Some Algoma U Thunderbirds we're very proud of
Thursday, February 28, 2013 by: SooToday.com Staff
NEWS RELEASE
ALGOMA UNIVERSITY
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Thunderbirds recognized at OCAA awards banquet
All-Canadian again for Bruni, Vetrie wins West Coach of the Year
SAULT STE. MARIE - If the awards banquet is any indication of success in the tournament, the Algoma University Women's Thunderbirds Basketball team should do well this week.
No less than four members of the Women's team received recognition for their hard work this season at the OCAA Women's Basketball Awards Banquet this morning, held prior to the beginning of the OCAA Championships at Humber College from today until Saturday.
The women finished the season with a 16-2 record, good for a tie with Fanshawe for first place in the West Division.
Fourth-year guard Corina Bruni (pictured), from St. Basil's in Sault Ste. Marie, repeated as one of only two CCAA All-Canadians selected from the OCAA, and was also named a West Division First-Team All-Star.
Lacey Knox from St. Lawrence College, OCAA Scoring Leader and Player of the Year, was the only other player selected to represent the OCAA at the national level.
Second-Year Centre Laura Cooper, out of St. Ignatius in Thunder Bay, was named to the West Division Second-Team All-Stars, and First-Year Forward Karissa Kajorinne, also from St. Ignatius in Thunder Bay, was named to the West Division All-Rookie Team.
Head Coach Ryan Vetrie, in only his third full season behind the bench at Algoma U, was named the West Division Coach of the Year. Vetrie improved upon last year's third-place West Division finish, and has taken a fifth place team with a losing record of 6-8 two years ago to a Division-leading team in 2012-2013.
On the Men's side, the injury-riddled Thunderbirds who missed out on the OCAA tournament after their loss to Algonquin College last weekend, had a lone award-winner at the banquet this season.
Rookie Samy Mohamed, who set an OCAA three-point record in a game earlier this season against Lambton College, was named to the West Division All-Rookie Team.
"We are very proud of the accomplishments of these student-athletes," said Brian Leahy, acting director of athletics at Algoma University. "Obviously we are pleased with Corina's achievements and will be cheering on the Women's team this weekend in the OCAA Championships, but having two rookies, a second-year player, and the Head Coach of our Women's team recognized in this way bodes well for the future of our programs as we transition to the OUA next season."
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