The York Lions track and field team's post season got off to a strong start Friday (Feb. 26) as the Lions racked up seven medals, including three gold medals on day one of the OUA Championships in Windsor, Ont.
 
Chris Preece (Cookstown, Ont.) got the Lions off to a good start on the day, as he picked up the silver medal in the men's weight throw in the first event of the conference championships. Preece's 19.00m toss in the final round sealed the second place finish for the Lion's fourth year thrower.
 
Fellow thrower Brittany Crew (East York, Ont.) once again starred for the Lions as she earned the gold medal in the women's shot put and also set a new OUA Championships record in the process. After starting with throws of 16.05m and 16.06m in the first two rounds, Crew dug deep in round 3 and heaved a 17.49m toss which set the record and ensured her of the first place finish. She outdistanced her closest competitor, Sarah Mitton of host school Windsor, by over two metres in a dominant performance.
 
Also on the field, Holly Pitters (Mississauga, Ont.) finished in first place in the women's long jump with a 6.02m jump. Pitters equaled her personal best with leap, which she set just three weeks ago at the Armory Collegiate Invitational in New York.
 
On the track, graduating senior Sheereen Harris (Toronto) led the way for the Lions with a gold a medal in the women's 300m in a time of 38.50 seconds. Harris was joined by teammate Courtney Dwyer (Orleans, Ont.) who picked up the bronze medal in the event in a time of 40.06 seconds.
 
Rounding out the medalists for the Lions on the track was Bismark Boateng (Etobicoke, Ont.), who continued his strong season with a silver medal in the men's 300m in a time of 34.61 seconds and Mikeisha Bobb (London, Ont.) who picked up her first individual OUA Championships medal with a bronze in the women's 60m hurdles in a time of 8.58 seconds.
 
The Lions find themselves ranked third and fifth respectively in the women's and men's team standings after day one, with the action continuing today (Feb. 27) for the second and final day of the OUA Championships. 
 
Women's Standings (after Day 1)

1. University of Guelph (79)
2. Western University (73)
3. York University (52.50)
4. University of Windsor (50.50)
5. University of Toronto (50)
6. University of Ottawa (18)
7. University of Waterloo (8)
8. Queen's University (6)
9. McMaster University (6)
10. Laurentian University (4)

 
Men's Standings (after Day 1)

1. University of Windsor (84)
2. University of Guelph (63)
3. Western University (52)
4. University of Toronto (41)
5. York University (25)
6. McMaster University (16)
7. University of Ottawa (9)
8. University of Waterloo (8)
9. Brock University (5)
10. Lakehead University (5)
11. Wilfrid Laurier University (2)
12. Queens University (1)
13. Ryerson University (1)

 
For up to date results visit 2016 OUA Track and Field Championships Results
 
In just under two weeks the Lions will welcome athletes from across the country as they host the CIS Championships at the Toronto Track and Field Centre from March 10-12.