GUELPH, Ont. – Throughout the 2026-27 season, the University of Guelph Department of Athletics will be highlighting various members from our Gryphon varsity programs as part of our 'Gryph's Locker Athletes of the Week, presented by POWERADE' series.
Halle Woodcock (women's rugby) and
Heath Barnett-Ritcey (men's rugby) have been named 'Gryphon Athlete of the Week' for the period covering of November 2 to 8, 2026.
Halle Woodcock (Women's Rugby)
This week's 'Gryphon Athlete of the Week' is
Halle Woodcock of the women's rugby team. Woodcock is a fifth-year human kinetics major from Trenton, ON a crucial member of the Gryphons in her scrum-half position. Woodcock helped lead the Gryphons to a 4th-place finish at the 2026 U SPORTS Women's Rugby Championships in Guelph this past weekend. Halle is as durable as they come, playing in almost every minute of all three of her team's matches this week at nationals for the Gryphs. Woodcock's tremendous week for the Gryphons saw her named a Tournament All-Star at the 2026 U SPORTS Women's Rugby Championships. Halle's outstanding 2026 season for Guelph saw her named a U SPORTS First Team All-Canadian and OUA First Team All-Star, helping her team to a perfect 6-0 record in the regular season and an OUA silver medal.
Heath Barnett-Ritcey (Men's Rugby)
A big time performance from third-year back row player
Heath Barnett-Ritcey of the men's rugby team sees him earn this week's 'Gryphon Athlete of the Week' honours. Barnett-Ritcey, the biomedical engineering major from Calgary, was a key contributor, scoring a try in the Gryphons 50-7 win over the Western Mustangs in the 2026 OUA Championship game on Saturday night (Nov. 7) earning 'Man of the Match' honours. Heath was involved in a high number of plays on both sides of the ball in the title game and was dominant with his carries and tackling throughout the night. His commited and physical style of play helped lead the Gryphons to a sixth straight OUA banner. Barnett-Ritcey, who transferred to the University of Guelph from Mount Royal in Calgary three years ago, put together a fantastic 2026 season for the Gryphons which saw him named an OUA Second Team All-Star. Barnett-Ritcey and the Gryphons men's rugby team are off this week before they make their way to Langley, BC for the 2026 Canadian University Men's Rugby Championship where they look to win back-to-back McTavish Cups.
2026-27 Gryphon Athletes of the Week
| Name |
Sport |
Date |
| Halle Woodcock |
Women's Rugby |
Nov. 2-8, 2026 |
| Heath Barnett-Ritcey |
Men's Rugby |
Nov. 2-8, 2026 |
| Ella Cahill |
Women's Soccer |
Oct. 26-Nov. 1, 2026 |
| Jack Lehto |
Men's Cross Country |
Oct. 26-Nov. 1, 2026 |
| Katie Kimens |
Women's Soccer |
Oct. 19-25, 2026 |
| Ambrose Tinmouth |
Men's Soccer |
Oct. 19-25, 2026 |
| Ela Jones |
Women's Golf |
Oct. 12-18, 2026 |
| Andreas Diogenous |
Men's Golf |
Oct. 12-18, 2026 |
| Sophie Pomeroy |
Field Hockey |
Oct. 5-11, 2026 |
| Josh Henry |
Men's Rugby |
Oct. 5-11, 2026 |
| Isabella Trepanier |
Women's Soccer |
Sept. 28-Oct. 4, 2026 |
| Robbie Baxter |
Men's Lacrosse |
Sept. 28-Oct. 4, 2026 |
| Rachel McConvey |
Women's Lacrosse |
Sept. 21-27, 2026 |
| Jack Lehto |
Men's Cross Country |
Sept. 21-27, 2026 |
| Madeline Di Girolamo |
Women's Rugby |
Sept. 14-20, 2026 |
| Alistair Yeomans |
Men's Rugby |
Sept. 14-20, 2026 |
| Jacqueline Giles |
Women's Golf |
Sept. 7-13, 2026 |
| Will Drewery |
Men's Golf |
Sept. 7-13, 2026 |
| Addy Holmes |
Women's Rugby |
Aug. 31-Sept. 6, 2026 |
| Daniel Meron |
Baseball |
Aug. 31-Sept. 6, 2026 |
| Olivia Rizakos |
Women's Soccer |
Aug. 24-30, 2026 |
| Ambrose Tinmouth |
Men's Soccer |
Aug. 24-30, 2026 |
