The St. Clair Saints always seem to have something to celebrate.

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The St. Clair Saints always seem to have something to celebrate.

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A standout school in the OCAA, the Saints looked back fondly on another solid athletic campaign on Thursday at the 56th St. Clair College Athletic Awards banquet at the St. Clair Centre for the Arts.

“I think, in the grand scheme of things, this was a successful year across the board,” said Reid Innes, who is St. Clair’s Director of College Recreational Services. “We’re fortunate to have teams compete year in and year out and we reap the benefits.”

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Thursday’s event was also a time to bid farewell to several graduating athletes and two standouts walked about away with the Mason MacDonald Award, which is given to the top male and female graduating student-athlete.

A two-sport standout, Holy Names high school product Shae-Lyn Murphy won the award on the women’s side with baseball’s Henry Real claiming the male award.

In four years, Murphy won four OCAA provincial softball medals, including two gold, and was named an OCAA all-star all four years while finishing her career with a .453 average. She also won an OCAA silver medal with the basketball team while twice being named a league all-star and the team’s MVP.

“Shae-Lyn had a tremendous season and was an all-star in both sports, Innes said. “Just a dominant  presence on the diamond and on the court and she’s a tremendous student. Her presence will be missed on both teams.”

A native of Panama, Real, who plays catcher, was a four-time OCAA all-star while helping the Saints to four conference titles. He set an OCAA record with a .578 batting average in 2023 and is fourth in the conference’s all-time career average list at .452. 

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“Another strong season at the plate and behind the plate and a very important part of that roster,” Innes said. “His numbers speak for themselves, but he’s a foundational piece of the baseball team.”

The Al Hoffman Athlete of the Year Outstanding Achievement Award went to Geneva Huisman on the women’s side and Maurice Sodja on the men’s side.

A Maranatha Christian Academy product, Huisman was the West Division player of the year in women’s volleyball while earning first-team OCAA all-star recognition as well as all-Canadian status.

“Strong presence on the floor and a very steady influence on the team,” Innes said. “Her performance this year was pretty dominant.”

A native of Kentucky, Sodja quarterbacked the Saints to the Canadian Junior Football League championship. He was the Ontario Football Conference’s offensive player of the year and a second-team All-Canadian while throwing for 23 touchdowns and rushing for another 14.

“His numbers were impressive to say the least,” said Innes, who watched Sodja rally the Saints from a 13-point deficit in the CJFL final with three touchdown runs in the second half along with a touchdown pass. “Biggest compliment you can give him is that, when the deck seemed stacked against him, he had a huge impact and was a steadying influence.”

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Not to be outdone, Saints’ head football coach Mike LaChance was awarded St. Clair’s Inter-Collegiate Coach of the Year Award. 

In his 21st season as head coach, LaChance guided the Saints to an unbeaten season and the area’s first national title in a quarter century.

“It’s hard to not recognize the job he’s done,” Innes said. “Very committed to the program and his players. He wants what’s best for them, the program and the institution. It’s nice to see the hard work come through with that championship.”

Golf swept the rookie of the year award. Alyssa Cowling, who helped the Saints to silver at the conference championship and bronze at the national championship, won on the women’s side. Cale Marontate, who helped St. Clair to its first-ever OCAA title and was seventh individually, won on the men’s side.

 The Dr. Patti France Award for leadership in athletics went to Mazin Tiea, from men’s basketball, and Victoria Horrobin, from women’s cross county.

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The Dr. John Strasser Coaches Award went to retiring cross-country coach Paul Boots for his contributions to the community as well as athletic success.

Ron Seguin, who retired as vice-president of international relations, campus development and student services at the end of 2024, captured the Jack Costello Exceptional Service Award.

The Bob Weepers Fair Play and Sportsmanship Award went to Lauren Overeem, from women’s basketball, and Noah Nicoletti, from men’s cross country.

Women’s softball won the Team Academic Award with a combined 3.49 grade-point average. 

jpparker@postmedia.com

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