For the first time in 62 years, the University of Calgary Dinos are curling champions, just four years after returning to the pebbled ice.

The Dinos beat the University of Alberta 7-4 in the Canada West championship final on Jan. 18, and went 9-1 over the four-day competition. The program has had success since bringing the sport back to campus in 2022, with two Canada West silver medal finishes on top of their recent gold.

Just hours after the final, the win really started to settle in.

“Having been so close last year, losing the final against Regina, we just fell short. This year, when we were back in the same final and the same title was on the line, this time we got the job done, it felt great,” said Ky Macaulay, who plays third for the team and is a sociology student.

Macaulay said the win is meaningful not only for the program, but for he and his longtime teammate Kenan Wipf.

“Especially for me and Kenan, the skip of the team, me and him have curled, not just in the university side, but also the Alberta tour and all that. In our last year of junior eligibility together, we won the Canadian Junior so we got to represent Canada at worlds. It’s just really special to do with him and with this program,” he told LWC.

“I’ve been here since the beginning and trying to succeed and get it going, and get visibility and get more people interested in the game.”

Post-game, Wipf said being able to actualize the hard work that’s gone into curling is a feeling like no other.

“It’s a great way to finally show all the hard work that has been put forward by the coaches, players and all the many people who have been alongside this squad since we began four years ago. I’m proud of the guys and how well that they performed this whole event,” he said.

During their dominant four-day run, Macaulay said the four-man team’s communication, confidence and skill peaked. He called it a perfect storm, where nothing could stop them.

“Everyone was throwing amazing and it made all of our jobs even easier when we rarely have a miss to deal with, and it put a lot of teams on the back burner, and they had to chase us really early, and we just ran away with it at the end.”

Among other teams, the Dinos will join the host Regina Cougars at the 2026 U SPORTS Championship in Regina from Feb. 17 to 21. Sunday’s conference championship win was well-earned, but not the top of the mountain for the team.

“When we set our goals this season, our goal was to win it all. Getting the CanWest banner and that trophy and all those things just make us realize that the goal of winning U SPORTS is achievable,” Macaulay said.

“It puts more motivation in us to work harder and dig deeper and find ways to win if we’re down in nationals. It shows us that we are one of the top teams to contend with right now and if we can keep it up and keep our team chemistry and communication where it is, there’s a real possibility that we come home with it.”

Currently, recovery is top of mind for the Dinos. Scouting, planning and practicing will come next during the four-week break.

“Playing 10 games in four days is not your typical tournament structure and it can beat on the body pretty good. This week, the most important thing is for all four guys to really rest and get into the athletic therapy, make sure the muscles and all that are relaxing and calming down and just really taking care of us,” Macaulay said.

“Come week two or three, we’ll really get back in the rink and make sure we’re gelling as a team and that everyone’s on the same page as our game plan and that we’re doing everything we can individually and as a team.”

Winning breeds interest ahead of hosting 2027 championship

Admittedly, Macaulay said curling is a lesser known sport on campus, but the odd student recognizing an athlete on campus and wishing them luck means more than words. Dinos staff have been bought in since day one, he said.

“There are some university students that have been following and do like to keep up with it, which is really cool and it’s been really great. The Dinos staff, they’ve been super supportive and great.”

“We know we’re not the largest program, we’re not the most visible, but having that support from them is huge.”

Recent top two finishes have helped legitimize the program on campus and nationally. Winning a conference championship helps and winning U SPORTS would skyrocket credibility.

“Last year, we qualified for U SPORTS, which was great and all but taking home that first big banner is huge,” said Macaulay.

“It’ll be huge for everyone to see our curling program is actually capable of winning. Maybe more people get more involved and interested, especially since we are hosting U SPORTS nationals next year, it would be great to get more students and hopefully get their support next year. More people in the stands would be huge.”