U of R Sports Roundup – Oct. 6, 2011

Rams are on the rise, while softball hits a slump

Autumn McDowell
Sports Editor

Rams Football

The Rams are making a case for themselves.

After starting off 0-3, most Rams fans were ready to chalk this season up to an injury-filled fail. However, the Rams have decided to turn things around. The Rams are now on a two-game winning streak after scoring wins against the Alberta Golden Bears (38-14) and the Manitoba Bisons (26-18).

Jamir Walker and Adrian Charles had record-setting games the Alberta Golden Bears and Manitoba Bisons while Rams dimeback Steve Famulak was named the Canada West defensive player of the week. Famulak became the first Rams player to earn a weekly conference award this season. The recent mention is Famulak’s second weekly award in his three-year university career; Famulak was named the conference defensive player of the week on Sept. 3, 2010.

Cross-Country

Members of the men’s and women’s cross-country team were in action at the University of Saskatchewan open on Oct. 1. Regina was competing against four other universities including Saskatchewan, Alberta, Calgary, and Manitoba.

The Cougars faired quite well in competition – the women’s team finished in fourth place, just one point behind Manitoba and ahead of Alberta. Numerous members had strong finishes including Karissa LePage (seventh, 16 minutes 33 seconds), Avery Westberg (11th, 16:50), Kaytlyn Criddle (12th, 16:53), Allison Bonk (27th, 17:26), Katelyn Silversides (48th, 18:55), and Marit Johnson (51st, 19:11).

Since it was their third weekend of competition in a row, the men were traveling with a slightly different squad then usual. However, the team still managed to have some excellent times: Iain Fyfe (first, 23:00), Matt Johnson (second, 23:15), Marc Beaton (19th, 24:43), and Kurt Hauser (42nd, 26:21).

The cross-country team has a break from competition before it partakes in the Stewart Cup on Oct. 29 in Edmonton.

Women’s Softball

The University of Regina women’s softball club was the hosts of the 2011 Alberta Intercollegiate Women’s Fastball Association (AIWFA) league championships on Oct. 1-2. After twice coming up short in 2010 to the Saskatchewan Huskies, Regina was hoping to put a blemish on the team’s perfect 12-0 record on the season.

However, the weekend did not quite go as Regina had planned – it lost three games in a row to Lethbridge (5-8), Calgary (0-7), and SAIT (3-5). Regina would go on to avenge its earlier loss to Lethbridge by a narrow margin (10-9). Saskatchewan went on to win the tournament and now has bragging rights of holding a perfect record this season.

The Cougars are scheduled to head to Texas for the Sugarland Classic Tournament Oct. 15-16.

Men’s Hockey

The University of Regina men’s hockey team made a trip down to the States to take on the Univeristy of North Dakota and Bemidji State. The Cougars got their asses handed to them, losing 1-8 to North Dakota and 0-7 to Bemidji State. The lone goal scorer of the weekend for the Cougars was Cody Zubko.

No one really expected the Cougars to upend North Dakota, as it boasts seven national championships, but scoring more than one goal the entire weekend would have at least made the trip worthwhile.

The Cougars are slated to be back in action Oct. 7-8 when they take on the Alberta Golden Bears in the visitor’s den.

Women’s Hockey

The U of R women’s hockey team was in Kincardine, Ont., last weekend to participate in the Great Lakes Challenge hockey tournament. Regina took on York University on Sept. 30, losing 4-2. The Cougars were able to bounce back from the defeat the very next day, as they defeated the Guelph Gryphons 4-1. Rhianne White notched two goals for the Cougars in the win, while Paige Wheeler added three assists.

The victory against Guelph would be the only one for the Cougars on the weekend, as they lost to Lethbridge on Oct. 2 by a 2-1 margin.
The Cougars are scheduled to take on the University of Regina alumni on Oct. 7 at the Co-operators Centre, with the puck dropping at 6:30pm.

Men’s Volleyball

The men’s volleyball team was in pre-season action at the 2011 Super 8 tournament in Brandon Manitoba Oct. 1-2. The Cougars were able to come out of the weekend sitting even with a 2-2 record. Both of Regina’s wins came against Waterloo by set scores of 22-25, 28-26, 25-18, 20-25, 17-15 and 15-25, 25-19, 26-24, 22-25, 20-18.. The Cougars experienced losses at the hands of Winnipeg (25-22, 24-26, 27-25, 25-21) and Brandon (28-26, 25-23, 25-20).

The Cougars next return to pre-season action Oct. 7-8 at the Centre for Kinesiology, Health and Sport. The opponent is to be announced.

Women’s Volleyball

The U of R women’s volleyball team was in pre-season tournament action when the team traveled to Brandon to participate in the 2011 Lea Marc Invitational tournament.

The Cougars finished off the tournament with a 3-2 round-robin record. Regina earned wins against Toronto (25-12, 25-17, 25-18) and Lakehead (25-18, 23-25, 25-18, 25-13). Regina faced defeat at the hands of Winnipeg (25-21, 25-18, 25-9), UBC Okanogan (25-21, 25-23, 25-20). and Mount Royal (12-25, 25-21, 25-21, 25-18).

The team has a bye week before continuing its pre-season schedule Oct.15-16 with road games in Brandon against the Bobcats.