Trent University Student-Athletes Honoured in Return to Athletics Awards Banquet
/Trent University celebrated its return to athletics with the 53rd annual Athletics Awards held at the Trent Athletics Centre on Thursday night.
Photo courtesy of Trent University.
“Coming together in-person for the 53rd Trent Excalibur Awards gives us an opportunity to celebrate the return to sport this year, highlight the accomplishments of our varsity student-athletes and coaches and recognize all their hard work in representing the Trent Excalibur,” said Dr. Leo Groarke, Trent president and vice-chancellor.
Varsity student-athletes Victoria Clark (women’s lacrosse) and Alex Zajac (men’s rugby) were awarded the Arthur Cup, the University’s most prestigious award for students who demonstrated outstanding contribution, sportsmanship, participation and leadership in athletics programs according to Trent.
Clark spent four seasons with the Trent Excalibur lacrosse team. The Biomedical Science student was a member of two-time OUA champion women’s lacrosse teams in 2019 and 2021 and earned a bronze medal in 2018. She has been named Rookie of the Year, a recipient of two OUA All-Star awards and served as team captain in her final two seasons.
Zajac was named captain in the final year of his rugby tenure. He was the team’s Rookie of the Year in 2018 and played a key role in the men’s 2019 OUA Bronze medal game.
“This year, Trent Athletics has seen the continued dedication, resilience, and unity of the One Excalibur student-athletes, coaches, and staff,” said Deborah Bright-Brundle, Trent Athletics and Recreation director. “We are celebrating not only the award recipients and achievements from this past season but we also commemorate the perseverance and growth of the One Excalibur family through this past season.”
Brooke Driscoll of varsity women’s volleyball was awarded the Gary Wolff Leadership award, presented each year to a student-athlete who has demonstrated determination and leadership through balancing sport, community involvement and academic performance.
Driscoll was on the women’s volleyball team for the past five seasons, serving as the co-captain during the 2021-22 season. Brooke’s commitment to the sport was recognized by the OUA this past season, presented with the Award of Merit.
The archaeology student was also awarded the Academic All-Canadian Award in each of their years at Trent and now working on their Masters.
Women’s Rugby student-athlete, Alexa Vanderhorst received the Community Betterment Award. During her four years with the Excalibur, Vanderhorst was the community liaison for Trent Rugby in 2021, Trent Rugby’s fast and female ambassador in 2019, a volunteer firefighter with Asphodel-Norwood Fire Department and a member of Trent University Durham’s PLCW Care Student group (helping those who are less fortunate through food and clothing drives).
She was also named the OUA Russel Division All-Star this season. As a student-athlete, she uses her platform and knowledge of sport to continue to help younger athletes as a volunteer figure skating coach and wrestling coach.
There were 119 Trent Excalibur student-athletes were acknowledged for achieving academic honours by maintaining an 80 per cent or higher average while playing in their respective varsity sport.
The following student-athletes were honoured with the University Athletic Award, presented to students who have demonstrated a significant contribution to the varsity and campus recreation programs:
Amanda MacCarthy (Women’s Rugby)
Caleigh McMillan (Women’s Rugby)
Genna Saunders (Women’s Volleyball)
Taylor Bryan (Rowing)
Rosalyn Shepherd (Rowing)
Sofia Cutulle (Rowing)
Gabrielle Gillet (Fencing)
Jacob McPhee (Men’s Soccer)
Curtis Romanchych (Men’s Lacrosse)
Emily VanDamme (Women’s Lacrosse)
Violet Hipkin (Women’s Soccer)
The following varsity student-athletes were also honoured for outstanding commitment and dedication to their respective sports:
Rowing
Rosalyn Shepherd (Chris Leach Award)
Tim Leubke & Sofia Cutulle (Rob DeJong Award)
Michael Caryk (Rob Maryland Award)
Men’s Curling
Enrique Ascaso (Rookie of the Year)
Matthew Mayede (Coach’s Award)
Evan Roitz (Most Valuable Player)
Women’s Curling
Leslie Inglis (Rookie of the Year)
Paige Ballantyne (Coach’s Award)
Brooke Ramsay (Most Valuable Player)
Men’s Lacrosse
Jack MacAlpine (Rookie of the Year)
Mac Rahn (Coach’s Award)
Curtis Romanchych (Most Valuable Player)
Women’s Lacrosse
Natalie Fournier (Rookie of the Year)
Cassidy Assinck (Coach’s Award)
Emily VanDamme (Most Valuable Player)
Men’s Rugby
Caleb Hickey (Rookie of the Year)
Grayson Tucker (Coach’s Award)
Will Hoffmann (Most Valuable Player)
Women’s Rugby
Maddie Reid (Rookie of the Year)
Jess Malcolm & Amanda MacCarthy (Coach’s Award)
Caleigh McMillan & Lily Stewart (Most Valuable Player)
Men’s Soccer
Ainsley Bryan (Rookie of the Year)
Jacob McPhee (Coach’s Award)
Boluwatife Oluwaseyi (Most Valuable Player)
Women’s Soccer
Madison Walter (Rookie of the Year)
Violet Hipkin & Eilidh Major (Coach’s Award)
Alexis Wilson & Alyssa Nikkel (Most Valuable Player)
Men’s Volleyball
Nic Badalato (Rookie of the Year)
Bryson Meadus (Coach’s Award)
Ryan Austin (Most Valuable Player)
Women’s Volleyball
Taya Knier (Rookie of the Year)
Brooke Driscoll (Coach’s Award)
Genna Saunders (Most Valuable Player)
Men’s Cross Country
Owen May (Rookie of the Year)
Eric Samtleben (Coach’s Award)
Nathan O’Keeffe (Most Valuable Player)
Women’s Cross Country
Amberle MacDonald (Rookie of the Year)
Madison Hammel (Coach’s Award)
Jaime Bullas (Most Valuable Player)
Fencing
Sydney Lutz (Rookie of the Year)
Gabriel Gillett (Coach’s Award)
Bradley Jung (Most Valuable Player)
Golf
Karsen Gunter (Rookie of the Year)
Mark Clarey (Coach’s Award)
Joshua Staleri (Most Valuable Player)
