PREVIEW: 2023 Subway AUS Track and Field Championships
Tigers primed to defend track and field crowns
Tigers primed to defend track and field crowns
By Corey LeBlanc
Rich Lehman doesn't mince words when asked what the goal is for his Dalhousie Tigers program at the 2023 Subway Atlantic University Sport (AUS) Track and Field Championships, presented Bell, this weekend in Saint John, N.B.
"To win," he says.
The Tigers have a rich history of doing just that, fashioning decades of dominance—with the women's and men's sides primed to defend their top spot on the podium in the conference.
The Dal women will be shooting for their 33rd consecutive AUS banner, while the men are going after their 20th crown in 21 seasons.
Despite the unprecedented run, Lehman notes that everyone with the program is aware that "nothing is guaranteed."
Noting that the Tigers returned the "majority" of student-athletes from last season's championship squad, he says the Black and Gold is ready to defend their titles.
"We are looking forward to the challenge," Lehman says.
When it comes to middle and long distances, he explains that Dalhousie is "much stronger," while they have shown a "little" improvement in the throws and remained steady in the jumps.
"We are a little weaker," Lehman adds of the sprints, noting that's where his program lost the most student-athletes.
He believes that his Tigers boast the most depth in what he describes as "top-end talent" in the AUS.
"I think we have what it takes to get it done," Lehman says.
In 2022, on the women's side, the Tigers raced to gold, with the UNB REDS and STFX X-Women garnering silver and bronze, respectively. Joining the champion Dal men on the podium were the REDS (silver) and Université de Moncton Aigles Bleus (bronze).
"We are really excited," UNB head coach Chris Belof says of the opportunity to defend their silver-medal showings in 2023.
The REDS will also serve as host school for the two-day meet—on Friday, Feb. 24 and Saturday, Feb. 25 – at the Irving Oil Field House.
"It is always an advantage," he offers of being deeply familiar with the facilities, adding, "Everyone is a little more comfortable."
Nevertheless, Belof stresses, "You still have to perform; it is not a game changer."
When it comes to contenders for AUS supremacy, he offers that the Tigers—women and men—are the "class of the field," as part of an ever-improving conference.
"It is great to see," Belof says of the growing parity.
He expects strong challenges from the Saint Mary's Huskies (men) and Université de Moncton Aigles Bleues (women) for their second-place positions on the podium.
Belof notes that the Cape Breton CAPERS and UPEI Panthers continue to make "great strides."
"They are always strong," he says of the X-Women and X-Men.
Speaking of STFX, head coach Eric Gillis expects his student-athletes to produce a "strong team performance."
"We are on the right track," he says, adding that this season the White and Blue continued to make "great strides" in reaching a program goal to become one of the "top" middle to long-distance running program in the AUS.
With Dalhousie remaining strong—and UNB much improved—Gillis says that STFX's student-athletes are looking forward to "tough competition."
"It brings the best out of us," he adds.
Belof says organizers are readying for plenty of family, friends and fans to turn out for the track and field showcase.
"It is going to be a really cool environment," he adds.
Spectators will have the opportunity to watch the men compete in the 60m, 300m, 600m, 1000m, 1500m, 3000m, 60m hurdles (5 x 107 cm), 800m relay (4 x 200m), 1600m relay (4 x 400m), 3200m relay (4 x 800m), high jump, pole vault, long jump, triple jump, weight throw (35#), shot put (7.26kg) and heptathlon (60m, LJ, SP, HJ, 60mH, PV, 1000m).
The women will compete in the 60m, 300m, 600m, 1000m, 1500m, 3000m, 60m hurdles (5 x 84 cm), 800m relay (4 x 200m), 1600m relay (4 x 400m), 3200m relay (4 x 800m), high jump, pole vault, long jump, triple jump, weight throw (20#), shot put (4kg) and pentathlon (60mH, HJ, SP, LJ, 800m).
All championship events will be webcast live at www.AUStv.ca.
AUS student-athletes who qualify this weekend—or have already reached the required standard—will move on to the 2023 U SPORTS Track and Field Championships, which are scheduled for March 9 to 11, at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon.