OCAA STARS OF THE WEEK

TORONTO - The following student-athletes have been recognized by the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) for their accomplishments during the seven-day period ending Sunday, Sept. 8.

Student-athletes are nominated by their respective athletic departments.

Jordan Blades-McHenry
School: Algonquin
Program: Sports Business Management
Year of Eligibility: 3
Sport: Soccer
Hometown: Ottawa, Ont.
Blades-McHenry had a strong start to the OCAA regular season on Sept. 8, scoring two goals and adding an assist as the Algonquin Wolves pulled out a 5-1 road victory at George Brown. Blades-McHenry also drew a penalty in the box that led to a teammate scoring on a penalty kick. Blades-McHenry's strong performance showed flashes of a brilliant 2022 campaign when the third-year striker won OCAA Rookie of the Year and the OCAA scoring title. The Wolves play on home turf this weekend with games against Fleming and Durham.

Callum Blue
School: Humber
Program: Kinesiology
Year of Eligibility: 2
Sport: Baseball
Hometown: Oakville, Ont.
Blue had a big opening weekend for the Humber Hawks, helping the team open the 2024 campaign with four straight wins. In a doubleheader sweep over the Sheridan Bruins on Sept. 7, the second-year player drove in five runs with two extra-base hits. The following day, the right-hander toed the rubber in game two against the Centennial Colts, picking up the victory after throwing 5 2/3 innings with five strikeouts while only allowing one run. Blue currently has a .429 batting average along with a 1.24 earned run average.

Nicolas Jimenez
School: Fanshawe
Program: Construction Engineering Technology
Year of Eligibility: 2
Sport: Soccer
Hometown: London, Ont.
Jimenez netted a pair of goals, including the game winner, in the sixth and 70th minutes as the Fanshawe Falcons cruised to a 5-0 home victory over the Niagara Knights in the season opener on Sept. 8. The second-year midfielder entered the match with one career OCAA goal, and now is tied atop of the early OCAA leaderboard with five others. It was a meaningful start for Fanshawe atop a competitive West Division as the Falcons look to continue their winning ways on Wednesday in a home tilt against the Lambton Lions.

Brady Knelsen
School: St. Clair
Program: Heating, Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Technician
Year of Eligibility: 2
Sport: Baseball
Hometown: Leamington, Ont.
In the opening game of the regular season for the three-time defending OCAA champion St. Clair Saints, the second-year pitcher went the distance for a one-hit shutout over seven innings of work in a 7-0 victory over the Sault Cougars in game one of a doubleheader on Sept. 7. Knelsen recorded 10 strikeouts in the contest and it could have been an even more special performance if not for a fourth inning hit by the Cougars and another reaching base in the seventh via an error. St. Clair ultimately swept the doubleheader.

Joelle Mitton
School: Redeemer
Program: Mathematics
Year of Eligibility: 2
Sport: Soccer
Hometown: Kitchener, Ont.
The second-year forward came through in the clutch on Sept. 7, scoring the game-winning goal in the 90th minute of the match to lead the Redeemer Royals to a 3-2 victory over the provincial powerhouse St. Clair Saints on the road to open the regular season. It was Mitton's first-ever career OCAA goal. It's a promising start for the Royals who look to build on a 5-1-4 record from a season ago by knocking off a 2023 OCAA final four squad. The Royals and Saints meet once again this Saturday on Redeemer's home turf.

Kiersten Raso
School: Sheridan
Program: Police Foundations
Year of Eligibility: 2
Sport: Softball
Hometown: Brampton, Ont.
Raso delivered an outstanding performance this past weekend, leading the Sheridan Bruins to a strong 3-1 start. Raso's prowess at the plate was showcased by going 7-for-16 over four games (.438 batting average), driving in eight runs (leading the OCAA) and scoring six times (fourth in the OCAA). Raso's exceptional weekend was highlighted by a remarkable doubleheader on Sept. 8, belting a home run in each game. Raso's contributions have propelled the Bruins to their best start in the program's brief history.

- OCAA -

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