On Wednesday night, UPEI Athletics and Recreation celebrated their 43rd year by recognizing their student athletes at the annual UPEI Panthers Athletic Awards ceremony held in the W.A. Murphy Student Centre. The Alumni Athletes of the Year Awards went to swimmer Janet Gamble and men's basketball star Manock Lual.
Gamble being out of the CIS for some time, came into the 2011-12 season with high expectations for herself, and she did not disappoint. Winning four AUS medals, breaking numerous UPEI and AUS records, and making the 'A' finals at the CIS Championships in times faster than she swam during her Olympic career.
Manock Lual had an outstanding career with the basketball Panthers. He ended the season as the second top scorer for the team, and fifth overall top scorer of the AUS league. He currently sits 16th in the AUS history books for scoring, and topped off the season strong, being named an AUS 1st team All Star.
The UPEI Rookie of the Year awards went to hockey rookies Laura Bradley and Mavric Parks.
The J.T Mickey Place Awards were also presented this evening to student athletes who have made a contribution to student leadership on their team and on campus. John Thomas 'Mickey' Place was connected not only with Athletics at UPEI, but with all aspects of campus life. He believed in fair play and that through respect for one's opponent, an athlete could gain the ultimate respect for themselves. This award is provided by the Student Union in his memory. The winners from each team include:
Men's Basketball Terrence Brown
Women's Basketball Julia McKenna
Field Hockey Leanne Doiron
Men's Hockey Jordan Knox
Women's Hockey Amber Gaudette
Women's Rugby Shannon Moore
Women's Soccer Kayla Balderson
Men's Soccer Colby O'Donnell
Swimming Genevieve Cormier
The teams then took to the stage one at a time to celebrate and recognize their teammates and top athletes. Panther Sport would like to thank Pepsi Bottling Company for providing the coach awards and Source for Sports for the MVP awards. Listed below are the winners from each team:
MVP Rookie Coach Award
W-Soccer Andrea Archibald Meaghan Malcolm Kim Brown
M-Soccer Dillon Wight Marc Pineau Jared Murphy
Field Hockey Kathryn Hay Jaclyn Sanderson Lacey MacLauchlan
W-Rugby Kaitlin Richard Payson Saunders Jalessa Villard
W-Basketball Amy Gough Katie Donahoe Danielle MacDonald
M-Basketball Manock Lual Donathan Moss Jonathan Cooper
Swimming Janet Gamble Kerri-Ann Allan Suzanne Nicholson
Eric Beaton Patrick Gauthier
M-Hockey Jared Gomes Mavric Parks Matt Boyle
W-Hockey Kristy Dobson Laura Bradley Alicia Betts
The Gordon & Muriel Bennett Award presented by Muriel Bennett, is given to a student (male of female) who, over four years, best combined athletic achievement and academic excellence. Field Hockey player, Kathryn Hay, was this year's recipient.
The W.A. Ledwell Award goes to a student athlete who has demonstrated outstanding athletic ability in the intercollegiate program, academic excellence, and also demonstrates the qualities of leadership, sportsmanship and citizenship. Sara Stewart of the women's soccer team earned this award along with the James Bayer Nomination.
One of the evening highlights was the presentation of the Passion for Life Award, given in memory of Rene Ayangma, a former UPEI Soccer player. All nominees were on stage for the presentation and the award winner was Colby O'Donnell, Men's Soccer, for his true passion for life and commitment to raising funds for the first annual Battle of the Jocks fundraiser which was held recently and raised close to $5,000. This is the only award in which the athletes themselves raise the money, nominate their fellow teammates, and vote on the winner.
2011-12 Nominees for Passion for Life:
Leanne Doiron
Mike MacIsaac
Danielle McDonald
Amber Gaudette
Colby O'Donnell
Chanelle Roy
Genevieve Cormier
Rickyle Beals
Shannon Moore
For Information:
Lynn Boudreau
UPEI Athletics & Recreation
Communications & Events
T: (902) 566-0991
