Calgary Dinos Women's Wrestling Team Achieves Historic Canada West Three-Peat
The University of Calgary Dinos women's wrestling team has etched its name in the history books by capturing its third consecutive Canada West championship. The triumphant victory unfolded in Edmonton on Saturday, February 14, 2026, marking a special moment for the entire program.
Dominant Performance and Individual Excellence
This latest title represents the program's 14th conference championship overall, a testament to sustained excellence. The women's team's success was powered by an impressive haul of six individual gold medals. Standout performances came from athletes across multiple weight classes, showcasing the team's depth and talent.
On the men's side, the Dinos delivered a strong performance to finish second overall in the team standings. Their effort was highlighted by one gold medal and seven silver-medal finishes, demonstrating competitive grit throughout the roster.
Leadership and Team Culture
Lead assistant coach Carol Huynh, now in her third full season with the program, was instrumental in the team's success. Reflecting on the achievement, Huynh emphasized the collective effort. "It was a special moment for everybody, for the men and the women," she said. "We train together and we see the blood, sweat and tears that go into preparing for competitions like this all year."
Huynh praised the team's dynamic blend of experience and new energy. "We had quite a few new athletes on our team, a lot of rookies in the room, and they really injected a renewed energy into the group," she noted. "At the same time, we have a group of very experienced athletes who serve as role models and do a great job of making everyone feel welcome."
In a significant recognition of her impact, Huynh was named the Canada West Women's Wrestling Coach of the Year—an honor typically reserved for head coaches. She credited head coach Mitch Ostberg for advocating on her behalf, calling the award a "huge surprise and a huge honour."
Standout Athletes and Community Recognition
Fifth-year science student Maya Johnston was named the women's Most Outstanding Wrestler after claiming gold in the 53-kilogram class. Johnston secured decisive victories, including a 10-0 win over Alberta's Julia Daus. "I wasn't expecting it at all," Johnston said of the award. "I've been working hard for so many years with this team, and it's finally paying off."
Johnston was joined on the top podium by teammates Gabriela Cross (56 kg), Elizabeth Latulippe (59 kg), Annika Fines (62 kg), Mackenzie Cayer (65 kg), and Angelina Ellis-Toddington (68 kg).
Elizabeth Latulippe, competing in her debut season as a Dino, received further acclaim by winning the Canada West Student-Athlete Community Service Award on the women's side, highlighting her contributions beyond the mat.
Conference Standings and Looking Ahead
In the final women's team standings, host University of Alberta finished a close second, just seven points behind Calgary. The University of Saskatchewan placed third, followed by the University of Lethbridge.
The men's competition saw the University of Saskatchewan claim its sixth Canada West title, ending Alberta's four-year championship streak. For the Dinos men, Mark Schwichtenberg earned the lone gold medal in the 76-kilogram class. The team's seven silver medals were crucial in securing second place, narrowly edging out an injury-plagued Alberta squad.
With the conference championships concluded, the Dinos now set their sights on the national stage. The team will prepare for the 2026 U SPORTS Championships, scheduled for February 27-28 in Thunder Bay, Ontario, where they aim to build on this momentum and compete for national glory.
