Jonathan Gionet has made history.

The third-year St. Thomas University student became the first-ever Tommie to win an individual medal at the Atlantic University Sport track and field championships after claiming gold in shot put with a throw of 14.35 meters. 

"Being the first-ever Tommie to win an individual medal is a great privilege and honour," Gionet said. "I hope this can motivate other athletes and encourage others to pursue track and field at STU. This is the most prized moment in my athletic career to-date and I will cherish it for a lifetime."

Gionet's had his eye on a medal for the last two seasons, but finished fourth in 2013 and 2014. It was those disappointments that motivated the Bathurst, NB, native this season. 

"After finishing fourth two years in a row I was pretty disappointed," he said. "I expected more and was not happy with my performance, but this led me to be inspired and to train so much harder this year."

Gionet broke his own personal bests on each throw, but it was his final throw that put him ahead of top-ranked Robbie Kennedy of StFX and made him the AUS shot put champion.

"The atmosphere around Jon performances was electric," Tommies head coach Alex Coffin said. "He had one last chance to bring STU a gold medal and he came through in the clutch, unleashing a monster throw to narrowly defeated Kennedy."

It's a moment Gionet will never forget.

"I lost it. I went crazy with emotions." he said. "My parents were in the crowd and I was looking at them just feeling so accomplished that all my hard work had paid off this year. It was the best feeling ever."

With the gold medal, Gionet qualifies for the Canadian Interuniversity Sport track and field championships that will be held in Windsor, ON, March 12-14. He will be the first track and field athlete to represent the STU Tommies on the national level.

"I am pumped for the CIS Championships," Gionet said. "My goals are to be able to make top eight, to be able to throw a full six throws, and hopefully beat my personal best once more."

Full Team Results

Makayla Oatway tied the STU team record for the 60 meters with a 9.00 finish and then Vanessa Doiron broke it with a time of 8.93.

Jamie Graham and Alec Gregg both broke the 8 second barrier in the 60 meters.

Other athletes that recorded new personal bests were Jeremy Trevors in the 600 meters, Claire Marie Flood in the 800 meters, Shannon Morris in the shot put, Jeff Veno in the 60 meters, and Stephanie Gates in shot put. 

The Tommies had five athletes finish in the top eight in their events: 

Jonathan Gionet, shot put
Stephanie Gates, weight throw
Lainy Nethercoat, weight throw
Shannon Morris, weight throw
Paul Nozicka, 1000 meters

Personal bests were also attained by Claire Marie Flood, Elizabeth McArthur, Mallory Ross, Eduardo Montanez, Jeff Veno and Jeremy Trevors in the relays.