The weekend wrapped up with the Gee-Gees finishing sixth in the women’s team standings and seventh in the men’s. Ottawa will now move forward to the Canadian Interuniversity Sport championships March 12–14 at the University of Windsor.
GeeGees
The Gee-Gees finished the championship with style, as the win over UBC marked their first victory over a Canada West team since beating the University of Manitoba Bisons back in 2007.
The OUA playoffs will take place on Feb. 28 at Montpetit Hall. Provided the Gees fend off the rest of their competition, they will look to compete for the number-one seed in the CIS Final Eight in Toronto starting in March.
The women’s basketball team had extra motivation to play hard at the Shoot for the Cure fundraiser game this year. Each season, the Gee-Gees take part in hosting a staple in Canadian University Sport (CIS), the Shoot for the Cure fundraiser for breast cancer awareness and research.
Ottawa led for the beginning of the first set, taking advantage of Toronto’s mistakes at the net. But it was Toronto’s attackers that made the difference in the long run, which the Gee-Gees couldn’t respond to consistently. Ottawa went on to win the next two sets, only to fall to Toronto in the final two.
Marc Schryburt wants sports to bring people together on campus. It’s been his dream for 20 years, and as a longtime football coach and sports program manager, he’s finally become the new Gee-Gees director of Sports Services.
The hard work from all ten Gee-Gees paid off during the championships, as they excelled and performed well at the national level. The swim team will now enter into their off season training until next October.
The Gee-Gee swimming teams had an exceptional weekend Feb. 5–7 at the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) championships, where the men finished fourth and the women in fifth.
The University of Ottawa’s track team has had a busy few weeks with invitational tournaments in Montreal, New York City, and here in Ottawa.
“Our best kids were not our best kids at the half, and we put a little on the line at halftime,” said head coach Andy Sparks. “We really talked about accountability, and how players have to step up in this situation, and I really thought in the second half they did.”
Questionable officiating, lackluster play proves problematic as team takes first loss of season to rival Ravens.
The Gees then easily dismantled the RMC Paladins, ending with a 14-3 regular season record. The perennially stronger Gee-Gees were able to capitalize, despite a third set charge from RMC.
The Gee-Gees won with a score of 4-2 over Montréal on Feb. 1, increasing their consistency with each game before the playoffs.
The Gee-Gees found their zone and began pulling away, before ultimately pushing their lead over 20 points to cruise to a comfortable 91-63 win. The Gee-Gees were led by Johnny Berhanemeskel with 19 points, and the bench was anchored by a strong 12-point performance from Matt Plunkett.
“He left a good legacy and better than when he found it,” said Sparks. “From an athletic perspective, he accomplished a lot.”
The nation’s number-one ranked team has been on an absolute tear since first stepping on the court this season.
Their stampede over Ontario University Athletics (OUA) competition slowed but didn’t stop during one of the longest road trips of any team in the conference.
Shorthanded women’s b-ball falls to Canada’s top team The Gee-Gees women’s basketball team had a strong win against the Western University Mustangs in London on Jan. 23 with a 79-43 win, followed by 76-47 loss 24 hours later in Windsor. “Going into the weekend with only nine players, we had a good win against Western, …
Meet Toluwalope Makinde—or Tolu, as most people know him—member of the men’s varsity track and field team at the University of Ottawa. Finishing up his last year at the Telfer School of Management, this quick-footed Gee-Gee—not to mention former national and provincial youth champion in the 200-metre dash—is bursting with talent both on and off the field.
Two years ago, Gee-Gees basketball superstar Warren Ward ended his five-year career at the University of Ottawa. In the time since, he practice in front of National Basketball Association (NBA) teams, signed to play professionally in Germany, and later went to play in France.
Now, he’s back in the place he calls home.
“I think Gee-Gees fans should be excited about this year’s team,” said Weldon. “We’re coming off a great Christmas training camp, and I think the Gee-Gees will surprise themselves with the improvements they’ve made.”
Getting back into regular Ontario University Athletics (OUA) season play on Jan. 11, the Gees took on the Lakehead Thunderwolves in Thunder Bay. Left side Kaly Soro was key for the Gee-Gees as they swept the match 3-0 behind her 10-point performance.
Big matchup against Carleton archrivals to go down Jan. 10
Gee-Gees women’s volleyball returns this January to serve up some competitive match-ups, starting with two exhibition games against McGill on Jan. 7 and Montreal on Jan. 9.
Transitioning into the next phase of the season, the Gee-Gees will open the second half by taking on the Carleton Ravens for the top spot in the OUA North. With the promise shown in midseason competition, there’s a chance the Gees could see a deep run into OUA playoffs, and possibly the Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) final eight in March.
In what can be summed up as a disappointing end to the year—evident in the three-game losing streak—the Gee-Gees are in second last in their division, ranking fourth out of five teams, with Montreal leading the board and the Carleton Ravens in last place.
