Justin Dunk

The fall varsity season saw lots of exciting moments, breath-taking plays, incredible performances and championships. The Gryphons claimed CIS team titles in men’s and women’s cross country. Kyle Boorsma claimed the men’s individual cross-country CIS gold medal. Adam Rabalski won the first ever gold at the Canadian University Rowing Championships for Guelph. Mark Henry captured a silver medal in men’s lightweight singles while, Tyler Wilson and Mike Veltri won bronze in the lightweight men’s

doubles at the rowing championships. The women’s rugby team earned a bronze medal in the CIS championship tournament held at Trent University. On home turf, the women’s field hockey team claimed a CIS bronze medal at the championship tournament held on campus at Varsity Field.

Now let’s get to some awards for the fall semester.

Male athlete of the semester:

Kyle Boorsma, Cross-country

The fifth year Gryphon ended his cross-country career on the highest note possible, capturing the individual CIS championship, as well as being named a first team all-Canadian. Boormsa bounced back after finishing second and being defeated at the OUA championships by Guelph teammate, Alex Genest. Boorsma also captained the men’s side to their fifth straight CIS team championship. Each cross-country season has ended with a team title during Boorsma’s five-year career with the Gryphons.

 

 

 

 

Female athlete of the semester:

Jacey Murphy, Rugby

The talented fourth year Gryphon was named the CIS player of the year in women’s rugby. Murphy led the OUA with 17 tries in five regular season games, and added 11 tries in the three OUA playoff contests,

 propelling her team to an OUA championship win over Queen’s. Murphy was named an OUA all-star and CIS all Canadian for the second year in a row, she ranked number two in the entire country in scoring with 85 points.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rookie of the semester:

Ross Proudfoot, Cross-country

The first year Gryphon began his Gryphon cross-country career with a bang. Proudfoot won the Western Invitational on Sept. 25, his first race ever in a Guelph uniform. The rookie ran like a proven veteran all season, from the win in his first race to a sixth place finish at the CIS cross-country championships. Proudfoot earned first team all-Canadian honours in his freshmen campaign and he will only continue to develop into another Gryphon running star.

 

 

 

Coach of the semester:

Dave Scott-Thomas

The Gryphon cross-country dynasty has been built by Scott-Thomas, year-in year-out he puts together a team that not only competes, but also wins OU

A and CIS titles. Scott-Thomas was named the CIS coach of the year for both the Gryphon men’s and women’s cross country teams, collecting his 19^th coaching

 award in total. The energetic head man continues to cement his coaching legacy, leading the women’s cross country team to a record of six straight CIS team titles.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Play of the semester :

Jedd Gardner, 129-yard missed field goal return touchdown versus the McMaster Marauders

The fourth-year Gryphon receiver is also a great return man, in case you didn’t already know, he has scored on big returns in the past. Standing at the back of the end zone at MAC’s Ron Joyce Stadium, Gardner hauled in a wide left field goal attempt off the foot of Marauder’s kicker, Tyler Crapigna, one yard shy of stepping out of bounds. Gardner made a couple ankle-breaking moves,

 broke a tackle and was off to the races. Gardner took the football the entire length of the field for the Gryphon touchdown. It was a 129-yard return to be exact, which tied him with one other player for the longest missed field goal return in CIS history.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Single Game Performance of the semester:

Brienne Stairs, CIS field hockey bronze medal win

The fourth-year graduating star had a great final game in Gryphon colours. The pressure of playing in a CIS medal game, at home no less, did not faze Stairs. Guelph defeated the Victoria Vikes 3-0 and Stairs was the best player on the field, just as she has been for the majority of her university career. She

controlled the ball very well, with skill and precision all game long, scoring three goals to record a natural hat trick to lead the Gryphons to CIS bronze.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Game of the semester:Homecoming football gameThe annual homecoming game is my pick for the best game of the half school year for two reasons. One, the game was close all the way, a great defensive matchup and the Gryphons played very well, maybe their best effort of the season. Two, the atmosphere was electric. The announced attendance was, 8799 and all of the people made the game seem bigger and better. The large crowd was right into the contest and energized the Gryphons all game long. It was a great university event. Too bad the student body has failed to create this type of atmosphere, save for one game a year, for more of the Gryphon sports home games.

Biggest Surprise of the semester:

Men’s Soccer and Lacrosse teams

The Gryphon’s soccer team went eight plus games to open the season without scoring a goal, which led to seven losses and a draw to start the year. Give the men credit though, they battled back to grab the last playoff spot, but the goalless streak to start the year was definitely not expected.

An undefeated season is something that is very difficult to achieve. The men’s lacrosse team went a perfect 10-0 during the OUA schedule, but regular season achievements mean nothing and the Gryphons hit their peak too early. After an unblemished march through the year, Guelph fell 9-4 to the McMaster Marauders in the OUA quarterfinals. A surprising result considering Guelph had won both games over McMaster in the regular season.

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