Gaels Bartlett, Golden Hawks Willsey earn OUA Athlete of the Week honours
Burlington, Ont. – Kenna Bartlett and John Willsey have been named Ontario University Athletics (OUA) Athletes of the Week for the period ending March 15, 2020.
Female Athlete of the Week – Kenna Bartlett, Queen’s Gaels, Curling
For a second straight season, the Queen’s Gaels women’s rink found themselves curling for a bronze medal on the national stage, and thanks in large part to the consistent contributions of lead Kenna Bartlett, the Tricolour stepped onto the podium this season.
Bartlett helped bring the Gaels to the U SPORTS/Curling Canada podium as the most effective lead in the tournament. The first team all-Canadian was an integral ingredient for the Gaels throughout the week, including in their journey through the round robin, which saw them finish 5-2 and in third place heading into the semifinals, and in their clutch 7-5 win with a bronze medal on the line, upending the McMaster Marauders in an OUA championship rematch.
For the tournament, the junior from Oshawa, Ont. curled at an 80% clip – featuring three matches above 85% during the round robin schedule and a 79% success rate in the medal match – marking the highest success rate for the bronze-winning bunch.
Male Athlete of the Week – John Willsey, Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks, Curling
After playing an integral role for the OUA champion Laurier Golden Hawks in their provincial run, John Willsey stepped up once again on the national stage to help the rink soar to another championship.
Willsey was as reliable as they came this past weekend at his position, leading not only to personal success, but team triumph. The fifth-year senior was a key part of Laurier’s undefeated run to the U SPORTS/Curling Canada Championship and was named a first team all-Canadian as a result. Across the nine games, the Orillia, Ont. native curled 83%, was plus-eight over that span, and outcurled the opposing vice by at least 5% in eight of the team’s nine victories.
While he was a star throughout the national finale, he shone even brighter when the stakes were at their highest. Willsey was a team-best 91% in the Hawks’ semifinal win over Guelph and 90% in the gold medal win over Dalhousie, putting a feather in the cap of a memorable championship run.
