KAMLOOPS – Ten different awards were handed out and the TRU Athletics Hall of Fame welcomed one new athlete inductee Thursday night at the WolfPack Annual Awards Night.
Olivia Andulajevic of women's volleyball and
Jayden Stephens of men's basketball took home the centrepiece awards as the Sports Task Force Athletes of the Year.
Named the Canada West women's volleyball Libero of the Year, Andulajevic – a fourth-year libero from Victoria - was pivotal in leading women's volleyball to a first-ever trip to the U SPORTS National Championship. Finishing near the top of the conference in digs, she was also the top service reception libero in the conference as women's volleyball were ranked in the U SPORTS Top 10 throughout the entire season on their way to finishing top four in the conference and top eight in the nation.
Leading men's basketball to one of the best seasons in program history, Stephens excelled in his first season with the 'Pack. Originally from Montreal, Stephens finished sixth in the conference in scoring with over 17 points-per-game and was named a Canada West Second Team All-Star. Stephens powered the 'Pack to seven-straight wins to start the season and vaulted the team into the U SPORTS Top 10 rankings for the first time since 2016.
Allie Shiyuk of women's soccer and
Thomas Olsen of men's basketball earned the Cliff Neufeld Leadership Awards.
A true example of what it means to be a WolfPack student-athlete, Shiyuk has led by example for the entire department throughout her five years with the 'Pack. A five-time U SPORTS Academic All-Canadian, she is a team captain, a PACE Leader and also volunteers extensively in the community. Planning to pursue medical school, Shiyuk has played in over 50 games with the WolfPack.
A leader on the court, in the classroom and in the community,
Thomas Olsen earned the Canada West student-athlete community service award this past season. Olsen is a five-time U SPORTS Academic All-Canadian who volunteers with both Motionball and at the Royal Inland Hospital. The product of Surrey finishes his WolfPack career seventh in program history with 351 rebounds.
Standout University College of the Cariboo men's basketball alumnus Ryan Porter was inducted into the TRU Athletics Hall of Fame during the night. A story of perseverance and hard work Porter's journey saw him go from playing in the Kamloops men's league to red shirting with the Sun Demons to being named the CCAA Player of the Year in his final season with UCC. Throughout his five years with the Sun Demons, he helped the squad reach the CCAA National Championship tournament four times including capturing the first-ever BCAA Conference Championship in team history. In all, Porter and the Sun Demons won a conference Bronze medal, two conference Silver Medals as well as a conference Championship. Individually, Porter was a BCAA First-Team All-Star three times. A CCAA All-Canadian twice and his final year of playing was named the BCAA Men's Basketball Player of the Year as well as the BCAA Athlete of the Year across all sports. That same season Porter became the first player in program history to capture National Player of the Year honours.
Domenico Comita of men's soccer and
Libby Meldrum of women's volleyball earned the Dr. Roger H Barnsley Scholar-Athlete of the Year Awards.
A leader for his team and community, Kamloops local
Domenico Comita is a shining example of a complete student-athlete. A four-time U SPORTS Academic All-Canadian with a 4.17 GPA in Biology this past semester, he is a team captain and leader with the PACE Program.
Earning a 4.33 GPA, team captain Meldrum is a perennial U SPORTS Academic All-Canadian, as well as a standout on the court. The fourth-year setter led the entire nation in assists en route to being named a Canada West Second Team All-Star and powered the Pack to a first-ever berth to the U SPORTS National Championship.
Making an immediate impact for their teams
Cason Scott of men's basketball and
Floor Ursem of women's soccer claimed the Newcomer of the Year Awards.
Starting 10 conference games as a true freshman while averaging 11.1 points-per-game,
Cason Scott made an immediate impact for the 'Pack. The Kamloops local was named to the Canada West All-Rookie Team after helping TRU make the conference playoffs for the second-consecutive year.
Making 46 saves and earning four shutouts this season,
Floor Ursem was outstanding in her first season with the WolfPack. Coming to Kamloops from the Netherlands, Ursem was named to both the Canada West and U SPORTS All-Rookie teams, becoming just the second player in program history to make a national all-rookie squad.
Allie Shiyuk of women's soccer and
Mason Sodaro of men's volleyball were the recipients of the Director's Award. The Director's Award is presented annually to student-athletes who exhibit high character and represent TRU and the WolfPack with pride.
Both Shiyuk and Sodaro are completing their fifth and final years with TRU. They brought a maturity to the department and have been stabilizing forces for their teams. Both will be leaving a tremendous legacy at TRU when they graduate this semester
Angela Nordin was named the Appreciation Award winner. The Appreciation Award is not presented annually, and is only given out when there is an individual who goes above and beyond in terms of their service and dedication to the WolfPack. A manager for the women's soccer and member of our game night staff, is committed, reliable, and has become a key contributor to the department. The WolfPack are grateful for all that she does.
The event also celebrated Canada West and U SPORTS All-Stars/All-Canadians and award winners, along with graduating student-athletes who were also honoured at the celebration.
Major Award Winners:
Female Newcomer of the Year
Floor Ursem, women's soccer - Winner
Hailey Merrigan, women's basketball - Finalist
Male Newcomer of the Year
Cason Scott, men's basketball – Winner
Daniel Hitchens, men's volleyball – Finalist
Matheus Lucas, men's soccer – Finalist
Dr. Roger H Barnsley Male Scholar Athlete of the Year
Domenico Comita, men's soccer – Winner
Dami Farinloye, men's basketball – Finalist
Brandon Johnson, men's volleyball – Finalist
Carter Spencer, baseball - Finalist
Dr. Roger H Barnsley Female Scholar Athlete of the Year
Libby Meldrum, women's volleyball - Winner
Allie Shiyuk, women's soccer – Finalist
Olena Vasylenko, women's basketball – Finalist
Female Cliff Neufeld Leadership Award
Allie Shiyuk, women's soccer – Winner
Maria Banman, cheer – Finalist
Faith Christensen, women's volleyball – Finalist
Sydney Vollrath, women's basketball - Finalist
Male Cliff Neufeld Leadership Award winner
Thomas Olsen – Winner
Domenico Comita – Finalist
Mason Sodar – Finalist
Carter Spencer – Finalist
Director's Award winner
Mason Sodaro, men's volleyball – Winner
Allie Shiyuk, women's soccer – Winner
Appreciation Award
Angela Nordin - Winner
Sports Task Force Male Athlete of the Year
Jayden Stephens – Winner
Alex Howard – Finalist
Matheus Lucas – Finalist
Sports Task Force Female Athlete of the Year
Olivia Andulajevic – Winner
Morgan Eichenberger – Finalist
Esi Lufo - Finalist
