Author: xsun2368

My name is Michael (Xiao Wen) Sun. I was born on December 6th, 1996 in Luoyang, China. I moved to Toronto, Ontario in 2001 and then to Hamilton in 2007. My family has lived there ever since. I have a younger brother who I enjoy hanging out with. My hobbies include running, writing and playing sports. I was a sea cadet from 2009 to 2014. I have played house league hockey for three years. I went to Westdale Secondary School (near McMaster University) and I am a current Bachelor of Journalism Student at Carleton University.
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“Everyone wants to win”: How the East-West bowl experience resonates

Hamilton, ON- The U SPORTS football East-West Bowl has many different meanings.  For former McMaster Marauders quarterback Marshall Ferguson, who played in the 2013 game, it’s an institution –  “a football field full of Canadian university football’s best and brightest coaches and players,” he calls it.  For CFL personnel, it’s a key date on the CFL scouting calendar where they can evaluate U SPORTS players … Continue reading “Everyone wants to win”: How the East-West bowl experience resonates

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Volleyball

“I wanted to soak that one in”: Marauders Capture Bronze in Dave Preston’s Farewell 

Hamilton, ON- As the bronze medal match ended, the realization came for Dave Preston.  He was standing on the sidelines of the Burridge Gym, coaching the team he’d coached since 2002– the McMaster men’s volleyball team. He had been at nationals before but this time was different.  It was his last-ever game as McMaster’s head coach. The team secured a three-set victory over the Alberta … Continue reading “I wanted to soak that one in”: Marauders Capture Bronze in Dave Preston’s Farewell 

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Volleyball

“It’s so sweet”: Spartans Earn Year-Long Redemption with National Title 

Hamilton, ON- Nearly every day after their championship loss, Mathias Elser thought about it. The Trinity Western Spartans third-year setter thought about his team’s defeat to the Alberta Golden Bears in the 2022 U SPORTS men’s volleyball finals. It was his first championship match – a chance to win a national title, like numerous other Spartans had done before him. When he thought about it, he … Continue reading “It’s so sweet”: Spartans Earn Year-Long Redemption with National Title 

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Volleyball

“We’re standing on the shoulders of Giants”: This year’s Spartans write their own history with Semi-Final win  

Hamilton, ON- Before the Trinity Western Spartans’ national semi-finals against the McMaster Marauders, senior Jesse Elser shared a story.  It was 2018, the same scenario his team was facing now: McMaster vs Trinity Western in the men’s volleyball semi-finals at McMaster. Elser remembers his team trailing in the first set. As a first-year back then, remembers the encompassing and scary environment.  The Spartans would win that … Continue reading “We’re standing on the shoulders of Giants”: This year’s Spartans write their own history with Semi-Final win  

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Volleyball

“We try to fight on every point”: Toronto and Montreal Win to Set Up Consolation Finals 

Hamilton, ON- When it comes the consolation semi-finals of the U SPORTS men’s volleyball nationals, it’s an opportunity for teams to redeem themselves from their quarterfinals loss. It’s an opportunity to earn the chance to play one more game.  The Toronto Varsity Blues and the Montreal Carabins did just that on Mar. 18 to set up the consolation finals.  Varsity Blues Earn Redemption from Last Year’s … Continue reading “We try to fight on every point”: Toronto and Montreal Win to Set Up Consolation Finals 

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Volleyball

“The Top of the Top”: How higher-ranked teams advanced in Men’s Volleyball Quarterfinals

Hamilton, ON- As quarterfinal action started and concluded at the U SPORTS men’s volleyball nationals, it would be a day for the higher-ranked seeds.  The three conference champions – the Alberta Golden Bears, McMaster Marauders, Sherbrooke Vert et Or – and the Canada West runner up Trinity Western Spartans all advanced to the semi-finals. Some games were tighter than others but none went five sets.  A … Continue reading “The Top of the Top”: How higher-ranked teams advanced in Men’s Volleyball Quarterfinals

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Men's Basketball

“We believe we can win that game”: Belief and experience lifts Ravens to National Title 

Halifax, NS- When that championship moment finally came, so did the emotions. The Carleton Ravens men’s basketball team had just defeated the St. Fx X-Men 109-104 in double overtime in the title game of the U SPORTS men’s basketball Final 8. They had just won their four straight national title.  Point guard Aiden Warnholtz – named tournament MVP – said he felt a ton of joy … Continue reading “We believe we can win that game”: Belief and experience lifts Ravens to National Title 

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Men's Basketball

Citadins’ journey comes full circle with Consolation Finals win over Gaels 

Halifax, NS- It all came full circle for the UQAM Citadins men’s basketball team.  The Citadins lost to the Queen’s Gaels 84-73 back on Oct. 1 – their first U SPORTS game of the season (they lost to University of Vermont before that). It was an 84-73 defeat that day for them. The start of their journey. Fast forward over five months later, it was UQAM celebrating … Continue reading Citadins’ journey comes full circle with Consolation Finals win over Gaels 

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Men's Basketball

“He has the ability”: Connor Vreeken steps up as Carleton knocks off Ottawa in semis 

Halifax, NS- Carleton Ravens guard Connor Vreeken drove into the lane. His team was nursing a late lead that had shrunk smaller and smaller. It was 14 points at one time in the fourth quarter and now it was down to 75-70 after two Kevin Otoo free throws. It was the men’s basketball Final 8 semi-finals. Then Vreeken drove into the lane and hit a jumper. … Continue reading “He has the ability”: Connor Vreeken steps up as Carleton knocks off Ottawa in semis 

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Men's Basketball

UQAM and Queen’s rebound to reach U SPORTS Consolation Finals 

Halifax, NS- While they may have been eliminated from championship contention, there were still games to play for the four teams in the consolation semi-finals of the U SPORTS men’s basketball Final 8.  The Winnipeg Wesmen and UQAM Citadins played a see-saw game that went into double overtime before UQAM prevailed 90-85. The Queen’s Gaels took the lead early against the UPEI Panthers and didn’t give that … Continue reading UQAM and Queen’s rebound to reach U SPORTS Consolation Finals 

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