EDMONTON – The University of Calgary Dinos women's wrestling team are Canada West champions for the third consecutive year.
Calgary captured its 14th conference title after six athletes won individual gold medals. On the men's side, the Dinos finished second overall with one gold and seven silver-medal performances.
"It was a special moment for everybody, for the men and the women," said Dinos lead assistant coach
Carol Huynh. "We train together and we see the blood, sweat and tears that go into preparing for competitions like this all year.
"We had quite a few new athletes on our team, a lot of rookies in the room, and they really injected a renewed energy into the group. At the same time, we have a group of very experienced athletes who serve as role models and do a great job of making everyone feel welcome in an environment where we're constantly challenging each other physically and mentally on the mats."
Huynh, now in her third season as a full-time coach with the program, was named Canada West Women's Wrestling Coach of the Year – an honour typically awarded to a head coach.
"I believe it was Mitch [Ostberg] who advocated for my name," Huynh said. "It was a huge surprise and a huge honour. It's also a privilege to work with these amazing athletes and be supported by experienced coaches."
Fifth-year science student
Maya Johnston was named the women's Most Outstanding Wrestler after winning gold in the 53-kilogram class. Johnston defeated Alberta Panda Julia Daus 10-0, before earning a decisive 10-2 win over Saskatchewan Huskie Sierra Mullin.
"I wasn't expecting it at all. I remember thinking, 'What? That can't be me,'" Johnston said. "I was so excited, and my team was jumping and screaming for me.
"I've been working hard for so many years with this team, and it's finally paying off. I wrestle those two opponents at every tournament. I knew if I focused on wrestling my best and didn't think about the outcome, I would find success."
Johnston was joined atop the podium by teammates
Gabriela Cross (56 kg),
Elizabeth Latulippe (59 kg),
Annika Fines (62 kg),
Mackenzie Cayer (65 kg), and
Angelina Ellis-Toddington (68 kg).
Latulippe, competing in her first season as a Dino, was also named the Canada West Student-Athlete Community Service Award recipient on the women's side.
In the women's team standings, host Alberta finished second, just seven points behind Calgary. Saskatchewan placed third, followed by Lethbridge.
On the men's side, Saskatchewan won its sixth Canada West title and first since 2020. The victory ended Alberta's streak of four straight championships.
Mark Schwichtenberg (76 kg) earned Calgary's lone men's gold medal. Seven silver-medal finishes helped the Dinos edge an injury-ravaged Alberta squad to secure second place in the team standings.
The Dinos now turn their attention to the 2026 U SPORTS Championships, set for Feb. 27-28 in Thunder Bay, Ont.
Women's Team Results
| POS |
TEAM |
POINTS |
| 1 |
Calgary |
49 |
| 2 |
Alberta |
42 |
| 3 |
Saskatchewan |
34 |
| 4 |
Lethbridge |
9 |
Men's Team Results
| POS |
TEAM |
POINTS |
| 1 |
Saskatchewan |
47 |
| 2 |
Calgary |
38 |
| 3 |
Alberta |
35 |
| 4 |
Lethbridge |
10 |
Athlete of the Year, Men's Competition: Thomas Rousseau, Alberta
Athlete of the Year, Women's Competition:
Maya Johnston, Calgary
Rookie of the Year, Men's Competition: Yuel Kebrom, Saskatchewan
Rookie of the Year, Women's Competition: Victoria Stefanov, Alberta
Student-Athlete Community Service, Men's Competition: Donovan Neudorf, Saskatchewan
Student-Athlete Community Service, Women's Competition:
Elizabeth Latulippe, Calgary
Men's Team Coach of the Year: Dan Olver, Saskatchewan
Women's Team Coach of the Year:
Carol Huynh, Calgary
Women's Individual Results
| 50kg |
| 1 |
Victoria Stefanov |
University of Alberta Pandas |
| 2 |
Ankita Singh |
University of Calgary Dinos |
| 3 |
Baylee Turner |
University of Saskatchewan Huskies |
|
|
|
| 53kg |
| 1 |
Maya Johnston |
University of Calgary Dinos |
| 2 |
Sierra Mullin |
University of Saskatchewan Huskies |
| 3 |
Julia Daus |
University of Alberta Pandas |
|
|
|
| 56kg |
| 1 |
Gabriela Cross |
University of Calgary Dinos |
| 2 |
Elizabeth Chapman |
University of Saskatchewan Huskies |
| 3 |
Natasha Ekundayo |
University of Alberta Pandas |
| 4 |
Hannah Pinsent |
University of Lethbridge Pronghorns |
|
|
|
| 59kg |
| 1 |
Elizabeth Latulippe |
University of Calgary Dinos |
| 2 |
Kayley Clarke |
University of Saskatchewan Huskies |
| 3 |
Sarah Clarke |
University of Alberta Pandas |
| 4 |
Payton Shields |
University of Lethbridge Pronghorns |
|
|
|
| 62kg |
| 1 |
Annika Fines |
University of Calgary Dinos |
| 2 |
Kiera Stedall |
University of Alberta Pandas |
| 3 |
Ligaya Stinellis |
University of Saskatchewan Huskies |
|
|
|
| 65kg |
| 1 |
Mackenzie Cayer |
University of Calgary Dinos |
| 2 |
Fielder Bishop |
University of Alberta Pandas |
| 3 |
Myah Clatney |
University of Saskatchewan Huskies |
|
|
|
| 68kg |
| 1 |
Angelina Ellis-Toddington |
University of Calgary Dinos |
| 2 |
Alexis Lavers |
University of Saskatchewan Huskies |
| 3 |
Maria Sawiak |
University of Alberta Pandas |
| 4 |
Danya Braun |
University of Lethbridge Pronghorns |
|
|
|
| 72kg |
| 1 |
Aaliyah Hartfelder |
University of Alberta Pandas |
| 2 |
Clara Smithanik |
University of Calgary Dinos |
| 3 |
Nadia Greaves |
University of Lethbridge Pronghorns |
|
|
|
| 76kg |
| 1 |
Brydon Switzer |
University of Alberta Pandas |
| 2 |
Danyka LaBelle |
University of Calgary Dinos |
| 3 |
Adia-Lynn Jones |
University of Saskatchewan Huskies |
|
|
|
| 83kg |
| 1 |
Myah Phillips |
University of Saskatchewan Huskies |
| 2 |
Vianne Rouleau |
University of Alberta Pandas |
| 3 |
Brydget Dearling |
University of Lethbridge Pronghorns |
| 4 |
Jaylaina Callan |
University of Calgary Dinos |
Men's Individual Results
| 57kg |
| 1 |
Ben Reid |
University of Alberta Golden Bears |
| 2 |
Deandrae Jabaybay |
University of Saskatchewan Huskies |
| 3 |
Vince Li |
University of Calgary Dinos |
|
|
|
| 61kg |
| 1 |
Yuel Kebrom |
University of Saskatchewan Huskies |
| 2 |
Dominic Dubeau |
University of Calgary Dinos |
| 3 |
Vaseem Shafeek |
University of Alberta Golden Bears |
|
|
|
| 65kg |
| 1 |
Donovan Neudorf |
University of Saskatchewan Huskies |
| 2 |
Kaden de Castro |
University of Calgary Dinos |
|
|
|
| 68kg |
| 1 |
Nathan Kowal |
University of Saskatchewan Huskies |
| 2 |
Brendan Maguire |
University of Calgary Dinos |
| 3 |
Zubail Dzhabrailov |
University of Alberta Golden Bears |
|
|
|
| 72kg |
| 1 |
Takis Sembaleras |
University of Saskatchewan Huskies |
| 2 |
Jason Do |
University of Calgary Dinos |
| 3 |
Michael Thomas |
University of Lethbridge Pronghorns |
| 4 |
Evan Hirst |
University of Alberta Golden Bears |
|
|
|
| 76kg |
| 1 |
Mark Schwichtenberg |
University of Calgary Dinos |
| 2 |
Eli Fines |
University of Alberta Golden Bears |
| 3 |
Sam Nickel |
University of Saskatchewan Huskies |
| 4 |
Fulton Alexander |
University of Lethbridge Pronghorns |
|
|
|
| 82kg |
| 1 |
Aidan Stevenson |
University of Alberta Golden Bears |
| 2 |
Brantley Saar |
University of Calgary Dinos |
| 3 |
Jared Steinley |
University of Saskatchewan Huskies |
|
|
|
| 90kg |
| 1 |
Thomas Rousseau |
University of Alberta Golden Bears |
| 2 |
Joseph De Maio |
University of Calgary Dinos |
| 3 |
Judah Arthurs |
University of Saskatchewan Huskies |
|
|
|
| 100kg |
| 1 |
Matthew Yong |
University of Saskatchewan Huskies |
| 2 |
Connor Bren |
University of Calgary Dinos |
| 3 |
Tyler Saruwatari |
University of Lethbridge Pronghorns |
|
|
|
| 125kg |
| 1 |
Bjorn Nelson |
University of Alberta Golden Bears |
| 2 |
Owen McGillivry |
University of Saskatchewan Huskies |
| 3 |
Jessy Connolly |
University of Lethbridge Pronghorns |
| 4 |
Ibrahim Teaama |
University of Calgary Dinos |
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