Thunderbirds collegiate athletes recognized for their dedication, talent and academic achievements
Algoma University and the Algoma University Thunderbird Varsity Athletic Department recognized the hard work, dedication, talent, and academic achievement of their student-athletes during the 2022-23 Varsity Athletics Banquet recently held in the Grand Garden.
This year, the university presented two outstanding Thunderbirds with the Athlete of the Year award, the university said in a news release.
The first winner of the female athlete of the year award was Faith Holmes, from the women’s soccer program.
The first female soccer player to win the award, she played 1,170 minutes.
Holmes’s coaches said he “made numerous tackles per game, denying opponents clear scoring opportunities.”
As a leader, he helped change the nature of the program, portraying what it means to be a high-performance athlete: putting in extra hours, maintaining your academic integrity, and being a role model to new players on the team.
Holmes is also a dual athlete, participating in cross-country this season as well.
The next athlete to be honored with the Athlete of the Year award is Kyle Price of the men’s wrestling team.
As of January, Price went 3-0 and took home a gold medal in the 100kg from the Broke Open, as well as gold from the Western Open.
Price’s undefeated season definitely set him up for the OUA Championship at McMaster, where he ultimately finished the tournament by winning gold.
He then capped off his season with a bronze at the USSports Championships.
The Algoma University Student Union (AUSU) unveiled a new award to highlight a student athlete who not only demonstrates a leadership role in sports, but also shines as a shining example of character and leadership in their everyday lives. .
The “AUSU Exemplary Student Athlete Award, Celebrating the Example of Timothy Van Weerden” will now be presented annually in honor of this year’s men’s soccer captain and AUSU president, Tim Van Weerden.
Algoma University inducted the 2007/08 men’s basketball team into the Thunderbird Wall of Fame this year.
The team finished fourth in the OCAA West Region with a record of 11 and 7, making them the first team to qualify for the OCAA Men’s Basketball Playoffs.
The team’s playoff run included defeating the Loyalist College Lancers in the playoff qualifier, the Centennial College Colts in the quarterfinals, and the St. Lawrence Vikings in the semifinals.
In the OCAA men’s basketball final, the team lost to top seed Sheridan to win the silver medal, a first for Algoma U.
Viron Phillips was a West Region First Team All-Star and Robbie Green was a West Region Second Team All-Star. The team consisted of the following players and coaches: Peter Chapman, Robbie Green, Andy Hyder, Patrick Murray, Andrew Turgeon, Ryan Vetri, Igor Vukovic, Zach Wright, James Dusingwire, Wyron Phillips, Garnet Corey (manager), Winston Ivey ( assistant coach) and Thomas Corey (head coach).
“Tonight was a great night where we were able to celebrate the many accomplishments of our student-athletes, coaches, and support staff,” said Dave Trudel, director of student life and support services.
“We congratulate all of our award winners and thank everyone who participated in or supported the Thunderbird varsity athletic program this year. We look forward to seeing what our Thunderbirds do next year.”
The following prizes were also awarded:
U SPORTS Canadian Academic Awards for 2021-2022
Alison Reid–WBB
Bethany Balaxis – WBB
Devin Miron–MBP
Mercedes Mazzuca – WBB
Pedro De La Paz – MBP
Qeila Mbonihankuye–WBB
Roman Nero – MPB
Amber Dunbar – WSOCC
Eloise Mark Wallace – WSOCC
Ethan Mendes de Franca–MSOCC
Faith Holmes–WSOCC
Jenna Crombie–WSOCC
Katie Nippard – WSOCC
Nippard League–WSOCC
Maria DiMelo – WSOCC
Megan Chandler–WSOCC
Taylor Barker–MSOCC
Tim Van Weerden–MSOCC
Carina Cognini – XC
Emily Duchesne–WWRES
Brenna Hamilton – WCURL
Hunter Schumacher–MCURL
OUA All Academic Award 2021/2022
Roman Nero: men’s basketball
Rhea Donnelly: Women’s Basketball
Tim van Weerden: men’s soccer
Nippard League: Women’s Soccer
Gabriel Martinak: Men’s Wrestling
Mel Morrish: women’s wrestling
Jordan Bryant: Men’s Nordic Skiing
Brianna Marshall: Women’s Nordic Skiing
Jordan Bryant: Men’s Cross Country Running
Faith Holmes: Women’s Cross Country
Hunter Schumacher: men’s curling
Brenna Hamilton: Women’s Curling
Dr. Lukenda Thunderbird Service Award
Kayla Mponihangue
AUSU’s Exemplary Student-Athlete Award celebrates the example of Timothy Van Weerden
Tim Van Weerden
women’s basketball
Coach Award – Kayla Fong
Much Improved – Mercedes Mazzuka
Best Defensive Player – Kayla Fong
Rookie of the Year – Brooke Kruhn
MVP – Bethany Pelaxis
men’s basketball
Trainer Award – Steven Kapongo
Much Better – Shawn Cher-enfant
Best Defensive Player – Devin Miron
Rookie of the Year – Johan Germain
Most Valuable Player – Devin Miron
cross country running
Coaches Award: Faith Holmes and Jordan Bryant
Rookies of the Year – Avery Cooper and Mark Jobst
Much Improved – Bilal Khoja
Most Valuable Player – Avery Cooper
female curling
Coach’s Award – Nicole Costello
Rookie of the Year – Abe Engel
Most Valuable Player – Brenna Hamilton
male curling
Rookie of the Year – Josh Bondok
Most Valuable Player – Hunter Schumacher
Nordic Ski
Coach’s Award – Nick Gorzunski
Rookie of the Year: Jordan Bryant and Brianna Marshall
Most Valuable Player – Mark Jobst
Women’s Football
Coach’s Award – Eloise Mark Wallace
Captain’s Award – Megan Chandler
Best Defensive Player – Faith Holmes
Rookie of the Year – Makayla Downs
Most Valuable Player – Faith Holmes
men’s soccer
Coach Award – Tim van Weerden
Captain’s Award – Thierry Naseka
Best Defensive Player – Ethan Mendes de Branca
Rookie of the Year – Josh Bondok
Most Valuable Player – Hiroki Wada
women’s wrestling
Coach’s Award – Emily Duchesne
Most Improved – Mel Morrish
Rookie of the Year – Kira Pg
MOW – Lila Fraser
male wrestling
Coach Award – Harish Kashi
Rookie of the Year – Cape Martinique
MOW – Kyle Price
Thunderbird Award (for graduating student-athletes)
Faith Holmes – women’s soccer and cross country running
Jenna Crombie – Women’s Soccer
Megan Chandler – Women’s Soccer
Katie Nippard – Women’s Soccer
Nippard League – Women’s Soccer
María DiMelo – Women’s Soccer
Sabrina Ade – Women’s Soccer
Samuel Akingbehin – Men’s Soccer
Lofo-John Kitoko – Men’s Soccer
Dean Amir Khan – Men’s Soccer
Harish Kashi – Men’s Wrestling
Emily Duchesne – Women’s Wrestling
Peter De La Paz – Men’s Basketball
Olajuwon Oyekoke – Men’s Basketball
Devin Miron – Men’s Basketball
Carly Fraccalanza – Women’s Basketball
Hunter Schumacher – Men’s Curling
Brenna Hamilton – Women’s Curling
Taylor Elliott – Women’s Curling
Nicole Costello – Women’s Curling
Nicholas Gorzunsky – Nordic Skiing
Karina Cognini – Nordic Skiing and Cross Country Running
