TORONTO - The following student-athletes have been recognized by the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) for their accomplishments during the seven-day period ending Sunday, Oct. 27.
Bigus Bangoura
School: La Cite
Program: Marketing
Year of Eligibility: 1
Sport: Men's Basketball
Hometown: Ottawa, Ont.
Bangoura had two great games this weekend. The first-year forward scored 17 points while dishing out six assists in La Cite's 79-72 win over Durham on Oct. 26. He also added five rebounds and five steals. Bangoura followed this up with a double-double performance the next day against Fleming. He scored a game-high 24 points while grabbing 13 rebounds in a 74-63 victory. Bangoura also added five assists and three steals. After going 4-16 in 2018-19, La Cite has an impressive 3-0 record to begin the current campaign, with the newcomer being a major reason why.
Vanessa Brown
School: Laurier Brantford
Program: Criminology
Year of Eligibility: 2
Sport: Cross Country
Hometown: Kitchener, Ont.
Brown and her teammates won the first OCAA gold medals in Laurier Brantford history at the cross country provincials on Oct. 26. Brown won the women's six kilometre race by exactly one second in a time of 22:45.5 in what was a thrilling finish. As a team, the Laurier Brantford women's team also won gold. Brown is a member of Laurier Brantford's first-ever OCAA medal winning team that earned bronze at last year's provincials. Brown is a member of the OCAA All-Ontario First-Team, and now has her sets on nationals taking place next month in Alberta.
Carter Free
School: St. Clair
Program: Protection, Security and Investigation
Year of Eligibility: 1
Sport: Cross Country
Hometown: Napanee, Ont.
It's been quite the debut season for St. Clair's Free on the OCAA running circuit, culminating in his gold medal run at provincials. He beat all competitors to the finish line in the men's eight kilometre race in a time of 24:56.7, helping lead his Saints to a team silver medal. Free also won a pair of lead-in races to the event. Not only is Free a member of the OCAA All-Ontario First-Team, but he is also the OCAA Male Rookie of the Year as the top first-year runner. Free will now gear up for the cross country national championships taking place early next month in Alberta.
Jade Kovacevic
School: Fanshawe
Program: Marketing Management
Year of Eligibility: 5
Sport: Women's Soccer
Hometown: Acton, Ont.
Kovacevic continues to add to her legacy, being named Championship MVP for the second straight season. The four-time OCAA Player of the Year and All-Canadian booted seven of the nine goals Fanshawe scored in three matches at provincials en route to a second-straight OCAA title, including a four-goal match in a 5-1 win over Sheridan in the semifinals. Over her four OCAA regular seasons, Kovacevic established a new career record of 103 goals, becoming the first player to break the century mark. Fanshawe now looks to improve on its bronze medal at nationals in 2018.
Nicholas Machado
School: Humber
Program: Business Management
Year of Eligibility: 2
Sport: Men's Soccer
Hometown: Brampton, Ont.
The second-year midfielder was named Championship MVP of provincials. Machado's work largely goes unrecognized, but as Humber's field general, he played an important role in helping the Hawks successfully defend their provincial crown. Humber completes the decade with eight Ontario titles, the most of any 10-year period in OCAA men's soccer history. The reigning Canadian champions (having won five of the last seven gold medals) will look to defend its crown on provincial turf as Durham College hosts the men's soccer national championship in Oshawa, Ont., early next month.
Brittany Mason
School: Loyalist
Program: Nursing
Year of Eligibility: 3
Sport: Women's Basketball
Hometown: Ottawa, Ont.
Mason was unstoppable in a pair of Loyalist wins over the weekend, excelling on both ends of the floor. The third-year player scored an astounding 60 points, grabbed 23 rebounds while adding four blocks and a pair of steals in consecutive days, which included back-to-back double doubles. Mason scored a career-high 33 points in a 78-73 home win over Centennial on Oct. 26, while grabbing a baker's dozen in rebounds. Mason currently leads all OCAA players averaging 27.5 points per game. At 2-0, it's a positive start to the season for Loyalist after going 6-11 in 2018-19.
- OCAA -
ABOUT ONTARIO COLLEGES ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION
The Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) is the recognized leader in intercollegiate athletics in the province, dedicated to student-athlete and sport development. The OCAA has 27 members sponsoring 12 varsity sports.
For additional information please contact:
Josh Bell-Webster
Marketing and Communications
Ontario Colleges Athletic Association
Tel: 416-426-7041
E-mail: bell-webster@ocaa.com