By: Zach Worden
Photos c/o: Alejandro Rojas
Four Centennial Colts fall athletes were named to OCAA all-star teams for their performance this season. Emily Cullen (Women's Soccer) and Shoya Hase (Baseball) were honoured as first-team all-stars. While Brandon Smith and Brandon Turner (both Baseball) made the OCAA's second team. The four all-stars played key roles for the baseball and women's soccer teams claiming spots at their respective OCAA championships.
Emily Cullen
Cullen, a second-year defender and team captain, led the Colts to a 5-3-2 record as one of the top defensive squads in the OCAA.
"Being named an all-star meant a lot to me. Being a rookie captain last year, I had a lot to prove," she said of her stellar 2022 campaign. "From the time our season ended last year until now, I have never stopped working towards my soccer goals.
"[The award] meant so much to me as it recognizes the work that I have put in."
In addition to helping Centennial lock down its side of the field, Cullen chipped in on offense. She scored one goal with one assist in the regular season and came up huge with two goals in the Colts' 3-1 playoff victory over the Sheridan Bruins.
"What made me successful this season was all the help that I received from my coaches and teammates," Cullen said, "[My coaches] have truly shaped me into not only a better player but also a better person. As the captain, of course, I have to be a leader, but without my team behind me, I cannot do anything. They supported me, pushed me and allowed me to be the player that I want to be."
Shoya Hase
A second-year outfielder, Hase was the Colts' top hitter by average in 2022. He hit .422, which ranked in the top 10 in the OCAA. He also reached base at a .490 clip and struck out just four times in 45 at-bats.
"I trained this winter, reviewed the basics and worked on baseball from the ground up," Hase said on what made him so successful this season. "I also started training my eyes and was able to keep up with faster pitching — which I think led to this award and the team's top batting average."
Hase proved to be a staple in the heart of Centennial's order, helping the team — in its second year of competition — finish fourth in the OCAA with an 11-7 record.
"I was very happy to be chosen out of so many players. I was very surprised when they called my name," he said about being named a first-team all-star. "Last year, I was injured and couldn't help the team. This year I was glad I could be of help to [my teammates]."
Brandon Smith
Coming to the Colts from York University, Smith established himself as one of the top starting pitchers in the OCAA in his first start. He threw a complete game shutout with nine strikeouts while allowing just four hits in a 3-0 win over Fanshawe College.
"The biggest thing that made me successful this season was my mental toughness and how I prepared myself mentally for each game," Smith said. "From my sleep the night before to my warm-up, I imagine what the game is going to look like.
"By the time I throw the first pitch, I've already seen every batter strikeout 100 times, so I don't need to wonder if I'm going to have a good game or not. I go out and do what I need to do, and no matter if the bases are loaded, with no outs or if I walked two batters in a row, I know that I want to win the game more, and I'm going to get out of it."
Smith finished second in the OCAA in ERA (1.30), fifth in strikeouts (28) and third in wins (4).
On top of his excellent regular season, he was on the mound for Centennial's first-ever playoff victory. He threw 129 pitches in a complete game effort with eight strikeouts and just one walk as the Colts beat Durham 6-5 to secure a top-four finish.
"Being named an all-star was very validating for me. It meant that all the work I put in over the season was seen by more than just my team," Smith said. "My goal for the season was to make a name for myself, and being named an all-star proved to me that I accomplished it."
Brandon Turner
The only Colt to suit up in every game this season, Turner made his impact felt in his freshman campaign. He provided the punch at the top of Centennial's lineup, leading the team in extra-base hits with three doubles, two triples and three home runs.
"It meant a lot to me to be named an all-star because it was a moment that showed me all the hard work and time I spent this year on the ball field paid off," the third baseman said. "It's just a very humbling moment to be recognized for a great performance this season."
In addition to his impressive power numbers, Turner hit for a .345 average and led the team with 12 RBI.
"The coaching staff throughout the year was a huge part of my success at the plate and in the field, but I think the biggest contribution to my success was my teammates this year," Turner said. "Baseball is not a one-man sport and I couldn't have done it without each and every one of them. So I thank all of them for this amazing season we put together and for all my success throughout this year."
