Special to Bullet News
For just the sixth time in college history, a Niagara College student-athlete has been named a Canadian College Athletic Association (CCAA) All-Canadian. Shayne Petrusma of the Niagara College Knights men’s volleyball program received the award as a part of the 2013 Ontario College Athletic Association (OCAA) awards banquet at the Oakville Conference Centre.
Petrusma joins Tom Peat (badminton), Tom Nelson (badminton), Blair Cudmore (volleyball), Justin Ross (volleyball), and Kaitlyn Mckenna (basketball) as Niagara College student-athletes who have earned all-Canadian honours.
Petrusma, a six-foot-five outside hitter from Bowmanville, Ontario has been crucial in the Knights’ 2012-13 re-emergence as an OCAA men’s volleyball power. Petrusma led the Knights to a 14-4 regular season record, an OCAA West Division Title, and the No. 3 ranking in the CCAA.
Petrusma competed for four seasons as a member of the McMaster Marauders men’s volleyball team. He joined the Knights in September of 2012 after completing a degree at McMaster, and is currently enrolled in the paramedic program at Niagara College.
Niagara College manager of athletics and recreation Matthew Davies spoke very highly of Petrusma stating, “We are extremely proud of Shayne’s accomplishments this year. He epitomizes the true value of what a student-athlete represents. He has excelled as a 90-average
student in our paramedics program and has helped turn around our men’s volleyball program, helping the Knights nearly triple their win output from last season.”
Along with the CCAA All-Canadian selection, Petrusma was named an OCAA West Division first-team all-star, and was named OCAA West Division scoring champion. Petrusma led the OCAA West Division in both points-per-set (4.0) and kills-per-set (3.3).
The Thursday morning awards banquet opened the 2013 OCAA Men’s Volleyball Championship hosted by Sheridan College. The Knights are one of eight teams competing in the event with the winner receiving entry into the 2013 CCAA Men’s Volleyball National Championship hosted by Niagara College.
As championship hosts, the Niagara College Knights will receive an automatic entry into the competition.
