Pair of Badgers bring home provincial honours after program’s historic season

Burlington, Ont. – After playing their way to an undefeated regular season and seeing some historic success for the program, the Brock Badgers also boast a pair of provincial honourees. And thanks to his leading efforts on the pitch for the St. Catharines squad, it is Steven Commerford who collects player of the year recognition to headline the award winners and all-stars from the 2023 Ontario University Athletics (OUA) men’s rugby season.

Player of the Year – Steven Commerford, Brock

Steven Commerford helped the Brock Badgers orchestrate a strong season in St. Catharines, with his individual contributions therein earning him the 2023 OUA player of the year nod.

Commerford was both the team captain and catalyst for much of the team’s success this year. The fourth-year senior produced 40 points overall, doing so via two tries, 12 converts, and two penalty kicks. While shining on offence and pacing his team in many categories therein, the centre also led the Badgers in several defensive categories, and was able to help elevate the play of those around him each game.

His ability to apply pressure on both sides of the ball and make decisions at an elite level separates the Peterborough, Ont. product from most, and has allowed him to become the first Brock player to earn the MVP moniker since the award transitioned to being a single league-wide honour.

Rookie of the Year – Ramiro Wentzel, Western

It wasn’t necessarily a straight line path for Ramiro Wentzel to find immediate success with the Western Mustangs, but the first-year phenom found his footing and also finds himself as the 2023 OUA rookie of the year.

After starting the season on the junior varsity squad, Wentzel worked his way onto the varsity team. A fly half from Oakville, Ont., Wentzel is a fierce competitor with a good skill set and high rugby IQ, a combination that not only allowed him to reach the varsity level, but thrive therein. Once given his opportunity in the Western lineup, Wentzel did not relinquish his spot, and despite being in his first year, showcased terrific leadership skills and a willingness to learn that suggests he will be a mainstay in the Mustangs lineup moving forward.

Wentzel joins a list of just one other Western rookie (Sebastian Pearson, 2011) to collect the honour in his debut season.

Coach of the Year – Sean Medeiros, Brock

On the heels of a success-filled season on the pitch, Brock Badgers bench boss Sean Medeiros has been named the 2023 OUA coach of the year.

Medeiros helped the Badgers navigate the regular season in fine form, coming away with an undefeated record across their six games (5-0-1). Since joining the program as coach in 2022, the Mississauga, Ont. native has immediately impacted the St. Catharines squad and elevated the program to new heights. Brock finished the season with a fourth-best 178 points scored, while surrendering just 80, good for the second-fewest in the league.

Achieving that unblemished record, which included a win against a tough Queen’s squad for the first time in program history, demonstrates the steps the team has taken under Medeiros’ tutelage, as he joins a pair of past Brock recipients to receive the conference’s coaching honour.

Community Service Award – Dylan Di Girolamo & Adam McNee, Wilfrid Laurier

Standouts both on and off the field for the Golden Hawks, the Laurier duo of Dylan Di Girolamo and Adam McNee combine to take home the 2023 OUA Community Service Award.

This marks the second straight year that the pair of earned this honour, as they continue to be difference-makers in their well-rounded efforts. Di Girolamo and McNee came together once again to spearhead efforts in support of Optimism House, a women’s shelter in Waterloo, filling and delivering more than a pickup truck’s worth of food and gently used clothes.

In addition to their leading efforts off the pitch, both the Kettleby, Ont. and Coburg, Ont. products showcased all-star performances as well for a second consecutive year.

The complete list of 2023 OUA men’s rugby award winners and all-stars is as follows:

Player of the Year – Steven Commerford, Brock
Rookie of the Year – Ramiro Wentzel, Western
Coach of the Year – Sean Medeiros, Brock
Community Service Award – Dylan Di Girolamo & Adam McNee, Wilfrid Laurier

First Team All-Stars

Fly Half – Adam McNee, Wilfrid Laurier
Scrum Half – Isaac Kelly, Wilfrid Laurier
Prop – Brayden McReelis, Brock
Prop – Aiden Emmens, Queen’s
Centre – Steven Commerford, Brock
Centre – Eric Godden, Queen’s
Back Three – Ethan Voskamp, Wilfrid Laurier
Back Three – Josh Eustace, Waterloo
Back Three – Reon White, Brock
Back Row – Dylan Digirolamo, Wilfrid Laurier
Back Row – Grant Meadows, Brock
Back Row – Garin Schroeder, Western
Hooker – Joel Abdel Barr, Western
Second Row – Adam Ford, Guelph
Second Row – Connor Hay, Queen’s

Second Team All-Stars

Fly Half – Brenden Black, Guelph
Scrum Half – Adam Doyle, Queen’s
Prop – Michael Degasso, Waterloo
Prop – Tanner Hubble, Brock
Centre – Jacob Ince, Guelph
Centre – Wyatt Brown, Wilfrid Laurier
Back Three – Tomas Dallan, Guelph
Back Three – Jackey Kuang, Toronto
Back Three – Tyler Perigo, RMC
Back Row – Dan Svoboda, Queen’s
Back Row – Max Zhurba, Waterloo
Back Row – Owen Williams, Guelph
Hooker – David Scollon, Guelph
Second Row – Stratton Windsor, Waterloo
Second Row – Colin Rolph, Western