Mike Choja, one of the best middles in all of Ontario, has chosen to stay close to home and join the Western Mustangs men’s volleyball team for the 2012 season. A London native and Oakridge High School graduate, Choja will enrol in sociology at King’s College this fall.

Being from London, Choja has followed the Mustangs volleyball program for years but only recently did he believe he’d be suiting up in purple and white.

“I grew up watching the team and I never really thought it could happen, but as the years got closer it became a possibility and signing on that dotted line made it all real,” said Choja.

A standout player at Oakridge, Choja racked up medal after medal in his high school career, helping his team win five consecutive Western Ontario Secondary Schools Athletic Association (WOSSAA) gold medals, an Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations (OFSAA) silver medal in 2011, and an OFSAA gold medal this past season.

Along with his success at the high school level Choja has suited up the past two seasons for London’s Forest City Volleyball Club and won bronze with Team Ontario at last year’s National Team Challenge Cup in Gatineau, Quebec.

Mustangs Head Coach Jim Sage is excited about the newest addition to the Western roster saying “Mike has the potential to be a top middle at the OUA level, we’re really excited to have an athlete of his ability.”

Even though the season is still a few months away, the coach-player relationship seems to already be developing between the two with Sage helping to improve Choja’s game.

“Jim’s given me a few pointers already and I expect nothing but good things in the future,” said Choja. “I’m really looking forward to having a long happy career at Western.”