Conestoga Condors 2023 Fall Varsity Recap
As our fall semester comes to a close, Conestoga's varsity teams take a break for the holidays, reflecting on a season that has unfolded as a captivating roller coaster of emotions. As we bid adieu to the fall semester, let's celebrate the triumphs, pay homage to the exceptional athletes, and set our sights on the exciting prospects awaiting us. Embark with us on a journey through the riveting highlights and extraordinary accomplishments of each team!
Conestoga Condors 2023 Fall Varsity Recap
The fall season came through with thrilling home and away matches, setting the stage for our Condors to achieve high distinction and build on the success of previous seasons. This fall, the Conestoga Condors ascended to new heights, leaving both fans and opponents alike in awe.
The Women's Soccer team showcased resilience and determination, finishing the season with a record of four wins, five losses, and one tie, securing the 5th rank in the west division. The highlight of their season was a thrilling first playoff game against 4th-ranked Redeemer, which, after 90 minutes of regular play and 30 minutes of overtime, maintained a score line of 0-0, sending the team to a shootout, where a stunning performance by goalkeeper Maddie Sloan propelled them to the second round. Despite their best efforts, the team lost out to the 1st ranked team and eventual champions, Seneca, in the playoffs.
Ella Chase's consistent season-long performance earned her the OCAA 1st team all-star award.
In reflecting on the season, Co-Captain Megan Heyes captures the essence, stating, “I couldn’t have been prouder of the girls this season. For a team to be able to finish 5th overall in the west division and then go on to beat the 4th place team is huge. I believe the girls worked very hard this season to be so successful, finishing the season off in the quarterfinals. I think we all learned to work together and play for ourselves and each other in order to have a successful season. I am so proud of all these girls. Rookies and returning vets, they all put in the work this 2023/24 season!”
Looking ahead, the team remains focused on maintaining a positive team culture, building on their success, and preparing for the upcoming indoor season. Megan Heyes says the goals for the indoor season are to “compete with every team there and to make it to provincials. I think our big goal is to make it to the second day of provincials, which would be very massive for our girls!”
The Men's Soccer team had a historic season, achieving a perfect 10-0 regular season record and claiming the top spot in the OCAA West Division. Their journey reached the pinnacle with a gold medal at the OCAA Championships and a silver medal at the CCAA Championships, securing the 2nd position nationally. This was the first time since 1979 that the Condors have been the Men’s OCAA Soccer Champions.
The team was led by Head Coach Stuart Mackie and has a full roster of talented players who racked up the awards this year. The team was awarded OCAA Defensive Team of the Year, and multiple players received individual awards as listed below:
Mike D’Angelo:
- Ranked second in the OCAA for a save percentage of 0.848.
- Ranked fourth in the OCAA for fewest goals against at only 5.
- Ranked first in the OCAA for goals against average at 0.56.
- Awarded OCAA 1st team all-star.
- Awarded CCAA Match 1 Player of the Match.
Malachi Ramsay:
- Awarded OCAA 1st team all-star.
- Awarded OCAA championship MVP.
- Awarded CCAA championship all-star.
Luca Romano:
- Awarded OCAA 1st team all-star.
Ricardo Alvardo:
- Awarded OCAA 2nd team all-star.
- Awarded OCAA rookie of the year.
Gamtessa Berehe:
- Awarded OCAA 2nd team all-star.
- Awarded CCAA Match 7 Player of the Match.
Josip-Pavle Stojanovic:
- Awarded OCAA 2nd team all-star.
- Awarded CCAA championship all-star.
- Awarded CCAA Match 14 Player of the Match.
The Men's Soccer team was the team to watch, garnering support from the across Conestoga community. Each home game drew countless fans eager to witness the team's exceptional skills. The excitement reached its peak as the team advanced to the OCAA Championships and CCAA Championships, prompting dedicated fans to embark on journeys to witness the squad in action. Simultaneously, many supporters tuned in from the comfort of their homes, passionately following the live streams and celebrating the team's remarkable journey.
In the first year since its reintroduction, the Women's Rugby Sevens team displayed determination and sportsmanship throughout their campaign. The team's efforts laid the foundation for future success. The highlight of the team’s season was their 17-15 win against Senneca Collage. The team was led by Kayley Turcotte, who had an impressive four tries, and Courtney Gowland, who had two tries. Jillian Vickery also had a try and two converts. As they continue to grow and refine their skills, the future looks promising for Conestoga's Women's Rugby Sevens.
Making a triumphant return to the field, the Men's Rugby team secured two wins and three losses in their first season back. The Condors proved to the OCAA that they were a force and belonged among the league's best, as even in their losses, they stayed fiercely competitive and never lost by more than 5 points. Individual awards, including OCAA West all-star, awarded to Bailey Mason; OCAA West Player of the Year, awarded to Hudson Young; OCAA Rookie of the Year, awarded to Tarik Pacha; and OCAA West Coach of the Year, awarded to Josh Van Horne, highlighted the team's collective talent. With a solid foundation laid in their inaugural season, Conestoga's Men's Rugby is geared up for future successes.
With a record of 5 wins and 15 losses, the Women's Softball team faced challenges head-on. Notable achievements include Kennedy Schnarr’s defensive excellence behind the plate, leading the league in runners caught stealing; Kennedy’s game doesn’t stop there. She also leads the team with the highest RBI (14) and batting average (.351). Daniela Ernst and Cassey Leader also had impressive offensive stats. Daniela had 13 RBI and a batting average of .318, and Cassey had 12 RBI and an average of .333. The teams’ impressive individual stats are reflective of their hard work and dedication.
Reflecting on the highs and lows of the season, player Ella Jones-Club shares, “Coming into the season with lots of new players and new coaches, we had to learn how to all work together. The season didn’t go the way we wanted it to, but many lessons were learned along the way that brought people out of their comfort zones, which led to lifelong friendships. A standout moment from the season was our two-game sweep against Seneca; we really came together as a whole team and showed the OCAA who we were.”
The team's resilience lays the foundation for ongoing growth and success. As they continue to build team unity, the stage is indeed set for continuous improvement in the upcoming season.
The Cross County team had an exciting year, building on last year’s success. With many new athletes, the team saw great improvements throughout the season. A highlight of the year was when the Condors hosted the OCAA Championships, where Dianne Deboer and Nathan Paul's exceptional performances led to them both being named OCAA All-Stars, and both athletes qualified and competed at nationals. Representing Conestoga cross-country at the national level, Dianne placed 25th with a time of 24:12, and Nathan placed 30th with a time of 26:53.
Coach David describes this season as "A great success!” The goals he set were all achieved.
In the off-season, the team is focused on refining their training routine and getting in the miles/km so they are prepared for next season! Coach David states, “We are in the base phase of training and will start more intervals and tempo sessions right after Christmas.”
You can expect to see our Condors Cross Country team engage in races throughout the spring and summer, ensuring that they are ready for the upcoming 2024 season!
Conestoga Condors 2024 Winter Season
As the fall season gives way to winter, our winter sports teams are poised for greatness, building on the successes of their fall counterparts. Let's dive into the action-packed journey of Conestoga's winter sports teams and anticipate the triumphs that lie ahead.
The Women’s Volleyball team has had a commendable season thus far; with seven wins and four losses, the team displayed exceptional teamwork. Individual performances shone brightly, with Rachel O’Dell ranking second in kills per set (3.72) and claiming the title of the most kills overall in the OCAA with an impressive 145. Additionally, Bianca Marchetti has dominated in service aces per set, leading the OCAA with 1.37. As the team looks ahead, their notable achievements set the stage for continued success.
Looking back on a challenging stretch in the last three games, Assistant Coach Olivia Bender reflects, “We had a tough outcome for two of our last three games, but we turned it around and finished the semester off with a win! We have a great group, and I'm excited for where the next semester will take us after the holidays!”
The team is currently sitting in the 4th position in the OCAA West and hopes to continue to climb the ranking in the second semester.
The Men’s Volleyball team is holding strong in the 2nd position in the OCAA West with a record of eight wins and three losses. Walker Kalin showcased his offensive skills, ranking third in kills per set (3.73) and second in kills overall in the OCAA with 153. Markus Ahmadzai shows his skills in service aces, ranking fifth with 0.53 per set, while Eric Chien's assists earned him the 4th position in sets per set the OCAA with 8.88. The team's dynamic performances bode well for their continued success in the season.
Reflecting on the team's recent triumphant three-game streak, Assistant Coach Jake underscores the positive energy within the squad as they head into a well-deserved break. He shares, “Coming off a three-game heater, the boys are feeling good heading into the break. Some much-needed rest and recovery is in store for the team for the next few weeks, with our practices starting back up after the holidays. I know we're all excited to pick up where we left off and continue our push for a home playoff game!”
Badminton
The Badminton team has participated in two tournaments, notably in the first tournament hosted by Humber Sadik Ali, placed 4th in the Men’s singles category, and Devika Kumar placed 1st in the Women’s Singles category. In the second tournament hosted by Fanshawe Devika Kumar placed 2nd in the women’s singles category. Looking ahead to the winter, Conestoga will host the OCAA West Regional on February 2nd and 3rd with a chance to progress to the OCAA Championships, where Devika Kumar will look to defend her Provincial Champion crown.
As the Badminton team navigates the season, the perspective of the assistant coach, Kevin Jos Maria Joseph, sheds light on the team's evolution. Expressing optimism, the coach notes, "Compared to last year, the Condor badminton team appears more promising and actively engaged in practice sessions this year. Despite experiencing both highs and lows in the first half of the season, we are optimistic as we enter the second half and head into regionals, aiming for increased national participation." This insightful observation encapsulates the team's journey thus far and sets the tone for their aspirations in the upcoming competitions.
The Women’s Basketball team has faced strong competition this season and is currently sitting in the 8th position in the OCAA West with two wins and seven losses. Head coach Dee Channer says, “This year is about building a team and establishing what it means to compete as a Condor." Despite the challenging season, individual standout Tanja Damjanovic has showcased her ability, ranking 3rd in defensive rebounds per game in the OCAA with an impressive 7.3. Her overall contribution reflected in a 4th position in total rebounds with a commendable 87. As the team looks forward, they aim to leverage these performances and climb higher in the rankings. Dee Channer says the team wants to "Continue to compete at the highest level and home in on our strengths and to do this with constancy."
The Men’s Basketball team has also battled through a competitive season, securing the 8th position with four wins and six losses. The team has had some big moments. Captain Ozay Davis shares, “The season has been going well for us. We are competing with every team every night. One of our big moments of the first half of the season was taking down Humber in overtime; that game showed us that we can deal with ups and downs and still play our hardest no matter the score.”
Hadi El-Miari emerged as a dominant force, leading the OCAA in rebounds per game with an outstanding 13.8 and further asserting his dominance in offensive rebounds per game at 5.4. Notably, he secured the 2nd position in defensive rebounds per game with 8.4. The team's defensive strength is extended, with Frank Gyamfi ranking 3rd in blocks per game (1.8) and displaying impressive accuracy with a 5th position in field goal percentage at 61.1%. Adam Eicholz has shown his playmaking skills, ranking 5th in assists per game with 4.3.
Ozay Davis also sets aspirations for the team, stating, “Goals for the next half of the season is to make playoffs. We have a lot of talent on this team, and I believe we can make a good run in the playoffs.”
This incredible season has marked a resounding success for our Conestoga Condors, with our fall and winter sports teams achieving notable triumphs and showcasing exceptional skills and determination. Beyond the wins and losses, Condors sports play a crucial role in fostering a sense of community and pride. They bring students, faculty, and fans together, creating an environment where individuals can connect around a shared passion! These sports serve as a platform for personal growth, teamwork, and leadership development, giving valuable life skills to our athletes. In addition, the success of our sports teams contributes to the overall vibrancy of our campus life, enhancing the collegiate experience for everyone involved.
Condor's athletics are not just about the matches, they are about building a strong and supportive community that celebrates achievement, perseverance, and the spirit of fellowship.
For those eager to catch the excitement of our upcoming games, tuning in is easier than ever! You can watch the action live on “OCAA LIVE”. Just head to our website, conestogacondors.ca, and navigate to “Inside Athletics”, under the “Multimedia” section, you can find the link to OCAA LIVE. However, if you prefer the electric atmosphere of our live games, we extend a warm invitation to join us at our home games. Come out and show your support for the Conestoga Condors, as we welcome fans to cheer on our teams!
For upcoming schedules, click HERE
As we reflect on the exhilarating journey of our Condors Fall and Winter sports teams, a positive and optimistic outlook fills the air, and we are confident in the efforts that will be made in the following seasons. With the anticipation of the upcoming indoor soccer season and the second half of the winter sports teams, our Conestoga community eagerly awaits to witness the continued dedication and achievements of our talented athletes. The excitement will reach its peak at the much-awaited athletic banquet, being held on Friday, April 5th, 2024, where we will come together to celebrate the triumphs, camaraderie, and unwavering spirit that define our Condors athletic dedication. The path ahead is paved with a lot of potential, and we look forward to the continued success and resilience of our athletes in the electric chapters that await!