T&F: Alberta set to host 2024 CW Track and Field Championships

The 2024 Canada West Track and Field championships are coming to the University of Alberta, with the best of the west descending on Edmonton for two days of competition at the Universiade Pavilion (Butterdome) on Feb. 23 and 24.

Fans can catch the action live on Canada West TV.

Manitoba's men will be looking for a three-peat after claiming their second straight conference title last year in Saskatoon. On the women's side, Saskatchewan looks to defend the conference banner they won on home turf last February.

This year's competition promises to be a tight race with multiple U SPORTS ranked sides competing for top spot on the team podium. Canada West sports five nationally ranked women's programs, led by No. 3 Saskatchewan and No. 4 Calgary. Alberta, Manitoba and Regina sit eighth, ninth and tenth respectively. On the men's side, Manitoba is ranked No. 2 in the nation, followed by Alberta at No. 4 and Regina at No. 7.

Spectators will have no shortage of high calibre athletes to watch, with a number of Canada West athletes having already been recognized as U SPORTS Track and Field Athletes of the Week. That list includes Sienna MacDonald (Combined Event - Calgary), Dawson Mann (Middle Distance - Manitoba), Jordan Soufi (Sprints - Manitoba) and Nicolas Martin Huerta (Pole Vault - Trinity Western).

MacDonald has been enjoying great success so far this year while continuing Calgary's strong tradition of success in combined events, having twice been named a U SPORTS athlete of the week after setting personal bests in multiple events including the 60m hurdles and long jump.

Lethbridge's Jinaye Shomachuk is also in strong form entering the championships, having been named a Canada West Athlete of the Week earlier in February. The third year athlete was named the women's Outstanding Performer of the Meet at last year's CW championships and will again be a favourite in the weight throw and shot put events.

Hometown Edmonton product Rachel Grenke looks to be a medal threat in pole vault for the host Alberta Pandas. She captured her third gold medal of the season two weeks ago at the Panda Open after a winning jump of 3.88m.

On the men's side, a pair of Golden Bears will look to impress the hometown crowd after recently setting new program records. Nick Cook set a new program record in the 1000m with a time of 2:22.98, while Ron MacLean set a new Bears record in the 3000m, with his time of 8:08.26 breaking the previous record by four seconds.

The Golden Bears had a strong home showing at the Pandas Open two weeks ago, led by gold medals from Connor Bole (600m), Tegra Jan-King (triple jump), and their 4x400m relay team. 

To stay up-to-date on the weekend's events, visit WinTheWest.ca.

U SPORTS Nationals Headed to Winnipeg

Competitors will be looking to earn their spots at the 2024 U SPORTS Track and Field National Championships, to be hosted by the University of Manitoba at the James Daly Fieldhouse in Winnipeg from March 7 to 9.