FREDERICTON, NB – After four days of competition in Fredericton, the Gryphons men's curling team finished in 6th-place at the 2024 U SPORTS Curling Championships, hosted by the University of New Brunswick.
The Gryphons were represented by
Jayden King (skip),
Daniel Del Conte (lead),
Gavin Lydiate (second),
Dylan Niepage (vice) and
Carter Bryant (alternate), and booked a spot at nationals thanks to their OUA bronze medal finish back in February. With eight teams from across Canada making up the field for the 2024 U SPORTS Curling Championships, the Gryphons played a total of seven games during the round robin portion of the tournament, with action taking place at UNB's Aitken Centre starting on Tuesday night (March 12) and wrapping up Friday evening (March 15). The Gryphons posted a 3-4 record during what was an up-and-down week for the OUA bronze medalists, with the Gryphons picking up wins over two of the top teams in the tournament (Dalhousie and Laurier), but ultimately falling one win shy of moving on to the semifinal stage.
The Gryphons entered the final day of round robin play (Friday, March 15) with a 2-3 record, and found themselves in a three-way battle with UNB and Regina for the fourth and final spot in the national semifinals.
But the Gryphons national championship hopes would be dashed by the host-UNB Reds on Friday morning, with Guelph mathematically eliminated from semifinal contention following a 10-2 loss to the Reds. The Gryphons would end the tournament on a positive note with a 6-5 win over the reigning U SPORTS champion Laurier Golden Hawks. This year's competition marked the final time competing in the Gryphon colours for a trio of talented curlers in graduating seniors
Jayden King,
Dylan Niepage and
Gavin Lydiate, all of whom who achieved OUA All-Star status at one point during their U of G careers.
Dylan Niepage (U SPORTS First Team All-Canadian) and
Daniel Del Conte (U SPORTS Second Team All-Canadian) were both represented among those chosen as 2024 U SPORTS All-Canadians.
The 2024 U SPORTS Curling Championships concluded on Saturday, March 16, with the Alberta Pandas winning the women's title, and the Regina Cougars taking home national bragging rights on the men's side. Both teams will represent Canada at the 2025 FISU Games in Italy.
For more information, visit usports.ca.
2024 U SPORTS Curling All-Canadians
Men's Curling - U SPORTS First Team All-Canadians
| Lead |
Caelan McPherson |
Dalhousie |
| Second |
Ben Morin |
Alberta |
| Third |
Dylan Niepage |
Guelph |
| Skip |
Sam Mooibroek |
Laurier |
Women's Curling - U SPORTS First Team All-Canadians
| Lead |
Cate FizGerald |
Dalhousie |
| Second |
Brianna Cullen |
Alberta |
| Third |
Lindsey Burgess |
Dalhousie |
| Skip |
Serena Gray-Withers |
Alberta |
Men's Curling - U SPORTS Second Team All-Canadians
| Lead |
Daniel Del Conte |
Guelph |
| Second |
Wyatt Small |
Laurier |
| Third |
Owen McPherson |
Dalhousie |
| Skip |
Johnson Tao |
Alberta |
Women's Curling - U SPORTS Second Team All-Canadians
| Lead |
Britney Malette |
Laurentian |
| Second |
Mya Smith |
Laurentian |
| Third |
Catherine Clifford |
Alberta |
| Skip |
Allyson MacNutt |
Dalhousie |
U SPORTS National Coaching Award
For coach of a Women's team: Alex Horvath (Victoria)
For coach of a Men's team: Jamie Schneider (Regina)
R.W Pugh Fair Play & Sportsmanship Award
Men: David McCurdy (Wilfrid Laurier)
Women: Meredith Cole (Victoria)
Standings (after round robin / pool play) – 2024 U SPORTS Curling Championships
1 – Alberta Golden Bears (6-1)
2 – Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks (5-2)
3 – Dalhousie Tigers (5-2)
4 – Regina Cougars (4-3)
5 – University of New Brunswick Reds (3-4)
6 – Guelph Gryphons (3-4)
7 – Saint Mary's Huskies (1-6)
8 – Brock Badgers (1-6)
Team Medals - 2024 U SPORTS Curling Championships
Men's
Gold - Regina Cougars
Silver - Dalhousie Tigers
Bronze - Alberta Golden Bears
Women's
Gold - Alberta Pandas
Silver - Waterloo Warriors
Bronze - Dalhousie Tigers
