LONDON, Ont. - Rookie Martin Giuffre won some major hardware after Ontario University Athletics (OUA) announced its major awards and all-stars today.
Giuffre, a first-year kinesiology student from Calgary, was named OUA rookie of the year and most valuable player and he will be a key player for Western in the OUA Championships Nov. 21 hosted by York University.
Aspiring to be a doctor, Giuffre is the reigning champion in national singles, doubles and mixed doubles play and is also the current Canadian junior player of the year.
He has also represented Canada at the Pan-Am Junior Championships (2006-08) and won the 2008 singles and doubles championship at the Pan-Am Juniors. He also participated at the 2008 Commonwealth Youth Games.
The undefeated Mustangs, which have won eight of the last 10 OUA titles, will face the 2-3 York Lions on Saturday in the first round of playoffs. Toronto and Waterloo will battle it out in the other semifinal.
The winners compete later in the day Nov. 21 for the OUA title.
Western, with its 5-0 record this season, will have an advantage, but the Lions will have home court on their side.
The Mustangs have dominated all season long, including their 12-1 rout of the York Lions on Oct. 31, sealing the deal for their appearance in the semifinals.
In their victory over the Lions, Giuffre defeated his opponent in straight sets by scores of 21-8 and 21-14, making him a significant threat in the playoffs.
Western's Jenn Lam (Toronto) is a strong influence on the court. Lam, the OUA's 2008 most valuable player, teamed up with last year's rookie of the year Alex Bruce (Toronto) to take first place in women's doubles at the Canadian university and college national championships.
Bruce and Lam were also named women's badminton all-stars, but Bruce will miss the OUA championships as she is in Scotland competing at an international event.
Sophomore players Peter Butler (Toronto) and Jonathan Ma (Scarborough, Ont.) join Giuffre on the 2009 men's all-star team. Both are receiving all-star honours for the first time in their OUA playing careers.
Lam and Bruce helped Western to tie Toronto for the most women's all-stars at three each.
Last year’s most valuable player Lam earns her fifth all-star nod as a Mustang. Lam won gold in women’s singles and doubles at the annual Canadian university and college national championships in May.
Bruce (Toronto), Lam’s partner in the doubles gold win, makes her second consecutive all-star appearance this year. In addition to winning gold in doubles, Bruce took home the silver medal at the national championships.
Western’s Laura Vandervet (Brantford, Ont.) joins Bruce and Lam on the all-star list for the first time in her OUA badminton career.
2009 OUA BADMINTON MAJOR AWARD WINNERS
Coach of the Year
Robert Ha (York)
WOMEN’S MAJOR AWARD WINNERS
Most Valuable Player
Shilin Cheung (Toronto)
Rookie of Year
Michelle Li (Toronto)
WOMEN’S ALL-STARS
Alexandra Bruce (Toronto) - Western
Amanda Carruthers (Mississauga, Ont.) - Waterloo
Cara Cheung (Toronto) - Ryerson
Shilin Cheung (Hong Kong) - Toronto
Melissa Hill (Oakville, Ont.) - Toronto
Jennifer Lam (Toronto) - Western
Michelle Li (Richmond Hill, Ont.) - Toronto
Laura Vandervet (Brantford, Ont.) - Western
MEN’S MAJOR AWARD WINNERS
Most Valuable Player
Martin Giuffre (Western)
Rookie of Year
Martin Giuffre (Western)
MEN’S ALL-STARS
Jesse Assing (Bethany, Ont.) - Toronto
Peter Butler (Toronto) - Western
Kevin Cheng (Scarborough, Ont.) - York
Martin Giuffre (Calgary) - Western
Rahim Karmali (Montreal) - Waterloo
Jon Ma (Scarborough, Ont.) – Western
Andrew Tai Pow (Toronto) - Waterloo
Andrew Zhuang (Mississauga, Ont.) - Waterloo
2009 OUA BADMINTON CHAMPIONSHIP AT YORK UNIVERSITY
Nov. 21
Semifinals
York vs. Western – 9:30 a.m.
Toronto vs. Waterloo – 9:30 a.m.
Medal Games
Bronze Medal Match – 1:30 p.m.
OUA Final – 1:30 p.m.
