Brock University Athletics closed out the first half of the 2014-15 season the same way much of the last four months have gone – with another victory.
“What a fall the Badgers have had,” said interim director of Athletics Chris Critelli. “Gold, silver and bronze was a predominant colour this autumn. Homecoming was the best in Brock’s history, the Seymour-Hannah Centre was packed and electric for the Steel Blade, we sold out our basketball home opener, increased participation for PAWS and B4B, and won the last game of the semester in men’s hockey.
“The first half of the season was a success, and with more sports to come we can look to the court, rink, mats, pool and pistes for more excitement and championships.”
The fall of 2014 was full of victories and athletic achievements as Brock University celebrated 50 years as an institution. The Brock baseball and men’s rowing teams both captured OUA titles, giving the Badgers 102 (33 national and 69 provincial) championships in school history.
The Brock baseball team also captured silver at the OUA/OCAA championships, finishing the 2014 season with a 32-4 overall record – one of the top finishes in its 20-year history. Men’s rowing took home bronze at Elk Lake in Victoria, B.C. at the Canadian University Rowing Championships.
The Brock women’s lacrosse team captured OUA silver for the third time in school history. The men’s rugby, men’s golf and women’s rowing teams all captured OUA bronze, while the Brock men’s lacrosse (12-2 overall) and cheerleading teams placed top four at their respective national championships.
The Badgers had some top conference honours led by the baseball trio of head coach Jeff Lounsbury (OUA Coach of the Year), Justin Gideon (OUA Top Hitter) and Justin Ayles (OUA Top Pitcher).
Connor Fitzsimmons led the OUA men’s rugby team in scoring for his second straight season, finishing with a career-high 100 points, adding seven tries, seven drop goals and 22 converts. Greg Davidson led the CUFLA Lacrosse West Division in points, highlighted by a career-high 47 goals.
The Brock men’s rowing led the way with 21 OUA All-Star selections: Taylor Ashwood, James Potts, Grayson Gray, James Myers, Austin Cameron, Bryan Haakman, Michael Brunton, Zachary Whiteley, Eric Buchanan, Matthew Wortley, Will Bryden, Matthew Finley, David De Groot, Justin Buttigieg, Jacob Thomas, Brandon D’orazio, Zachary Lewis, Patrick Branch, Lucien Brodeur and coxswains Amy Maclean and Earl Cabaluna.
Men’s rowing also had 11 CURC All-Canadian honours, which included Matthew Finley, David De Groot, Taylor Ashwood, James Potts, Grayson Gray, James Myers, Matthew Wortley, Brandon D’orazio, Lucien Brodeur, Will Bryden and coxswain Amy MacLean.
Both the Brock baseball and men’s rugby team had five OUA-All-Star selections. Justin Gideon, Justin Ayles, Phil Owen, Phil Steer and Dan Nicoletta earned OUA baseball All-Star honours, while Connor Fitzsimmons, Tyler Mirco, Chris Gladney, Matt Mufandaedza and Ben Thompson were selected as OUA men’s rugby All-Stars.
Brock men’s lacrosse had five CUFLA West Division All-Canadians selections including Brandon Slade, Brandon Staal, Gage Board, Nico Beaudoin and Parker Baile.
The Brock golf and women’s lacrosse teams both had a school record four OUA All-Stars. Men’s golf finished with three all-star selections, including Brett Mitchell, Adam Graham and Taylor Tyminski, while Shannon Rowan earned an OUA All-Star for the women’s golf program.
Earning OUA All-Star honours for women’s lacrosse were Kendra Byers, Eyrn Matisz, Breanne Gillie and Sarah Simpson. Byers was also named the Top Graduating Senior in the OUA.
Rounding out the OUA All-Stars for the Badgers were Eric Bradey (men’s soccer) and Katie Faust (women’s rugby).
Click here for more 2014 first-half highlights.
