Reviewing the 2012 Waterloo Warriors

Long-standing bench boss retires: After 20 years behind the bench, men's basketball coach Tom Kieswetter made the decision to retire. He led the Warriors to the National Championship tournament (1998 and 2005) and captured four Naismith Class titles as well. Kieswetter is currently the longest-serving head coach in Warrior history.

Track team makes a mark nationally: Kofi Kwark-Fosu and the rest of the University of Waterloo Track & Field team had an excellent year in 2012. Kwark-Fosu led the way, after a solid finish to his season left him eighth in CIS rankings for the 60-metre sprint. Andrew Good, who won a bronze medal at the OUA championships, also made the CIS finals.

Second place for golfers at OUA: The OUA Championships were held locally at Grey Silo Golf Club in Waterloo. The women’s golf team made use of their home turf, finishing with silver. The Warriors were led by Devon Rizzo, who placed second with 10-over. Two other Warriors, Jane Tang and Stefanie Bothwell, placed in the top 10.

First-ever OUA Outdoor Classic: The Warriors notched three goals in a third period comeback to defeat the Brock Badgers, 3–1, in the first ever OUA Outdoor Classic. The teams took to Ivor Wynne Stadium in Hamilton to compete in the first Canadian game of sorts since before World War I. An upbeat, penalty-filled affair was the home of spirited competition as both teams strived to be the victors of the game that would go down in history. It was an exciting event and a memorable day for all those involved.

Curling finishes with CIS silver: One of the biggest achievements for University of Waterloo Athletics in 2012 came from the men’s curling squad. Jake Walker, Edward Cyr, Geoff Chambers, James Freeman and alternate Nathan Ransom finished off a stellar season with a loss to the University of Alberta in the CIS final by a score of 7–1. The highlight of the season was winning the Gold Medal at the 2012 OUA Championships. The team only lost six games during a season in which they won a very impressive 22.

Football team back in the win column: The 2–6 record the University of Waterloo football team established this past season only told part of the story. During the season, the team recorded its first victory in three years, putting the program back on track. It may take some time, but Warriors’ football is headed in the right direction once again.

Waterloo hosts field hockey championship: Waterloo’s field hockey team hosted the OUA Championships this past fall. The Warriors won their first match in a shootout before falling to the Blues in the semi-finals and the Mustangs in the bronze medal match. Two fourth year Warriors were named both the OUA and CIS all-star teams: Courtney Bisch and Winnie Huynh.

Men’s volleyball proves to be one of the best: The past year has clearly established the University of Waterloo men’s volleyball team as one of the best in the province, if not the country. Last season, the Warriors made it to the OUA semi-finals before bowing out. Currently, they sit 8–1 and are primed to again challenge for the OUA title.