OUA to host para-athletics events for first time at 2015 OUA Track and Field Championships

Ontario University Athletics (OUA) will host para-ambulatory events at its annual track and field championships for the first time this weekend at the Toronto Track & Field Centre at York University. 

Two athletes – Leah Robinson from the Guelph Gryphons and Virginia McLachlan from the Windsor Lancers – will compete in both the 60m and 300m ambulatory races, which will be considered exhibition events for the championships.

Robinson already has an extensive athletic resume that includes twice representing Canada at the Paralympic Games. At age 14 she was the youngest member of the Canadian team in Beijing in 2008, and she returned to the Olympics in 2012 in London. 

"I am very excited to be racing at the OUA championships this year," said Robinson. "This will be my first time experiencing collegiate racing at the OUA level and I am thrilled to be included. I am looking forward to introducing a new audience to the world of para athletics!"

McLachlan has competed at regular-season meets for the Lancers for the past two years, and will make her OUA championship debut this weekend. She represented Canada at the 2012 Paralympic Games in London, winning a pair of bronze medals in the 100m and 200m T35 events. 

"In previous seasons I have watched and rooted for my teammates at the OUA and CIS championships," said McLachlan. "Now that I am able to participate myself, I am so excited to be competing this year and hopefully in years to come."

Robinson and McLachlan will be presented medals for their performances, however no points will be awarded to their teams for the team standings. The 300m race is set for Friday, Feb. 27 at 7:25pm, and the 300m event the following day at 1:30pm.

The 60m ambulatory events will also be featured at the CIS championships in Windsor, Ont., in March. The national meet will have both men's and women's races.

Source: York Lions