Coming off a season that resulted in eight athletes listed as OUA All-Rookie, 115 OUA All-Stars, and 15 CIS All-Canadians, the Mustangs return in full force for the 2015-16 season.
The previous season saw seven teams earning provincial titles, with figure skating taking their fourth OUA banner in five years, and women’s rowing and men’s tennis each taking home a second consecutive OUA title. Women’s hockey won the first OUA Championship in program history, while men’s squash – undoubtedly one of the most successful teams in Mustang history – brought back their 32nd consecutive OUA win. Both posting undefeated seasons on the road to their respective championships, women’s lacrosse earned their fourth straight OUA Championship, while softball took home a fifth straight provincial title.
Moving on to the national stage, four teams were able to capture titles. Women’s softball earned their fourth uninterrupted CCSA National Championship, while women’s rowing brought back their second consecutive Canadian University Rowing Championship. Western’s cheer team locked down a ninth straight University and Open National Championship, winning the 29th title in program history. Finally, women’s hockey made history by not only being the first Mustangs to win an OUA banner, but also the first to bring home a CIS Championship title.
Numerous athletes have been added to the purple and white rosters for the upcoming season to help continue the legacy of success that has become synonymous with Western University. However, two incoming athletes have already begun turning heads with their impressive resumes before officially beginning their time as a Mustang.
Cedric Joseph joins the Mustangs from the Champlain-Lennoxville football program as one of the most highly sought after recruits Canada has to offer. Earning a top ten slot on the CFC Top 100 list, the 6-foot running back’s most recent season resulted in a total of 1,108 yards on 188 carries – averaging 5.9 yards per carry – with 12 touchdowns, warranting the native of Pointe-Claire to be named the CEGEP Division 1 MVP.
Joining Joseph as one of the most highly-anticipated rookies of the 2015-16 season is women’s volleyball’s Tia Miric.
Despite having two consecutive Provincial All-Star awards, each paired with National All-Star awards from her time with the Leaside Lightning Volleyball Club, the majority of her hardware comes from beach volleyball. A world champion by the age of 13, the 5-foot-8 native of Thornhill, Ontario has amassed seven gold medals, two silver medals, and three bronze medals across six years of beach volleyball. In 2014, she helped Canada win its first ever U21 World Beach Volleyball Championship, while winning Tournament MVP honours in the process.
The upcoming Mustang sports season will officially begin in late August, with men’s and women’s soccer being the first to compete in the regular season, taking to the road for their first matches.
The schedules for all Mustang teams can be found online at westernmustangs.ca.
