As the OUA Track & Field Championships descend upon York University this weekend (February 20 – 21), the Waterloo Warriors are not just looking to participate, they are looking to peak. In a season defined by incredibly deep fields and high stakes across the province, the Warriors have carved out their own lane, carrying a wave of momentum built on historic performances and relentless improvement.

The statistics from this season tell the story of a squad hitting its stride at the perfect moment. Over the last few months, the team has amassed a staggering 98 lifetime personal bests and 48 season bests. Perhaps most impressively, the Warriors have rewritten the program's history books this year, logging 14 new performances that now stand within the Warriors' All-Time Top 10 list.

Leading the charge on the track is veteran and team captain Ben Lemon (Waterloo, ON/). Currently ranked third in the OUA and 12th in U SPORTS, Lemon has been a picture of consistency and speed throughout the season. His best time of 1:20.03 in the 600m ties him as the second-fastest runner in school history. He enters the weekend as a serious medal contender looking to cap off his varsity career with a podium finish.

In the field events, rookie sensation Kevin Salaudeen (Belleville, ON/) has made an immediate impact. After a redshirt season last year, Salaudeen has turned the pit into his personal stage, setting personal bests at nearly every meet he has entered. His triple jump of 14.41m, the second-best in school history, ranks him third in the OUA and eighth in U SPORTS, putting him in good position to punch his ticket to the U SPORTS Championships. Salaudeen also provides critical depth in the long jump, where his mark of 6.82m ranks fifth on the Warriors' all-time list.

The momentum heading into OUA's is perhaps most palpable among the throwers and jumpers, who used the recent Last Chance meet in Guelph to make statements. Jai Sharma (Modinagar, IN/) unleashed a massive series of throws, surpassing his previous shot put personal best multiple times to finish with a mark of 13.89m, climbing to 5th on Waterloo's all-time list and 11th in OUA's.

Meanwhile, the women's jump squad provided some of the season's most electrifying moments in Guelph. Gloria So (Markham, ON/) shattered the 11-meter barrier, hitting 11.10m to move into 5th all-time for the Warriors and 12th in OUA's. Her teammate, Syiera Stuart (Belle River, ON/), delivered a performance that echoed through the history books. Stuart's massive season-best leap of 11.45m ranks her second all-time for Waterloo, falling just a single centimeter short of the school record held by Olympian and alumni Heather Moyse. Both women are peaking at the right time to challenge for points this weekend.

While individual brilliance shines, the Championships are ultimately a team battle. The relay squads are positioned to fight for crucial points to bolster the team standing. The women's 4x200m, 4x400m, and 4x800m teams are all hunting for top-8 scoring finishes. On the men's side, the stakes are incredibly high for the 4x400m quartet. Currently ranked 8th in the OUA and 14th in U SPORTS, they sit just outside the national qualifying bubble. They are aiming to put together a perfect race this Saturday to crack the Top 12 and punch their ticket to Winnipeg. The men's 4x200m sit at 9th in the OUA while the 4x800m team sit 11th, both aiming for a top 8 finish.

Finally, this weekend serves as a celebration of our graduating class. The program wishes to thank Gabrielle Bailey, Ava DuChene, Brielle Fernandez (Hong Kong, HK/), Ben Lemon (Waterloo, ON/), Lucas Baranoski (Waterloo, ON/), David Gbenjo (Kitchener/), Jai Sharma (Modinagar, IN/), Syiera Stuart (Belle River, ON/), Gloria So (Markham, ON/), Natalie Tsang (Vancouver, B.C./Crofton House School), and Claire Vernon-Pope (Hamilton, Ont./). Their dedication and leadership have been the foundation of this season's success, and we look forward to cheering them on one last time at this weekend's championships.

With medal hopefuls ready and top 8 finishes within reach, the Warriors are ready to leave their mark at the 2026 OUA Championships.

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