CALGARY – First-year forward Luis Rangel-Kataev has been named to the 2026 U SPORTS men's soccer All-Rookie Team, the national organization announced Wednesday at its annual awards celebration in Victoria.

Rangel-Kataev was also one of four nominees for the Lou Bilek Award as U SPORTS rookie of the year, which went to STFX striker Aidan Nielsen.

The Calgary native is one of three Canada West players on the 12-member team, joined by Trinity Western's Elijah Bean and Lethbridge's Cornel Safsaf. The team includes three players from each conference.

Rangel-Kataev earned Canada West Rookie of the Year honours earlier this month, becoming the first Dinos player to win the award since Bori Falaye in 2016. He recorded seven goals and one assist in 13 appearances, helping Calgary equal the program record with nine wins and finish first in the Prairie Division.

He made an immediate impact in his Dinos debut, scoring off the bench in a 2-0 win over Mount Royal in the season opener, and followed with a brace in a 3-0 victory over Saskatchewan. He also scored twice and added an assist in a 5-1 win over UBC Okanagan. His September form earned him BioSteel Athlete of the Week honours for men's soccer.

"His hard work, commitment, and contributions went far beyond what you would typically expect from a first-year player," said Dinos head coach Ramon Mifflin when Rangel-Kataev was named Canada West Rookie of the Year. "We are incredibly proud of Luis and the impact he made on our team this season."

-UC-