HAMILTON, Ont. – The 2025 calendar year will be remembered as one of the most successful in Mohawk Mountaineers history.

From championship performances and individual accolades to program growth and community impact, the Mountaineers delivered standout moments across multiple sports. With that in mind, Mohawk Athletics looks back at five of the top moments from the year.

No. 5: Men's soccer turnaround

The Mohawk men's soccer program took meaningful steps forward in 2025 following several challenging seasons.

After finishing 1-8-1 in 2024, marking the second time in three years the team earned four points or fewer, Mohawk ushered in a new era in February 2025 by appointing Davide Massafra as head coach.

While the Mountaineers finished the season with a 1-4-5 record, the results did not fully reflect the team's progress. Three of the four losses were decided by a single goal, with the decisive tally coming in the 81^st minute or later in each match.

Mohawk capped the season by earning its first playoff victory since 2016, defeating the Centennial Colts on the road in extra time. The campaign marked a positive step forward as the program continues to build toward sustained success.

No. 4: A banner year for Mohawk coaches

Three Mohawk head coaches were recognized with OCAA Coach of the Year honours in 2025.

Betty Calic earned the award for men's curling for the fourth consecutive season, David Hopton was honoured in cross country for the second time in three years, and Mihai Raducanu received the recognition in women's basketball during his third season with the program.

Calic also received the OCAA's overall Coach of the Year award for the 2024–25 season, becoming the first Mohawk coach to earn the prestigious honour.

Adding to the department's recognition, Mohawk director of athletics and recreation Matthew Ferreira was named OCAA Athletic Administrator of the Year.

No. 3: Women's basketball captures first OCAA title in 34 years

The Mohawk women's basketball program made history by capturing the OCAA Championship for the first time since 1991.

After an 11-5 regular season and a third-place finish in the OCAA West Division, the Mountaineers embarked on a memorable playoff run. Mohawk defeated the Centennial Colts at home before upsetting the Georgian Grizzlies on the road as the lower seed to advance to the semifinals.

A semifinal victory over the Fanshawe Falcons sent the Mountaineers to the provincial gold-medal game, where Mohawk defeated the Humber Hawks 73-69 to claim the championship.

The Mountaineers advanced to the CCAA Championship in Fredericton, N.B., where they won their quarterfinal matchup against the VIU Mariners before falling in the semifinals.

Individually, Kendra Oliver and Angong Jacob were named OCAA West Division First-Team All-Stars, Maddie Anderson earned second-team recognition, Malak Dahawy was selected to the All-Rookie Team, and Jacob was named a CCAA Championship Second-Team All-Star.

No. 2: Cross country gold on home soil

Mohawk hosted the OCAA Cross Country Championships for the first time since 2008, welcoming the province's top runners to Marydale Park in Hamilton.

The Mountaineers delivered on home soil, with the men's team capturing the OCAA Championship and the women's team earning a bronze medal.

The men's squad finished 20 points ahead of the second-place St. Clair Saints. Blaise Uglow, Gavin Mathieson, Sage Sulentic, Christian Jarosz and Santiago Mendoza were all named to the OCAA All-Ontario team.

On the women's side, Zoe Crookham, Raina Hartnell and Abril Sena earned All-Ontario honours.

At the CCAA Championships, the Mohawk men placed fifth overall, tying the program's best-ever national finish.

No. 1: Curling captures national gold and completes provincial four-peat

The Mohawk men's curling team capped a historic run by capturing the program's first CCAA Championship.

Entering the 2025 season, the Mountaineers had already won three consecutive OCAA titles and reached four straight provincial gold medal games, but national gold had remained elusive after bronze in 2023 and silver in 2024.

With four of the five curlers set to graduate, the Mountaineers made one final push. Mohawk opened the CCAA Championship with a 7-5 win over defending champion Humber Hawks and finished the round robin with a perfect 7-0 record.

The Mountaineers defeated the Sault Cougars 9-3 in the semifinals before facing the SAIT Trojans in the gold medal match. After trailing 4-3 following six ends, Mohawk rallied to earn an 8-4 victory and secure the national title.

Jacob Jones, Jarrett Matthews, Joel Matthews and Eric Just were named both OCAA and CCAA First-Team Championship All-Stars, while Jones also earned his fourth consecutive OCAA men's curling MVP award.

With the 2025 season complete, the Mountaineers now turn their attention to 2026 as the athletics program continues its upward trajectory.