From record-breaking achievements to heartwarming tributes, 2024 has been a year of milestones for the TRU WolfPack.
As we end the first month of the new year, Omega’s sports editor, Aibiike Alymova, sat down and reflected on what she felt were the top ten most consequential WolfPack events of 2024.
10. Raptor hosts masterclasses at TCC
In late September, Kelly Olynyk visited the Tournament Capital Centre to host basketball clinics tailored for students from grades 8-12. In collaboration with the men’s basketball team, Olynyk had two classes for girls and boys to attend. The Kamloops-born 6’11” centre forward was named the captain of the Canadian men’s basketball team at the 2024 Paris Olympics and is currently playing for the Toronto Raptors.
9. The gold comes home to Kamloops
This September, Kamloops was honoured to welcome home two Olympic and Paralympic champions and WolfPack alumni, Ethan Katzberg and Greg Stewart.
At the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Katzberg won the gold medal in the Hammer Throw, while Stewart competed in the Paralympic Games, securing the gold medal after a dominating shot-put performance.
Local and provincial dignitaries, such as Mayor Hammer-Reid Jackson, MP Frank Caputo and MLA Peter Milobar, attended the welcome-home event.
8. Ortu says, “Not Today!” in first career ‘Pack win
Men’s soccer goalkeeper Luca Ortu earned his first win with the ‘Pack in a hard-fought 2-1 victory against the TWU Spartans. His crucial saves under pressure were instrumental in maintaining the team’s lead during key moments, showcasing his composure and skill. This victory marked a significant milestone in Ortu’s TRU career.
7. International talent bolsters many teams
Sometimes, what teams need is a little bit of international flavour to really spice things up, and throughout 2024, the WolfPack delivered.
On the volleyball court, the women’s WolfPack added first-years Rida Erlalelitepe and Maria Dancheva to their impressive line-up. Erlalelitepe, the Turkey-born outside hitter, was named one of the CW athletes of the week.
On the men’s side of the volleyball court, Australian Sam Flowerday, playing his third year, became one of the team’s most crucial players.
6. WolfPack Athletic Council brings the hype and the howls
For the first time in club history, the ‘Pack has a student-led athletic council. To foster a more cohesive and vibrant athlete community at TRU, a group of former WolfPack athletes has established the WolfPack Athletic Council (WAC). Intending to bring a greater sense of community to the games, the council hosted its first Hype Night last February. Not only do they let fellow athletes support one another, but they also try to include TRU’s community as much as possible.
5. Women’s ‘Pack successfully hunts down a win against Trinity Western Spartans
Last season, the women’s soccer team narrowly missed qualifying for the Canada West playoffs. Even though they were unsuccessful in their endeavour, the team celebrated another significant accomplishment when they beat the TWU Spartans for the first time in the program’s history.
4. First Evening of Champions.
TRU was proud to host the first Evening of Champions in the university’s history. The event celebrated the Pack’s accomplishments and acknowledged how deeply WolfPack and TRU are intertwined. Kaleb Dahlgren, the Humboldt Broncos survivor, talked about his new book, Crossroads, which focuses on survivors’ guilt and living with loss.
3. Hadley Schmidt – Canada West Athlete of the Week.
The women’s volleyball team put on several outstanding performances throughout the season, and Hadley Schmidt has been one of the reasons. Accumulating nearly 70 assists and five aces across two games, the Saskatoon native played a pivotal role in TRU’s 3-2 and 3-1 victories over the TWU Spartans – marking the first time the WolfPack has ever swept TWU in Canada West competition.
2. Volleyball’s Mid-Season Surge
Marking their third appearance on this list, the women’s volleyball team is highlighted again due to their remarkable mid-season winning streak and 10-4 regular season record. Bolstered by players Faith Christensen and Brooklyn Olfert–who amassed over 200 points throughout the season, the women demonstrated tremendous grit.
1. Owyn McInnis memorial launched in TRU
Following the tragic car crash in November 2023, which claimed the life of Owyn McInnis, the WolfPack community came together to honour his memory by establishing the Owyn McInnis Memorial – Men’s Volleyball Award. This initiative reflects the profound impact McInnis had on his teammates, coaches, and the broader community. Earlier last year, an anonymous donor contributed an incredible $20,000 to the memorial fund, demonstrating the widespread support for the cause.
During an end-of-season game, more than $5,000 was raised through additional donations, showcasing the community’s ongoing commitment to preserving McInnis’s legacy. The award aims to support men’s volleyball athletes at TRU, ensuring that Owyn’s passion for the sport and his spirit of determination continue to inspire future generations.
Do you have other moments you think should have made the list? Let us know, we’d love to hear from you. E-mail the editor-in-chief, Robert McAlaster, at editor@theomega.news.