Fryer, James, and Howard named OUA athletes of the week

Burlington, Ont. – Tatum James, Erica Fryer, and Mike Howard have been named OUA athletes of the week, fueled by Milk2Go Sport, for the period ending March 17, 2024.

Erica Fryer, Hockey, Toronto Varsity Blues

With their best program finish since 2003, the Toronto Varsity Blues women’s hockey team earned their way to a podium finish on the national stage.

Entering as the number six seed, the Blues started their run with a matchup against number three UNB Reds, with a standout performance by Fryer. In the 2-1 upset, Fryer counted 16 saves on the night, sending her team to the semi-final round.

Carrying their winning energy into the second game, the Varsity Blues went on to face the seventh-ranked Montréal Carabins. The Varsity Blues opened the scoring early in the game with the lone goal in the first period. The Carabins found a way back, tying up the scoring in the third and sending the game into extra time and a shootout. The fifth year, putting her body on the line for the Blues, made an impressive six perfect saves in the shootout, totalling 25 saves on the night and sending her team to the national title.

Coming up against a tough top ranked Concordia Stingers team, the Blues put everything on the line to win once more. Resulting in a silver medal for the Blues, the goalie made 22 saves in the gold medal match, totalling 63 saves on the weekend. 

Tatum James, Hockey, Waterloo Warriors

Making program and individual history, Tatum James and the Waterloo Warriors competed against the top teams in the country, finishing fourth overall.

James, a Stratford native, scored her first goal on the night's first shot, opening the scoring early for the Warriors. After staying quiet in the second period, the junior deposited her second goal for the Warriors midway through the third, finishing the night with her first career hat trick and an assist.

Following up on night one, the Warriors were off to face the top-seeded Concordia Stingers for a chance at the national championship finals. The Warriors ultimately fell to the Stingers 3-1, with James scoring the lone goal for the Warriors, and fourth overall in the tournament.

For her performance during the weekend, James claimed player-of-the-game honours in the quarter-final matchup and was named a Tournament All-Star.

Mike Howard, Fencing, Toronto Varsity Blues

Making his mark on the championship stage, Mike Howard helped the Toronto Varsity Blues earn their way back to the top to claim the 2024 OUA Championship title.

The second-year Psychology and Neuroscience student made his way to the capital to claim gold. The second year took to the podium's top step on Day 1 as the winner of the Charles Walters Trophy as the individual foil champion. Howard marks the first Varsity Blue to win the individual foil championship since 2012-13.

On day two, the psychology and neuroscience major, along with his teammates, placed fourth in the foil team relay squad to round out the weekend.

Howard’s results helped the Varsity Blues earn 333 points, propelling them to their eigth consecutive OUA championship and earned OUA foil all-star honours.