WONG NAMED 2012-13 OCAA FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR

TORONTO - The Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) proudly recognizes Humber College women's badminton student-athlete Tracy Wong as its 2012-13 OCAA female athlete of the year.

Named the OCAA women's badminton player of the year for the third consecutive season, Wong (Richmond Hill, Ont.) has yet to lose a match at an OCAA sanctioned event. After dominating in women's singles the past two seasons, including two OCAA gold medals, Wong partnered with fellow OCAA all-star Renee Yip (Markham) at this year's OCAA championship.

At OCAA regionals, the duo swept the women's doubles competition in dominating fashion, winning six matches without losing a set. It was more of the same at provincials, as the Humber teammates had an unblemished 7-0 record, winning 14 straight sets en route to Wong's third straight provincial gold medal.

At nationals hosted by Georgian College, the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) recognized Wong as its women's badminton player of the year. Having won both silver and bronze medals at previous nationals, the all-Canadian had her sights set on winning the elusive CCAA gold medal in her home province.

The nation's best were no match for Wong and Yip in the round robin, as once again the duo swept the competition, going 5-0 without dropping a set. After sweeping their two sets against fellow OCAA members Rebecca Trischler and Carolyn Tubman of Georgian College in the semifinal, the Humber team faced Douglas College's Amy Leung and Charmagne Yeung in the national final.

There, Wong and Yip faced adversity for the first time. While they took the first set 21-15, they were pushed to a third and deciding set after their PacWest opponents won the second set 21-16. It was merely a minor pothole on the road to the gold medal, however, as Wong and Yip were victorious in the third set 21-16. It is a first national women's doubles title for an OCAA school since 2000, and first gold in any discipline since 2010, when Yip partnered with Tracy's brother Raymond Wong to win mixed gold.

"Tracy is the type of athlete any coach would dream of having on their team," praised Humber head coach Mike Kopinak. "She is one of the best players in the country in her sport, she is well-liked by her peers, very coachable, and has an exceptionally strong balance between academics, personal life and badminton. Ever a team player, one can witness Tracy in the gym working with her fellow teammates to make them stronger while always encouraging them during our competitions. The coaches are all very proud to know Tracy and to be a small part of her successes."

Wong was equally as strong off the court as she was on it. She earned All-Academic honours in both the OCAA and CCAA. The third-year student-athlete is enrolled in the Fitness and Health Promotion program at Humber College.

Humber College also recognized Wong as its Female Athlete of the Year, as well as the Hawks team MVP. She is the fourth consecutive Humber athlete to be named OCAA female athlete of the year, including Yip who received the award in 2009-10.

Wong will be recognized for her remarkable season at the sixth biennial OCAA Hall of Fame ceremony, to be held at the Delta London Armouries in London, Ont. on Wednesday, May 1. Fittingly, her brother Raymond will also be honoured as one of the OCAA Hall of Fame 48 inductees.

The OCAA announced Frankie Edgecombe (Elmvale, Ont.) of Nipissing University as its 2012-13 OCAA male athlete of the year on Wednesday.

- OCAA -

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The Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) is a recognized leader in intercollegiate athletics in the province, dedicated to student athlete and sport development. The OCAA has 30 members sponsoring 16 league and tournament championships.

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