By Tyler Renaud [1]
BELLEVILLE – As the Ontario College Athletic Association [2]‘s sports seasons enters full swing, the Loyalist Lancers are gaining recognition for their play.
Lady Lancers Jenni Thompson and Christine Vandertoorn were named Athletes of the week, after Lancer Devon Fobert received the honour the previous week.
Jim Buck, director of athletics at Loyalist College, says he is excited about the recognition, especially with all the competition.
“I think it’s very special that we’ve had three athletes recognized in two weeks. Any time we get one we are very pleased – especially this time of year.” said Buck. “It’s a really busy time for OCAA and for us in general because you’ve got all the fall sports still going or wrapping up and starting playoffs, but also volleyball, basketball and the full year sports have started up. So, it’s probably the busiest time in terms of most athletes and teams competing.”
Christine Vandertoorn, fullback for the Lancers, took charge in the first victory for the women’s rugby team this season. The ladies won [3] 32-7 against Algonquin and Vandertoorn made two convert kicks and one penalty kick on her way to scoring seven points for the Lancers.
Vandertoorn says she had no idea she was named OCAA Athlete of the Week until QNet News [4] contacted her.
“It was pretty cool! I’ve never won Athlete of the Week before,” said Vandertoorn. “It was a surprise actually! I didn’t know until (QNet News) emailed me.”
Jenni Thompson, guard for the Loyalist women’s basketball team, led the way in a convincing victory [5] over George Brown in the season opener 85 – 64. Thompson scored 26 points, grabbed 15 rebounds while going 9 for twenty from the field.
Thompson says the recognition is more about the team than about her own individual play.
“I know last year the girls didn’t do well in the season – they were about .500 on the season. It makes a statement about the team to have someone win player of the week from Loyalist to say we are in this league to compete this year,” said Thompson.
The Lady Lancers basketball team were back in action Sunday against the Georgian Grizzlies, winning 61-31 and improving to 2-0 on the season. Thompson contributed 15 points and four rebounds on this day.
Meanwhile, the Lady Lancer Rugby team opened up the playoff season with a win against Conestoga on Saturday to earn a match-up with Fleming Nov. 7.