LANCER SCHOLARS CELEBRATED
Loyalist College honoured 39 of its best and brightest varsity athletes Thursday at the annual Athletic Scholarship award luncheon. The awards totalled over $40,000.
22 of the recipients boast an 80+ average while 5 have already been named OCAA League All Stars in their respective sport. This impressive group of scholars hold a collective 81% average and represent 24 different programs across the college campus.
Athletic Director, Jim Buck started the event off by welcoming athletes, coaches and honoured guests, Executive Director of Student Life & Leadership, Fred Pollitt and College President, Dr. Ann Marie Vaughan.
"This is without a doubt one of the biggest group of scholars we've ever had. The talent level in this room, both on the playing field and in the classroom is exceptional. In my 30+ years as Athletic Director, I don't ever remember having as many student athletes with such high marks. It's truly remarkable and you should all be as proud of your accomplishments as I am."
Two members of the cross-country team attended to accept their awards. First year runner Bobby Buck (Belleville, ON) and Sarah Law (Barrie, ON) both had impressive seasons culminating in a trip to the CCAA National Championships in November.
Six members of the Lancers women's rugby 7s team were among the award winners. They included OCAA All Stars Rachelle Malette (Belleville, ON) and Bailey Meraw (Belleville, ON) along with teammates Kierstyn Bennett, Eva Keyzers (Cavan, ON), Hanna Fitzgerald (Trenton, ON) and dual sport athlete Rachel Streekstra (Toledo, ON).
Streekstra, who is also a member of the women's volleyball team, feels a tremendous amount of pride after receiving her scholarship. "This scholarship and the recognition this school has given me is an absolute honour. I have represented teams and schools at a high level but Loyalist has truly taught me to be humble, hardworking and selfless. I am a dual sport athlete and that takes up quite a lot of time. Some days are long and going to a double practice after classes seems like a lot but the support of the school has kept me going." Finding a healthy balance between academics and athletics has been a crucial piece of Streekstra's success this semester. "Before college, it was easy for me to loose myself in sports and forget the school aspect. However, balancing schoolwork and remembering why I came to Loyalist was so important to this year. This is why I am a Lancer through and through."
Also from the women's volleyball team were Lorraine Spellman (Halifax, NS), Jillian Hoftyzer (Stratford, ON), Geneva Bloemen (Toronto, ON), Raven Maracle (Tyendinaga, ON) and Hannah Dossett (Kingston, ON).
Five men's volleyball players received scholarships at the lunch. Josh Roberts (Conception Bay, Nfld) Jeremy Driedger (Ajax, ON), Alex Cox (Carleton Place, ON), Caleb Seguin (Pickering, ON) and Trevor Fortier (Brockville, ON) were on hand to accept their accolades.
Josh Archer (Etobicoke, ON), Jordan Bauer (Breslau, ON), OCAA All Star Nate Hoban (Newcastle, ON), Cameron Manzara (Trenton, ON) & Ryan McDougall (Belleville, ON) were the recipients from the men's rugby team.
Four players on the women's basketball team earned scholarships: Brittany Mason, of Ottawa Ont; Kate Raso of Welland Ont; Piper Kehoe, of Belleville; and Taylor Blair, of Belleville.
Their counterparts on the men's basketball team – Chris Asomani (North York, ON); Angelo Sarsonas (Toronto, ON); Akim Ruot (Windsor, ON), Raymond Yeung (Richmond Hill, ON) and Williamson Dorelien (Hamilton, ON) were awarded scholarships. Their teammate Jaden White, of White Fish Bay, Ont., received the Scott Reid Memorial Award. The annual award is given to a men's basketball player who demonstrates a positive attitude, leadership, and eagerness to learn. Reid played on the Lancers' basketball team from 1991 to 1994. He died in 2001 of brain cancer.
In women's soccer, scholarship recipients are: Natasha Mathieu, of Belleville, Taylor Wightman, of Belleville, Rachel Cole, of Cobourg, Emily Osmond, of Trenton and Ella Bannon, of Belleville.