The Badgers were well represented when Ontario University Athletics (OUA) announced their postseason honours on Thursday, Nov. 9, as two Badgers took home major awards and five were named all-stars.
Senior centre Steven Commerford was named OUA Player of the Year while head coach Sean Medeiros was given OUA Coach of the Year. In addition, Commerford, Brayden McReelis, Grant Meadows and Reon White received first team all-star recognition and Tanner Hubble captured a second team all-star selection.
"I am very proud of all of the players and thrilled their hard work and performance has been recognized by the league," said Medeiros. "To have so many players recognized is a reflection of the work that is being put in and the commitment these players have to growing and improving year after year. "
In his final year as a Badger, Commerford helped lead the Badgers to an undefeated regular season, including a program-defining win over Queen's on October 7. The Teacher Education major finished with 40 points on the year, putting himself among the OUA's best in points scored. Commerford has the ability to apply pressure on both sides of the ball and make decisions at an elite level that separates him from most. The Peterborough product is the first Badger to be named men's rugby MVP since Andrew Bushe in 2003 when the OUA gave out the top player award for each division.
"Steve's contributions to Brock Rugby are difficult to measure and as he graduates, the program is undoubtably in a better place through the standards he set during his time here," said Medeiros.
Medeiros himself earned an award on Thursday as he was named the OUA Coach of the Year. The Mississauga native played for the Badgers from 2014-2016 and was an assistant coach before stepping in as the head coach in 2022. Under Medeiros, the Badgers have not missed the playoffs, earning a bye this season to the OUA semifinals after making it to the quarter-finals in 2022.
"To be named coach of the year is a real honour. I have tremendous respect for my fellow coaches in the league and appreciate the recognition," said Medeiros. "This award is a reflection of the entire coaching staff and support network behind the scenes. The buy-in from everyone this year and the collective leadership from staff and players allowed us to build something special."
On top of being named the top player in the OUA, Commerford also earned a spot on the first team. Along with Commerford, three other Badgers received a first team all-star selection.
McReelis is a rock for the Badgers in set piece and someone who brings physicality in open play as well. The third-year prop played almost every minute for the Badgers this season, a feat not often seen from front row forwards in the OUA or any level of the game.
Anchoring the Badgers from the back row was Meadows. The Richmond Hill product has a high work rate around the field and brings a high level of awareness to Brock's set piece. The sophomore Sport Management major took a huge step from his rookie season and will continue to grow in his role for the Badgers.
Leading the team in tries, White played a big role as one of the top attacking forces not only for Brock but the OUA. His 32 points placed him in the provincial Top 10 at the end of the regular season. The Sherwood Park, AB product is more than just an offensive player though, providing strong defensive play and kicking. His calmness under pressure helped the Badgers navigate tough situations throughout the year.
Hubble rounds out the all-stars for the Badgers with a second team selection. The men's rugby representative for the Student-Athlete Leadership Council (SALC) not only leads off the field but on it, providing stability in Brock's set piece. Where Hubble really shines is in the scrum, making that area a strength for Brock this season.
The complete list of 2023 OUA men's rugby award winners and all-stars is as follows:
Player of the Year – Steven Commerford, Brock
Rookie of the Year – Ramiro Wentzel, Western
Coach of the Year – Sean Medeiros, Brock
Community Service Award – Dylan Di Girolamo & Adam McNee, Wilfrid Laurier
First Team All-Stars
Fly Half – Adam McNee, Wilfrid Laurier
Scrum Half – Isaac Kelly, Wilfrid Laurier
Prop – Brayden McReelis, Brock
Prop – Aiden Emmens, Queen's
Centre – Steven Commerford, Brock
Centre – Eric Godden, Queen's
Back Three – Ethan Voskamp, Wilfrid Laurier
Back Three – Josh Eustace, Waterloo
Back Three – Reon White, Brock
Back Row – Dylan Digirolamo, Wilfrid Laurier
Back Row – Grant Meadows, Brock
Back Row – Garin Schroeder, Western
Hooker – Joel Abdel Barr, Western
Second Row – Adam Ford, Guelph
Second Row – Connor Hay, Queen's
Second Team All-Stars
Fly Half – Brenden Black, Guelph
Scrum Half – Adam Doyle, Queen's
Prop – Michael Degasso, Waterloo
Prop – Tanner Hubble, Brock
Centre – Jacob Ince, Guelph
Centre – Wyatt Brown, Wilfrid Laurier
Back Three – Tomas Dallan, Guelph
Back Three – Jackey Kuang, Toronto
Back Three – Tyler Perigo, RMC
Back Row – Dan Svoboda, Queen's
Back Row – Max Zhurba, Waterloo
Back Row – Owen Williams, Guelph
Hooker – David Scollon, Guelph
Second Row – Stratton Windsor, Waterloo
Second Row – Colin Rolph, Western
