Evan Daum, Canada West Communications
Highlights:
- A total of 13 current Canada West athletes, along with 20 CW alums recently competed at the Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia
- CW athletes, or former athletes played a role in five medals for Canada, which finished with 82 total medals
- UBC led the CW charge for current student-athletes, with two individual swimming medals, while contributing two players to Canada’s silver winning team in men’s basketball
EDMONTON – A total of 13 current Canada West athletes are returning home from the 21st edition of the Commonwealth Games, as conference student-athletes played a role in five of Canada’s 82 total medals.
In terms of the Canada West medal haul, UBC led the charge by current student-athletes, factoring in on three Canadian medals at the Games, which concluded over the weekend in Gold Coast, Australia.
Standout swimmers Markus Thormeyer and Erika Seltenreich-Hodgson both medalled in the pool, with Thormeyer claiming bronze in the men’s 100-m backstroke event, while Seltenreich-Hodgson earned a third-place finish in the 200-m individual medley.
On the hardcourt, UBC’s Conor Morgan and Grant Shephard helped Canada to a silver medal in men’s basketball. The pair were part of a roster made up entirely of U SPORTS players. Six of those players hailed from Canada West, with Morgan and Shephard joined by fellow conference stars Justus Alleyn (Manitoba), Mamadou Gueye (Alberta), Mambi Diawara (Calgary), and David Kapinga (Calgary).
Manitoba head coach Kirby Schepp led the squad, and was assisted by UBC bench boss Kevin Hanson.
In addition to the outstanding contributions of current CW student-athletes, 20 former conference athletes made impacts for Canada, highlighted by a pair of wrestling medals.
Erica Wiebe, the reigning Olympic gold medalist, defended her Commonwealth Games title in the women’s 75-kilogram category. Thanks to her effort, Wiebe earned the honour of leading the Canadian delegation into the closing ceremonies as the team’s flag bearer.
Former Simon Fraser wrestler Danielle Lappage, who competed for the Clan during their time in Canada West, also medaled on the mat, claiming silver in the 68-kilogram category. Now, the former CW wrestler shifts her focus back to her studies, as she prepares for final exams during her first year of law school in Calgary.
While the men’s basketball squad featured a heavy dose of current CW athletes, the women’s field hockey team also had a significant conference feel. A total of 11 Canada West alums were on the squad, which finished fifth – the highest finish ever by the program at the Commonwealth Games.
Eight former UBC Thunderbirds were joined by a trio of ex-Victoria Vikes. Among the key contributors was former Vikes goalkeeper Kaitlyn Williams, who surrendered just one goal in four games played.
CURRENT CANADA WEST ATHLETES AT THE COMMONWEALTH GAMES (13)
- Men’s basketball (6) – silver medal
- Mamadou Gueye – Alberta Golden Bears
- Conor Morgan – UBC Thunderbirds
- Grant Shephard – UBC Thunderbirds
- Mambi Diawara – Calgary Dinos
- David Kapinga – Calgary Dinos
- Justus Alleyn – Manitoba Bisons
- Women’s basketball (1)
- Summer Masikewich – Saskatchewan Huskies
- Men’s Swimming (4)
- Josiah Binnema – UBC Thunderbirds
- Yuri Kisil – UBC Thunderbirds
- Markus Thormeyer – UBC Thunderbirds – bronze medal
- Tristan Cote – Calgary Dinos
- Women’s Swimming (1)
- Erika Seltenreich-Hodgson – UBC Thunderbirds – bronze medal
- Women’s Track & Field (1)
- Niki Oudenaarden – Calgary Dinos
CANADA WEST ALUMNI AT THE COMMONWEALTH GAMES (20)
- Women’s Field Hockey (11)
- Hannah Haughn – UBC Thunderbirds
- Rachel Donohoe – UBC Thunderbirds
- Stephanie Norlander – UBC Thunderbirds
- Natalie Sourisseau – UBC Thunderbirds
- Shanlee Johnston – UBC Thunderbirds
- Kate Wright – UBC Thunderbirds
- Sara McManus – UBC Thunderbirds
- Lauren Logush – UBC Thunderbirds
- Kathleen Leahy – Victoria Vikes
- Danielle Hennig – Victoria Vikes
- Kaitlyn Williams – Victoria Vikes
- Women’s Rugby 7s (1)
- Kayla Moleschi – Lethbridge Pronghorns
- Men’s Swimming (1)
- Carson Olafson – UBC Thunderbirds
- Women’s Swimming (1)
- Hilary Caldwell – Victoria Vikes
- Men’s Track & Field (1)
- Sam Effah – Calgary Dinos
- Women’s Track & Field (1)
- Taryn Suttie – Saskatchewan Huskies
- Men’s Triathlon (1)
- Tyler Mislawchuk – Manitoba Bisons
- Men’s Weightlifting (1)
- Ryan Meidl – Calgary Dinos
- Women’s Wrestling (1)
- Erica Wiebe – Calgary Dinos – gold medal
- Danielle Lappage – Simon Fraser Clan – silver medal