Banner Season: Winning streaks put to the test once again in OUA squash finale
EVENT DETAILS
When: Friday, February 7 to Sunday, February 9
Where: White Oaks Resort
Participating Schools (8): Brock Badgers (host), Guelph Gryphons, McMaster Marauders, Ottawa Gee-Gees, Queen’s Gaels, Toronto Varsity Blues, Waterloo Warriors, Western Mustangs
Past Champions: Queen’s Gaels (W), Western Mustangs (M)
STUDENT-ATHLETES TO WATCH
Rodaina Aboelela, Waterloo Warriors | Aboelela, who spends her free time on the court, is in her third year with the Warriors and her first as the women's captain. Juggling a busy engineering degree, she goes the extra mile to train, even completing her homework from the bleachers. She is extremely grateful for her time with the Warriors and at engineering faculty events, as the Richmond Hill, Ont. product prioritizes speaking about how varsity sport has had a positive impact on her university career.
Katie Boulanger, Western Mustangs | The second-year science student works hard every week playing extra matches. She has quickly become the heart and energy of the Mustangs team at tournaments thanks to her contagious positive attitude. Boulanger is currently 6-1 in Jesters League against the Mustangs university opponents and undefeated in extra city league play.
Dylan Deverill, Western Mustangs | A co-captain of the defending champions, Deverill is looking to secure his fourth straight OUA title and all-star selection. The Cambridge, Ont. native had had a very strong season in the United States and has also been nominated for the Jack Fairs award, awarded to hard-working players from the Jesters University League who contribute the most to their team.
Will Harris, Toronto Varsity Blues | An OUA all-star from the Blues bronze medal team a year ago, Harris is looking to guide Toronto to another run at a provincial podium. The Toronto, Ont. local is currently 9-0 in competition so far this season, one of five undefeated players for Toronto during the 2024-25 campaign.
Rayan Hashmi, Waterloo Warriors | Going into his third OUA Championships, Hashmi is looking to add to an already impressive list of results, which features an OUA rookie nod and all-star selection in his first year of competition with the black and gold.
Rachael Liu, Brock Badgers | Liu is a rookie out of St. Catharines who has grown up training at White Oaks Resort. She brings a game of precision and consistency and is a threat to all opponents in the OUA. She is an example of great sportsmanship and always plays with composure and a smile on her face as she has competed as a top-10 ranked Canadian junior player throughout her career.
Aidan Parris, Brock Badgers | Parris is playing in the number one position for Brock as a rookie. Coming out of Barbados, he is looking to impose his athletic ability on his opponents. The business communication student is a gentle giant and has proven he can compete with the best players in the OUA. He has gained a lot of experience on the squash court, recently helping Barbados win the overall title for the second year in a row at the 2024 Junior Caribbean Area Squash Championships.
Akasham Rajagopaul, Queen’s Gaels | Rajagopaul is a second-year medical student at Queen’s, who comes from a very prestigious squash background. This includes him securing the national junior champion of Canada title when he was 17. He leads Queen’s in the number one position and is also one of the Gaels’ team captains. Rajagopaul, whose record this season is currently 5-1, secured one of the key victories that helped Queen’s take home the silver medal in 2024.
Aayah Shalaby, Toronto Varsity Blues | Shalaby is the team captain and serves in the number two position in Toronto’s lineup. The fourth-year engineering student has been a true leader on an impressive Varsity Blues roster, and the championship veteran enters the weekend with a record of 4-2 so far this season.
Gabby Waite, Queen’s Gaels | In her rookie year at the 2024 OUA finale, Waite competed in the fourth spot on the Gaels roster. Now in her second year and heading into the finale as defending champions, she is a team captain and is leading the Gaels in the number one spot. In the Jesters League preceding the OUA Championships, the Waterloo, Ont. product has put up a 5-3 record.
BURNING QUESTIONS
- Will the Western Mustangs men’s team extend their historic win streak and take home a 41st consecutive OUA title?
- Will Waterloo’s hard work and dedication pay off and get them to the medal round matches?
- Will the experienced core on the Brock Badgers women’s roster help translate into success at the OUA Championships?
- With nine straight OUA women’s titles behind them, and nine out of 15 players having graduated from the Queen’s Gaels women’s team, can their championship streak reach double digits?
- Can the Queen’s Gaels men’s squad build on the momentum from their strong seasonal play to come out on top at championship weekend?
- With one of their best rosters in recent history, can the Varsity Blues women’s team parlay that into gold at the OUA Championships?
WHAT THEY ARE SAYING
"This has been the most competitive season of Brock squash since I started in 2012. Right from the beginning in the September tryouts, we had many players not able to win challenge matches for a spot in the 12 person squads. Thanks to my team assistants Simon Hall and Samantha Lightfoot, Brock varsity squash has been built into a large program with full squads. White Oaks Club is fortunate to have these young players compete in their leagues and bring their energy to the courts each week." - Matt Easingwood, Head Coach, Brock Badgers
“Stepping onto the court for my final OUA Championships feels bittersweet – every point is a battle, every match a memory. Together as a team, we’ll give it our all and leave everything on the court, chasing greatness one last time.” - Ayush Chopra, Student-Athlete, McMaster Marauders
“When you put in the time, hard work, and sacrifice, there is only one direction you can go, and that’s up.” - Zachary Gill, Student-Athlete, Queen’s Gaels
“Seven of the eight players heading to OUAs will be competing in the championships for the first time. I think this is going to be a memorable weekend for the team with a great opportunity to play our best and find a place on the podium!” - Julia Nash, Co-Captain, Queen’s Gaels
“Our team has been amazing this season. With nearly half the players being new students, it's been incredible to see how everyone has come together as one. It's been a true team effort all season long, and that is why we're seeing such great results and aiming for OUA gold this season.” - Amr El Mehelmi, Women’s Head Coach, Toronto Varsity Blues
"This year, I’m excited about what our team brings to the table. We have a great balance of seasoned veterans and ambitious younger players who are all putting in the effort. Everyone’s focused and working hard, and I believe that’ll show when it matters most." -Rayan Hashmi, Student-Athlete, Waterloo Warriors