EDMONTON, Alta – The NAIT Ooks women's basketball team, led by their head coach, Todd Warnick, take on the Augustana Vikings in their season opener on Friday, November 19th at 8:00 PM.
Last year, the season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Warnick said, "returning to a competitive level will take some time and will be part of the process." Although it will take some time to get back to where they were, Warnick says, "our team is a mixture of experience and youth that should make for a dynamic season experience for the student-athletes and fans."
The NAIT Ooks women's basketball team roster is one to look out for, says Warnick, "we return four athletes from previous Ooks teams (Kat McDougall, Carly McHarg, Hallie Watt, and Margreat Idi). We have five first-year athletes that trained with us last season during the pause and two 5th year transfers (Aliyah Johnson – Keyano and Aphia Ward- University of Waterloo) that give us experience and game presence. We also have four new freshman players who bring energy and desire to learn to the team." Due to the pandemic, this season has been deemed a transition back to play with a reduced schedule.
The year off was tough for everyone; Warnick says, "the team is excited and grateful to be returning to the sport they love with teammates they value at an institution that supports varsity sport at an intercollegiate level."
The NAIT Ooks women's team will play their home opener on Saturday, November 20th, at 3:00 PM against the Augustana Vikings.