The uOttawa Gee-Gees storied season did not go unnoticed for at least six Gee-Gees who were named as first and second team All-Canadians Thursday evening as part of the Vanier Cup celebrations this weekend in Quebec City, Qué.
Fourth-year quarterback Brad Sinopoli, Peterborough, Ont., fifth-year receiver Matt Bolduc, Ottawa, Ont., and fifth-year defensive tackle Sébastien Tétreault, Granby, Qué., have all been named as first-team All-Canadians.
They are joined by fellow teammates and second team All-Canadians: fifth-year receiver Cyril Adjeitey, Ghana, fifth-year cornerback Chayce Elliott, Burnaby, B.C., and third-year kicker Matthew Falvo, Welland, Ont.
Leader of the pack, Brad Sinopoli finished the regular season as the OUA and CIS leader with 301 attempts, 184 completions, 2756 passing yards, 22 touchdowns, and an averaged 344.5 yards per game. Adding to his first team All-Canadian selection, Brad has also been named the Hec Crighton award winner as the CIS' most outstanding player.
First team All-Canadian Matt Bolduc led the Gee-Gees with 704 yards and 6 touchdowns; he finished sixth among CIS receivers this season. Whereas on defense Sébastien Tétreault led the Gee-Gees with most sacks at 6, and finished the season with a total of 26 tackles (21 solo, 5 assisted). This is Sébastien's first selection on the first team All-Canadian, having already been named a second team All-Canadian twice during his university career.
Head coach Jean-Philippe Asselin is obviously pleased to have his players recognized for their efforts and hard work: "I think Sébastien Tétreault deserved it at other times in his career, but he did have the season of his life for us this year. He's been everything to this program and he will be greatly missed. I am happy in his last year that he finally got a first team All-Canadian recognition."
"As for Matt, I think he battled some tough injuries throughout his career. He was invited to the East West Bowl after his third year. He then suffered severe shin splint injuries, and needed surgery on both his legs. He decided to comeback for really a sixth year of school and fifth-year eligibility this year. It was a big decision for him, he kind of put some stuff in his personal life aside to be back with us, and I know he never regretted it. And I hope he enjoys this weekend in Quebec City because he deserves it," added coach Asselin.
As for second team All-Canadians, Cyril Adjeitey was part of that notorious Gee-Gees receiving core that was top in the country all season. Adjeitey recorded 584 yards, 39 receptions and 4 touchdowns. As for Matthew Falvo, he went 18 for 21, and holds the best percentage of field goals made in the OUA at 85.7%. His longest field goal of the season was 47 yards, and not to mention his two game-winning field goals for the Gee-Gees this season. Chayce Elliott averaged 28.08 yards per game on kick returns, including is longest of the season at 62 yards. Defensively, he contributed 26 tackles (22 solo, 4 assisted) and 2 interceptions in seven games this season.
Asselin believes his second team All-Canadians were well deserving and could have easily been named as first team All-Canadians there is no doubt. Still, he was disappointed that fifth-year receiver Steven Hughes, Ottawa, Ont., was not chosen, and feels he deserved better. Steven finished tied for first overall among CIS receivers with most receptions at 57, and he was fifth overall for most yards at 664.
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On behalf of the entire uOttawa Sports Services team, we are very proud to have our athletes recognized. Congratulations to Brad, Matt, Cyril, Chayce, Matthew and Sébastien on your achievements. May this serve as testament to your successes as a team, and may we wish you continued success in all of your future endeavors.
