Take Two… Lakehead University Thunderwolves are Back in Action!

Lakehead University Thunderwolves Varsity teams will return to competition this February after an extended winter break.  

Varsity teams have not been able to train since Ontario University Athletics (OUA) announced a temporary pause to university sports effective December 17th, 2021. On January 3rd, the Provincial Government imposed new restrictions for the province effective January 5th; these new measures included athletic facility closures, with exceptions for professional and elite amateur sports leagues. OUA teams were not granted elite status and therefore not permitted access to training facilities during this shutdown. 

This restriction led to major protests throughout the OUA community, arguing university athletics should be considered an elite sports league. The hashtag, ​​#OUAisElite circulated throughout social media and OUA President & CEO wrote an open letter to encourage supporting the movement. 

Fortunately, the Provincial Government’s announcement on January 20th permitted varsity teams to return to training Monday, January 31st. 

After being out of the gym for over a month, Lakehead University varsity athletes expressed collective excitement to return to practice. 

Fourth-year varsity volleyball player Rebekah Hara explains her teams’ enthusiasm to be back on the court:

“I think everyone is feeling a little extra motivated and rested right now after an extended break which is creating a competitive environment at practice.” 

Mariah MacFarlane, a fourth-year varsity basketball player says her team felt equally as excited to be back on the court: “It has been nice to be back in the gym and get our routine back for sure.” 

The uncertainty of the pandemic has made it difficult for athletes to maintain consistent training routines. With the January lockdown restricting OUA teams’ access to training facilities, athletes were forced to find alternative ways to train. The Varsity Volleyball and Women’s basketball team stayed connected through online workouts. Of course, with limited space and access to weights, there is only so much one can do. Besides, without access to training facilities, athletes were not able to work on sport-specific training. 

“The hardest part was not being able to work on practical skills which are pertinent to our sport,” Rebeka shares. “Now that we’re back in the gym after so long of a break, it feels like we have to go back to the basics and rebuild the foundational skills all over again.” 

Throughout numerous lockdowns and constant fluctuation in protocols, it is challenging for many athletes to stay motivated. Alston Harris, a fourth-year guard on the Men’s Basketball team explains how it’s helpful to know you aren’t going through it alone.

 “Staying motivated while going through these lockdowns has been tough but just knowing it’s not only you going through it makes it a bit easier.”

Virginie Franks, a fourth-year volleyball player shares how lockdowns have made her even more grateful to be back to practicing, “Honestly it’s been very hard to stay motivated and positive when all the gyms close down, and we can’t train. But it just makes it more special when we get back to the gym and definitely made me realize how lucky and grateful I am to have the opportunity to play the sport that I love.”

Despite the uncertainty of how the rest of the season will unfold, the Thunderwolves teams are all excited to be back playing on their home court. 

Jared Kreiner, a fourth-year guard from Thunder Bay shares that his team’s goal is to win, “The goal for the rest of the season is to win the OUA finals and make it to nationals.”

His teammate Alston, although equally determined to win, is also looking forward to making the most of playing: “The goal for the rest of the season is to have as much fun as possible and just enjoy every moment”. 

The women’s basketball team is also looking forward to their second half of the season. “[Our goal is] to have fun being back and enjoy the moment as we grow as a team and try to give us some momentum coming into the second half of the season,” shares Mariah MacFarlane.

The women’s volleyball team, after a slow start to the season, is looking to win all their games this half of the season and make the playoffs. Currently the Women’s Volleyball team’s record is currently 0-5. Their first regular season games are scheduled for March 18th, 19th, and 20th against Guelph at home. “It’s a three-day game weekend which is very exciting, '' shares Virigine Franks. Typically, week-end games only consist of two games. 

The Women’s and Men’s Basketball teams are back in action at home on February 11th versus Guelph Gryphons. Tip-off is at 6 pm (Women) and 8 pm (Men). The Women’s team’s record is 1-7 and the Men’s is at 3-5. 

You can purchase tickets for Basketball and Volleyball games at the Wolf Den Front Desk. (Ticket Sales are only available in person due to limited capacity). Games are also livestream at OUA.TV