The 2026 Canadian Indoor Track & Field Championships were held at the Toronto Track & Field Centre, and A.S.A.D. Durham had plenty to celebrate, with two of its athletes delivering standout performances on the national stage and returning home with hardware to show for it.
Jayden Robinson, a Grade 9 A.S.A.D. Durham student, had a meet to remember. Three events, three podiums. She was part of the 4x200m relay team that took gold, finished second in the Pentathlon, and third in the 60m hurdles. The Pentathlon alone covers five different disciplines, so to medal in that alongside two other events speaks to just how well-rounded and prepared she was on the day. It was a remarkable performance, and one that will not be forgotten quickly.
Airlie Downie-Back, a Grade 11 A.S.A.D. Durham student, meanwhile, came home with gold in the U18 3,000m. She ran a smart, controlled race and had enough left when it counted, which is exactly what the 3,000m demands. It is not a glamorous event in the way that sprints can be, but it is one that reveals a lot about an athlete's character. Downie-Back's performance revealed plenty.
It was a proud weekend for A.S.A.D. Durham, and a reminder of the talent coming through the club. Robinson and Downie-Back are still young, and if this championship is anything to go by, there is a lot more to look forward to.
The Academy of Student Athlete Development (A.S.A.D.) is a program run by Abilities Centre that supports student athletes on able-bodied, Paralympic, and Special Olympic performance pathways. Its mission is to deliver high-performance training that goes beyond the field of play, empowering individuals to achieve their goals in athletics, academics, and life. A.S.A.D. works in collaboration with experts and leaders across the Canadian sport system to create a dedicated environment where student athletes can elevate their game.
The second round of applications for A.S.A.D. Durham is now open until March 27, 2026. If you or someone you know is a student athlete looking for a high-performance environment that supports the whole person, find out more at abilitiescentre.org/programs/asad.