March 29, 2024

BY RACHEL ROY

Perseverance, dedication and hard work is what two Conestoga students were honoured for when they received the Athlete of the Week award from the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA).

RRLaurenLauren Ruf, an interior decorating student at Conestoga College, is a pitcher for the varsity softball team.

“Being named Athlete of the Week gives me a sense of pride, not only in myself but in my team. I wouldn’t have been able to achieve my stats if I didn’t have my team behind me 100 per cent of the time,” she said.

At the time of the award, Ruf had an amazing OCAA-leading record of nine wins and no losses.

She also struck out six players in a 3-0 win over Humber College on Oct. 2 then, after that, she struck out nine in a 4-3 win over Durham College on Oct. 5.

“I think it’s important to remember that playing varsity softball is a choice, we play because we love the game,” she said, “You show up to the diamond ready to play, you wear the Condor jersey proudly and you pretend you’re still having fun even when it’s raining and barely 5 degrees Celsius. But at the end of the day, you have to remember it’s just a game and you make it what it is, so you may as well do your best.”

RRJames #2James Innis, a practical nursing student at Conestoga, is a varsity rugby player.

“When I found out that I was awarded male Athlete of the Week for men’s rugby in OCAA I felt a sense of self accomplishment. It was an honour to receive this acknowledgement,” Innis said.

Innis scored 17 points in Conestoga’s 27-10 victory over Sheridan College on Oct. 4.
Additionally, he helped his team achieve a victory over Mohawk College on Oct. 9.
However, Innis knows what it means to be a team player.

“Being named male Athlete of the Week is an accomplishment for me, but it is not what I set out to achieve each week or year. I set my goals to play,” said Innis, “to give my team the best chance to win and be successful and if I receive acknowledgement for it so be it.”
The Condors, as of press time, were in third place in the West division with a record of 4-2-0.

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