Grading the winter 2016 team performances

Women’s Basketball: B-

Injuries plagued the women’s basketball team as they consistently had their big players sidelined. After losing some big players after the 2014-15 campaign, the Hawks had it tough since the beginning, but fought through the season. Laurier finished with a 9-11 record this year and entered the playoffs taking on the Windsor Lancers. Despite leading at half, Laurier couldn’t keep pace and was eventually eliminated in the first round. – Shelby Blackley

Women’s Hockey: B

It was a tough year for Laurier, who found themselves in unfamiliar territory among the OUA. Finishing sixth in the standings for the first time, the Hawks entered the playoffs taking on the second-place Toronto Varsity Blues. The Hawks stuck in the series that saw all three games go to overtime and came out victorious to upset the Blues. Despite giving the Guelph Gryphons a battle, the Hawks fell short of an OUA final appearance for the second consecutive year. – Shelby Blackley

Men’s Hockey: B-

The team made their first return to the playoffs in the last three years by finishing in seventh-place on the OUA West conference. Facing a tall order in the eventual OUA silver medalists Western Mustangs, the Hawks were swept in what is considered to be a strong rebound year for the squad. With playoff experience under their belt, the squad can continue to build around their large rookie class this year. – Drew Yates

Women’s Curling: A

The women’s curling rink went a perfect 7-0 at the OUA championships last month, capturing a gold medal and earning a berth into the CIS curling nationals. Facing a tough pool of depth, the team finished seventh, unable to build off their bronze medal finish last year. – Drew Yates

Men’s Basketball: B-

The run-and-gun style of the men’s basketball team rang true once again as the Hawks constantly found themselves in high scoring affairs. They developed some good talent in Will Coulthard, Garrison Thomas, Matt Chesson and rookie Simon Mikre. The Hawks, in Peter Campbell’s last season as bench boss, finished with a 9-11 record. Taking on the Brock Badgers in the first round, Laurier couldn’t keep up, seeing their season come to an end. – Shelby Blackley

Men’s Curling: A+

Rocking a veteran squad that has dominated the university circuit for the last four years, the men’s rink finally made the final step up the podium to capture gold at the CIS curling championships. After medalling the last two years and capturing silver and bronze, the rink added gold to their collection and now will represent Team Canada at the 2017 FISU Winter Universiade in Almaty, Kazakhstan.  – Drew Yates