Gryphon Playoff Preview (March 5-9, 2024): Five Gryphon Teams in Postseason Action This Week

GUELPH, Ont. – From Tuesday, March 5 to Saturday, March 9, 2024, five Gryphon teams continue their respective postseasons. The Gryphons men’s volleyball team take on the Brock Badgers in the OUA bronze medal match on Saturday (March 9) with a berth to nationals on the line.  On the national stage, the Gryphons track & field and swimming teams head to their respective U SPORTS championships in Winnipeg and Montreal, respectively. While the Gryphon varsity figure skating and badminton teams culminate their seasons at the OUA Championships. For live updates on all the action from the Guelph Gryphons varsity teams competing this week, head to twitter.com/guelph_gryphons.
 

MEN’S VOLLEYBALL

OUA Bronze Medal Match
Guelph Gryphons (No. 4-seed in OUA) @ Brock Badgers (No. 3-seed in OUA)
Saturday, March 9, 2024 – 7pm | Tickets | Live Stream
Bob Davis Gymnasium | St. Catharines, ON

The Guelph Gryphons men’s volleyball team is one win away from their first trip to nationals in 36 years. On Saturday night (March 9), the Gryphons men’s volleyball team will head to St. Catharines to face the Brock Badgers in the OUA bronze medal match. The winner of Saturday night’s game will claim the OUA’s final spot into the 2024 U SPORTS Men’s Volleyball Championships, which are set to take place March 14-17 in Kingston. The last time the Gryphons were represented at a men’s volleyball national championship was during the 1987-88 season, when Guelph served as the hosts of the then-CIAU Championships. The Gryphons will have to take down a tough Brock team on Saturday night to book a spot at nationals. The Badgers posted a 15-5 record during the regular season and entered the OUA playoffs as the No. 3-seed in the conference. The Gryphons also posted a 15-5 record during the regular season and entered the OUA playoffs as the No. 4-seed in the conference. The Gryphons and Badgers did not meet during the regular season, but split a pair of head-to-head preseason matchups back in October. Saturday night’s OUA bronze medal game gets underway at 7pm and can be seen live online at www.oua.tv. 
 

TRACK & FIELD

Thursday, March 7 – Saturday, March 9, 2024
Max Bell Centre – James Daly Fieldhouse | Winnipeg, Manitoba (hosted by the University of Manitoba)
Schedule | Championship Homepage

After claiming silver at the 2024 OUA Track & Field Championships, the Guelph Gryphons track & field teams head to Winnipeg, Manitoba looking to sweep the national banners for a sixth consecutive season. For the U of G men they will be pursuing their seventh straight title while also looking to reach double-digit championships with their 10th in program history. On the women’s side the Gryphons are hoping to leave Winnipeg with their eighth title in program history and sixth in a row. For both the Guelph men’s and women’s teams, their national championship effort will be led by an incredible group of endurance runners highlighted by Nicholas Bannon, Adam Schmidt, and Cameron Ormond as well as the 2024 OUA Championship meet MVP’s in Max Davies and Julia Agostinelli. On the field, pole vaulter Jennifer Elizarov will be looking to successfully defend her title from a season ago. Action from the Max Bell Centre on the campus of the University of Manitoba is set to kick off at 3pm ET (2pm in Winnipeg) on Thursday, March 7 with the first event of the tournament, the women’s weight throw. 
 

SWIMMING

Thursday, March 7 – Saturday, March 9, 2024
Pointe-Claire Aquatic Centre | Montreal, Quebec (hosted by McGill University)
Live Stream | Schedule | Results | 

Eight members of the University of Guelph Gryphons swimming team head to Montreal, Quebec later this week to compete with the best collegiate swimmers from across the country, with the 2024 U SPORTS Swimming Championships being hosted by McGill University at the Pointe-Claire Aquatic Centre. Action gets underway Thursday morning and wraps up Saturday evening, with 

Gryphon Swimmers Heading to Nationals:

Lauren Anthony
Alexandra Bertrim
Alanna Casasanta
Liz Greaves
Ashley Hodge
Hannah Nordquist
Ethan Rotsaert-Smith
Jacob Stojanovic
 

FIGURE SKATING

OUA Figure Skating Championships
Tuesday, March 5 – Wednesday, March 6, 2024
Canada Games Park | Thorold, ON

A total of 20 members of the Guelph Gryphons varsity figure skating program have made their way to Canada Games Park in Thorold, Ontario for the 2024 OUA Figure Skating Championships. The two-day event, hosted by the Brock Badgers, will get underway Tuesday morning (March 5) and wrap up Wednesday evening (March 6). Helping lead the way for the Gryphons in the 2023-24 season are two rookies in Catherine Carle and Lucy Street, who secured podium finishes at this season’s Fall Invitational. Catherine Carle placed first in the Gold Women’s event and Lucy Street, along side partner Emma Carlucci, brought home a gold medal finish in Intermediate Pairs. Kendra Knott and partner Olivia Farrow, secured a gold medal finish in the Rhythm Dance event at the 2023 OUA Figure Skating Championships. Knott has been named team captain for the 2023-24 season, and will look to once again achieve a podium placement for the Gryphons this season. Another Gryphon heading to defend her title in the Novice Short Program is Helene Carle. Helene Carle also has her sights set on a podium finish in Senior Similar Pairs with partner Olivia Farrow and Freeskate Fours alongside Ashley Goodliff, Catherine Carle, and Olivia Farrow. The Gryphon team, in preparation for this year’s OUAs, competed at Skate Ontario Synchro Series 3 this past month, bringing home a bronze medal.
 

BADMINTON

OUA Badminton Championships
Thursday, March 7 – Saturday, March 9, 2024
Melati Mas Sports Complex | Pickering, ON

A total of 18 members of the Guelph Gryphons varsity badminton program will make their way to the Melati Mas Sports Complex in Pickering, Ontario for the 2024 OUA Badminton Championships. The three-day conference championship event is set to get underway on Thursday (March 7) before wrapping up on Saturday (March 9). More details, including scheduling, to be announced once finalized.