Fall 2025 - Condors Varsity Recap
The Fall 2025 season was a statement semester for the Conestoga Condors. From podium finishes in cross country to championship hardware on the pitch, Condors teams delivered big moments and even bigger results. Highlights included historic OCAA and CCAA medals in Cross Country, a bronze medal performance on home turf by Women’s Rugby Sevens, and an OCAA championship run by Men’s Soccer! Across every sport, the Condors showed growth, resilience, and a competitive edge that continues to raise expectations as the Condors strive to soar!
Cross Country
It was another historic year for Condors Cross Country, marked by consistency throughout the fall and breakthrough performances when it mattered most!
The season opened with a strong showing at the OCAA Invitational at Fanshawe, where Dianne Deboer captured bronze and Nathan Paul finished just off the podium in fourth. Momentum continued at the OCAA Invitational hosted by the Mohawk Mountaineers, a preview of the championship course. Dianne placed sixth with a time of 24:22, while Annie Clarke recorded her first career top ten finish, placing ninth in 24:44. On the men’s side, Nathan Paul earned another podium result, finishing third for bronze.
At the OCAA Championship on October 25, hosted by Mohawk, Condors history was made. In the final OCAA race of her five year career, Dianne Deboer became the first women’s runner in program history to win an OCAA Cross Country Championship, capturing gold in 21:56! Annie Clarke continued her steady rise with an eighth place finish in 24:16, earning her first trip to the CCAA National Championship alongside Dianne. In the men’s race, Nathan Paul repeated his podium success once again, earning bronze in 25:15, becoming just the 4th male runner to reach the OCAA podium, and securing another national berth.
At the CCAA National Championships at Holland College in PEI, Dianne delivered one of the most significant performances in Condors history. She pushed the pace from start to finish and earned a CCAA silver medal in 23:00, the first CCAA Cross Country medal ever won by a Condor! Annie Clarke competed confidently in her first national championship, finishing 33rd in 25:37. On the men’s side, Nathan Paul battled the demanding 8 km course and placed 11th nationally with a time of 26:37, further cementing his place among the top runners in Canada and Condors history.
Men’s Soccer
Men’s Soccer produced one of the most dominant seasons in recent program history. The Condors finished the regular season 8-2, scoring 25 goals while allowing just four, and carried that form into an exceptional playoff run.
The postseason began with a commanding 9-0 home victory over Lakehead University Orillia, followed by another clean sheet in a 4-0 win over the Mohawk Mountaineers. In the OCAA semifinal against host Algonquin, the Condors delivered under pressure, earning a 3-2 victory behind a hat trick from Marko Lesic to advance to the gold medal match!
In the championship final against the Humber Hawks, the Condors back line once again set the tone, helping secure a 2-0 win and the OCAA Championship! This marked the team’s second OCAA championship in 3 seasons!
The team continued on to the CCAA National Championship in Montreal, hosted by Champlain College, where they narrowly missed the podium after a penalty kick loss in the bronze medal match.
With a strong core returning, the Condors now turn their focus toward another national run in 2026!
Men’s Soccer individual honours included:
OCAA Men’s Soccer West Division Player of the Year: Evan Antolcic
OCAA Men’s Soccer Coach of the Year: Stuart Mackie
OCAA Men’s Soccer West Division Best Defensive Team: Conestoga Condors
OCAA Men’s Soccer West Division First Team All-Stars:
Evan Antolcic, Pedja Jovicic, Luca Romano
OCAA Men’s Soccer West Division Second Team All-Stars:
Anthony D’Souza, Saab Kohar, Marko Lesic, Sebastian Martinez Jaramillo, Gregor McKeon
OCAA Men’s Soccer West Division All-Rookie Team:
Elliot Dell
OCAA Men’s Soccer Championship MVP:
Marko Lesic
OCAA Men’s Soccer Championship All-Stars:
Ricardo Alvarado, Matteo Grant
CCAA All-Canadians:
Evan Antolcic, Pedja Jovicic
Women’s Soccer
The Condors women battled through a challenging season defined by resilience and determination. Despite facing injuries throughout the fall, the team finished 4-5-1 and earned a spot in the OCAA playoffs. Their season came to an end on the road against the Durham Lords, but the growth shown across the year was evident.
Offensively, Lily Triantafilou led the way with three goals, while Skylar Morales was steady in goal, allowing 15 goals across nine matches. Looking ahead, excitement is building around the program as Conestoga prepares to host the CCAA National Women’s Soccer Championship at Condors Field at the Fountain Street Soccer Complex in Cambridge from November 11 to 14, 2026.
Women’s Soccer honours:
OCAA Women’s Soccer West Division First Team All-Stars:
Claire Di Benedetto, Hayley Mackie
Women’s Rugby Sevens
Women’s Rugby Sevens continued its rapid rise, earning an OCAA bronze medal on home turf in the program’s third season back in the league! The Condors posted an impressive 11-3 regular season record, finishing second overall. The team was powered by 149 points from Abbey Anderson (OCAA scoring leader) and 90 points from the veteran Anita Ben.
The Condors proudly hosted the OCAA Championship tournament on home turf in October. In the bronze medal match, Conestoga defeated the Seneca Sting 24-12. Abbey Anderson led the scoring with two tries and two conversions for 14 points, Brookelyn Butchart added a key try, and first year standout Michelle Schneider also crossed the try line to seal a proud moment in front of the home supporters!
Women’s Rugby honours:
OCAA Women’s Rugby Sevens Scoring Champion: Abbey Anderson
OCAA League All-Stars: Abbey Anderson, Anita Ben, Brookelyn Butchart
OCAA All-Rookie Team: Michelle Schneider
Men’s Rugby
Men’s Rugby finished the regular season 3-3 and earned the opportunity to host an OCAA quarterfinal at Condors Field. In a thrilling playoff match, the Condors defeated the Seneca Sting 37-33, led by 10 point performances from Carlo DeGrandis and Noah Sneddon.
The team came up just short of a second straight OCAA medal, falling 26-22 on the road against Georgian in the bronze medal match. Offensively, scoring was balanced throughout the season, with Jair Samuels leading the way with 41 points, followed by Jackson Mcdonald-Inglis and Carson Briggs with 35 each.
Men’s Rugby honours:
OCAA Men’s Rugby All-Stars: Houston Kaufman, Leo Tomes, Aidan Vachon, Blake Wilson
OCAA Men’s Rugby All-Rookie Team: Leo Tomes
OCAA Men’s Rugby Championship All-Star Team: Aidan Vachon
Softball
After a slow start in September, the Condors softball team found their rhythm in October and finished the season 7-12, earning another trip to the OCAA Championship Tournament. While the Condors fell to the eventual OCAA champions, the team’s competitiveness and resolve were evident throughout the season.
Dani Ernst led the offence with a team best .350 batting average and 14 RBI. The Condors stayed aggressive on the base paths, with 11 players recording at least one stolen base, led by Kelly Tikel with 15. In the circle, Sarah Bateman logged 54 innings pitched, while rookies Navaeh Poll and Regan Jacklin showed strong poise and promise for the future.
Softball honours:
OCAA Women’s Softball First Team All-Stars:
Dani Ernst, Kelly Tikel
Badminton (mid-season update)
The Condors badminton team delivered a strong fall campaign highlighted by podium finishes at early season events. At the Humber Vision Open, Conestoga earned two gold medals as Nolan Bridge and Pravin Viswanathan won Men’s Doubles D, while Mariam Muqeem and Sora Ito captured Women’s Doubles C. The Condors also added two silver medals, with Ryan Tu and Max Barnes finishing second in Men’s Doubles C, and Muqeem earning silver in Women’s Singles D.
At the Fanshawe Invitational, Conestoga continued its success with a second place finish in Women’s Doubles West, as Muqeem partnered with Xin Niu of Fanshawe, along with a third place team finish in the Coaches Cup West division. The Condors will taken to their home court this winter as they will host an OCAA Invitational on February 7 and 8 at the Doon Campus North Gym!
Women’s Basketball (mid-season update)
Women’s Basketball enters the holiday break with a 3-5 record after closing the fall by winning two of their final three games. Jamila Beckford and Adri Kellerman have led the offence with 113 and 100 points, respectively.
Beckford, who became the first Condor to surpass the 1,000 career point milestone earlier this season, has continued to dominate inside, leading the OCAA with 14 rebounds per game. Maddy Weber has also made her presence felt defensively, ranking third in the league with 14 blocks. The Condors return to action on Wednesday, January 14 at 6 p.m. at home against the Redeemer Royals.
Men’s Basketball (mid-season update)
Men’s Basketball heads into the break at 4-6, showing clear signs of growth as the season progressed. The Condors finished the first half with two straight wins, including a decisive 90-67 home victory over the Mohawk Mountaineers.
Emanuel Liyaw has been a force, leading the team with 175 points and pacing the OCAA at 11.1 rebounds per game. Terell Lloyd and Ladera Obang have been key contributors as well, both shooting over 41 percent from the field with 117 and 112 points. The Condors resume play on Wednesday, January 14 at 8 p.m. at home against the Redeemer Royals.
Women’s Volleyball (mid-season update)
Women’s Volleyball heads into the break sitting third in the OCAA West with a 6-3 record and a strong 4-1 mark at home. The Condors finished 2025 by winning two of their final three matches and have relied on a balanced attack throughout the first half.
Bianca Marchetti leads the way with 104 kills, second most in the OCAA, totaling 127.5 points. She has been supported by Madison Welmers with 103 points, Hannah Cowie with 69, Makenna Main with 67.5, and Grace Mclean with 64.5. The Condors return to action on Wednesday, January 14 with a 6 p.m. road match at Fanshawe.
Men’s Volleyball (mid-season update)
Men’s Volleyball enters the holiday break at 6-3, placing third in the OCAA West. The highlight of the first half came in a landmark 3-0 road victory over the Humber Hawks, the program’s first ever road win at Humber.
Tyrell Belgrove continues to drive the offence and currently leads the OCAA with 114 kills, while Walker Kalin sits fifth in the league with 102. Defensively, Ben Mollink has made an impact at the net, averaging 0.70 blocks per set, the third best mark in the OCAA. The Condors return to action on Wednesday, January 14 with an 8 p.m. road match at Fanshawe.
Looking Ahead
Fall 2025 showcased exactly where the Condors are headed. With championship experience, historic medals, and a culture built on accountability and growth, the foundation is firmly in place. As teams turn their attention to the winter schedule and preparations continue toward 2026, the standard remains clear. Keep building, keep competing, and keep pushing forward together. The future is bright for the Conestoga Condors! Go Condors!
#StrivingToSoar