Felicien wins national hurdles title
'If anyone deserves things to go their way for a change, it's me, it's me, it's me,' athlete says after capturing 8th Canadian crown
Last Updated: Sunday, June 28, 2009 | 12:23 AM ET
By Paul Gains CBC Sports
Perdita Felicien, right, seen racing Priscilla Lopes-Schliep earlier this month, regained an edge by winning her eighth national 100m hurdles title on Saturday. (Nathan Denette/Canadian Press)In what was surely the most anticipated rivalry at the 2009 Canadian athletics championships, Perdita Felicien won her eighth national 100-metre hurdles title, defeating Olympic bronze medallist Priscilla Lopes-Schliep for the first time this season.
The 28-year-old Pickering, Ont., native had a tremendous start and showed classic form over the 10 hurdles before stopping the clock in a time of 12.80 seconds into a headwind.
Lopes-Schliep, who holds the world's fastest time at 12.52 seconds, crossed the finish line in 12.95 seconds with Angela Whyte third at 13.05.
"This feels so right, this feels so good," Felicien said. "Like I keep saying, if anyone deserves things to go their way for a change, it's me, it's me, it's me."
Lopes-Schliep came into the Toronto event a favourite, having beaten Felicien three times this season. The disappointment was etched on her face as she hit the finish line.
Felicien, the 2003 IAAF world champion, bounded down the track grinning and waving to the crowd.
'I did it when it counts'
Asked if it was more satisfying to beat the world leader or win the Canadian title, Felicien didn't hesitate in her response.
"It was more satisfying to win my eighth, eighth national championships, when probably a month ago none of you thought I could have done it," she said. "Maybe I didn't even know I could have done it. So it is so satisfying. I did it when it counts."
Felicien won a silver medal at the 2007 IAAF World Championships, but missed the Olympics due to injury. After Lopes-Schliep's success in Beijing, many wondered if Felicien would ever reach the world-class ranks again.
The performance at Varsity Stadium signals her resurrection.
"This time last year was craziness," she recalled. "They [the doctors] said, 'You probably will be able to hurdle, but we don't know if you will be world class.'
"I am not going to be on my high horse too long," she added. "I am going to enjoy tonight. Priscilla and Angela are going to have a lot to say about today. The big deal is Berlin," referring to next month's world championships.
Both Lopes-Shliep and Felicien had large groups of supporters in the stands wearing T-shirts announcing their allegiance. Perdita's read, "We Believe in You Perdita."
Lopes-Schliep waved to her husband and family members before speaking with the media.
"I have had better days," she said, laughing. "It was a great atmosphere and great to be part of it. I had an OK start. In between I didn't feel very strong. I felt I was flying high over some of the hurdles again. But it's a stepping-stone for worlds. So I will get ready for that."
Tyler Christopher pulls up in 400m
While the hurdlers delighted in the competitiveness of their event, Tyler Christopher of Chilliwack, B.C., bemoaned the fact he is in a class by himself in the men's 400-metre race.
"It's always a challenge to get up for Canadian nationals. Unfortunately, there isn't anyone for me to race," he explained. "When I was coming up, I had Shane Niemi to race. Me, I don't. I really wish I did. I would really love to have someone to race here."
Even so, he failed to win the 400-metre final.
Coming off the first bend, Christopher pulled up and stepped off the track. After tearing off the aerodynamic sleeves he was wearing, the 2008 IAAF World Indoor 400-metre champion marched back to the warm-up area to collect himself.
Nathan Vadeboncoeur of Winnipeg won the event in a pedestrian 47.06 seconds, just four-1,000ths of a second ahead of Daniel Harper of Brampton, Ont.
Christopher's championship record is 45.03 seconds, set at last year's Olympic trials. He also holds the Canadian record of 44.44 seconds.
The 25-year-old, who won bronze at the 2005 IAAF World Championships, said he is healthy and has had no injury problems this season.
"Basically, it's better safe than sorry," Christopher said of his decision to stop after feeling a "twinge" in his hamstrings. "I have another month to go to worlds so there is no point in hurting them now."
Reed coasts to victory
Two of Canada's most dependable athletes fared much better in their respective events Saturday against nominal opposition.
Gary Reed, the 2007 IAAF World Championships silver medallist at 800 metres, coasted to victory at a time of one minute 47.45 seconds.
Up next for Reed is the Oslo Golden League meet next Friday.
"Mission accomplished," he said, smiling. "I will get ready for Europe now."
Kelowna, B.C.'s Dylan Armstrong won the men's shot put by well over a metre with a first round throw of 20.30 metres.
"I am just trying to stay consistent," said Armstrong, who placed fourth at the Beijing Olympics.
Winning the final event of Saturday's program was Reid Coolsaet of Hamilton, Ont., who took the men's 10,000 metres in a time of 29:20.81.
His victory was all the more commendable considering it was only four weeks ago that he made his marathon debut in Ottawa. There he was crowned Canadian marathon champion with a time of two hours 17 minutes 10 seconds.
"The first couple of weeks after the marathon were kind of hard with recovery. Then it got easier," Coolsaet said. "Finally got my speed back this week, just in the nick of time."
Andrew Smith won silver and Dylan Wykes took the bronze. Both will run alongside Coolsaet in the world championship marathon.
