Posted: Oct 29, 2021

Grant headlines Rugby Sevens award winners

ETOBICOKE – After a condensed five-game season that saw Humber rugby sevens finish second with a 4-1 record, the Hawks were honoured Friday morning when the OCAA announced its yearly award, which is determined by a polling of the conference's coaches.

Senior Daniella Grant was the headliner for the announcement after she was named the 2021 OCAA Player of the Year. The Newmarket native joined Christina Branch as the only players in program history to win the award and her 197 career points are the fourth-most in OCAA history. Grant was also named an OCAA all-star for the third time.

2018 OCAA Rookie of the Year Sarah Bothen was named to the all-star squad for the first time. The Grimsby native played an integral part in Humber's stringent defence, leading the Hawks to a league-low 39 points-against in five matches.

Third-year inside centre Essence Palmer-McCarthy put together her best season in the navy and gold, scoring a career-high 40 points. She finished second in the league in scoring and her eight tries were the most in the OCAA.

As the all-time winningest coach in rugby sevens history with a 59-6 record in five seasons, head coach Dale Essue has yet to win OCAA Coach of the Year honours.