James Linde surprised even himself as he etched his name in the Trinity Western record books.
Competing at the Summer Universiade in Taipei City, the TWU graduate won a silver medal in the 200m race with a time of 20.96 at the biennial world university competition on Saturday. He became the first-ever Spartans medallist at the Games.
The medal was also the first for Canada in athletics at this year’s competition.
“I had no idea I was second when I crossed the line so when I saw my name up there, I almost teared up,” Linde said.
“I never expected a medal and that was amazing. I haven’t competed internationally very much. This is all kind of new and surreal for me.
“These guys are people I would have thought to be untouchable once upon a time, so this year has been fantastic for me.”
The silver medal capped an amazing season for the just-graduated Linde, who finished fourth in the 200m at the Canadian championships, posting a wind-aided 20.64 in the final.
This summer, he posted personal bests of 20.72 in the 200m and 10.42 in the 100m. He had something of a coming out party when he finished secondly only to Andre De Grasse in the 200m at the Harry Jerome Meet in Coquitlam.
Fellow Spartan alum Nathan George (Coquitlam) posted the seventh fastest 400m time in the semifinals (46.47), but missed the final.
