Florida Atlantic University Athletics
Ostrander Earns 2023 Iron Owl
1/11/2024 12:40:00 PM | Baseball
BOCA RATON, Fla. – For the second time in three years, Florida Atlantic senior pitcher Braden Ostrander has won the program's annual Iron Owl competition. The Melbourne, Fla. native also won in 2021 making him the third student-athlete in program history to become a two-time winner.
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The Iron Owl award is a competition that debuted prior to the 2008 preseason. The goal is the encouragement of team camaraderie, while at the same time making sure each individual player understands what it is like to compete on a daily basis. It is the program's aim that each player reaches their highest potential in the classroom, on the field and in the weight room. The award identifies the strongest Owl baseball player – both mentally and physically. In addition to team and individual competitions off the field, each player's GPA from the fall semester is also factored in.
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"Braden does it again. For the second time in his career he has won the Iron Owl. He was the best in the on-field events and then his academic success solidified the title. I'm proud of him. He missed most of last year's competition with an injury but he's coming roaring back. Congratulations to him, well done and well deserved."
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This year's competition began on November 13 and concluded the 17th. Events included a race to the top of a five-floor parking garage, knockout basketball, a football passing relay and field goal kicking competition, a 600-yard shuttle run, weight room circuit, water polo tournament, accuracy golf, and finally a gauntlet obstacle course.
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Results were unofficial until all fall grades were finalized. In addition to winning the individual competition, Ostrander also captained the gray team to the top of the team standings (Brando Leroux, Dylan Oborne, Phoenix Medina, Joey Slattery, Daulton Frank).
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Top 3 Individual
Florida Atlantic baseball opens its 2024 regular season on February 16 at Vanderbilt. The home opener is scheduled for Feb. 23 vs. Towson with first pitch set for 6:30 p.m. Season tickets are on sale now. Single-game tickets will go on sale Feb. 2.
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The Iron Owl award is a competition that debuted prior to the 2008 preseason. The goal is the encouragement of team camaraderie, while at the same time making sure each individual player understands what it is like to compete on a daily basis. It is the program's aim that each player reaches their highest potential in the classroom, on the field and in the weight room. The award identifies the strongest Owl baseball player – both mentally and physically. In addition to team and individual competitions off the field, each player's GPA from the fall semester is also factored in.
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Head coach John McCormack"Braden does it again. For the second time in his career he has won the Iron Owl. He was the best in the on-field events and then his academic success solidified the title. I'm proud of him. He missed most of last year's competition with an injury but he's coming roaring back. Congratulations to him, well done and well deserved."
Â
This year's competition began on November 13 and concluded the 17th. Events included a race to the top of a five-floor parking garage, knockout basketball, a football passing relay and field goal kicking competition, a 600-yard shuttle run, weight room circuit, water polo tournament, accuracy golf, and finally a gauntlet obstacle course.
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Results were unofficial until all fall grades were finalized. In addition to winning the individual competition, Ostrander also captained the gray team to the top of the team standings (Brando Leroux, Dylan Oborne, Phoenix Medina, Joey Slattery, Daulton Frank).
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Top 3 Individual
Past Iron Owl Winners
| Year       | Position | Individual |
| Fall 2007 | RHP | Lou Morey |
| Fall 2008 | RHP | Lou Morey |
| Fall 2009 | OF | Alex Hudak |
| Fall 2010 | LHP | Ahmed Garcia |
| Fall 2011 | RHP | Kevin Alexander |
| Fall 2012 | RHP | Kevin Alexander |
| Fall 2013 | RHP | Cody Mizelle |
| Fall 2014 | RHP | Seth McGarry |
| Fall 2015 | OF | Billy Endris |
| Fall 2016 | RHP | Austin Kirksey |
| Fall 2017 | OF | Cody Wilson |
| Fall 2018 | OF | Bobby Morgensen |
| Fall 2019 | OF | Jackson Wenstrom |
| Fall 2020 | INF | Wilfredo Alvarez |
| Fall 2021 | RHP | Braden Ostrander |
| Fall 2022Â Â | INFÂ Â | Jackson Ross |
| Fall 2023 | RHP | Braden Ostrander |
Florida Atlantic baseball opens its 2024 regular season on February 16 at Vanderbilt. The home opener is scheduled for Feb. 23 vs. Towson with first pitch set for 6:30 p.m. Season tickets are on sale now. Single-game tickets will go on sale Feb. 2.
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