This is our first ranking release for Track and Field program in Canada; we are ranking the university based on teams’ performance in the year 2014/15, 2015/16, 2016/17; Data gathered from USports, Trackie.
1. Windsor Lancers
The Lancers are the most successful track and field program in Canadian Inter-University Sports history.
Led by head coach Dennis Fairall, the Lancers have captured 25 Canadian University cross country and track and field championships (20 track and field, five cross country) and the 46 Ontario University Championships (39 track and field seven cross country). In his 29 seasons at the program’s helm, Coach Fairall has been honoured 65 times as either the CIS national coach or the OUA Provincial Coach of the Year in Track and Field and Cross Country.
As of 2015–16, the Lancers have won 23 of the past 25 OUA provincial championships in men’s track and field and 17 of the past 25 OUA regional championships in women’s track and field.
The Lancer track and field program has featured some high-profile athletes over the years, including national standouts O’Brian Gibbons, Andrea Steen, Mike Nolan, Ryan McKenzie and most recently Melissa Bishop, who is still coached by Dennis Fairall, won a gold medal at the 2015 Pan Am Games in Toronto, Ontario. Bishop also set a new Canadian record in the 800 meters in 2015 while capturing a silver medal at the 2015 IAAF World Championships in Beijing, China.
A Champion: 23
National Champion: 10
2. Guelph Gryphons
The University of Guelph is the current National Champion, but they have well-known Track and Field programs, and they have an excellent training facility; they have a pretty strong team in the OUA (Ontario University Athletics). So they are the team to keep an eye on.
The men’s team has made significant improvements over the years. They have finished second in the 2015 and 2016 seasons at OUA Championship and the National Championship. As of this season, they have stacked up on sprinters.
OUA Champion: 2
National Champion: 4
3. Toronto Varsity Blues
The University of Toronto is supposed to be the track powerhouse in Canada, but unfortunately, not because the team did not win any national championship or OUA championship in the past three years.
I would have expected more from them because they are well funded. In addition, they have the states of the art training facilities, indoor and outdoor.
However, the Program has produced well-known name track stars that currently represent Canada on the world stage. Micha Powell, Andrea Seccafien, Gabriela Stafford.
OUA Champion: 45
National Champion: 7
4. York Lions
York University was the national champion back in the 2013/14 season but has not managed to win another championship, but they were the top 5 finishers In 2015 2016 season at national.
It is unclear what happened this year because the team is not in the top 10 at nationals, and They also finished 6th at the OUW championship, which is unusual for them, keep an eye out for them; they might make the big league come back and surprised everyone in 2018 Season.
OUA Champion: 0
National Champion: 3
5. Western Mustangs
The University of Western Ontario track program is still growing. The program only has won one national championship back In the 2011/12 Season and only has two OUA championships from 1952 and 1998. Still, the indoor training facility is in the middle of the Ice rink, which is odd, and the surface needs significant upgrades.
However, the Outdoor track is excellent; The team is pretty young at the moment; keep your eyes on them. The Program has produced an Olympian and Pan American Champion, Damian Warner.
OUA Champion: 2
National Champion: 1
6. Laval Rouge et Or
Université Laval is a French university in Quebec City that has never won a national championship. Still, it has a 13 RSEQ championship, but the team can grow .shortly
RSEQ Champion: 13
National Champion: 0
7. Victoria Vikes
The University of Victoria is another big name for track in Canada, but it has not won Canada West champions or national championships. They have an appealing training facility, but they have pretty individual solid athletes.
Canada West Champion: 0
National Champions: 0
8. Trinity Spartans
Trinity Western University has made consistent improvements over the years, but this year 2017, the team has finally won the Canada West championship after many years of waiting. However, still yet to win a national title shortly. Since 2014 they have been heavily recruited.
Canada West Champion: 1
National champion: 0*
9. Lethbridge Pronghorns
University of Lethbridge track program is tiny but has consistently finished in the top 10 in the past two years. However, the program is yet to win Canada West Championships and National Championships.
Canada West Championship: 0
**National Championship: 0
10. Alberta, Golden Bear
The University of Alberta has not won National Championship in 17 years. The last time the team won national was in 2000 at the University of Sherbrooke. I would have expected more from them because they are well funded and have the state of the art training facilities in the country.
