Ashley Taylor Places Sixth in 800m Finals at Canadian Nationals

OTTAWA - Just graduated Northern Arizona University star Ashley Taylor took sixth overall in the 800-meter finals at the 2018 Canadian Track and Field Championships at Terry Fox Stadium on Sunday.

The former Lumberjack posted a time of 2:03.19 as she used her signature kick to move from the back of the pack into sixth over the final 200 meters of the race.

It was the first Canadian national championship meet for Taylor in the 800-meter as she just started running the event in 2018. 

Her sixth-place finish puts an exclamation point on an incredible year for the Burlington, Ontario native who already claimed two All-American honors with a fourth-place finish at the NCAA Indoor National Championships and a bronze in the event at NCAA Outdoors.

"First and foremost, I'd like to thank my NAU coaches, teammates, and family for being so supportive to me this year," Taylor said. "I have some incredible role models in my life. I've had so much fun learning my ways into the middle distance life. In my book, this has been a long and successful season so far. In my first year I am an NCAA indoor and outdoor All-American and Canadian championship finalist. Not too shabby."

Taylor is advancing towards a professional career after singing with Total Sports USA on June 23.

It won't be the last we hear from the former Lumberjack standout.

"Today I was hoping for a better finish/personal best but my racing this year shows I'm consistent and I have gained valuable race experience," Taylor added. "I am already eager to get working again to come back and be a Canadian Champion in the future years. This is just the beginning for me."