Hamilton, ON – As Wilfrid Laurier prepares to host the 97th Yates Cup championship, Ontario University Athletics (OUA) has announced the members of the 2004 conference All-Star team as voted upon by the ten OUA football head coaches. The Golden Hawks receive 13 honours, second only to McMaster who have 14. The number is up three from last year's total of ten.
Six members of the Hawks sit on the first all-star team. Quarterback
Ryan Pyear (Belleville, ON) jumps to the first team of all-stars for his first appearance since being named the 2001 OUA Rookie of the Year. The fourth year Kinesiology student has sat amongst the top of the league the entire season; second in the CIS in passing touchdowns, third in QB efficiency rating and seventh in passing yards. In front of the Quarterback on the first team of the all-star quad is Offensive Lineman
Ryan Jeffrey. The 2003 second team all-canadian returned after being drafted to the Montreal Alouettes to play another season on the line and has been successful in opening it up for the offensive attack.
Representing the second best defense in the country on the first team are three WLU team members.
Jesse Alexander (Kitchener, ON) was fourth in the country in sacks at the end of the season and has made several key plays all season long. Defensive Backs Conor Healy (Guelph, ON) and
Ian Logan (Waterloo, ON) have been successful in reading opponent quarterbacks as combined they have eight interceptions for 94 yards.
Andrew Baechler (Ayr, ON) was named to a special teams spot - returner. The second year student finished the season second in the country in punt return yardage.
That leaves seven all-stars named to the second team including receivers Andrew Baechler,
Bryon Hickey (Burlington, ON) and
Andrew Agro (Burlington, ON). Mitch Zapitelli (Ottawa, ON) is the only O-Lineman wearing the purple and gold. Defensively two players were recognized,
Justin Phillips (Kitchener, ON) and
Adrian Houwer (Cayuga, ON) while
Gavin Cond (Sault Ste. Marie, ON) was named as a rush/cover member for the second team.
The Major Award winners will be announced at a press conference at the CFL Hall of Fame on Wednesday November 10th at 11:00am.
The provincial championship, will take place on Saturday, November 13th at 1pm at University Stadium in Waterloo. Tickets are available on the Golden Hawk website.
For more information on the Golden Hawk team check www.laurierathletics.com
