Capital Hoops Classic
In the middle of the city’s frigid winter, Carleton and University of Ottawa students put studying aside to focus on a real issue: which school has the better basketball team.
On Jan. 25, 2011, both the men’s and women’s basketball teams square off against their cross-town rivals in front of thousands of screaming fans at Scotiabank Place.
Both universities bus their students to the arena to be part of one of the rowdiest crowds of the season.
OUA Fencing Championships – Feb. 13–14, 2011
Last season members of the Carleton fencing team won a combined 10 medals and both the men’s and women’s team took home the overall Ontario University Athletics Championship (OUA).
It was the first time both the teams won gold in the same year.
This Valentine’s Day, they look to repeat their success in front of the home crowd as Carleton plays host to the championship.
Cheerleading National Championships
The cheerleading team finished fourth at the nationals last year and just missed out on the podium. But at a tournament in Brampton later in the season, the squad nailed their performance and came back to Carleton as champions.
Looking to build on the success of last season, this group of outstanding athletes will travel to Toronto in December to show the country how impressive they are.
CIS Men’s Basketball Championships – March 11–13, Halifax
The men’s basketball team has dominated the competition over the last decade, winning six national championships since 2003.
But something was a little bit off last year when the Ravens were upset by the Saskatchewan Huskies in the semi-finals.
With a similar roster to last year, the Ravens will travel to Halifax on March 11 to try to avenge their disappointing loss.
Men’s OUA Hockey Playoffs
Carleton returned to varsity competition in men’s ice hockey three years ago.
While three playoff appearances in those seasons are impressive, now is the time to make a run at the championship.
After a dramatic playoff victory over Queen’s last season, the Ravens were a game away from knocking off powerhouse McGill.
With the addition of proven former-Ontario Hockey League talent in the summer, the OUA playoffs this February could be an opportunity for Carleton to win their first-ever title.
Carleton Quidditch Team
They may not be able to fly but this exciting version of Muggle-Quidditch will still entertain.
In a university sport picking up in popularity, Carleton hopes to play host to exhibition matches against universities from across Ontario and Quebec.
Students can also catch bi-weekly practices and scrimmages at Brewer Park throughout the year. The team has also applied to participate in the Quidditch World Cup in New York City this November.
PD Ross Challenge
Carleton and the University of Ottawa bring their rivalry to the Rideau Canal when the rowing season kicks off in September with the PD Ross Challenge.
The Ravens send their current rowing teams and a team of alumni to the Rideau Canal in competition with the Ottawa Gee-Gee’s to help determine which Ottawa school has the better squad.
Nordic Skiing OUA Championships
Both the men’s and women’s Nordic ski teams could repeat their dominating performances from last year.
Carleton’s men’s team won the national university championships and had four OUA all-stars. Meanwhile, the women took home silver at the OUA Championship.
After long-time head coach John Langstone retired at the end of last season, it will be interesting to see if new boss Chris Mamen can help continue the success at the OUA Championships at Laurentian University on Feb. 19 and 20, 2011.
Women’s Water Polo OUA Championships
The women of the water polo team are building their own sport dynasty at Carleton.
Last year, the Ravens went undefeated en route to an OUA Championship.
If they can repeat a successful season, they have a good chance to win again this November in Kingston, Ont.
They would be only the third team in OUA history to win four water polo championships in five years.
Canadian University Ultimate Championship
Last year at the championship tournament, the men’s ultimate frisbee team went undefeated and won the gold medal.
The women entered the tournament ranked 13th out of 14 teams but surprised the field when they finished an impressive sixth.
In October, both these teams will once again travel to nationals, the location to be determined, to prove last season's success was not just an accident.