BURLINGTON, Ont. - Following the most successful regular season in over a decade for the program, the Golden Hawks have been rewarded with 11 players named to the OUA first and second all-star teams. That number ties them for the conference lead with their opponent in Saturday's Yates Cup final – the Western Mustangs.
The Golden Hawks had the most dangerous passing attack in U SPORTS this season, and it figures that quarterback Taylor Elgersma along with receivers Ethan Jordan and Raidan Thorne all earned first team all-star selections.
Elgersma had arguably the best regular season ever by a Golden Hawks quarterback. He broke the program records for single-season passing yards (2,641) and completions (206), and the OUA record for single-season completion rate (75.2%), all categories in which he paced the conference. It's the first all-star selection for the third-year pivot.
Jordan followed up last year's breakout All-Canadian season with another tremendous campaign. He took the OUA regular season crown in both receiving yards (749) and receptions (60). Right behind him was Thorne, who ranked fourth in yards (663) and tied for second in receptions (51).
Also receiving a first team nod was fifth-year linebacker Ife Onyemenam. The 2023 Toronto Argonauts draft pick led the Golden Hawks with 36.5 total tackles and, good for eleventh in the conference. He also ranked twelfth in the OUA with five tackles for loss, and tied for second with three interceptions.
Third-year running back Quentin Scott was named a second team all-star for the second consecutive season. He rushed for and OUA fourth-best 772 yards and five touchdowns. Clearing the way for him was an offensive line anchored by fourth-year left tackle Cooper Hamilton, who also receives his second straight all-star selection.
Sebastian Parsalidis also figured in the blocking game as a fullback. He gets a second team all-star nod for his role on offence as well as on special teams – the third-year recorded two punt blocks this season and was a leader for Laurier's cover and return units.
The Golden Hawks had the second-most sacks in the OUA this season with 21, and responsible for eight of those were Luke Brubacher and Brandon Omonuwa. Brubacher's six sacks place him third in the conference. Lining up at the defensive tackle position, Omonuwa got through for two sacks of his own.
Laurier's secondary was also well represented. Nico McCarthy is the second team all-star at safety for the second straight year. The fifth-year had 25 total tackles, including 20 solo tackles. He also had an interception, while his two recorded pass break ups don't come close to reflecting the problem he was for opposing receivers all year.
Defensive halfback Johari Hastings rounds out the class. The transfer from Simon Fraser University was second on the team with 35.5 total tackles – fifteenth-best in the OUA – including two sacks and four tackles for loss. He also had an interception to go with two forced fumbles.
The Golden Hawks will look to translate their regular season success into the program's first Yates Cup championship since 2016 on Saturday. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. at Alumni Stadium in London. If you can't make the trip, follow @WLUAthletics for live updates and watch live on OUA.tv and CBC Sports.
The 2023 OUA all-star teams are as follows:
FIRST TEAM ALL-STARS
Quarterback – Taylor Elgersma, Wilfrid Laurier University
Running Back – Jared Chisari, Queen's University
Running Back – Amlicar Polk, University of Ottawa
Receiver – Ethan Jordan, Wilfrid Laurier University
Receiver – Savaughn Magnaye- Jones, Western University
Receiver – Kaseem Ferdinand, Carleton University
Receiver – Raidan Thorne, Wilfrid Laurier University
Fullback/Tight End/H-Back – Niklas Henning, Queen's University
Centre – Ryan Berta, Queen's University
Offensive Tackle – Erik Andersen, Western University
Offensive Tackle – Theo Grant, Queen's University
Offensive Guard – Evan Floren, Queen's University
Offensive Guard – George Una, University of Windsor
Defensive Tackle – Darien Newell, Queen's University
Defensive Tackle – Muftah Ageli, University of Windsor
Defensive End – Tyson Hergott, University of Waterloo
Defensive End – Kolade Amusan, University of Windsor
Linebacker – Ife Onyemenam, Wilfrid Laurier University
Linebacker – Max Charbonneau, University of Ottawa
SAM Linebacker – Lourenz Bowers-Kane, Western University
Free Safety – Jackson Findlay, Western University
Halfback – Eric Cumberbatch, University of Ottawa
Halfback – Ashton Miller-Melancon, Queen's University
Cornerback – Louis Lavaud, Carleton University
Cornerback – Richard Aduboffour, Western University
Punter – Michael Horvat, McMaster University
Kicker – Michael Horvat, McMaster University
Returner – Javonni Cunningham, University of Windsor
Rush/Cover – Raheem Balogun Jr, Queen's University
SECOND TEAM ALL-STARS
Quarterback – Evan Hillock, Western University
Running Back – Donavin Milloy, University of Guelph
Running Back – Quentin Scott, Wilfrid Laurier University
Receiver – Nicolas Gendron, University of Ottawa
Receiver – Seth Robertson, Western University
Receiver – Mohsen Jamal, Western University
Receiver – James Basalyga, University of Waterloo
Fullback/Tight End/H-Back – Sebastian Parsalidis, Wilfrid Laurier University
Centre – Alex Berwick, Western University
Offensive Tackle – Patrick Lavoie, Carleton University
Offensive Tackle – Cooper Hamilton, Wilfrid Laurier University
Offensive Guard – Keegan O'Neil, Western University
Offensive Guard – Mitchel Schechinger, University of Guelph
Defensive Tackle – Brandon Omonuwa, Wilfrid Laurier University
Defensive Tackle – Joshua O'Donnell Campbell, University of Guelph
Defensive End – Luke Brubacher, Wilfrid Laurier University
Defensive End – Van Wishart, Queen's University
Linebacker – Devin Veresuk, University of Windsor
Linebacker – Justin Pace, Queen's University
SAM Linebacker – Eman Aboagye-Gyan, University of Ottawa
Free Safety – Nico McCarthy, Wilfrid Laurier University
Halfback – Devynn Cromwell, University of Guelph
Halfback – Johari Hastings, Wilfrid Laurier University
Cornerback – Kevin Victome, University of Ottawa
Cornerback – Istvan Assibo-Dadzie, University of Windsor
Punter – Campbell Fair, University of Ottawa
Kicker – Brandon Forcier, Carleton University
Returner – Daniel Kubongo, Western University
Rush/Cover – Max Charbonneau, University of Ottawa
