Canadian roundup: Tough weekend at Canada Sevens, Andre De Grasse ties record
Here are three recent stories featuring Canadian athletes competing at international events.
Women’s Sevens Series
Bottom line: The Canadian women had a disappointing weekend, placing sixth at Canada Sevens in Langford, BC.
Canada’s Hannah Darling scores a try against Fiji at Canada Sevens in Langford, B.C., Sunday April 19, 2015. Canada beat Fiji 45-0 advancing to the plate final against the U.S. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
Team Canada’s string of consistency ended on their home turf in Langford, BC. For the first time in 10 tournaments, the Canadians did not win their Cup quarterfinal, losing 12-5 on Sunday to England. In the consolation bracket, competition for the “Plate” saw Canada bounce back with a 45-0 win over Fiji, followed by a first-ever loss to the Americans, 19-12. Canada finished sixth in the tournament, a disappointing result considering it was the inaugural Canada Sevens.
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“Obviously just gutted,” said Ashley Steacy, who was team captain with Jen Kish out with injury. “It was there for the taking and we didn’t take it.”
The top-four nations after the Women’s Sevens Series will automatically qualify for Rio 2016. There are two stops remaining.
Despite the poor finish by their standards, Australia fared worse, so Canada is now firmly second in the overall standing with 58 points. New Zealand continued their dominance, winning the tournament to remain unbeaten, and now have 80 points. Australia is third with 56 points.
Rugby Canada reported a weekend attendance of 6,500 including a sellout of 3,400 on Sunday.
“I think it might have been a case of expecting the crowd to carry us through,” said Canadian head coach John Tait. “We’ve got to rely on each other to get the results, not home support.”
Mt. SAC Relays
Bottom line: On Saturday, Andre De Grasse tied Aaron Brown’s Canadian 200m record by running 20.16 seconds in California. At the same meet, Christabel Nettey broke the Canadian mark in long jump.
According to his IAAF profile, De Grasse ran 20.20 earlier this month at a competition in Florida. The 20-year-old is currently in his first season as a USC Trojan. Earlier on Saturday, De Grasse ran a wind-aided (4.0) 9.87 seconds in the 100m. Mt. SAC stands for Mt. San Antonio College, in Walnut, California.
Nettey jumped 6.98-metres, a Canadian outdoor record, to finish first in the women’s long jump. Earlier this season, Nettey set a new indoor record.
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Fed Cup
READ: Romania beats Canada in Fed Cup
Eugenie Bouchard hits a return against Andreea Mitu in Fed Cup on April 19, 2015.
