The Manitoba Bisons hosted the seventh annual Bison Classic two-day track and field meet on Friday, February 5 and Saturday, February 6 at the James Daly Fieldhouse (U of Manitoba campus) and won the combined team title. Manitoba finished with 300 points in the combined team scoring and distanced second place University of Calgary, who ended up with 213.50. The Bisons were also top in the women's team score with 140 points (Calgary in second at 103.5) and the men's team score had Manitoba in first with 160 points (Calgary was second at 110).

The prestigious track and field event (that was formerly called the Cargill Games) had numerous top performances by the host Bisons. The women's 4x200m team automatically qualified for the 2016 CIS T&F Championship with a time of 1:39.79 and finished second in that event. 

Other top Bison female performances at the Bison Classic included first and second in 60m by second year Rachael McLeod (7.69) and second year Tegan Turner (7.72) along with Turner third in 300m (39.95). In addition, fourth year Tamara Paetsch was first in high jump (1.61m), fifth year Melissa Richards was first in pole vault (3.78m), second year Brooke-Lynn Boyd was first in shot put (11.82m) and  fifth year Jolene Dupuis was second in shot put (11.79m), fifth year Allison Balasko was second in weigh throw (13.92m), third year Rebekah Sass was second in 1500m (4:35.07), third year Sophia Mbabaali was third in 60m hurdles (9.04). 

There were several Top 3 results by Bison male athletes that included second, third place in 60m with third year Alhaji Mansaray (6.97) followed by fifth year Wilfred Samking (7.01). Plus, Samking was first in long jump (6.94m), fourth year Ryan Croy was first in pole vault (3.80m) followed by third year Adam Gundrum (3.60m) and second year Eric Guy (3.30m), fifth year Matthew Fitkowsky was second in 300m (34.94), second year Matthew Van Schepdael in 600m (1:20.35), fourth year Conrad Drover in 1000m (2:29.91), second year Oyinko Akinola second in high jump (1.95m) and second in triple jump (14.21m).

The Bison relays teams were first in men's 4x400, 800m plus women's 4x800m and second in women's and men's 4x200m with third for women's 4x400m.

The seventh year of the event boasted over 350 athletes from eight different universities (Lethbridge, Calgary, Alberta, Regina, Saskatchewan, Lakehead, North Dakota and Manitoba). 

Bison track and field head coach Claude Berube commented about the meet and the quality of the results, "I am pleased by our total results. The women's 4x200m auto qualified for CIS Championship that was great and all six Bison relay teams ran extremely well this weekend. The whole Bison T&F team is moving in a positive direction as we continue to improve meet by meet and hopefully perform at our best at the Canada West T&F Championship at the end of February. It was special for the teams to win again at home at our Bison Classic."

Bisons Top 3 female and male T&F results from 2016 Bison Classic held at the James Daly Fieldhouse (U of Manitoba)

Rachael McLeod – women 60m                    1st with a time of 7.69

Tamara Paetsch – women high jump           1st in a jump of 1.61m

Melissa Richards – women pole vault         1st in a jump of 3.78m

Brooke-Lynn Boyd – women shot put          1st in a throw of 11.82m

Ryan Croy – men pole vault                           1st with jump of 3.80m  

Wilfred Samking – men long jump                1st with a jump of 6.94m

Tegan Turner – women 60m                         2nd with a time of 7.72

Allison Balasko – women weight throw      2nd in a throw of 13.92m

Rebekah Sass – women 1500m                  2nd in a time of 4:35.07

Jolene Dupuis – women shot put                2nd in a throw of 11.79m

Alhaji Mansaray – men 60m                         2nd with a time of 6.97

Matthew Fitkowsky – men 300m                  2nd in a time of 34.94

Matthew Van Schepdael – men 600m       2nd in a time of 1:20:35

Conrad Drover – men 1000m                      2nd in a time of 2:29:91

Oyinko Akinola – men high jump                2nd with jump of 1.95m  

Adam Gundrum – men pole vault               2nd with jump of 3.60m  

Oyinko Akinola – men triple jump              2nd with jump of 14.21m  

Tegan Turner – women 300m                      3rd with a time of 39.95

Sophia Mbabaali – women 60m hurdles   3rd in a time of 9.04

Wilfred Samking – men 60m                         3rd with a time of 7.01

Eric Guy – men pole vault                             3rd with jump of 3.30m  

Women 4x800 relay team                1st in a time of 9:04.52

Women 4x200 relay team                2nd in a time of 1:39.79 (qualify CIS)

Women 4x400 relay team                3rd in a time of 3:54.95

Men 4x400 relay team                      1st in a time of 3:22.98

Men 4x800 relay team                      1st in a time of 7:42.58

Men 4x200 relay team                      2nd in a time of 1:30.06