From shocking upsets to groundbreaking records, UBC’s varsity teams had it all this season. To celebrate the last print issue of the 2024/25 year, your favourite sports + rec reporters assembled to recap UBC’s varsity performances.
Annaliese Gumboc (AG): senior sports + rec reporter
Caleb Peterson (CP): senior sports + rec reporter
Lauren Kasowski (LK): sports + rec editor
Maia Cesario (MC): senior sports + rec reporter
Sofia Campanholo (SC): soccer staff reporter
What was the best team of the year?
AG: Have to go with women’s soccer. They were just unstoppable this year.
CP: Not sure if this is cheating or not, but I am going to nominate the entire T-Birds swim team — both the men’s and women’s sides — as both squads took home a national championship in a UBC sweep. These titles just added to UBC’s swimming dominance, as they are the 2 most decorated Thunderbird varsity teams, with the women having 25 national titles, and the men having 21.
LK: I think women’s rugby wins this hands-down. They won their first every national championship and after a decade of hard work, it was so nice to see it pay off. The sevens team also won their third consecutive Canada West championship, so across the board they were unstoppable.
MC: Women’s soccer. They won back-to-back national titles, earning the ninth national championship in program history. Not only this, but they literally had a perfect season going undefeated. They dominated all year and made history with their 20–0 record in the regular season.
SC: This is probably very biased of me, but I need to say the men’s soccer team. They claimed not only the Canada West (CW) championship for the third year in a row, but were also U Sports champions after 11 years. I am extremely excited for their next season.
Who was the breakout ‘Bird of the year?
AG: Grace Elliott of women’s hockey. Elliot led the country with 22 goals and 42 total points, setting a program record. She was recently named the U Sports Player of the Year, becoming the first UBC women’s hockey player to earn the distinction.
CP: Going to have to go with U Sports rookie of the year in women’s basketball — Kiera Daly. In her first season, Daly managed to have the second-highest points-per-game on the team, while scoring the most from three of any Thunderbird. With those numbers, it’s no surprise that she is only the second T-Bird ever to win a national rookie of the year award in women’s basketball.
LK: Kayla Sanchez, for sure. She led the women’s swimming team to their first U Sports championship since 2020 and individually broke two conference and two national records.
MC: U Sports women’s basketball Rookie of the Year, Keira Daly. She immediately made an impact on the court this year as she was second in points on the team and top ten in CW for points per game averaging 15.8. Daly was a big contributor to the T-Birds making it to the conference final with a 22 point game in the CW semifinals.
SC: I can’t pick just one! From the women’s soccer team, senior goalkeeper Dakota Beckett was an absolute rock — her amazing saves were a major factor in the team’s undefeated season. After an interview with her, I’m convinced she’s got a bright future in soccer. And Henri Godbout, a rookie on the men's team, wasted no time making a name for himself, scoring seven goals in his first season. I have no doubt he’s going to be a key player for the next few years.
What was the most shocking moment?
AG: Men’s soccer won the national title 1–0 with a header by Joven Mann in the final moments of regulation. It was only their second shot-on-goal for the entire game (while their opponents had 10!)
CP: I have to go with football’s stunning loss in the CW semifinals. Coming off a Vanier Cup appearance last year and riding a streak that saw them win five of their last six games coming into the playoffs, the ‘Birds looked poised to start another strong playoff run, being up 33–24 with a minute left against Saskatchewan. Yet, everything crumbled around them when they gave up two touchdowns in only 31 seconds — a monumental collapse.
LK: Bit of a curveball, but women’s golfer Grace Bell winning a NCAA DI tournament in February! I wasn’t really expecting this off the fact no other T-Bird has done it since 1992. You go girl.
MC: The men’s basketball team’s first round loss to UPEI in Final 8. After this loss, I was hoping UPEI would just get the whole Cinderella story run.
SC: Honestly, for me, the women’s hockey team winning against the Spartans at Winter Classic was one of the highlights of the year. As someone who is not very familiar with hockey, the Birds’ 4–3 win made me quite interested in watching more games because this match kept me on my toes until the last minute. I truly believed we were going to have a tie, so the win was a pleasant surprise.
Fuck, marry, kill: This year’s Homecoming, Winter Classic, Courtside
AG: I’m biased because I love football and I covered Homecoming, but marry Homecoming. Fuck Winter Classic, kill Courtside (based on vibes).
CP: I’m gonna have to marry Homecoming — as a football fan, the vibes are unmatched and it’s a perfect way to start the year. Then I’ll fuck Winter Classic, and kill Courtside. Sorry, hockey’s just more fun. I don’t make the rules.
LK: Fuck Homecoming, marry Winter Classic, unfortunately kill Courtside (it was a good game but I wasn't with my friends </3)
MC: I love basketball so I will be the only one to not kill Courtside and say marry Courtside. Fuck Homecoming because it is always a good time and kill Winter Classic (too cold).
SC: It seems like a consensus on killing Courtside (sorry). I am leaning on fuck Homecoming and marrying Winter Classic (gives me a cozy vibe even though it is the literal opposite, do not ask me why).
What’s one prediction you have for the 2025/26 season?
AG: Women’s basketball will return to the Final 8 tournament after losing in the bronze medal match this year. This would be their first time making back-to-back appearances since 2008.
CP: I think men’s volleyball will take another step forward next year. After winning 13 of their last 15 games, they barely fell in the Canada West Final Four, losing both of their games in deciding fifth sets. Next year, they’ll be looking to correct those mistakes, pushing for a Canada West title and perhaps even more. Can’t wait to see the documentary.
LK: Women’s rugby will become back-to-back national champions at home. Quote me on it because I was right last year too.
MC: Women’s soccer will return to nationals and get the three-peat. No one has ever earned three consecutive titles but I think with their depth and talent they could achieve this.
SC: These sunny days are making me more optimistic, so I am betting on the Thunderbirds’ football team to win the CW title. You may think I am being too confident, but if I am correct, I WILL brag about it.
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