January 8 - Women's Hockey player, Meghan Ross, and Men's track athlete, Quin Ferguson, have been named the Smitty's Bison Sports Athletes of the Week for the week ending January 6/08.

Meghan Ross led the Bison women’s hockey team to another series sweep as the Bisons defeated UBC Thunderbirds in back-to-back games on January 4-5. #4 ranked Manitoba moves their record to 13-2-1 in 2007-08 season and remains tied with Alberta atop the Canada West standings.

In the two games against UBC, Ross was outstanding as she fired five goals (all five on the power play) and added one assist with seven shots and a +1 plus/minus rating. The second year forward contributed to six of the seven goals scores by the Herd in a weekend 4-0 and 3-0 home victories over the T-Birds.

On Friday, January 4, Ross potted three power play goals and registered a natural hat trick. This was her first CIS hat trick during her two year career. She also had five shots and all three goals were scored on the power play in the 4-0 home win. On January 5, the Herd won 3-0 over UBC and Ross added two more goals on the power play (one was the game-winner) with one assist and had a 100% shooting percentage (2/2) with a +1 rating.

Ross has now scored seven goals in conference action for a fifth place tie In Canada West and also tied for the team lead in this category. Her ten points is tied for fifth on the Bisons.

#4 ranked Bisons have a 13-2-1 record in 2007-08 season and sit in a first place tie with Alberta heading into a home weekend series against #9 ranked Saskatchewan Huskies (6-7-3) on Friday, January 11 and Saturday, January 12. Game time for both games is 7 p.m. at Max Bell Arena.

Quin Ferguson had a solid meet at the 2008 Prairie Dual event at Saskatoon, SK on Saturday, January 5. Ferguson led the men’s team to victories in all duals against Saskatchewan, Regina, Alberta, and Calgary (this was the first time the Bison men’s team won all duals since coming to the meet over the last four seasons).

The Winnipeg native won the 600m race in a fast time of 1:22.19. This was the third fastest time so far in CIS this season. In addition, Ferguson ran the second leg of the silver medalist 4x200m relay team at the meet.

The Bisons track and field teams will be back in action next week at the Grand Prix #3 at Max Bell Fieldhouse. The event will start at approximately 6 p.m. on Wednesday, January 16.