GUELPH, Ont. (April 18, 2024) - The University of Guelph Department of Athletics is thrilled to announce the latest group of inductees into the Gryphon Hall of Fame. Four athletes, four teams and one builder make up the 2024 Hall of Fame Class, who will be enshrined in the Gryphon Athletics Hall of Fame on Friday, June 21, 2024.

U SPORTS champion and OUA four-time gold medalist Kelsey Gsell (wrestling 2010-11 to 2014-15), U SPORTS silver and OUA gold medalist Laura Moulton (cross country, 2003-04 to 2006-07), U SPORTS and OUA champion Peter Domarchuk (wrestling, 1980-1984), and 11-time OUA and U SPORTS gold medalist Ross Proudfoot (cross country, track and field, 2010-11 to 2014-15) will all enter the Gryphon Hall of Fame under the 'athletes' category.
 
In the 'team' category, the OUA champion women's basketball team (2004-05), OUA and U SPORTS champion men's cross country teams (1999-2002), OUA and U SPORTS champion women's rugby (2011) and OUA men's curling champions (1961 & 1965) will all enter the Gryphon Hall of Fame as part of the 2024 class.
 
In the builder category, former women's basketball coach and administrator, Angela Orton, enters the Gryphon Hall of Fame for the immense impact she made to the University of Guelph's Department of Athletics.
 

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2024 Gryphon Hall of Fame Class
 
2024 Athletes:
Ross Proudfoot (Cross Country, Track & Field, 2011-2015)
Kelsey Gsell (Wrestling, 2010-11 to 2014-15)
Laura Moulton (Cross Country, 2003-04 to 2006-07)
Peter Domarchuk (Wrestling, 1980-1984)
 
2024 Teams:
2011 Women's Rugby (OUA & U SPORTS champions)
1999-2002 Men's Cross Country (OUA & U SPORTS champions)
2004-05 Women's Basketball (OUA champions)
1961 and 1965 Men's Curling (OUA champions)
 
2024 Builders:
Ang Orton
 

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2024 Gryphon Hall of Fame Banquet




Date: Friday, June 21, 2024
Time: 5-10pm
Location: Guelph Gryphons Athletics Centre
Tickets: $100 

Passed Hors d'oeuvre | 3-Course Meal | Remarks & Inductees | Cash Bar (debit/credit)
5:00pm - Cocktail Hour
6:00pm - Remarks & Team inductions
6:45pm – Dinner
8:00pm – Builder
8:15pm - Dessert & Individuals
 
For more information contact:
Jacqueline Andrews: External Relations & Events, Gryphon Athletics
j.andrews@uoguelph.ca | 519-824-4120 ext. 56027
 

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Kelsey Gsell
Wrestling, 2010-11-to-2014-15
 
Over the course of five seasons as a member of the Gryphon women's wrestling program (2010-11 to 2014-15), Kelsey Gsell put together a star-studded varsity career at the University of Guelph and established herself as one of the top wrestlers in the country. She finished her Gryphon wrestling career earning an OUA medal every season she competed. She tallied four OUA gold medal performances and also impressed on the national stage earning a total of four U SPORTS (then – "CIS") medals that included one gold, two silver and one bronze. Gsell took home four University of Guelph major awards during her Gryphon career, earning Women's Athlete of the Year honours in 2013-14, and was awarded the President's Trophy (combination of academic and athletic excellence) a total of three times in 2012-13, 2013-14 and 2014-15. Gsell became only the second U of G women's student-athlete ever receive the President's Trophy three years in a row. The human kinetics major from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan rolled through an unbeaten season on the mat in 2013-14 and that year earned U SPORTS First Team All-Canadian status, OUA First Team All-Star status while also taking home University of Guelph Athlete of the Year and President's Trophy honours. In addition to being a standout on the wrestling mat, Kelsey also played one season with the Gryphons women's rugby team, and was named 'Rookie of the Year' for the Gryphons women's rugby team in 2014. 
 
Team Honours:
- Team MVP 2014
 
University Honors:
- 3x President's Trophy winner (2012-13, 2013-14 and 2014-15)
- U of G Athlete of the Year – 2013-14
 
Conference Honors:
- 4x OUA gold medalist & OUA First Team All-Star (2015, 2014, 2013, 2011)
- OUA silver medalist & OUA Second Team All-Star (2012)
- OUA Rookie of the Year (2010-11)
 
National Conference Honors:
- U SPORTS women's wrestling gold medalist & First Team All-Canadian (82kg – 2013-14)
- 2x U SPORTS women's wrestling silver medalist & Second Team All-Canadian (82kg – 2014-15, 2012-13)
- U SPORTS women's wrestling bronze medalist (82kg – 2011-12)
- 5x U SPORTS Academic All-Canadian
 

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Laura Moulton
Cross Country, Track & Field, 2003-04 to 2006-07
 
Laura Moulton excelled throughout her time at the University of Guelph, where she was a standout performer with the Gryphons women's cross country team. Laura played a key role in helping the Gryphons women's cross country team secure back-to-back national titles in 2005 and 2006. A four-time U SPORTS All-Canadian (two-time First Team All-Canadian in 2005 & 2006, two-time Second Team All-Canadian in 2003 & 2004), Laura was named the University of Guelph's Women's Athlete of the Year during the 2005-06 season, with Guelph's national title that year marking the program's first since 1997 and second in Gryphons women's cross country history.
 
The following year, in 2006, Laura once again led the way for the Gryphons at the national championships, hosted by Laval in Quebec City, where the Gryphons women's cross country team captured a second consecutive national title, with Laura picking up the best individual result of her career at a national championship, finishing 2nd overall in the field to claim an individual silver medal to go along with the team's gold medal performance. In addition to the national success during Laura's cross country career, she also put together a lengthy list of accomplishments at the OUA level, where she was named an OUA First Team All-Star in each of her four seasons, while helping lead the Gryphons women's cross country team to three straight OUA titles (2004, 2005 & 2006). In her senior season (2006-07), Laura took home the University of Guelph President's Trophy, awarded to the top-performing student-athlete excelling in both athletics and academics. 
 
Team Honours:
- 3x women's cross country team MVP (2004-05, 2005-06, 2006-07)
- Women's cross country team Rookie of the Year (2003-04)
 
University Honors:
- U of G Athlete of the Year (2005-06)
- U of G President's Trophy (2006-07)
 
Conference Honors:
- 4x women's cross country OUA First Team All-Star (2003-04 to 2006-07)
- 3x OUA women's cross country (team) champion (2004-05, 2005-06 & 2006-07)
- OUA women's cross country (team) bronze medalist (2003-04)
- 3x OUA women's cross country (individual) silver medalist (2004-05, 2005-06 & 2006-07)
 
National Honors:
- 2x U SPORTS women's cross country (team) national champion (2005-06 & 2006-07)
- 2x U SPORTS First Team All-Canadian (2005-06 & 2006-07)
- 2x U SPORTS Second Team All-Canadian (2003-04 & 2004-05)
- U SPORTS women's cross country (team) silver medalist (2004-05)
- Individual U SPORTS women's cross country silver medalist (2006-07)
- Individual U SPORTS women's cross country bronze medalist (2005-06)
 

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Peter Domarchuk
Wrestling, 1980-1984

In his first season at the University of Guelph, Peter captured a spot on the Canadian junior wresting team and represented Canada at the World Junior Freestyle Wrestling Championships. In 1983 and 1984 Domarchuk achieved outstanding success, remaining undefeated during both years in provincial and national university championships. He earned a U SPORTS (then 'CIAU') gold in 1983 which helped the University of Guelph capture the CIAU wrestling team championship title. Peter was a key figure during what was the most successful era in the history of the Gryphons men's wrestling program, with the Gryphons claiming three straight national team titles in men's wrestling during the 1980-81, 1981-82 & 1982-83 seasons. He represented Canada internationally as a member on the Canadian Senior Men's National Wrestling Team and was an alternate for the 1984 Olympic Team.
 
Conference Honours:
2x OUA gold medalist (68kg - 1983, 1984)

National Honours :
2x U SPORTS gold medalist (68kg - 1983, 1984)
3x U SPORTS national champion (part of three straight national team titles in 1980-81, 1981-82 & 1982-83 seasons)


University Honours:
Gold Medalist Guelph Open 1980
Most Improved Wrestler 1983
Varsity Letter 1983, 1984
 
Other:
Alternate for the 1984 Olympic Wrestling Team 1984
Senior National Team Member 1984
2x Gold Medalist Ontario Senior Wrestling Championships 1983, 1984
Silver Medalist Canadian Senior Wrestling Championships 1984
City of Guelph Recognition for Sport Achievement Award 1984
Bronze Medalist Canadian Senior Wrestling Championships 1988
 

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Ross Proudfoot
Cross Country, Track & Field 2010-11 to 2014-15
 
One of the most accomplished men's cross country and track and field long distance runners in Gryphon history, Ross Proudfoot put together a storied career during his five seasons from 2010-11 to 2014-2015. In his final year as a Gryphon, he put together one of the greatest seasons in U SPORTS history, going undefeated against U SPORTS competition in both cross country and track and field. In November of 2014, despite windy, hail-like conditions in St. John's, Newfoundland, Proudfoot captured individual gold at the U SPORTS Cross Country Championships while leading the Gryphon men to their remarkable ninth straight team title. In the process, he was named a U SPORTS First Team All-Canadian in the sport for a fifth consecutive season, becoming just the third athlete in U SPORTS history to accomplish the feat, and the first to combine that achievement with five team banners. He ended his extraordinary varsity career as a nine-time All-Canadian in cross country and track and field, a six-time national champion and with 19 U SPORTS medals to his name (10 team medals and 9 individual medals). In May of 2015, Ross Proudfoot took home the prestigious BLG Award as the top men's athlete in Canadian Interuniversity Sport for the 2014-2015 season, becoming the first Gryphon ever, men's or women's, to win the award.   
 
Team Honours:
- Team XC MVP 2012, 2014
- Team XC Rookie 2010

University Honors:
- Athlete of the Year 2015, 2014
- Rookie of the Year 2010
 
Conference Honors:
5x cross country OUA First Team All-Star
2x OUA cross country MVP/individual champion (2014, 2012)
OUA cross country Rookie of the Year (2010)
5x OUA track and field gold medalist in 1500m and 3000m
OUA T&F Rookie of the Year (2010-11)
OUA T&F MVP (2014-15)
4x OUA cross country team champions (2012, 2013, 2014, 2015)
 
National Conference Honors:
CIS XC First Team All-Star - 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011
CIS XC MVP – 2014
CIS XC Champion 2014
CIS Academic All Canadian 2012, 2013
CIS T&F 1500 Champion 2014
CIS T&F 3000 Champion 2013, 2014
CIS T&F First Team All-Canadian 2013, 2014
CIS T&F Second Team All-Canadian 2013, 2011
CIS T&F Athlete of the Meet 2014

Team
CIS XC Champions 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015
 
Team
CIS XC Champions 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015
 

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Angela Orton
Builder (women's basketball, administration)
 
In a coaching career spanning 20 years from 1990-2010, Angela Orton was a pillar of the Gryphon women's basketball program. Her achievements include OUA west division coach of the year on four occasions, in addition to being selected OUA Coach of the Year in 2005. Orton's coaching prowess led the Gryphon team to finish with the best record in the OUA in 2004-05 and went on to win the first OUA women's basketball championship for the University of Guelph in 25 years. During her time as Head Coach, Orton helped 18 student athletes develop into OUA All-stars, two into CIS All-Canadians and 23 into Academic All-Canadians.
 
Orton came to the University of Guelph in 1988 with considerable experience in OUA and CIS basketball. A four-time OUA All-Star, and three-time CIS All Canadian, she graduated from the University of Toronto with a Bachelor of Science degree and captained the 1985-86 University of Toronto Blues to a CIS National Championship. In addition, she represented Canada on the Junior National and Canadian National Team from 1983-1988. In May 1999 she was inducted into the University of Toronto Sports Hall of Fame based on her athletic accomplishments. In 2004, she was inducted for a second time, but on this occasion, as a member of the 1985-86 Varsity Blues Basketball team that captured the OUA and CIS titles. That year, Orton was selected team MVP.
 
Making the transition to coaching in 1986, Coach Orton started her coaching career at Seneca College, before arriving at the University of Guelph. She was a member of the Ontario Junior Women's Provincial Team Coaching Staff from 1991-97 and the Head Coach of the National Junior Championships Gold Medalists, Team Ontario, in 1994, 1995 and 1996. In 1997, she coached Team Ontario to a Silver Medal at the Canada Summer Games. During the summer of 1999, Orton was the Head Coach of the Canadian National Student Team, which placed seventh at the World University Games in Spain and fourth at the Jones Cup International Basketball Tournament in Taiwan.
 
In addition to her coaching duties, Orton was an instrumental figure in the development and growth of Gryphon Athletics. She held the position of Manager of Intercollegiate Programs in the for over 20 years. In this capacity, she was responsible for managing all day-to-day operations of the Intercollegiate program, overseeing the budgets and scheduling of 30 intercollegiate programs, serving as a mentor and resource for other varsity coaches, ensuring that teams met league compliance requirements and oversaw the department's Student Athlete Code of Conduct. She also represented the University of Guelph at OUA (Ontario University Athletics) and CIS (Canadian Interuniversity Sport) meetings and served on committees to discuss sport policies and procedures, rule changes, regulations, and eligibility requirements for student athletes. Upon her retirement in 2018 she was highly respected as a mentor and trusted colleague within the OUA and U Sports and a trailblazer for Women in Sport within the Canadian sport landscape. 
 

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2024 Teams:
 
2004-05 Women's Basketball (OUA champions)
 
During the 2004-05 season, the Gryphons women's basketball team captured the 2nd OUA title in program history (with the only other conference banner coming during the 1979-80 campaign). Led by head coach Angela Orton, the Gryphons posted a 19-3 record in league play to finish in 1st-place in the OUA West Division. After convincing playoff wins over Laurier and Brock, the Gryphons earned the right to play the OUA final on their home court against the Ottawa Gee-Gees. In front of a sold-out crowd at the W.F. Mitchell Centre, the Gryphons would take down the defending champion Gee-Gees, 87-68, to clinch the program's first OUA title in 25 years. Four-time OUA All-Star, Steph Yallin, helped lead the way for the Gryphons, while OUA West First Team All-Star, Sharon Hollinshead, recorded 21 points on 7-of-10 shooting while adding 9 rebounds and 4 steals in the Gryphons OUA gold medal game victory over Ottawa.  
 

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1999-2002 Men's Cross Country (OUA & CIS champions)
 
The Gryphons men's cross country teams, from 1999 to 2002, enter the Hall of Fame after laying the foundation for what is now the most successful men's cross country program in the country. From 1999 to 2002, the Gryphons men's cross country program put together an incredible stretch, winning four consecutive national titles, with the 1999 title marking the Gryphons first national title in men's cross country in 30 years (with the 1969 season marking the Gryphons previous national title). Steve Bendo, Reid Coolsaet, Chris McLaren, Drew Graham, Taylor Murphy and Mark Vollmer were just a few of the names who played key roles in helping the Gryphons men's cross country program put together their remarkable streak of four consecutive U SPORTS titles. It would prove to be the beginning of one of the greatest dynasties in Canadian university sport, with the Gryphons men's cross country win in 1999 marking what would become the first of 14 national titles within the next 19 seasons.
 

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2011 Women's Rugby (OUA & CIS champions)
 
On November 6, 2011, the Guelph Gryphons women's rugby team captured the national title in school history, shutting out the reigning national champions, the St. Francis Xavier X-Women, in the gold-medal final of the 2011 CIS Women's Rugby Championships, hosted by Trent University. It marked the Gryphons first national title in women's rugby since 1998. The Gryphons went undefeated throughout the 2011 season, capturing a fourth straight OUA title with a 36-5 victory over McMaster, marking the 12th conference banner in school history. At nationals in Peterborough, the Gryphons earned a spot in the CIS gold medal match after victories over McMaster and Laval. In the gold medal final, the Gryphons received single tries from Mackenzie Higgs, Samantha Eyles, Brittany Sammut and Britt Benn, while Stephanie Tibelius converted all four tries, in a dominant 28-0 shutout over StFX. Morgan Linthwaite was named championship MVP, while Mary-Jane Kirby, Caitlin Beaton, Jacey Murphy and Britt Benn all joined Linthwaite on the list of tournament all-stars. Jacey Murphy was named national player of the year for a second consecutive season, while head coach Colette McAuley earned her first national title as head coach after having also served as an assistant coach on the Gryphons first national title-winning team in 1999.

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1961 & 1965 Men's Curling (OUA champions)
 
The early-to-mid 1960's represents the most successful era in program history for Gryphons men's curling. Two of the three conference titles in program history were secured during those years, with the University of Guelph men's curlers claiming provincial bragging rights in 1961 as well as in 1965. To date, the only other OUA title in U of G men's curling history came in 1980. 
 

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The Gryphon Hall of Fame began in 1984 when the Gryphon Club recognized the need to honour the many athletes and builders who had made outstanding contributions to Athletics at the University of Guelph. Candidates are considered on the basis of playing ability, sportsmanship, character and exemplification of the spirit and ideals of the University of Guelph. To date, 134 athletes, 40 builders and 29 teams have been elected to the Hall. Plaques of the athletes and builders bearing their pictures and highlighting their accomplishments are displayed in the Guelph Gryphons Athletics Centre at the University of Guelph.
   
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