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. 

This weekend will mark the first time since 2019 that the U of A has hosted the CW Championship, and will be the third home meet this season for the Bears and Pandas. 

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. The Golden Bears enter the conference championship ranked fourth in Canada, and behind only Manitoba among Canada West schools. The Pandas are ranked 8th in U SPORTS, behind Saskatchewan (#3) and Calgary (#4) among CW programs. The Bears will be looking for their first CW title since 2018, while the Pandas can claim their first since 2017. 

2024 Canada West Championship

Friday, February 23 (1:45 – 8:15 p.m.)
Saturday, February 24 (10:40 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.)

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Medal Threats

The Golden Bears enter the 2024 conference championship with the best shot at claiming another banner. Ranked second among CW programs, the Bears earned event wins at both the Golden Bears and Pandas Opens earlier this season. 

Medal threats for the Bears include Josh Li (300m), Justin Rose (300m, 60m Hurdles), Nick Cook (1000m), Ron MacLean (1500m, 3000m), Tegra Jan-King (High Jump, Triple Jump), Wesley Eze (Shot Put, Weight Throw), and both their 4x200m and 4x400m relay teams. The short/middle distance relay teams for the Bears are both ranked #1 in U SPORTS, 

Both Maclean and Cook are also coming off record-setting performances from two weeks ago in Boston. Cook set a new program record in the 1000m with a time of 2:22.98, besting the previous record of 2:23.66 set by Jaden Ostapowich in 2011. Following his tremendous run, Cook now ranks fourth in Canada in the 1000m, and second among all Canada West athletes.

MacLean set a new Bears record in the 3000m, breaking the previous record by four seconds. MacLean finished the event in Boston with a time of 8:08.26, besting the previous record of 8:12.72 set by Kieran McDonald in 2018. MacLean ranks 8th nationally in the 3000m, and first among Canada West runners. 

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Top of the Rankings

While lacking the depth of the Bears when it comes to the team championship, the Pandas still boast a high number of contenders, including Olivia Cooper (1500m), Priscilla Boakye (Shot Put, Weight Throw), Rachel Grenke (Pole Vault), Holly Harrison (Pentathlon), and their 4x800m relay team. 

Grenke, in her first year as a Panda, has gone 3/3 in meets this season, capturing gold in the women's pole vault in every event she has competed in. 

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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.