A key for the team going forward is forging a new identity that puts away the past, and begins rebuilding a competitive and successful squad.
sports
“Overall I’m really proud of the team… we were all able to band together and continue to work hard to achieve our goals.”—Michael Howard.
The media outcry following these events have pulled back the curtains on a rarely breached wall between athletes and the media.
Many schools publish write ups and hold press conferences to drum up excitement, feeding their fans all the information they need on their new addition. For Gee-Gees fans, it has been radio silence for not only this recruiting year, but for many years past.
As one of the most dangerous scoring threats to ever don the garnet and grey, Francki was part of the veteran core of Gee-Gees teams that were perennial national championship contenders.
n co-operation with the CIS, the CFL Draft offers a sort of security blanket for its Canadian college draftees. It’s a safeguard, so to speak, which allows for CFL-drafted Canadian collegiate athletes to return to university even after being drafted, if they so choose, and continue playing football at the CIS level.
After cleaning up at the Ontario University Athletics basketball awards, Gee-Gees athletes also got their fair share of representation on the national level in both basketball and hockey.
The tenacious attitude of the battered and bruised team almost willed them to a victory, however they ran out of gas in the final minutes.
The quarterfinal loss is the team’s lowest exit in four years, winning a bronze in 2013 followed by two consecutive silvers.
Both the Gee-Gees men’s and women’s teams have qualified for their respective CIS tournaments, and if you haven’t been following the action closely, you’re in luck—here you’ll find a breakdown everything you need to know about both tournaments.
Biswal didn’t disappoint, as she exceeded the lofty expectations set before her. She finished first in the women’s 60-metre hurdle and earned a gold medal, making Gee-Gees history in the process.
The Gees may have been the favourite heading into the gold medal match on their home floor, but instead it ended in a 66-60 upset.
“A loss like last night’s could change anybody. We knew our season was on the line and if we lost we might not get this wildcard.”—Matt Plunkett, Gee-Gees forward.
As a whole, the Gee-Gees teams were incredibly well represented, showing the strength of their seasons.
The university’s website calls the Sports Complex ‘the university’s state-of-the-art sports facility’, which may have been so 15 years ago, but is no longer true.
Much like in the Harry Potter series, real-life quidditch is a full contact sport and rigorously competitive.
“We have to get in the gym and get ready for Final Four. We’re not going home yet.”—Mike L’Africain, Gee-Gees point guard.
“Over the past four years there’s been little to no coverage of the track and field because basically they cover the sports that bring in more revenue to the school.”
The Gee-Gees spread the ball out incredibly efficiently, as four of their starters scored in double figures. As always, Caleb Agada and Mike L’Africain were the leaders for the team in the 74-49 win.
Biswal was a frontrunner in the women’s 60m hurdle from the get-go. She only solidified her status as one of the nation’s very best with her 8.45s personal best and gold medal run on day one of the tournament.
A tough full-court defensive effort and high shooting percentage was the key to Gees’ victory. Julia Soriano scored the team high for the night with 21 points, shooting seven of nine from three.
Audrey Prayal-Brown payed off big time for the Gees as she shattered an OUA record on her way to a gold medal in the 100m backstroke with a time of 1:09.62.
The weekend was also significant for the team as it marked seniors night, where the Gees celebrated three of their graduating players, forwards Kellie Ring, Catherine Traer, and Krista Van Slingerland.
With 44 seconds left on the clock, Carol-Ann Upshall jumped on a rebound from Carabins goaltender and fired it home to tie the game and send it to overtime.
The Gee-Gees women’s volleyball team was in action on Feb. 6 and 7 as they played back-to-back games against the Toronto Varsity Blues and the Ryerson Rams this weekend.
