Stingers Roundup

By John Austen

Grid stars Cunningham, Donovan lauded in Toronto

Despite the fact the Concordia Stingers lost their last football game of 2003 — a playoff drubbing at the hands of the Laval Rouge et Or — coach Gerry McGrath and his squad have a lot to be thankful for.

Not only did the Stingers boast their most successful regular season ever (7-1), but two of their players have been named first team All Canadians. Defensive end Troy Cunningham and Middle linebacker Mickey Donovan were honoured for their achievements at a recent awards gala held in Toronto.

“Mickey deserves this award for many reasons,” McGrath said. “He is the hardest worker on our team, one of the most unselfish players I’ve ever coached and he’s the best linebacker in the country.”

Donovan has been a dominant force in the league since transferring from the University of Maine in 2002. This season, the Laconia, N.H., native was the top tackler on the Stingers with 63 in seven games, including 40 solo tackles. He was also the second leading tackler in the QIFC with an average of 7.4 a game.

“It’s his talent, his leadership skills and his passion for the game that make him so valuable,” said defensive co-ordinator Warren Craney. “The word that sums it up best is dominating. He’s athletic, he’s strong and he dominates from sideline to sideline. Without a doubt I think he’s the best defensive player in the country.”

Cunningham, a native of Mallorytown, Ont., was a commanding presence on the Stingers’ line. He recorded 20 solo tackles and 12 assists in seven games. He was menacing in the backfield, picking up 7.5 tackles for losses and a sack.

The fourth-year senior is eligible for the CFL draft this coming spring.

“He’s an eyeball test kid,” Craney said of his star lineman. “He’s a cat. He’s very fast and strong. He’s a protypical CFL defensive lineman.”

Cagers upset Laval

The men’s basketball team had a perfect weekend with an upset 83-69 win over the Laval Rouge et Or and a 79-69 triumph over UQAM. The women split their two game, winning 72-51 over UQAM before being dumped 63-56 by Laval the next day.

The men’s hockey team also split, losing 5-2 to Brock last Friday before rebounding with a 4-2 win over Laurier on Saturday. The women’s hockey team, led by hotshot goalie Cecilia Anderson, kept rolling with a win over York (7-0).

And the weekly winners are . . .

Jon Dresner, a forward on the men’s basketball team, and centre Dominique Rancour, of the women’s hockey team, have been named Concordia Stinger athletes of the week for the period ending Nov. 23.

Dresner was the leading scorer in Concordia’s recent 82-62 victory over the Bishop’s Gaiters in Lennoxville. He sank eight of 12 field goals, including a three-pointer, and was three for five from the line for 20 points. He also hauled in five rebounds. The Montreal native is a fourth-year management major at Concordia.

Rancour collected three goals and one assist in two games last week. She notched two goals and an assist in Concordia’s 7-0 win over the Carleton Ravens and the following day she scored a power play goal in a tough 6-2 loss to the NCAA’s St. Lawrence Saints. Rancour is the Stingers’ leading scorer with nine goals and nine assists in 13 games.