisconscin, Iowa and Missouri. Taylor will be competing at the North American Hershey Games in Pittsburgh, PA in August.
Timmins...July 14, 2006. In a city known around the world for Gold, London Legion Athletes have found some. On Day 1 of the Ontario Legion T&F Championship, 3 London Legion Athletes have won Gold Medals. Congratulations Jenn House (left) Ontario Pole Vault Champion, Meghan Harris (centre) Ontario 100m Hurdle Champion and Shauna Malek (right) Ontario 400m Champion. Congratulations also goes to Charlotte Crombeen placing 6th in the 80m Hurdles and Andrew Graham for placing 3rd in the 100m Hurdles. Andrew and Charlotte are in their first year of eligibility and we look forward to an exciting 2007 season for these outstanding athletes.
London Legion Athletes have been named to the Ontario Summer Games Team. Congratulations to Meaghan Harris, Jenn House, Shauna Malek and Jamie Ryder. The Ontario Summer Games is designed to promote the highest level of competition for athletes 22 and under.
From Left to Right, Meaghan Harris, Jenn House, Shauna Malek and Jamie Ryder.
On Canada Day Weekend in our Nation's Capital Ottawa, Abdull Zubair won the Ontario Senior Men's 400mh Gold Medal. This is London Legion's first Senior Outdoor Championship Medal. Juvenile Women's athlete, Jenn House competed in the Junior Women's Pole Vault and won Silver with a jump of 3.50m. 
13 London Legion Athletes took the Ontario Multi-Event Championship held at York University. The team scored 69 Mult-Event points winning the overall. Congratulations. 
We have had many questions about our visitor at recent London Legion practices. London Legion welcomes Mr. Steve Brooks, the former 1990 World Paralympic Silver Medalist in the 26 Mile Marathon. Steve won his World Silver Medal with an amazing time of 2 hours and 47 minutes. Steve was also the 1992 Bronze Medalist at the Paralympic Olympic Games held in Barcelona in 1992. Steve will be competing in the Canadian Paralympic Games, to be held in London on July 6, 7, and 8. Steve is Blind. He will be running with London Legion athlete Thomas van der Hoff during his running competitions. Everyone in our club is impressed with the leadership and maturity, shown by Thomas as he helps Steve. If you would also like to help with these games, please contact Mr. Bud Willis (above beside Linda Findley) at 
London Legion is very proud to announce the additions of 3 top regional athletes to the London Legion Track & Field family. From Elite regional Soccer Programs we welcome Shauna Malek (above left) and Becca Rauch (above right). Both Shauna and Becca are OFSAA Finalists and Shauna is a double Silver Medalist in the 400m and 400mh. Both Shauna and Becca were part of the OFSAA Gold Medal 4X100 Relay team. This year is Shauna and Becca's first year of competitive track. Lindsay Ferguson(right), another track & field rookie, also qualified for OFSAA Track. Lindsay plays competitive hockey in the London Devillettes Hockey Program. Lindsay is a 400m, 400mh and 800m specialist. Welcome Lindsay to London Legion Track & Field.
Mult-Event Athletes Austin Roth (far left), Jordan Timpany (left center), Malcolm Noel (center right) and Jeff Mitchell (far right).
On June 11, London Legion T&F coordinated our club's first Ontario Master's Championship. London Legion Master's Athlete Tim Bourgard won Gold in the Ontario Master's Long Jump and Silver in the Ontario Master's 100m Competition. Congratulations to our own Linda Findley who was this year's Meet Chairperson. Several London Legion coaches, athletes and parents helped make this years Ontario Championship a huge success.
London Legion athletes Meghan Harris, Jamie Ryder and Andrew Graham broke Ontario Records at the OFSAA Championships held in Toronto from June 1 – 3, 2006. Oakridge's Jenn House won OFSAA Silver in the Pole Vault, Banting's Shauna Malek won 2 Silver Medals in the 400m and 300mh; Lucas athlete Corey Crawley won Silver in the 100m Midget Final; Mother Teresa's Michael Lopatowski won Bronze in the High Jump and Emma Crombeen placed 15th in the 80mh. Strathroy's Emerson Grigg placed fifth in the High Jump; Jerermy Leite placed 8th in the 1500m, and Scott Leitch placed 4th in the 300mh. STA's Nicole Courtney won a Silver in the Junior Girls 4X100 Relay. Central's first year senior, Stephanie Muise, was 9th in the 3000m and 18th in the 1500m. OFSAA Highlights will be added to the Athletes Section. 
London Legion Track & Field is extremely proud to announce the London Elementary Track Series, L.E.T.S. RACE. Our youngest athletes have asked us over and over to create opportunities for them to compete, and to race. Many people have helped with this wonderful project and we are greatly appreciative of their support. A special Thank You goes to the London Community Foundation who provided a grant for our state of the art timing equipment. L.E.T.S. RACE starting June 7.
London Legion Coach, Athlete and club Board member, Linda Findley, has brought the Ontario Master's T&F Championship to London. This competition attracts Ontario's best Master's athletes looking to qualify for this summer's Canadian Master's Championship. Linda will be also competiting at this meet along with team member Tim Bourgard. Linda is looking for volunteers to help with many simple jobs at the meet. Please contact Linda at 
Ryan Tremblay has signed with Simon Fraser University (SFU). In the fall of 2006, Ryan will be competing on both the SFU Football and Track Teams.
London Legion Track & Field welcomed over 15,295 people to our website for the first four months of 2006. This represents an amazing 520% increase in visitors from 2005.
London Legion T&F is proud to announce 2 new Spring Programs for London & Area Athletes. London Legion Minor Track Field is a competitive Track & Field Program for young athletes. London Legion's T&F program won the 2006 Ontario Indoor Championship. Our highly successful SAC Speed Running Program helps young football athletes develop running skills with improved agility, strength and speed. This program was designed for London Legion T&F by Brent McFarlane former Head Coach of Canada's Olympic Team and SAC Coach for Vanier Cup winning Laurier Golden Hawks Football Team.
On March 25, 2006, London Legion sent 23 Elementary Athletes to the Ontario Minor T&F Championships and came home with 20 medals. Great athletic performances by all. Registration for Spring/Summer Minor T&F starts on April 1 at London Source for Sports, 458 Wharncliffe Road South from 9 AM to Noon.
Jamie Ryder placed 2nd at the U.S. High School Championship held in New York from March 10-12, 2006. Jamie won the 60m hurdle heats with a blazing 7.96. He also won the semi finals with a Personal Best 7.92. In the final, Jamie ran 7.91, another Personal Best and was only .01 sec behind the first place finalist. Congratulations Jamie!
At the Ontario Indoor Juvenile and Senior Championship (February 18-19, 2006), London Legion T&F Athletes won 2 Gold Medals including Jenn House (upper left) in the Juvenile Pole Vault jumping a PB of 3.30m. Jenn narrowly missed setting a new Ontario Record of 3.41m. Jamie Ryder broke the Ontario and Canadian Under 20 record for the 60m Hurdles in a time of 8.12 in winning Gold in the Seniors. Andrew Graham (lower left) also ran a PB in winning Ontario Silver in the 60mh. Hannah Keating (lower right) also threw a competition PB in winning the Silver Medal in the Juvenile Womens Shot Put. Hanna threw 9.57m.
A new record for London Legion T&F website monthly visits was set in February. A total of 4062 visitors came to 
On February 3, 2006, Taylor Farquhar broke the Ontario Indoor 300m Record. Her winning time of 46.53 smashed the old record of 49.28 for women under the age of 13. This record was an unexpected bonus after Taylor helped her teammates win 2 Ontario Relay Championship Medals, one Gold and one Silver. Congratulations Taylor! 
Left to Right Kelly Burton, Brigid Harris, Taylor Farquhar, and Alana Founie. 
Left to Right Corey Crawley, Mitchell Donnan, Zachary Gray, Jeff Mitchell and Gabriel Tesfaye. Tesfaye, Donnan, Mitchell and Crawley won 4X200 Silver. Gray, Mitchell, Tesfaye and Distance Specialist Jeremy Leite won Gold in the Sprint Medley. 
Left to Right Nicole Courtney, Emma Crombeen, Andrea Aarssen, and Meaghan Harris. 
Corey Crawley (left), Gabriel Tesfaye (middle), Jeff Mitchell (right) sweep Midget Boys Ontario Multi-Event Championship. Gabriel Tesfaye broke the Under 15 Multi-Event Tetrathlon Record. 
Andrew Graham (Left) and Michael Lopatowski (Right)
London Legion is extremely proud to announce that Brent McFarlane has chosen to become Program Consultant to the London Legion Track & Field Alliance. Mr. McFarlane has been a coach on 33 Canadian National teams, 4 Olympic teams, and was Canada’s Head Coach for the 2000 Olympic Games. He has developed over 39 National Champions and his athletes have established over 22 Canadian records. He is also the author of two books on Sprints & Hurdles and on SAC (Speed, Agility and Conditioning) Training. Brent has been the SAC Training Coach for the current undefeated , #2 CIS ranked, and 2005 Vanier Cup Champion Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks football team from 2002-2005.
Aleccia graduated in 2003 from Syracuse University in New York with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Minor in Nutrition. While attending Syracuse University, she competed in cross country and middle/long distance track. Aleccia was the captain of the SU team in her final year and lead her team during the cross-country season. Aleccia was awarded the MVP and the Most Improved award in 2003. Member of the Athletic Director’s Honor Roll and named to the Deans List from 1999-2003. Two-time BIG EAST Academic All-Star. Prior to SU, Aleccia Attended Banting S.S. Multi OFSAA medallist in the 800m, 1500m, 4X400m. Placed 4th in the 1500m at Junior Nationals in 1999.
London Legion Throws and Strenth & Conditioning Coach, Harvey Barkauskas (centre) won the Highland Games Heavy Events Championship held in New Hampshire. The Highland Games were held from Sept 22-24, 2005.
Coach Harvey Barkauskas watches the results of his Braemer Stone throw. In this event Harvey threw a 32 pound weight without a spin or glide.
Congratulations Harvey. 
London Legion 400m sprinter, 400m hurdler and long jumper, Sarah Ross, advanced to the OFSAA Golf Championship. Sarah qualified by placing 2nd in the WOSSAA Women's Golf Championship held at Sunningdale Golf Course. Sarah shot an impressive 81. Earlier, Sarah's round of 84 won the Thames Valley Region Athletic Association (TVRAA) Championship. Congratulations Sarah! Good Luck at the Ontario Championship.
London Legion's Bantam Girls 4X100 Relay Team. Coaches Dave Hyland, Julie Kirkhope , Linda Findley and Laurie Hughes build an impressive Bantam Team. Our Bantam Team (13 and Under)placed 4th in Ontario and our Midget Team (15 and Under) also placed 4th in Ontario. This is remarkable for a 1st year Track & Field Club. 
Abdull Zubair, 19, cools down after a sizzling hot performance in the Junior Mens 400m Hurdles winning the Gold Medal. Abdull's time of 53.62 is one of the best times in Canada this year. The 400m Hurdles is considered the toughest event in Track & Field. The extreme heat on Sunday afternoon made this event even more difficult. 
Jared Rundle Drake earned Pole Vault Gold in the Juvenile Mens Section
1500 and 3000 distance specialists, Jeremy Leite (Left) and Thomas De Vries (Right) compete in the 3000 metres on Sunday morning. Thomas won the 3000m Gold and 1500m Bronze Medals.
Our Midget Girls Win 4X100 Gold in a very competitive and exciting relay final. Congratulations Emma Crombeen, Meaghan Harris, Katerina Karidas and Kelsey Law.
Jenn House wins a Gold Medal with a Pole Vault of 3.05 metres. A second Pole Vault Gold Medal for London Legion. cappping a great coaching season for Dave Collins.
Meaghan Harris sprints to a Bronze Medal in the Midget Girls Final. Andrew Graham won 2 Hurdle Bronze Medals. London Legion Hurdlers won a total of 6 Ontario Championship Medals. Great results for the team and Hurdles coach Sandy Cooper-Ryder. 
Jamie Ryder (centre left) enters the Pan Am Stadium in Windsor for the Opening Ceremonies. of the Pan Am Junior Championships. Congratulations to the City of Windsor and the University of Windsor for leading a first class International Track & Field Event. Special congratulations to University of Windsor Lancer Head Coach Dennis Fairall.
Jamie Ryder, representing Canada (right), hurdles to 6th place at the Pan Am Junior Championship. Jamie was second among 18 yr old Junior Competitors. Jamie's 42" Hurdle time is now 6th in Canada for Senior Men. 
London Legion Head Coach and Jamie's Mother Sandy Cooper-Ryder congratulates Jamie on 2 years of effort. Next stop Beijing, for the World Juniors. We are hopeful to take more London Legion Athletes to compete at this event. 
A total of 9 Provincial Medals were earned by young London Legion Athletes aged 8 -13. at the Ontario Minor Track & Field Championships held at York University. All 17 London Legion athletes had Personal Best performances. Congratulations to all and a special thanks to coaches Dave Hyland, Julie Kirkhope and Laurie Hughes.
Congratulations to Jenn House and Coach Dave Collins for an impressive Pole Vault Gold Medal at the Legion Championship held in St Catharines. Jenn jumped 3.0 metres. London Legion T&F teammate Andrew Graham won a Bronze Medal in the 110m Hurdles and came 4th in a very competitive 300m hurdle field. Meaghan Harris came 6th in Ontario in both the 80m and 300m hurdles. Finally Sarah Ross came 5th in the 400m sprints.
Legion Executive R.T.(Bob) Walsh (right)congratulates Coach Julie Kirkhope (left) on a job well done! London Legion sends a team of 17 young athletes to the Ontario Minor Track & Field Championship on July 16. A great season, with fantastic performances. More to come this weekend!
Ryder (centre) and Independent Tremblay (right) at Junior National Medal Ceremony
Adbull Zubair receives Bronze Medal in the 400m Hurdles. Abdull is now ranked in Athletics Canada's Top 10 List of Active Canadian Men. 
Royal Canadian Legion Executive R.T. (Bob) Walsh with Canadian Junior Champions Abdull Zubair (left), Ryan Tremblay (Independent)(centre) and Jamie Ryder (right)
