2024 Fall Season Recap: Condors Striving to Soar
The Condors softball team had one of their strongest seasons in recent memory, finishing with a 13-11 record and earning a 4th-place finish at the OCAA Championship Tournament. A defining moment of the season was their emphatic 12-4 victory over Fanshawe at the championship tournament, highlighted by Daniela Ernst’s grand slam and clutch pitching from Tanis Hall and Kadyn Wotton.
The team broke the OCAA record for stolen bases with an incredible 83 steals. Leading the way was Kelly Tikel, who set a new Condors single-season record with 30 steals, earning her an OCAA First Team All-Star honour. Power hitter Daniela Ernst shattered the program’s home run record with five on the season, earning OCAA Second Team All-Star recognition.
The Condors' record-breaking steals, home run heroics, and team-first mentality made this a season to remember, setting the stage for even greater success in the future.
Women’s Rugby Sevens: Building a Foundation for Success
In their second year back in the OCAA, the women’s rugby sevens team showed tremendous growth, finishing 6th overall with a 5-9 record and advancing to the OCAA Championship Tournament for the first time since their return.
Highlights of the season included a thrilling 15-10 victory over Humber on their new home field at the Fountain Street Complex. Abbey Anderson led the team with 43 points (five tries, nine converts), earning an OCAA Women’s Rugby Sevens League All-Star honour. Rookie standout Anita Ben impressed with 30 points (six tries) and was named to the OCAA All-Rookie Team.
With their foundation growing stronger each season, the Condors are poised for even more success in the years ahead.
Men’s Rugby: A Historic Silver Medal Finish
The men’s rugby team reached new heights this fall, earning an OCAA silver medal—their best-ever finish in program history. After a solid 2-2-1 regular season, the Condors dominated Seneca 64-10 in the quarterfinals on their new home field and went on the road to defeat St. Lawrence 31-12 in the semi-finals. Despite falling to Humber in the championship match, the team battled to the final minute and left it all on the field.
Hudson Young led the offence with 61 points (five tries, fifteen converts), while rookie Daniel Rudy added 29 points (five tries, two converts). On defence, Cameron Snook earned the OCAA Men’s Rugby West Division Defensive Player of the Year honour for his outstanding leadership.
The team’s success was further celebrated with numerous individual accolades:
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OCAA Men’s Rugby West Division Coach of the Year: Joshua Van Horne
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OCAA Men’s Rugby West Division Rookie of the Year: Daniel Rudy
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OCAA Men’s Rugby West Division Defensive Player of the Year: Cameron Snook
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OCAA Men’s Rugby West Division All-Stars: Colm Cronin, Bailey Mason, Daniel Rudy, Stefan Van Niekirk, Hudson Young
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OCAA Men’s Rugby West Division All-Rookie Team: Daniel Rudy
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OCAA Men’s Rugby Championship All-Star Team: Jeff Hoffman, Hudson Young
This season marked a turning point for the program and laid the foundation for continued excellence.
Cross Country: A Historic Season of Team and Individual Success
The Condors cross country teams had an extraordinary season, highlighted by team achievements and individual excellence. The men’s team impressed with a 3rd-place finish at the OCAA Championships—their first OCAA Championship team medal since 2008. Leading the charge was Nathan Paul, who placed 4th individually at the event. At the CCAA National Championships, the men’s team finished 6th in Canada and ranked as the second-best OCAA team, with Nathan Paul securing a 13th-place finish in a time of 25:45.
The women’s team, led by veterans Dianne Deboer and Sierra Vasin, showcased consistency and resilience throughout the season. Dianne’s standout performances included a 3rd-place finish at the St. Clair and Centennial Invitationals and a 5th-place finish at the Fanshawe Invitational. She capped off her season with a career-best 24th place at the CCAA National Championships, marking her third appearance at this prestigious event. Sierra Vasin also had a consistent season with several strong finishes, culminating in a determined effort at the OCAA Championships and contributing valuable leadership for the team.
Individual honours included:
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OCAA Women’s Cross Country All-Ontario Second-Team: Dianne Deboer
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OCAA Men’s Cross Country All-Ontario First-Team: Nathan Paul
This season not only broke barriers for the program but also demonstrated the depth, determination, and team spirit that define Condors cross country.
Women’s Soccer: A Season of Milestones and Grit
The Condors women’s soccer team had a season filled with remarkable achievements, finishing the regular season with a winning 5-4-1 record. This year marked a new era for the team as they unveiled their state-of-the-art home pitch at the Fountain Street Complex, providing a vibrant and supportive environment for players and fans alike.
One of the highlights of the season was hosting their first-ever playoff game at the new complex, a testament to the team’s growth and determination. Although the Condors fell 3-1 to Mohawk College in a hard-fought playoff match, the season showcased the team’s resilience and bright future.
Transfer forward Hayley Mackie emerged as a star, leading the team with an impressive 7 goals and earning the honour of being named an OCAA First Team All-Star. She was supported offensively by Brooke Meyer, who contributed 4 goals and 2 assists. Defensively, fourth-year captain Megan Heyes provided leadership and stability, anchoring a backline that consistently held its own against tough competition.
As the Condors reflect on this milestone season, they look ahead with optimism, buoyed by a strong core of players and the invaluable experience gained throughout 2024. With young talent and strong veteran leaders, the team is poised to soar even higher in the seasons to come.
Men’s Soccer: Defending Champions Battle for Glory
The defending OCAA Champion Condors men’s soccer team entered the 2024 season with high expectations and rose to the challenge, finishing the regular season with an impressive 7-2-1 record. Building on their championship momentum, the team showcased resilience, teamwork, and a balanced attack throughout the fall campaign.
The season was highlighted by a gritty 1-0 playoff victory over Niagara, thanks to a game-winning goal by standout forward Ricardo Alvarado. Unfortunately, their title defense came to an end in the quarterfinals with a hard-fought 2-0 loss to Seneca.
The Condors' offense was led by the dynamic trio of Gregor McKeon (5 goals), Marko Lesic (4 goals), and rookie sensation Matteo Grant (3 goals, 2 assists). Matteo quickly made a name for himself with his creative playmaking and ability to shine under pressure. In the midfield, Gamtessa Berehe controlled the tempo, while Saab Kohar anchored the defensive line with composure and strength.
The team received numerous accolades for their outstanding performances:
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OCAA Rookie of the Year: Matteo Grant
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OCAA West Division Rookie of the Year: Matteo Grant
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First Team All-Stars: Gamtessa Berehe, Matteo Grant, Luca Romano
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Second Team All-Star: Marko Lesic
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OCAA West Division All-Rookie Team: Matteo Grant
The 2024 season was a testament to the team’s depth, with rookies stepping up to fill key roles and veterans leading by example. Though the season ended sooner than hoped, the Condors men’s soccer team remains a powerhouse, with a bright future ahead as they continue to develop their young talent and build toward future success.
Badminton: Building Momentum for a Bright 2025
The Condors badminton team is off to an exciting start this season, showing promise across both individual and team events. Participating in the Humber Cup and the Fanshawe OCAA Invitational, the team has demonstrated its potential while identifying areas for growth as they prepare to host key events in the winter semester.
At the Humber Cup, the team celebrated victories in the consolation brackets:
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Men’s Doubles: Vaishnav Kiliyangatte and Suthrutha Vishwamitra secured the consolation bracket title.
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Women’s Singles: Mandy Ni showcased her skills, also winning the consolation bracket.
In men’s singles, Pravin Viswanathan and Vaishnav both performed admirably against the tournament’s top-seeded players proving they have what it takes to battle at the highest level. The mixed doubles team of Pravin and Mandy delivered a strong first game, narrowly missing a semi-final berth.
The Fanshawe Invitational brought more encouraging results:
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Men’s Singles: Pravin advanced to the quarterfinals before falling to the second seed. Vaishnav claimed the Consolation Winner title, while Maxwell Barnes finished as Consolation Runner-Up.
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Women’s Singles: Mandy Ni reached the quarterfinals, only losing to the tournament's top seed.
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Men’s Doubles: The duo of Pravin and Vaishnav made it to the quarterfinals, and Ryan Tu and Sushrutha were Consolation Runners-Up.
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Mixed Doubles: Pravin and Kristen Vane (Boreal) earned a Consolation Runner-Up finish.
Looking ahead, the Condors are eager to host their own OCAA Invitational starting on January 31st and the season will culminate with the team proudly hosting the OCAA Badminton Championships on February 14th and 15th at the Student Recreation Centre – Doon Campus. These events are sure to be a chance to showcase their home-court advantage and continue striving to soar to new heights.
Women’s Volleyball: Milestones and Growth (Midseason Update)
The Condors women’s volleyball team is showing heart and dedication at the halfway point of their season, currently holding a 3-8 record. To this point the highlight of the season was the team celebrating back-to-back home victories over Boreal and Cambrian to wrap up their 2024 home slate of matches.
Bianca Marchetti has been a standout performer, leading the team with 135 points, including 101 kills and 27 aces. She also became the all-time career points leader for Condors women’s volleyball cementing her legacy as an elite Condor. Rookie Madison Welmers has made a strong impact with 115 points, while setters Althea Robano and Amanda Lago have combined for 307 assists.
The team will return to action on January 11th against Boreal College, eager to build on their momentum.
Men’s Volleyball: Powering Through (Midseason Update)
The men’s volleyball team is off to a strong start, boasting a 7-4 record at the halfway point of the season. Their campaign has been highlighted by a seven-match win streak during which they dropped only three sets.
The dynamic duo of Tyrell Belgrove and Walker Kalin have led the offence, with Belgrove contributing 146 points (125 kills) and Kalin adding 133 points (117 kills). Kalin also achieved the remarkable milestone of 500 career kills. Yannick Krauss has been instrumental as the team’s playmaker, leading the OCAA with nine assists per set (342 total assists).
The Condors will look to continue their strong form when they return to action on January 11th against Boreal College.
Women’s Basketball: Poised for a Breakout (Midseason Update)
The Condors are off to a 1-8 start to the season, but the women’s basketball team has shown flashes of brilliance and a constant determination. Their victory was a thrilling 61-55 home win over Redeemer, and they have pushed some of the top teams in the league to close finishes, proving they have what it takes to compete in the second half of the season.
Veteran leader Jamila Beckford made history by becoming the Condors' all-time leader in both career points and rebounds. She has contributed 83 rebounds this season, while Andie Maylen leads the team in scoring with 113 points. Adri Kellerman has been a key all-around player, contributing 72 points and 67 rebounds.
The team returns to action on January 8th against Mohawk College, ready to battle hard in the second half of the season.
Men’s Basketball: Building Momentum (Midseason Update)
The men’s basketball team has shown grit and determination through a 3-7 start, highlighted by a hard-fought 69-65 road victory against Fanshawe.
Emanuel Liyaw has been a standout, leading the team with 122 points and a 48.9% field goal percentage. He also tops the team in rebounds with 86. Captain Ozay Davis has added 114 points and recently surpassed the 100 career three-pointers milestone. Landon Hart has anchored the defence with 70 rebounds, including a team-leading 56 defensive boards.
The team will look to build on their efforts when they resume play on January 8th against Mohawk College.
As the Fall 2024 season comes to a close, the Conestoga Condors have truly embodied the spirit of Striving to Soar. Across all teams, the Condors showcased resilience, teamwork, and record-breaking performances, with individual athletes and teams alike achieving historic milestones. From the incredible success of the Men's Rugby team earning their best-ever OCAA silver medal finish, to Cross Country's podium placements and national recognition, and Softball rewriting the record books with dominant offensive play, this season has been one for the history books. The halfway point of the Volleyball and Basketball seasons has already delivered unforgettable moments, as players continue to set new records and pave the way for a promising second half. Badminton has laid the groundwork for a strong winter season, with impressive showings against top competition and anticipation building for hosting the OCAA Championships in February.
The Condors have demonstrated not only their athletic prowess but also their ability to adapt, grow, and overcome challenges, all while showcasing the dedication and heart that defines the Conestoga community. With so much already accomplished this season, the future looks brighter than ever for the Condors as they continue to push boundaries and inspire excellence both on and off the field. Here's to celebrating this season's successes and looking ahead to even greater achievements in the months to come. Go Condors!