(Photo courtesy of oua.ca)
In his fifth and final season, Ottawa Gee-Gees quarterback Derek Wendel has been named Ontario University Athletics (OUA) Most Valuable Player and the conference nominee for U Sports Hec Crighton Trophy.
The Belleville native and graduate of Centennial Secondary School is a fifth-year philosophy major, for a second consecutive season set new OUA single season attempts and completions records, completing 232 of 347 attempts for 2936 yards, which ranks seventh all-time on the U Sports single season passing yards list.
Starting all eight games for Ottawa U, Wendel also finished first in the conference in completion percentage (66.9), yards per game (367) and touchdowns (22). With Wendel under centre, the Gee-Gees led OUA with a red zone percentage of 91%, while passing for 135 1st downs during the regular season.
After throwing 8863 yards over his five seasons in the garnet and grey, Wendel ends his career as the Gee-Gees second leading passer of all-time, trailing only former uOttawa quarterback Josh Sacobie, while his 67 career touchdown passes ranks him fourth all-time in OUA history.
Earlier this week Wendel was named an OUA first-team all-star for the first time in his career.