Lovett produces clutch third-attempt clearance at 7-7.75 (2.33m) to prevail against Mason, who is also expected to jump in Tokyo; Staehli captures 1,500 crown after already achieving 5,000 standard, Philibert-Thiboutot wins fourth national title, but comes up short in quest to return to Olympics

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

Django Lovett saved one of the best moments of the Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Trials for his final clearance in the men’s high jump Sunday at the Claude-Robillard Sports Complex in Montreal, Quebec.

Lovett needed to successfully clear a personal-best 7 feet, 7.75 inches (2.33m) on his third attempt to not only achieve the Olympic standard, but capture his first career national title and deny Michael Mason a sixth overall championship.

Lovett guaranteed that Canada will be represented in Tokyo after reigning Olympic gold medalist Derek Drouin decided not to jump Sunday.

Mason, who cleared 7-6 (2.29m) to place second Sunday, produced a 7-6.50 (2.30m) effort June 12 at the Harry Jerome Classic and is high enough in the World Rankings that he should also receive an Olympic berth after competing in Rio de Janeiro in 2016.

Julie-Anne Staehli, who already has the Olympic standard in the 5,000 meters, won her first national title in the 1,500 with a 4:08.83 performance. Lucia Stafford was second in 4:09.61.

Charles Philibert-Thiboutot was attempting to return to the Olympics in the men’s 1,500, but despite winning his fourth career national championship, he was well off the standard necessary to race in Tokyo, clocking 3:40.78.

The Canadian mixed 4x400-meter relay of Philip Osei, Alicia Brown, Micha Powell and Nathan George ran 3:17.31, making it unlikely that the country will be among the 16 nations selected to race in Tokyo.

Canada had run 3:16.76 at the World Championships in 2019, and needed to run under 3:14.00 to have a legitimate opportunity to qualify.

Jordan Young won his third discus title with a third-round throw of 207-11 (63.38m).

Trinity Tutti rallied for her first discus championship, producing a fourth-round throw of 186-1 (56.72m) to surpass the first-round effort of 185-1 (56.42m) achieved by Agnes Esser.

In Paralympic competition, Keegan Gaunt set the T13 classification record in the women’s 1,500 with a 4:57.54 performance.

All other Paralympic winners came in discus competition, with Jesse Zesseu producing the top mark in the men’s F37 classification with a throw of 143-7 (43.78m).

Jennifer Brown had a throw of 93-5 (28.49m) in the F38 classification, with Charlotte Bolton achieving a throw of 77-4 (23.57m) in the F41 classification.