10 for 10: No. 4 - The Firsts

While the University of Calgary Dinos have a history filled with success, the 2010s still brought a number of firsts for four University of Calgary teams. The women’s hockey, men’s basketball, and men’s cross-country teams all won their first-ever national championships, while the men’s soccer team was able to make its first appearance at the U SPORTS national tournament. 

The women’s hockey team made history first, when in 2012, led by all-time hockey great Hayley Wickenheiser, the Dinos defeated the Montreal Carabins 5-1 in the gold medal game, capturing the first national championship in the history of the program. In just her fifth year as head coach of the team, former Olympic gold medalist Danielle Goyette led the Dinos to a 20-4 conference record, a Canada West title, and the aforementioned national championship. Dinos goaltender Amanda Tapp was named tournament MVP, making 61 saves in three games, and finishing with a .986 save percentage.  

Next up was the men’s basketball team, where after a number of close calls the previous years, including a national final loss to the Carleton Ravens in 2016, would win their first U SPORTS national championship in 2018. Not only did it give the Dinos and 18th-year head coach Dan Vanhooren a national championship, but it also led to one of the most memorable plays in Dinos athletic history. Taking on the Ryerson Rams in the national final, and tied 77-77 with just nine seconds remaining, all-star Mambi Diawara delivered ‘The Layup’ – the biggest shot in program history – giving the Dinos the 79-77 last-second win.  

One of the most accomplished Dinos teams of the decade was the men’s cross-country team, who, led by long-time head coach Doug Lamont, won back-to-back U SPORTS national titles in 2018 and 2019. Both years Russell Pennock was the driving force for the Dinos team, finishing with the national bronze medal in 2018, and a fourth-place finish in 2019. It was a full team effort in both years, with Erik Lutz and Stefan Daniel both being top finishers in each championship, as well as contributions from a number of other runners.   

Lastly, the men’s soccer team earned its first-ever berth to the U SPORTS national tournament in 2019. Knocking off Trinity Western in the quarter-final, the Dinos defeated the Mount Royal Cougars in the Canada West semifinal, punching their ticket to the big dance. This appearance meant a lot to a number of people, but none more than team manager Gord Franson, who has been with the team for 33 years, and had never seen his team make the national tournament. While unfortunately, the Dinos would fall short in the opening game of the tournament, the future looks bright for the men’s soccer program.  

An incredibly successful decade has set the bar high for the 2020s, but there is still work to do, with many more firsts left for the Dinos program to capture.