Ridley alumni continue to succeed
Abby Grexton ’20, a sophomore at Dartmouth College (undeclared major), scored her first collegiate goal in December 2021.
Ridley College alumni continue to do the school proud and have success in post-secondary sport. Over 35 former Tigers suited up this past season in a variety of sports on both sides of the border.
On the ice, Prep Girls Hockey graduate Summer-Rae Dobson ’17 is a five-year National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I student-athlete who played four years at Mercyhurst before spending 2021-22 as a graduate student at the University of Connecticut. Dobson led her team to the NCAA Hockey East Championship and finished her career with 49 goals and 57 assists for 106 points in 160 games.
Megan Forrest ’17 wrapped up a five-year career at Brown University studying neuroscience. Forrest finished with nine goals, 16 assists and 25 points in 99 games.
Shailynn Snow ’18 finished her junior year with Skating Saints of St. Lawrence University. Shailynn continues to have success averaging a point a game over her NCAA career thus far.
Janneke Watt ’18 had a successful second season at Western University the mustangs enjoyed a run at the Ontario University National Championships losing in the semifinal.
Catharine Foulem ’20 is a sophomore at Boston University where she is studying biochemistry and molecular biology. Foulem finished this season top five in scoring for the Terriers.
Abby Grexton ’20, a sophomore at Dartmouth College (undeclared major), scored her first collegiate goal in December 2021 after the 2020-21 Ivy League season was cancelled.
Avery Penner ’20 enjoyed a solid year at the University of PEI helping her team secure a place in the USport National Championships while Emma Penner ’20 spent her rookie season at Dalhousie University.
Katherine Culligan ’20 is off to an impressive start as a freshman at St. Francis Xavier where she plays for the women’s rugby program. Culligan led her team to the Ontario University Athletics Championship this past season and was also named the school’s athlete of the week back in October.
Carmen Elliott ’21, a freshman at the College of Holy Cross University (undeclared major) scored her first collegiate goal only a few months into her first season.
Mary Sweetapple ’21 is a freshman at Mercyhurst University studying sports medicine while minoring in psychology. Sweetapple recorded her first college point in November 2021.
Avery Penner (UPEI), Emma Penner (Dalhousie) and Janneke Watt (Western) all had successful seasons at the USports level.
Lilli Welcke ’21 competed for Team Germany during the Olympic qualifications this year. She led her professional women’s team in scoring (Mannheim, Germany) and is scheduled to attend the University of Maine with twin sister and linemate Luisa Welcke in September.
Amanda Wark, Head Coach of the Tigers says, “Reflecting on the success of the student athletes that have continued to pursue their post-secondary careers is amazing. The hard work and dedication that each of these girls have put in, along with their teammates is a testament to what it means to be a true student athlete. We wish them continued success as they continue to represent us as Tiger alumni.”
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Ridley’s Prep Boys Hockey program also has an impressive collection of alumni who are continuing their careers at the next level.
Goaltender Cam Gray ’15 won a DIII National Championship with Adrian College this past season going 23-0 and winning a USCHO (U.S. College Hockey On Line) Second Team Award.
Owen Cole ’18 qualified for NCAA D1 Frozen Four with the University of UMASS Lowell while Brett Thorne ’17 did likewise with Michigan Tech. Ryan Mahshie ’17, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, qualified for the playoffs as did Evan Debrouwer at Holy Cross.
Thorold’s Christian Girhiny had an impressive year at Brock University, helping his team qualify for the Canadian Interuniversity Sport National Tournament.
Pelham residents Max Blanchard ’19 and Alex Blanchard ’20 both played for the Sherbrooke Phoenix of Quebec Major Junior Hockey League this past season while Rylee Hlusiak ’20 was fifth in league scoring for the Hawkesbury Hawks of the Central Canadian Hockey League. Joseph Ianiello was fourth in rookie scoring with the Navan Grads of the CCHL.
Landon Hookey (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds) and Noah Sedore (Erie Otters) are both playing at the Ontario Hockey League level while former Niagara IceDog A.J. Cook ’19 is scoring at a point-per-game pace with the Cobourg Cougars Ontario Junior A Hockey League and recently committed to Brock University.
Former Tiger defencemen Coleman Bennett ’19 (Nepean Raiders), Evan Beaudry (Kemptville) and St. Catharines native Robbie Stewart ’19 (Ottawa Jr. Senators) all toiled in the CCHL this season while forward Luke Haymes ’20 was seventh in rookie scoring with point-per-game with the Cowichan Capitals British Columbia Hockey League. Both Hlusiak and Bennett were named CCHL league all-stars.
Nick Prestia ’17 had two goals and six points for Manhattanville (NCAA D3).
Four former Tigers are now playing professionally. Max Blainson, who graduated from Long Island University of the NCAA is signed with the Cincinnati Cyclones (ECHL), Kyle Marino with the Idaho Steelheads (ECHL), Riley McCourt with the Newfoundland Growlers (ECHL) and Jake Cougler with the Cardiff Devils (BEIHL).
“I’m so proud of these young men and all the prosperity they have achieved post Ridley,” head coach Mike McCourt said. “They are wonderful ambassadors for our school and the program, we wish them continued success as they follow their passion.”
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On the court, former Ridley Prep Boys Basketball student-athlete Shamar Burrows ’16 captured another Atlantic University Sport Championships and was also selected as the final’s player of the game.
Cameron Bett ’18 was an OUA finalist and National Championship semi-finalist with Queen’s University.
Noah Wharton ’18 was named a Canadian West all-star with the University of Calgary.
Peter Moses (Dalhousie University), Marcus Upshaw (Ryerson University) and Anthony Daudu (University of Toronto) were all starters for their respective USports programs and Kennan Larman ’19 was named MVP of Niagara College’s men’s basketball program.
South of the border, Jaden Bediako ’18 a member of the Santa Clara men’s basketball program participated in National Invitational Tournament) while Malcom Bailey ’18 helped Colgate win back-to-back Patriot League Championships and competed at this year’s NCAA tournament.
Head Coach Tarry Upshaw is, “Very proud of the tradition that our graduates are setting for future Tigers to follow.”
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