Thursday, December 5, 2013 - Submitted by Athletic Dept
There is excitement in the air in the St. Clair College Athletic Department.
The Saints have been looking forward to this year for a long time, and with good reason: there's a lot to look forward to. A new scholarship program, the addition of a strength and conditioning coach to the all-star staff, and the impending opening of first-class athletic facility make the 2013-2014 season one for the record books. The athletes have enthusiastically risen to the occasion with a fall full of noteworthy performances in one of the best seasons on record.
"This fall season has been groundbreaking for us in terms of both individual and team accomplishments," shares Athletic Coordinator Ted Beale. "We've made a number of great developments in the department in recent years, and the results of our teams shows the efforts we’ve put into place in all those areas.”
Accomplishments in Women’s Fastball and Men’s Baseball headed up this record-breaking season, with OCAA Provincial Silver and Gold medals, respectively. Both teams earned a host of team and individual awards, including OCAA Women’s Fastball Player of the Year and Overall Female Athlete of the Week Alexa Georgiou, OCAA Championship MVP Chris Horwood, and OCAA Men’s Baseball Player of the Year, League Top Pitcher, and OUA-OCAA Championship Outstanding Pitcher Kyle Breitner. Breitner shares the additional title of OCAA Men’s Baseball League All-Star with teammate Jeff Watkin who was also an OCAA Male Athlete of the Week.
St. Clair’s Golf Teams both took home the OCAA Silver Team awards, with the Women claiming the CCAA Silver as well. The Cross Country teams also enjoyed an outstanding season, with the best combined effort leading to nationals that the college has seen to date. Individual Bronze medal at the Provincial level for Donia Oumesrour, Provincial Gold and National Bronze medals for the Women’s team and a Provincial Bronze for the Men’s team stand out amidst a long list of accolades. St. Clair’s Cross Country team’s national showing this season shows a level of growth in the team that directly illustrates the dedication and determination of the athletes and coaches involved.
Students in St. Clair's Athletic programs have the benefit of one of the best and most progressive Scholarship programs available. The College offers $1,250.00 to every varsity athlete per sport semester. This is the maximum allowed under OCAA rules. The financial support encourages student athletes to perform at their best while still focusing on their number one priority: their studies. The program also benefits from the support and instruction of a number of highly rated coaches. Joining the department recently, Full Program Recruiter Ken Ambrose and Strength and Conditioning Coach Rob Maggio add essential elements to an already well-rounded and high performance staff.
In the spring, the Saints will move into their new home. Almost completed, the new athletic centre is scheduled to open in early 2014, and boasts a large number of features that will assist the College's student athletes as they continue their hugely successful year. The new facility will feature a triple gymnasium, an elevated run/walking track, training facilities for Varsity teams, and in house seating for up to 2500 spectators. A state-of-the-art Fitness Centre will be available to all students of the College. The athletic centre will serve not only as a new home for St. Clair’s athletes, but as a venue for hosting various events which will showcase the facility on the regional and provincial stage.
With so much success already earned this season, and so much to look forward to as the winter sports teams take over in January, the community has truly come together to support the College’s teams. The support from Students, Faculty and Alumni alike has been very strong throughout the fall season, and much of that can be directly attributed to the outstanding efforts of the student athletes. “More and more people want to be involved and lend support. They want to learn more about the athletes who are in their programs,” says Beale. People can feel good about the organization and the college that they’re a part of, he adds, and that’s a positive thing.
“That’s what we try to provide to our students: a sense of pride in their school.”
