" We've got a lot to celebrate," states Ken Olynyk, the TRU Athletic Director. "From teams going to Nationals, a Bronze medal in CIS volleyball to individual honours. It's been a great year."
Aside from team honours, there are six major honours to be dished out. Five people are up for Male Athlete of the Year. Badminton's Garrett Babichuk was a medal winner at Nationals, Baseball player Alex Ponich was a stalwart in the outfield, Kamar Burke of Mens Basketball was constantly among his teams top scorers and rebounders. They are up against soccer's Alan Connors and Robin Schoebel of Mens Volleyball Fame. Connors was instrumental in his team winning the Provincial title and a shot at the Nationals. Shoebel was a second team Canada West Allstar and helped his team go to the CIS Championships where they captured a bronze medal.
There are only three women going for female athlete of the year: Kaitlyn Widsten enjoyed a great first year with the Womens Basketball team. She'll battle Shannen Meyer, who was an All Canadian in Womens Soccer. Richelle Walton is being recognized for her leadership role with the WolfPack Womens Volleyball team.
Balancing athletics and school and being successful at both is quite and achievement. Nominees for Mens Scholar Athlete are Brent Hall from Volleyball, Baseball's Mike Tomlinson, Brendon Arduini of Badminton fame, Soccer co-captain James Byra and Basketball's co-captain Brian Smith.
Whitney Makenny of Badminton, Stine Christainsen of Volleyball, Basketball's Alix Stupich, Cari Sutcliffe from Womens Soccer are up for Female Scholar Athlete.
The other major awards are the Sports Task Force Athletes of the year. Nominees combine leadership, athletic contributions and an academic G.P.A. of 3.0 or more. . Andy Chu of Badminton, Basketball's Brian Smith, Torrie Watters of Baseball, Martin Korsbak of Volleyball and Kyle Bowman of Soccer vye for the mens award. Shantelle Cooper of Soccer, Sara Cameron from Basketball and Laura Plouffe from Volleyball are up for the female honor.