University of Toronto Varsity Blues track and field standout Gabriela Stafford placed ninth in the second 1500m heat on Friday night at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.
 
The 20-year-old Toronto native finished with the 19th fastest time, crossing the finish line in 4:09.45. The top six from each heat and six next fastest times qualify, with the Toronto native finishing just outside the cusp.
 

#CAN Gabriela Stafford finishes her 1500m heat in 9th with a time of 4:09.45 https://t.co/xgE5eC6tZL

— CBC Olympics (@CBCOlympics) August 12, 2016

so proud of @gstafford13 for running a killer race at Rio2016. So proud of you as is the rest of Canada????#Athletics #Rio2016

— Craig Klomp (@Run_Klomp15) August 13, 2016

 

@gstafford13 still an absolute stud and made not only Ontario but Canada so so proud ?????? https://t.co/v0QKEzw2fb

— Charlotte Prouse (@charprouse) August 13, 2016

 

Cheering for @gstafford13 today in the Women's 1500 m! #Rio2016 #GOCANADA

— Vic College UofT (@VicCollege_UofT) August 12, 2016

 
Stafford kicked off 2015-16 with a bang, winning the OUA individual cross country title and placing second at the CIS championships. The OUA most valuable runner earned both first team OUA all-star and all-Canadian honours in both cross country and track and field.
 
On the track, Stafford won the Dr. Wendy Jerome trophy as the overall most valuable performer after winning three gold medals, two in record-breaking time, at the conference championships, while also leading the Varsity Blues to a second-place finish in the team standings.
 
Stafford went on to be named the CIS track athlete of the year, as well as the female performer of the meet, helping the Blues to their second straight national banner. She won the women's 1000m, bettering Olympian Paula Schnurr's 1988 record (2:42.81) in a time of 2:41.67. A third-year psychology major, Stafford also won the CIS 1500m in a time of 4:23.01.