Track & Field | 3/13/2026 1:00:00 PM
York University Lions track and field jumper Tristan Boateng has been named one of eight recipients of the 2026 Athletes on Track Bursary, as announced by U SPORTS earlier this week in conjunction with BlackNorth Initiative and Sherrard Kuzz LLP.
The program, now in its fourth year of operation, is funded through generous contributions from Scotia Wealth Management, Canada Basketball, Roots and Wheaton Precious Metal, It provides $5,000 to each of the eight recipients; to qualify for the program, a student-athlete must be black (Afro-Caribbean, African Canadian, and/or racialized), while also being enrolled in a Canadian university, and actively participating as a member of a U SPORTS varsity team.
Boateng, a second-year civil engineering student from Ajax, Ont., is coming off a silver medal in men's high jump at the OUA championships held at York last month, improving on his fourth-place finish in the 2025 event. This past weekend, Boateng finished fourth at the U SPORTS championships in Winnipeg, equalling his finish from last year's championships while also tying his jump of record from last year's meet, clearing the bar at 2.09m.
"Tristan deserves this award due to his smart work ethic and showing resilience despite the limited funding.," said Lions track and field head coach Ray Rudder. "He has contributed to our program at the highest levels and continues to improve yearly in his craft.
"Despite the hectic competition schedule and complexities, Tristan can still balance his academics and track in a positive way, and we are proud of the young man he has become."
Boateng becomes the second Lion in as many years to receive the bursary, following teammate Tamarri Lindo, who was one of two OUA student-athletes to do so in in 2025.
