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, Dec. 1.
Frankie Friesen
School: St. Clair
Program: General Arts & Science
Year of Eligibility: 2
Sport: Men's Volleyball
Hometown: Staples, Ont.
Friesen scored a total of 50 points over two matches on the weekend. The second-year outside hitter led St. Clair to a win over Niagara on Dec. 1, coming back from down two sets to win 3-2. St. Clair played five sets a day earlier, losing to Mohawk. On Nov. 30, Friesen recorded 18 kills, four service aces, one stuff block and seven digs. Against Niagara, Friesen had 22 kills, one service ace, four stuff blocks and eight digs. Friesen currently leads all OCAA players averaging 4.31 kills and 5.3 points per set. St. Clair is now on hiatus until OCAA play resumes in January.
Alfred Johnson
School: Fanshawe
Program: Human Resources Management
Year of Eligibility: 5
Sport: Men's Basketball
Hometown: London, Ont.
Johnson led Fanshawe to its eighth straight victory at home Nov. 29. The fifth-year forward scored 25 points and added 11 rebounds, two blocks, two assists and a steal in Fanshawe's 87-84 win against Niagara. Fanshawe is tied for first place in the competitive OCAA West Division after a perfect 8-0 record in the month of November. Johnson is currently leading the OCAA in rebounds per game with 12.2 and fifth in points per game averaging 21.0. Fanshawe like most of the OCAA is now in recess as the regular season resumes in the new year.
Ben Lusk
School: St. Lawrence
Program: Fitness and Health Promotion
Year of Eligibility: 2
Sport: Men's Basketball
Hometown: Kingston, Ont.
Lusk recorded a game-high and season-best 32 points on 12-of-19 shooting in St. Lawrence's 105-63 victory at Fleming on Nov. 29. Lusk was effective beyond the three-point arc, shooting 6-of-12. The second-year forward also grabbed 13 rebounds, including nine off the defensive glass for a double-double, his fourth of the season. He also added a pair of steals. Lusk is currently averaging 18.6 points and 9.3 rebounds per game, good for 12th and seventh in the OCAA, respectively. With the win, St. Lawrence ended a mini two-game losing streak.
Kendra Oliver
School: Durham
Program: Trade Fundamentals
Year of Eligibility: 1
Sport: Women's Basketball
Hometown: Ajax, Ont.
Oliver had a career week as Durham powered its way to two victories in front of its home crowd this week. The dynamic first-year forward opened her week on Nov. 26 with a 20-20 performance in a 84-67 win over the UTM Eagles, finishing the contest with 25 points and 21 rebounds, in addition to four assists, one block and one steal. Oliver then went on to record another impressive double-double with 27 points and 18 rebounds in a decisive 58-46 victory over Seneca on Nov. 29, once again adding a block and an assist to her stat line. Durham has won three straight.
Sylvie Strong
School: Algonquin
Program: Recreation & Leisure
Year of Eligibility: 2
Sport: Women's Basketball
Hometown: Orleans, Ont.
Strong led the Algonquin Thunder to a 67-61 home victory over the George Brown Huskies on Nov. 30. The second-year guard had a balanced game scoring 14 points, four defensive rebounds, three assists and two steals. A dozen of her points came from three-point range while also going 2-of-2 from the charity stripe. Strong is averaging 8.1 points per game this season, with four games in double figures. Algonquin is the OCAA's only undefeated team as the Thunder head into the December break with an 8-0 record and a two-game lead in the East Division.
Maria VanVark
School: Redeemer
Program: Physical Education
Year of Eligibility: 3
Sport: Women's Volleyball
Hometown: Quinte West, Ont.
VanVark led the Redeemer Royals to a four-set victory over the Conestoga Condors on Nov. 29. The third-year setter contributed 36 assists as three of her teammates recorded double-digits in kills. VanVark also contributed three kills of her own, as well as a stuff block and six digs. VanVark is among the league leaders averaging 8.08 assists per set. At 4-4, Redeemer's glass is either half full or half empty, depending on one's perspective. The Royals have an opportunity to finish the first semester above .500 when they host Humber this Friday.
- 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