Posted: Jan 22, 2020

Best of the Decade: Top Hawks in Every Sport 2010-19

As we enter the third decade of the century, humberhawks.ca takes a look back at some of the student-athletes that defined the last 10 years of Humber Athletics.

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BASEBALL | Brendan Lyons | 2015 – 18

Lyons capped a four-year, two-way career by helping Humber baseball capture its first NCBC and OCAA titles in 2018. The infielder/pitcher was named the most valuable player of both tournaments, leading the Hawks on the mound and at the dish.

Lyons concluded his career as the 2019 Humber Male Athlete of the Year.

Honourable mention: Steven Hough, Keegan Murphy, Justin Marra, Sean Mattson

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MEN'S BADMINTON | Adam Dong | 2014 – 17

Adam is the most accomplished male badminton player to ever suit up for the Humber Hawks. He won two national titles with partner Ryan Chow and won a mixed doubles national title with Tracy Wong.

Despite his success, he was overlooked each year for national recognition even though he never lost a set in OCAA and CCAA action.

Honourable mention: Ray Wong, Ryan Chow, Ramnish Kumar

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WOMEN'S BADMINTON | Olivia Lei | 2014 – 17

In three seasons with Humber badminton, superstar Olivia Lei became the first CCAA student-athlete to be named the national player of the year three times, while winning three consecutive national titles in women's singles.

Olivia's final title will live in Humber lore, a tale on par with Jordan's flu game. Low on energy with a violent flu, Lei continued her unbeaten streak at nationals and defeated her opponents 294-108 in seven matches.

Throughout her brilliant career, Olivia never lost a set.

Honourable mention: Chloe Rowe, Renee Yip, Tracy Wong

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MEN'S BASKETBALL | Tyrone Dickson | 2012 – 17

Tyrone Dickson's legacy will be forever linked to the putback in the 2015 OCAA quarter-final against Lambton. The Scarborough native helped the Hawks return to the CCAA mountaintop that season as Humber won its first national title since 2001.

A two-time CCAA championship all-star, Dickson scored 847 points, the third most in Humber history, while grabbing a program-record 728 rebounds. Dickson joined Humber Hall of Famer Jadwey Hemmings as the only players to earned defensive player of the year honours, twice.

Honourable mention: Daviau Rodney, Michael Acheampong, Kenny Ejim, Gibson Eduful

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WOMEN'S BASKETBALL | Ceejay Nofuente | 2014 – 18

After donning the blue and gold for four-plus seasons, Nofuente finished her career as the most decorated women's team sport student-athlete in OCAA history. In 2018, she became the first player to be named the CCAA Player of the Year, three times.

All-time, Nofuente finished with a 100-3 record, including 89-0 against the OCAA. She completely rewrote the Humber and OCAA record books, concluding her career as the program leader in points, three-pointers made, assists, steals, and blocks.

In 2016, she helped women's basketball capture the program's first national title, before ending her career with another title in 2018.

In 2018, Ceejay's jersey was retired and she was inducted into the Humber Hall of Fame.

Honourable mention: Aleena Domingo, Felicia Velasquez, Ruth Holland, Llyandra Kerr

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MEN'S CROSS COUNTRY | Nathaniel Green | 2009 – 13

Nathaniel was named to the All-Ontario team in four of his five seasons with the cross country team. He finished in the top-six four times at provincials, helping the Hawks win three straight silver medals.

At nationals, his eighth-place finish in 2013 was the second-best individual placing in program history and helped lead the Hawks to two national medals during his career.

Honourable mention: Daniel Bright

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WOMEN'S CROSS COUNTRY | Vicky Siemon | 2010 – 11

Vicky Siemon's 2011 season was one for the ages, as the All-Canadian dominated the cross country circuit that year. Siemon's first-place finish at provincials led the Hawks to the program's third OCAA team title.

At nationals, her second-place finish was the best individual result in program history, resulting in Humber's only CCAA women's team title.

Honourable mention: Lindsay Webster, Kaitlin Shuvera, Kara Coutts, Darian Lamb

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MEN'S CURLING | Zack Shurtleff | 2014 – 16

Zach was as complete a player on the Hawks men's curling team as anyone on any sport. He was a warrior in the trenches of the national championship team, sweeping at a level rarely seen, changing the games in the Hawks' favour.

He was then the Skip and leader, calling the shots. He moved into the coaching ranks and excelled there as well, helping the Hawks to a provincial mixed crown and garnering an OCAA Coach of the Year award.

Honourable mention: Bob Meijer, Graeme Garland, Kyle Mills

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WOMEN'S CURLING | Grace Esquega | 2013 – 15

Grace was the undeniable leader of the Hawks women's teams that won back-to-back CCAA national silver medals. She came to Humber with quite a pedigree in curling, but not even the coaches knew she was as good as she showed.

As Skip, she combined the three elements needed to be successful. She was a tactician of the game, a terrific rock thrower and the ultimate leader.

Honourable mention: Cassie Paccanarro, Brittany Elson

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MEN'S GOLF | Mark Hoffman | 2007 – 12

It can be argued that Mark Hoffman was one of the top golfers of Humber's long list of all-time greats. In the individual category, it was automatic that he was on the podium – more times than not as the champion.

As a teammate, he led the team to four national titles, while capturing two individual silver medals along the way.

In 2011, Mark led Humber to the much-heralded RCGA University/College Championship crown and was the only golfer under par for the tournament. Later that year he went on to win the Ontario Amateur.

In 2012, Mark was inducted into the Humber Hall of Fame.

Honourable mention: David Lang, Adrian Cord, Alex Dumais, Conner Watt

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WOMEN'S GOLF | Adrienne D'Alessio | 2013 – 14

In two seasons with Humber golf, Adrienne became the most decorated individual golfer of the decade. She finished atop the podium at the provincial championship in both seasons, becoming just the second Humber women's golfer to complete the feat.

A two-time All-Canadian, Adrienne led the Hawks to a CCAA team bronze and OCAA title in 2013.

Honourable mention: Shiela McKeen, Hayley MacCallum

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MEN'S RUGBY | Phil Boone | 2010 – 12

It was commonplace to see Phil's name listed at the top of the score in every game Humber played. As the holder of the OCAA all-time points and converts records, he averaged almost 16 points a game during his career.

With individual success came team success, as Phil and the Hawks captured three straight OCAA titles, establishing Humber rugby as one of the best programs in history.

Named the 2012 OCAA Player of the Year, Phil finished his career as a two-time scoring champion and three-time league all-star.

Honourable mention: Johnny Sheridan, Jack Smith

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WOMEN'S RUGBY | Kelsey Bardy | 2011 – 14

Kelsey was the ultimate force on the rugby pitch. She was the hardest hitter, both with or without the ball, and the opposing teams always had to be aware of where she was on the field.

Kelsey was a two-time provincial champion, the 2011 OCAA rookie of the year, and a three-time league all-star.

Honourable mention: Christina Branch, Cheyenne De Luca, Lindsay Bradbury

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SOFTBALL | Jessica O'Quinn | 2011 – 14

Jessica was not only the best pitcher on a team that captured two OCAA titles, but she was also the best hitter and position player, as well.

As a natural outfielder, she was asked to pitch and play shortstop, and simply excelled to the point to where she was named the 2012 OCAA Player of the Year.

In 2016, Jessica was inducted into the Humber Hall of Fame.

Honourable mention: Aaliyah Davidson, Kelsey Bardy, Jacquline O'Quinn, Elisa Gregoris

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MEN'S SOCCER | Marcos Nunes | 2012 – 14; 2016

Marcos is widely regarded as one of the most talented players to come through the Humber soccer program. In three seasons, he led the Hawks to three national titles, recording nine tallies in nine career CCAA postseason matches.

As the ultimate big-game performer, Marcos' 20 postseason goals are the most in program history and in 2016 he capped off his career with CCAA Player of the Year honours.

Honourable mention: Kingsley Boasiako, Eugenio Garro, Gerardo Magno, Jaineil Hoilett

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WOMEN'S SOCCER | Keyla Moreno | 2008 – 13

In what was the second elite era of Humber women's soccer, it was Keyla Moreno who was at the forefront of the championships won. She was the best player on the best team over her career. She scored at will, but the one thing people also remember is her ability to control the ball, not allowing an opponent a chance to take the ball away.

The 2011 CCAA Player of the Year, Keyla led Humber to two CCAA bronze medals and eight OCAA provincial titles (four outdoor, four indoor).

In 2018, Keyla was inducted into the Humber Hall of Fame.

Honourable mention: Sonia Rocha, Katarina Conde, Alora Walcott, Vanessa Fiore

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MEN'S VOLLEYBALL | Terrel Bramwell | 2009 – 14

Terrel was the most dominant men's volleyball player in CCAA history. His records for kills in a match at every level look like they will stand forever. Teams tried to defend him with multiple players, but to no avail, especially noted by his CCAA winning back-court kill through three Douglas College blockers.

Terrel led the Hawks to the programs only CCAA national title in 2012 and concluded his career as the all-time leading scorer in OCAA history. A two-time All-Canadian, he was selected as the national player of the year in 2012.

Honourable mention: Andre Brown, Derek Quinn, Aleks Inveiss

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WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL | Kelly Nyhof | 2009 – 14

Out of the shadows came greatness in the form of Kelly Nyhof. She arrived at Humber with standout Landis Doyle ruling the middle for the Hawks. With hard work and a thirst to become the best she could be, she became the best player in the province for a three-year span.