Basson provincial U20 800 champ

 Sets a PB time at Athletics Ontario U20 indoor championships

    March 7, 2023

   Mason Basson on top of the podium winning gold in the men's 800-meter run, at Athletics Ontario U20 indoor championships. (photo / courtesy Mason Basson)

By Rob J. Ross 

TORONTO, Ont. - Mason Basson has his first U20 gold medal.

Basson won the men's 800 meter run at Athletics Ontario U20 and U16 indoor championships, March 5 at the Toronto track and field centre.

The 18-year old from Sparta, with St. Thomas Legion club (STL), set a personal best (PB) indoor time of 1:56.53, edging Dylan Ferri, of Royal City (1:56.80) at the finish line.

"The 800 was tactical and I made my move with one lap to go," said Basson. "I was settled around third place for the first three laps. With one lap to go I took the lead and held everyone off."

Basson also set a indoor PB, placing sixth in the 1500 meters (4:00.50).

"The 1500 wasn't great. I had too much left in the tank at the end," said Basson.

Both times are STL club records.

"It's a confidence booster (winning gold). I have been getting beat by fourth year full grown men in university all year long."

A first year real estate student at the University of Guelph, Basson is the top ranked rookie in Ontario University Athletics (OUA) track and field for the men's 600 meter run, with a time of 1:21.20.

"My coaching and training was great," said Basson, who is learning with the nation's top ranked men's team and the OUA champions.

"The importance of cross training (biking, swimming, or elliptical) and endurance. If I'm not feeling well I'll do some cross training rather than an actual run. This prevents injury and helps me stay fresh."

Basson led a team of seven athletes with St. Thomas Legion.

Dylen Belanger won silver in both the U20 men's 60-meter hurdles (8.57 seconds) and 400-meter dash (52.32 sec.).

Aiyana John finished fourth, in the U16 women's 60m hurdles (10,66 sec.), 10th in long jump (4.55m), 21st, in the 60m dash (8.54 sec.).

Emma Westbrook, a 16-year old training for multi event (pentathlon, heptathlon) competition, placed fifth, in U20 women's high jump (1.45m), sixth in shot put (8.48m) and 43rd, in the 200-meter dash (29.01 sec.).

Lynsey Last, U20 women, 22nd, long jump (4.31m), 42nd, 400m (1:13.26), 52nd, 200 (29.66 sec.); Alexis Gray, U20 women, 53rd, 200 (29.70); Gray Fox, U20 men, 22nd, 400m (54.60 sec.), 27th, 200m (24.18).

Luna relay golden

Jadyn Luna, of Thorndale, won a gold medal, with London-Western club's U20 women's 1600-meter medley relay team (including Erika Lealess, Raeden Black, Paige Marchant), finishing in 4:18.37.

Luna, a multi events athlete, also placed fourth in long jump (5.09m) and sixth, in the 60m hurdles (9.76 sec.).

Libby McCurdy, of Sparta, with London-Western club, placed fourth, in U20 women's pole vault (2.90m).

Vincent Moore finished 18th, in the U20 men's 800 meters (2:01.65).