Image
John Wright Photos
Kole Chapman wins the Senior Boys 110m hurdles at the West Region championship Thursday May 28.

Seven local athletes advance to OFSAA track and field championship

May 29, 2026

John Wright/The Independent

Three LCCVI athletes hit the podium during the first day of the OFSAA West Regional track and field championships.

Rayah Minten, Kole Chapman and Kallee Elliott are among seven Lambton athletes advancing to the provincial championship.

Minten topped a field of 16 competitors with a throw of 11.56m, just one centimetre more than her throw best throw in her first season of competition at the Lambton-Kent finals.

Elliott and Eva Andreev of Cameron Heights Collegiate in Kitchener tied for first in the Novice Girls’ high jump at 1.56 m.

And Chapman continued his winning ways, this time in a very tight race just 0.7 seconds ahead of Kailer Jenney of Medway in Arva for first in the Senior Boys 110m hurdles. That bests his time of 14.43 at SWOSSAA and 14.89 at the Lambton-Kent finals.

All three advance to the provincial championships in St. Catharines starting June 4.

North Lambton Eagle Arlee Roder also advances to the provincials on Day One of the West Region championship. She placed fourth in the Novice Girls 400m with a time of 1:01.36, besting her time at SWOSSAA by over three seconds.

Also advancing to OFSSA are:

Camryn Leitch of Great Lake Secondary School who was second Junior Girls Discus. The Mooretown athlete had a throw of 33.09m.

Arie Roelands of North Lambton Secondary School advances after placing fourth in Junior Boys Pole Vault. He had a jump of 3.40m just 20 cm behind the first place finisher from Kitchener.

Camlachie’s Keala Pickard will represent St. Pat’s at the provincials, placing fourth in the Junior Girls’ 1500m. She has a couple more races to come in Day Two of the competition.

Lambton-Kent's Julia Pegg just missed her trip to the provincials after placing fifth in Senior Girls High Jump, just three centimetres behind the fourth place finisher.

North Lambton's Skyla Willemse finished 10th in the Junior Girls' 400m with a time of 1.04.03.

LCCVI's Jonah Wagner, who won the Novice Boys' long jump at SWOSSAA, placed 13th at the West Regional.

Senior Meagan Munro placed ninth in the Senior Girls 100m hurdles with a time of 15.66.

LCCVI's Xander Knapp placed 10th in the Junior 100m Hurdles with a time of 15.47.

And James Grant placed eighth in the 1500m at the West Regional Thursday. The Lancer was 17 seconds behind the first place finisher Chase Capes of St. Pat's.

The competition continues Friday.

Jonah Wagner of LCCVI
Rayah Minten
Kallee Elliott
Kallee Elliott
Arie Roelands of North Lambton Secondary School
Kole Chapman of LCCVI

Share This

Image
Front Page

Petrolia shifts some Canada Day events indoors

June 29, 2026

The Independent This week’s extreme heat has prompted Petrolia officials to move some events indoors. Environment Canada has issued a Heat Warning until Friday with temperatures climbing up to 36 C and the humidex values at 45 C. Laurissa Ellsworth, director of marketing, arts and recreation for Petrolia, says because of the high temperatures the schedule has been adjusted. The

Read More

Image
Front Page

Man drowns off Grand Bend’s south beach

June 29, 2026

The Independent A 67 year-old man has died in Lake Huron off Grand Bend. Lambton OPP were called to the south beach around 2:40 pm Sunday after receiving a call that there was an unresponsive person at the beach. Bystanders found the man in the water and brought him to shore and attempted life saving measures. Paramedics transported the man

Read More

Image
Front Page

Province to launch licencing app for hunting and fishing

June 29, 2026

The Independent It will soon be easier to purchase hunting and fishing licenses. The Ontario government is launching FishHuntON an online and mobile app in 2027. It will provide about 1.5 million anglers and hunters with new ways to keep track of licences and tags including;

Read More

Image
Front Page

OPP board worried about coming speed increase near Bluewater Bridge

June 29, 2026

Heather Wright/The Independent The head of the Point Edward OPP Detachment Board wants the province to reconsider increasing the speed limit heading up to the Bluewater Bridge. The province announced June 26 it would be increasing speeds on most of the 400 series to 110 km/h. That includes the stretch on Highway 402 from Waterworks to 350m east of Colborne

Read More