OSHAWA, Ont. – Durham College is celebrating excellence in the classroom and in competition after five student-athletes were recognized as CCAA Academic All-Canadians for the 2025-26 season.
The CCAA Academic All-Canadian Award recognizes student-athletes who combine honours-level academic achievement with elite athletic performance, highlighting those who excel both in their studies and in their respective sports.
Leading the way for the Lords are women's volleyball standouts Brooke Young, Elizabeth McFarland and Jessie Buck, along with golfer Owen Mailhot and women's soccer midfielder Julia Fontana.
"Being named a CCAA Academic All-Canadian is one of the highest individual honours a student-athlete can receive because it recognizes excellence in every aspect of the collegiate experience," said Scott Dennis, Director, Athletics & Recreation. "Brooke, Elizabeth, Jessie, Owen and Julia have each demonstrated an unwavering commitment to their academics while competing at an elite level for the Lords. We are incredibly proud of what they have accomplished and congratulate them on this well-deserved recognition."
Young earned OCAA Second Team All-Star honours after serving as one of the province's top setters. She recorded a .403 hitting percentage while dishing out 365 assists (7.77 per set), adding 79 digs, 29 kills and five blocks. At Durham College's year-end awards, Young was recognized with the five-year award and the women's volleyball leadership award.
McFarland also received OCAA Second Team All-Star and OCAA All-Academic recognition following another impressive campaign. She finished the season with 141 kills on 343 total attacks, 125 digs, 24 blocks, 21 service aces and 186.0 points. Her outstanding season also earned her the "Stan Marchut" Women's Volleyball MVP award at Durham College.
Buck capped off an exceptional season by being named an OCAA First Team All-Star and OCAA All-Academic recipient. She led the Lords with a remarkable .479 hitting percentage while recording 103 kills on 194 total attacks. Buck also contributed 144.0 points, 28 digs, 24 blocks and 17 service aces throughout the season.
Mailhot enjoyed a standout rookie campaign on the golf course, earning OCAA Top Rookie and All-Ontario Team honours while also being named an OCAA All-Academic. He finished fourth at the OCAA Championship, missing the podium by just two strokes. His success was also recognized at Durham College's athletic awards, where he received the "David Stewart" Male Freshman Athlete of the Year award, the "Gerry Pettit" Golf MVP award and the team's Top GPA award.
Fontana rounded out Durham's Academic All-Canadian recipients after a strong season with the women's soccer program. The midfielder started eight of the Lords' 10 regular season matches and recorded an assist in an 8-0 victory over Fleming. She was previously recognized as an OCAA Second Team All-Star and OCAA All-Academic while also earning the "Vaso Vujanovic" Women's Soccer MVP award and the team's Top GPA honour.
The five Academic All-Canadian selections continue Durham College's tradition of developing student-athletes who strive for excellence both academically and athletically, reinforcing the department's commitment to success in the classroom and in competition.
