Final Results
EDMONTON, Alberta (7/8/16) – Junior University of Detroit Mercy men's track and field standout
Khalil Parris won the 400-meter hurdles at the Canadian Championships and Rio Selection Trials on Friday afternoon, becoming the Titans' first track and field National Champion.
Parris got through to the finals with the second-fastest mark of 52.10 in Thursday night's semifinals and used a late charge down the last straightaway to chase down the pack and take the crown in 51.49.
"I am extremely excited that Khalil was able to win his first national title," said Director of Track & Field
Guy Murray '89. "He is a tremendous worker and is very dedicated to his track and field efforts."
Parris entered the championships as the fastest 400-meter hurdler in Canada in 2016 and held true to form to take the first national title in Detroit Mercy program history.
"The title is well earned and well deserved," added Murray. "Khalil has a great future ahead of him."
Unfortunately for Parris, the gold medal does not guarantee a trip to Rio de Janeiro for the 2016 Summer Olympics, due to Canada's strict Olympic Standards. The official Canadian Olympic team will be announced after the conclusion of the trials on Sunday.
The junior returns to action tonight at 9:35 p.m. EST in the semifinals of the 400-meter dash. Parris enters the 400m with the ninth-fastest Canadian time of 47.19 from his runner-up effort at the Colonial Relays earlier this spring.
Live video stream is available via
AthleticsCanada.tv.
