Rémi Ouellette (men’s track and field) and Sydney Hood (women’s hockey) have been selected as The Brock Press’ Rookies of the Year for the 2024-25 season.
Men’s Rookie of the Year – Rémi Ouellette
Rémi Ouellette (men’s track and field) has been named TBP’s Men’s Rookie of the Year following a sensational season where he won gold medals at both the OUA and U Sports Championships in the men’s shot put F41 ambulatory event.
The New Brunswick native claimed the Badgers’ first para medal in school history at the national track and field championships in Windsor when he placed first with a throw of 7.69 metres.
Ouellette also became the first Badger to win gold in a para event at the provincial championships, also hosted at the Dennie Fairall Fieldhouse in Windsor, when he reached a mark of 8.19 metres.
His success on the provincial and national stage helped lead the Badgers to seventh place in the team standings at the OUA Championships with 28 points and 18th at the U Sports Championships, where Brock tallied 10 team points.
The Sport Management major also competed in three additional meets during the season, placing fifth at the York Open in November with a throw of 7.82 metres as well as winning both the Can Am Classic in January at 7.90 metres and February’s Windsor Team Challenge with a throw of 8.40 metres.
As a result of a dominant first-year campaign, Ouellette continued his development at Athletics Canada’s para development camp from March 24 to 26, which invited Canada’s top para-athletes to the Toronto Track and Field Centre to receive high-performance training and development opportunities in their disciplines.
With Ouellette catching the eyes of many on the national level, his growth is expected to skyrocket as he looks to continue to break through barriers next year during his sophomore season.
Women’s Rookie of the Year – Sydney Hood
Sydney Hood (women’s hockey) has been named TBP’s Women’s Rookie of the Year after being selected to both the OUA All-Rookie Team and U Sports All-Rookie Team during her debut campaign.
The Teacher Education major dominated the blue line as she tallied seven goals and 13 points in 26 games to finish third on the Badgers in both those categories.
Amongst the conference, Hood was one of best rookie defenders in the OUA as she led all first-year blueliners in goals and points while ranking tied for first in goals and third in points among all rookies in the province. In addition, the Erin, Ontario native finished seventh in the league in points among all defenders.
Hood scored her first career OUA goal in the season opener on Oct. 11 against Carleton, when she recorded her first of two multi-point games and her first of four power-play goals this season — which was tied with Madison Cronkwright for the team lead.
She was joined on the U Sports All-Rookie Team by forwards Clara Chisholm (Laurier Golden Hawks), Noémie Fontaine (Bishop’s Gaiters) and Naomi Morin (Ottawa Gee-Gees) as well as defender Daphné Boutin (Bishop’s Gaiters) and goaltender Sarah Howell (Calgary Dinos).
With an impressive rookie season complete, Hood has the skill and potential to capture more accolades in the seasons ahead and lead the Badgers back to the playoffs.
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Stay tuned to The Brock Press next week when the Athletes of the Year will be highlighted.
Want a say in selecting a winner? Email lcosta@brockpress.com to nominate a Badger.