The Humber Hawks winter sports teams had much to celebrate this season with four Ontario championships and a national title. The Hawks also had five players named to an All-Canadian or tournament All-Star team.
On the way to the National Championships, the men’s curling team had two athletes named to the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) tournament all-star team.
Lead Matthew Abrams and third Kevin Genjaga were named to the second all-star team.
But, assistant coach Zack Shurtleff said the honours say more about the team than just those two players.
“It takes a whole bunch, all four players to be playing really well and have success,” he said. “It’s been fantastic to see those guys because it is not just a one-player team.”
Along with the two men’s players, women’s team lead Kyrsten Elson was named a second-team all-star on their way to the national bronze.
Shurtleff said it was a great honour for Elson, especially as a first-year player facing many talented athletes.
“Especially as a first-year athlete, knowing that we’re going to get them for multiple years, that’s going to allow them to progress their playing careers for so much longer,” he said. “She had a great week and it was against a tough field as well.”
Humber’s dominant women’s volleyball team had one player named to the All-Canadian team, for their performance all season.
Erika Dodd was named an All-Canadian and said getting recognized out of all the players was special.
“It really shows me and gives me more confidence each time that I’m playing well, and that people are noticing that,” she said.
Head coach Chris Wilkins said the team recognizes how great she is, and how much effort she puts into her play.
“Well, I think the team, they look at her as a leader, and it’s nice to see how much work she puts in.”
Dodd’s season was cut short by an ACL injury in the playoffs, but she said she was able to act like another coach to her teammates.
“I kind of accepted the fact that I was out and tried to support my team the best I could from the sidelines,” she said.
The team made it to the CCAA bronze medal match, losing to Lionel-Groulx in four sets.
The Humber men’s basketball team, which won the OCAA title and a bronze medal at the CCAA championships, had point guard Jalen Menzies named an All-Canadian.
Head Coach Omar Miles said Menzies earned the honour, but it wouldn’t be possible without the strong team behind him.
“I thought we won enough games and did enough good things as a team, where we were highlighted for individual success as well,” he said.
Menzies said his teammates seeing him win this award gave them more motivation to try and win it.
“I know that them seeing me win, it has encouraged them to make this one of their goals,” he said.
Menzies said he’s not stopping here.
Coming back for another season, he said he’ll work hard to get back to this spot.
“I’m gonna work hard during the summer to get better, work on my game, and hopefully I’ll be able to accomplish it again next year,” he said.
But with both Menzies and his teammates looking for the honour, he said there may be a bit of a competition forming.
But if another teammate is named to the All-Canadian team, Menzies says he’d still be excited.
“If it’s me or anyone else on the team, if we were able to win the All-Canadian award, I’d be just as happy for them as I know they are for me,” he said.
With all the winter sports over, Humber Athletics will turn its attention to the next sports season.