A young Gee-Gees squad competed hard at the 2015 track and field championship, finishing the weekend with 11 new school records.
OUA
For the eleventh time in 13 years, the Carleton Ravens are the Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) men’s basketball champions. After the best season in school history, the Gee-Gees could not overcome their fierce rival for the second season in a row.
Sixth-seeded Bishop’s Gaiters force overtime at the CIS Final 8 in Toronto Photo credit: Jesse Colautti The Gee-Gees men’s basketball team had an eventful first two days at the Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) Final 8 hosted by Ryerson University. On Wednesday night, Fifth-year senior Johnny Berhanemeskel became the first Gee-Gee basketball player ever named CIS …
Meet Nicholas Wagman, captain of the men’s fencing foil team. This first-year master’s of physiotherapy student is a veteran of the sport, having fenced for 17 years. He has accumulated numerous accolades and awards, including an Ontario University Athletics all-star selection this season, and is currently the national university champion for men’s foil.
The Wilson Cup Final Four transformed Montpetit Hall into an energetic decked-out environment, as hopes of securing a second trophy filled the air. That excitement was diminished as Windsor out-rebounded and overpowered the Gee-Gees, stealing an 85-80 win from the top-ranked team.
Before the Gees got their rhythm they fell by a 26-point margin, with a final score of 73-47, ending their season in the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) quarterfinal.
The win was also perhaps point guard Mike L’Africain’s best all season, as he amassed a total of 20 points, four assists, four steals, and three rebounds. The game was not only big for him, but it also solidified the schedule for the OUA Wilson Cup Final Four to be hosted by the Gee-Gees at Montpetit Hall March 6–7.
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.
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.
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.
The women’s fencing team presented a strong performance at the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) championships held Jan. 30 at York University.
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.
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.
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.
Both the Gee-Gees and Ravens were five and three after the first half of the season. Carleton was hot off a three-game winning streak, but the Gees were the better shooting team with 41 per cent compared to the Ravens’ 36.
“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.”
In the latest chapter of perhaps the best rivalry in Canadian university athletics, the nation’s top two teams clashed at Montpetit Hall on Jan. 10. The Gee-Gees have been known as the second-best team in the country for two years and finally overcame the top-ranked Ravens. The atmosphere was reminiscent of the hallowed “tobacco road” battles between Duke University and the University of North Carolina.
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.
The women’s basketball team entered the Nov. 22–23 weekend games as the second highest-scoring team in the nation and, along with the men’s team leading the league, the Gee-Gees certainly earned their “U of Offence” moniker.
Nicole Lachance placed fourth in the 800-metre freestyle on Nov. 22 with a total time of 9:01.25 at the Stratten Divisionals. This swimming star is a fourth-year student in philosophy and women’s studies.
