The York University Lions men’s and women’s teams both finished fourth overall in the team standings at the 2018-19 Ontario University Athletics (OUA) track and field championships.
The Lions, who hosted the event on their home track at the Toronto Track & Field Centre Feb. 22 and 23, brought home a total of 14 medals over the course of the two-day event. Their medal haul included six gold medals, three silver medals and five bronze medals.
On the women’s side, the University of Guelph Gryphons came out on top with a commanding 218 points, followed by the University of Western Mustangs in second place with 135 points and the University of Toronto Varsity Blues in third with 115. The Gryphons men also claimed an OUA banner with 153 points, followed by the Varsity Blues in second with 123 and the Mustangs in third with 117.50. More details on the York Lions website.
Lions advance to OUA quarterfinals with huge win over Gaels
The York University women’s basketball team upset the Queen’s University Gaels 76-70 in the first round of playoffs on Wednesday evening at the Athletics & Recreation Centre in Kingston, Ont.
The Lions were the underdog team heading into the game as they were playing against the fourth-seeded Gaels on their home court. However, the Lions played outstanding basketball all game long and clinched the game in the final minute of the fourth quarter. They would go on to defeat the Gaels by six points and celebrate with a large group of Lions supporters who had travelled by bus to cheer on the team.
The first quarter was extremely close for both teams, as the Lions and Gaels each had a chance to lead. The quarter was tied a total of five times; however, it was the Lions who came out on top after one final jump shot by Cyanna King to lead the Gaels 16-14 by the end of the first frame. More details.
Three days later, the Lions were defeated by the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees 89-53 in the quarterfinals of the OUA playoffs on Saturday afternoon at Montpetit Hall in Ottawa.
The Lions were fresh off a huge win on Feb. 20 as they defeated the Queen’s Gaels 76-70 in the first round of the playoffs. With the win, they found themselves up against the Gee-Gees in the quarterfinal game, a strong team that came in first place in the OUA East division with a 21-2 record during the regular season.
The Gee-Gees had an early lead, but the Lions came out strong and tied the game 10-10 with a jump shot by Lauren Golding, and took the lead 12-10 after a jumper by Madison Bardoel. After more baskets by Cyanna King and Chante Clarke, the Lions picked up a six-point lead on the Gee-Gees, 16-10. A hard-fought battle in the final minutes of the first quarter ended with the Lions and the Gee-Gees tied 18-18. More details.
Adarkwa top finisher for Lions at U SPORTS wrestling championships
The York University Lions wrestling team took on the best in the nation this weekend at the 2019 U SPORTS championships at the University of Calgary.
Mary Adarkwa led the team with a fifth-place finish in the women’s 72kg division. Adarkwa defeated OUA silver medallist Ashley Gravelle of the Lakehead Thunderwolves by a score of 10-0 in her first-round match and wound up in fifth place in her weight category.
Other Lions competing this weekend were Shevonne Witter-Watts, who finished in sixth place in the men’s 57kg category; Nashane Ralph, who also finished in sixth place in the men’s 61kg category; and Lynelle Vassell, who finished in seventh place in the women’s 82kg category. More details.
Lions net big road win over Varsity Blues
The York University men’s volleyball team defeated the University of Toronto Varsity Blues 3-1 on Friday evening at Goldring Centre in Toronto.
The Lions took the game to the Varsity Blues who fell to 11-6 with the loss. The Lions are in fourth place in the OUA East standings with 14 points, eight back of the Blues who sit in third. Despite losing the first set, the Lions dug deep and won the final three sets to defeat the Varsity Blues.
The Varsity Blues came out strong and led the Lions early into the first set and entered the mid-set break leading 16-7. Their strong lead allowed them to take the first set 25-18 and pick up a 1-0 lead over the Lions. More details.
The next day the Lions beat the Trent University Excalibur 3-1 on Saturday, Feb. 23 in Peterborough, Ont., in their final game of the regular season.
The Lions’ Andrew Shotbolt led in points between both teams with 18 points in total, which were great aids to help the Lions take their final regular-season win.
In the first set, the Lions beat Trent in a 25-19 game set. In the second set, the home team, which is currently ranked seventh in the OUA East division, was able to surpass the Lions and take the set by three points for a 25-22 set win. More details.
Lions beat Excalibur in five sets
The York University Lions women’s volleyball team beat the Trent University Excalibur 3-2 on Saturday, Feb. 23 in Peterborough, Ont., in their final regular season game of the 2018-19 season.
The Lions took the first set 25-16 against the Excalibur. The second set went past the 25 mark as the Excalibur took the set 26-24 against York, bringing the score to a 1-1 tie. In the third set, the Lions were able to surpass Trent by five points as they took the set 25-20. The Lions took a temporary lead against the Excalibur before Trent was able to tie the score as they took the fourth set 25-18, bringing the game to a fifth and final set. More details.
On Friday night, the Lions were defeated 3-0 by the University of Toronto Varsity Blues at the Goldring Centre in Toronto.
The Varsity Blues picked up a 1-0 lead on the Lions after taking the first set 25-19. The Lions led the Varsity Blues early into the second set, 8-7, and eventually entered the mid-set break leading 16-10. After eight consecutive points, the Varsity Blues led the Lions 18-16, and they took the second set 25-20. The Varsity Blues defeated the Lions 25-16 in the final set and won the match 3-0.
Sarah Williams led the Lions, earning nine points, six digs and two blocks. Celeste Witzell earned 8.5 points and one dig, while Olivia Kim had eight points and 10 digs. The Varsity Blues were led by Alina Dormann who earned 16.5 points, 12 digs and one block. More details.
Lions fall to Gee-Gees in first round of OUA playoffs
The York University men’s basketball team fell in the first round of the OUA playoffs after a dropping a road game by a score of 92-77 to the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees on Wednesday evening at Monpetit Hall in Ottawa.
The Gee-Gees picked up an early lead, adding seven points at the start of the first quarter before the Lions were able to get on the scoreboard. Just three minutes into play, the Gee-Gees picked up a nine-point lead, 17-8 over the Lions. And even though the Lions picked up their offence, they managed to hold onto their lead to end the first quarter up 35-24 over the Lions. More details.