TORONTO - The Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) is proud to announce that Timothy Lock of Humber College has been named its 2023-24 Male Rookie of the Year.
Lock (Newmarket, Ont.) had a memorable first season with the Humber badminton program. Lock was a double winner at the Humber Cup back in October, going 5-0 in men's singles competition and 4-0 with men's doubles partner Title Sirapob. It was a sign of good things to come.
The following month, Lock faced triple duty at the Fanshawe Invitational, resulting in three trips to the podium and an overall record of 13-1. Lock continued to be undefeated in men's singles going 5-0; partnered with Zeel Rohit to go 5-0 in mixed doubles; and placed third with men's doubles partner Ben Houle following a 3-1 record.
Competing in men's singles at the OCAA west regional championships at Conestoga College this past February, Lock went 5-0 to secure a berth at the OCAA Badminton Championships. Lock did not drop a set at the competition, winning by the average score of 21-8.
Two weeks later, Lock took an undefeated 6-0 record, all in straight sets, into the OCAA gold medal match at Centennial College, and came within a set of dethroning the reigning provincial and national champion Colin Zhou of Centennial. Zhou, however, avenged an earlier loss in the competition in dramatic fashion, battling back to win 15-21, 21-17, 21-11 for Lock's lone men's singles defeat.
In a different year, Lock would have joined the other OCAA silver medalists at nationals, but with Seneca Polytechnic hosting, those spots went to members of the Sting, and Lock missed out.
Lock still received several accolades, including Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association All-Canadian, OCAA Player of the Year, OCAA West Division Player of the Year, OCAA West Regional All-Star, Humber Rookie of the Year and Humber Badminton Rookie of the Year.
Lock was instrumental in leading the Humber Hawks to the OCAA men's team title, as well as the west regional championship.
A member of Canada's junior national team, Lock's dedication is on display every day attending Humber practice after class then heading to practice with the national program. Lock captured three gold medals at the 2023 Canada Badminton National Championships.
2023-24 OCAA MAJOR AWARDS
Apr. 9 - Gillian McCullough, Athletic Administrator of the Year
Apr. 10 - Timothy Lock, Male Rookie of the Year
Apr. 11 - Female Rookie of the Year
Apr. 12 - Coach of the Year
Apr. 15 - Female Athlete of the Year
Apr. 16 - Male Athlete of the Year
- OCAA -
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