Former Lancers Bishop and Montcalm qualify for Rio Olympics

Two members of the Lancer family have solidified their spot on the Canadian Olympic team after capturing two standout performances at the Canadian Track & Field Olympic Trials this past weekend in Edmonton.
 
Noelle Montcalm earned her spot on the national squad after capturing a gold medal in the women's 400m hurdles with a time of 55.83, while Melissa Bishop became a two time Olympian with a dominating performance in the women's 800m. Bishop set a new championship record with a time of 1:59.32.
 
"Oh my goodness, my head is spinning right now," said Montcalm, following the win. "In this atmosphere, it's putting all the right things in place at the right time."
 
Back in 2012, Montcalm switched from the 100-metre hurdles to the 400-metre hurdles. She won a bronze medal at the trials and hoped it would be a launching point to an Olympic spot in 2016. Despite, the struggles, she never doubted the decision.
 
"I've had people ask me, 'Do you wish you still did the 100?' or, 'Do you regret the transition?" Montcalm said. "I haven't looked back and I love the event. I'm still learning from it."
 
Bishop had already made standard and needed just a podium finish on Sunday and she took care of that by reclaiming the title she lost a year ago.
 
"So excited right now, but I just think we have more experience now with Dennis (Fairall, her coach) and I working together four years longer," the 27-year-old Bishop said. "You grow as an athlete and we've had four years of training, so it's just a bit more special."
 
Bishop also took the event in a championships record time of 1:59.32, which broke the old mark of 1:59.46 set by Diane Cummins in 2004.
 
"That's something that wasn't even on the radar," said Bishop, a silver medallist at last year's world championships. "Dennis had a specific race plan, but of course there's still nerves. I'm human and it's not easy to go out there. These girls are good and nothing is given to you.
 
"I'm excited for us. Because of what Dennis and I did last year, I think this is going to be a good year."
 
Athletics Canada is expected to officially announce the Team Canada roster for the 2016 Rio Olympics Monday.

Source: Windsor Lancers