U SPORTS Top 10 (Feb. 6, 2024): Four Gryphon Teams Ranked Nationally in Latest Rankings

TORONTO, Ont. – On Tuesday, February 6, 2024, the U SPORTS office released its latest national rankings for the 2023-24 season. Four University of Guelph varsity teams were ranked, with the Gryphons women’s hockey, men’s volleyball, and track & field teams all holding their positions from last week’s national rankings.
 

Gryphon Teams Ranked Nationally (Feb. 6, 2024)

Track & Field – No. 1 & 2

Following another strong weekend the Gryphons track & field teams hold their ranks as the No. 1 and No. 2-ranked teams in the country. This past weekend the University of Guelph track & field program sent approximately 30 student-athletes to the York Open at the Toronto Track & Field Centre, where they produced 10 trips to the podium including a pair of 1st-place finishes. The highlight of the weekend came from the women’s pole vault where Jennifer Elizarov broke her own record from just two weeks ago with a jump of 4.20, setting a new mark for the program. This weekend the Gryphons will be sending athletes to meets on both sides of the border, with the Windsor Team Challenge and David Hemery Valentine Invitational in Boston, MA both taking place this Friday (Feb. 9) and Saturday (Feb. 10). 

Women’s Hockey – No. 2

The University of Guelph Gryphons women’s hockey team returns to the U SPORTS Top 10 as the No. 2-ranked team in the nation for a second consecutive week following a record-tying win against the Queen’s Gaels in their lone match since last week’s rankings. The Gryphons tied a program record with their 21st win of the regular season, extended their unbeaten streak to an incredible 13 games, and simultaneously captured the 2024 OUA West division title. On home ice, the Gryphons defeated the Gaels 3-2 in comeback fashion which included back-to-back scores and a game-winner from captain Hannah Tait. With four games remaining the Gryphons will have several chances to set a new program record for wins in the regular season, with their first opportunity coming this Thursday on the road against the Brock Badgers. The Gryphons are also looking to secure the No. 1 overall seed in the OUA standings which would give them home ice advantage all the way through to a potential McCaw Cup. With a 5-point advantage and one game in hand over the OUA East-leading Nipissing Lakers, the Gryphons can clinch the top spot in the conference with a pair of wins this week. 

Men’s Volleyball – No. 9

Following their bye week, the Gryphons men’s volleyball team holds their position as the No. 9-ranked team in the country with a 13-3 record. The U of G team is experiencing one of the most successful seasons in program history and, with four games remaining, have the opportunity to record the most wins in a single season in program history. The previous record was set in the 2016-17 season when the Gryphons posted a 14-6 regular season record. The Gryphons will have a chance to both tie and break the record this weekend, but it will be no easy task as they face off with the No. 5-ranked Queen’s Gaels in a two-game set in Kingston. Following their road trip, the team will return home for their final two matches of the regular season against the TMU Bold who currently hold a 5-11 record and sit in 10th-place in the OUA standings. 
 

U SPORTS Men’s Track & Field

Dropped out: Trinity Western (9), Calgary (10)
 

U SPORTS Women’s Track & Field

Dropped out: Waterloo (10)
 

U SPORTS Women’s Hockey

Dropped out: Saskatchewan (10)
 

U SPORTS Men’s Volleyball

Dropped out: Brock (10)