KAMLOOPS – In this edition of our Top 20 moments in the first 20 years of the WolfPack, we are celebrating one of the greatest seasons in the history of the 'Pack.
The 2015-16 season saw Iuliia Pakhomenko put together the most successful individual athletic performance by a WolfPack student-athlete in the 20-year history of the 'Pack. In just her second year with TRU, Pakhomenko collected close to every individual honour she was eligible for, including being named:
- Canada West First-Team All-Star
- Canada West Player of the Year
- CIS First Team All-Canadian
- CIS Player of the Year
The 5-foot-11 left side led the country in kills per set (4.67), total kills (425), points per set (5.5), total points (496.5) and service aces (50), while also leading her team with a .212 hitting percentage. With an astounding 1,009 total attacks in 24 matches, she was the most active hitter in the nation in conference play.
Thanks in large part to her stellar play, Thompson Rivers improved from a 10-14 mark a year ago to 12-12 this season in league action, good for a playoff spot. The WolfPack were coming off back-to-back 0-22 campaigns before the MBA graduate joined the team.
To top it off, Pakhomenko was named the Canada West nominee for the prestigious national BLG awards (now the Lois and Doug Mitchell U SPORTS Athlete of the Year awards), which ranked her as one of the top four female student-athletes in the country across all sports. This nomination marked the first – and only – time a TRU student-athlete has been nominated for this award.
The 2005-2006 season was a significant one for our institution as we transitioned from the University College of the Cariboo to Thompson Rivers University. In March 2005, Thompson Rivers University was officially incorporated under the Thompson Rivers University Act setting our institution on a new path. The year also marked the first time any of our varsity sports – basketball and volleyball – moved from the college ranks to the highest level of university sport in our country - the CIS (now U SPORTS). Fall 2005 also marked the re-brand from the Sun Demons to the WolfPack.
These milestones were made possible by the support, vision and leadership of then President, Dr. Roger Barnsley alongside Vice President Cliff Neufeld; while athletic director, Ken Olynyk, was tasked with beginning the transition of TRU's athletic teams to the CIS. It is also important to note the contributions from the City of Kamloops.
As the WolfPack embark upon our 20th season, we are proud to reflect on and acknowledge 20 incredible moments over the past 20 years. While there were many moments to choose from, a committee of alumni and staff voted on the top 20 moments that we are excited to share with you throughout the season.
