Now that the season is over it is time to take a look back at how things went for the Dinos. Nine Dinos teams were in action during the winter semester and here is an evaluation of how things went, with a little bit of Star Wars thrown in, of course.
Men’s volleyball
Record: 30-10
CW record: 16-2
Rank: Second in CW, third in CIS
The Dinos went into this season as defending CIS champions, so the pressure was on and they more than lived up to it. They went on a 16 game win streak and were two games away from a perfect season. They captured a CW title and finished third at nationals after having their title defence spoiled by Trinity Western University in the semifinals.
Middle Graham Vigrass was named the CIS men’s volleyball player of the year and took home the Dinos male athlete of the year award.
Grade: C-3PO
fun fact: C-3PO is a droid, usually followed by his close droid friend R2D2.
Women’s volleyball
Record: 18-16
CW record: 10-8
Rank: Sixth in CW, sixth in CIS
The women’s volleyball team had a solid season, finishing just over .500 — at .556 — securing themself a playoff spot in the process. The Dinos season was put to an end with two 1-3 losses against the University of Alberta Golden Pandas in the CW quarter-finals.
Melanie Miazga led the Dinos in kills with 177 on the season and is ranked fifth in CW hitting percentage with .268. Sarah Lacny is fourth in assists in CW with an average of 9.54 per game.
Grade: Ewok
fun fact: Ewoks are an adorable and furry teddybear-like species of hunter-gatherers.
Men’s hockey
Overall record: 22-17-5
CW record: 17-8-3
Rank: Second in CW, sixth in CIS
The Dinos men’s hockey team had an excellent post-season. They beat the Saskatchewan Huskies 2-1 in a best of three CW semifinal, punching a ticket to the University Cup for the first time since 2000 in the process. They dropped both CW final games to the U of A Golden Bears to take second in CW. At the University Cup the Dinos lost both of their games by a goal and did not advance. They went in ranked sixth — with six teams competing — and weren’t expected to win it all. The hockeysaurs had a fantastic season and should be pleased with how deep they went in the playoffs.
Grade: Darth Vader
fun fact: Darth Vader is the only character who appears alive in all six Star Wars movies.
Track and field
Men’s record: Second at CW, 13th at CIS
Women’s record: First at CW, third at CIS
Amonn Nelson shone this season, winning her fourth straight CIS 300-metre gold. Sam Effah and Nelson took home the CIS outstanding track athlete of the year awards. After shining at the CW meet Effah withdrew from nationals due to injury and was unable to defend his 60-metre title. The dynamic Rachel Machin was named CW female rookie of the year.
Grade: Han Solo
fun fact: Han Solo is a mercenary and smuggler.
Women’s basketball
Overall record: 17-18
CW record: 10-14
Rank: Eighth in CW
The women’s basketballsaurs went on a four game losing streak to close out the season but did enough earlier in the year — including a six game win streak before their slide — to squeak into the playoffs in the last and final spot. They were eliminated by the top ranked Saskatchewan Huskies with a pair of losses in the CW quarterfinals.
Fifth-year forward Ashley Hill was a force to be reckoned with this season. She led Dinos scoring with several 30-plus point nights and averaged 16 points per game. She is the third leading scorer in Dinos women’s basketball history with 1,627 points. Hill’s firepower will be missed next season.
Grade: Jar Jar Binks
fun fact: Jar Jar Binks was almost entirely computer generated and was entirely hated.
Swimming
Men’s record: Second at CW, first at CIS
Women’s record: Second at CW, first at CIS
The golden age of Dinos swimming continued with both teams defending their CIS titles in their home pool and the women claiming three straight CIS titles. Erica Morningstar was named CIS swimmer of the year and Dinos female athlete of the year. Dinos swimming head coach Mike Blondal was named CIS swimming coach of the year. What more could you possibly want from a team? High fives all around.
Grade: Luke Skywalker
fun fact: Luke Skywalker is one of the main protagonists of the Jedi alliance.
Women’s hockey
Overall record: 18-8-3
CW record: 16-6-2
Rank: Third in CW, eighth in CIS
The Dinos made a splash in only their second year of CIS hockey competition when Olympian Hailey Wickenheiser joined the team. The team racked up a solid record and qualified for the playoffs where they were eliminated after losing two games to the Manitoba Bisons in the CW semifinal.
Despite facing criticism and having a soft drink dumped on her by attendees during an away game, Wickenheiser led CW scoring with 40 points in only 15 games — the next closest player scored 40 points in 24 games — and was named CIS women’s hockey player of the year. Wickenheiser added much need firepower to the Dinos women.
Grade: Princess Leia
fun fact: Princess Leia was a member of the royal family of Alderaan — before it got destroyed.
Wrestling
Men’s record: Third at CW, tenth at CIS
Women’s record: First at CW, second at CIS
Gen Haley became the first female to win five CIS gold medals in five years after winning the 53 kg event this season. The women’s team led by Haley had an impressive performance at CW and then missed out on a CIS banner by two points for the second year in a row. The Dinos women should be pleased with their season though fifth-year Haley will be missed. Brian Hutton was the only CIS medal winner for the Dinos men with a bronze in the 68 kg division.
Grade: Chewbacca
fun fact: Chewbacca communicates using a roar-like sound.
Men’s basketball
Overall record: 10-20
CW record: 8-16
Rank: Ninth in CW
The men’s basketballsaurs were a young team plagued by injuries. With their starting point guard Jarred Ogungberni-Jackson out injured and 12 players in their third year or less, the team spent the season learning and gaining experience. They ended their season with a series of four losses and finished one spot out of the playoffs.
Fourth-year guard Tyler Fidler led team scoring with an average of 17.1 points per game and forward Matt Letkeman was named CW rookie of the year. Letkeman had a field goal percentage of .503 and averaged 8.5 points per game.
Grade: Admiral Ackbar
fun facts: ”It’s a trap.”