Posted: May 14, 2020

2019 2020 ATHLETIC AWARD WINNERS

The Loyalist Lancers announced their award winners from the 2019-20 season in an online format due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Lancers annual athletic banquet was canceled, with all awards announced online via Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Both individual and team accomplishments from throughout the season were celebrated through videos from their respective coaches and athletic staff.

Male & Female Athlete of the Year

The Athlete of the Year Awards are given out to those respective student athletes who best exemplify athletic excellence at Loyalist College.

Female Athlete of the Year – Brittany Mason, Basketball

For the second straight season, Brittany Mason continued to tear up her competition by posting an impressive 16.3 points-per-game and adding a remarkable 9.3 rebounds-per-game. With her near double-double season average, Mason was named to the OCAA Women's Basketball East Division Second-Team All-Star squad. Playing in 16 games, and averaging nearly 34 minutes per game, Mason collected 1.3 steals per game and 2.1 assists per game. Mason's career game came against Centennial College, where she scored 36 points, grabbed 13 boards, with just playing 33 minutes. Throughout the season, Mason managed seven double-doubles, and 15 games with double-figures in scoring, including 13 games with a 10-point or more streak. Not only a star on the court, Mason balances a heavy academic workload in her second year of Registered Nursing while also working and volunteering her time around campus. Her leadership, positivity and wonderful personality will be missed in the fall as she finishes her Bachelors of Science in Nursing at Brock University.

Male Athlete of the Year Josh Roberts, Volleyball

Fourth-year senior Josh Roberts, was named an OCAA Men's Volleyball East Division Second-Team All-Star, finishing sixth in the conference in kills per set with 3.42 and a .416 hitting average while leading the team in each of the respective categories. He recorded a season-high 23 kills against the Canadore Panthers for an impressive .477 attack percentage on the game. He was also named a Lancer Athlete of the Week and was his team's MVP for the third consecutive season. An undersized player in a dominant position, Roberts proved himself to be one of the most effective, versatile & respected competitors in the division. His leadership and commitment to his personal and team development is second to none and has been a tremendous asset to not only his team, but the entire Loyalist College community.

Male & Female Rookies of the Year

The Rookie of the Year awards are presented to first-year students who have shown outstanding performance in their respective sport.

Female Rookie of the Year- Alyssa Prinzen, Soccer

Alyssa Prinzen made a huge impact in the OCAA from the first time she stepped on the soccer pitch for the Lancers. Prinzen appeared in all 9 league matches with the team where she proved to be a vocal leader and dominant force. Prinzen's abilities at both ends of the pitch makes her a multidimensional threat no matter where she is. She was was awarded the women's soccer Coaches Award and was a recipient of the Loyalist Lancer Academic Award of Excellence with her team. As strong academically as she is athletically, Prinzen portrays all the qualities of an outstanding student-athlete.

Male Rookie of the Year- Ebenezer Teklezgi, Basketball

Ebenezer Teklezgi is a star in the making in the OCAA. This year he was named to the OCAA Men's Basketball East Division All-Rookie Team after a breakout season with the Lancers. Teklezgi finished second on his team with 14.1 points-per-game, was effective from the floor with a 47.4 field goal percentage and recorded an impressive 63.9 free throw percentage from the line line. Teklezgi played every minute on the court with intensity, confidence and aptitude. As a rookie, he showed a highly intelligent insight on the game that is only rivaled by his impressive technical abilities. Off the court, Teklezgi is dedicated to his academics, incredibly personable and a terrific addition to the college community.

Award of Excellence

The Academic Award of Excellence is awarded to team with a combined average of 80% of higher. This year, two teams were awarded this honour. The women's volleyball team had an 81.25% average while the women's basketball team made it to to the top of the pack with an impressive 82.64%.

ACADEMIC ALL CANADIANS

The Academic All-Canadian award is the CCAA's most prestigious student-athlete honour. It epitomizes the foundations of the association by recognizing both commitment to academic success and athletic achievement. Honorees must attain academic honours (80%+) in addition to being named to their sport's respective All-Star Teams.

The Lancers have four recipients that have achieved Academic All-Canadian status in the 2019-20 season. This year's recipients are: two athletes from the Men's Volleyball team, Josh Roberts and Savino Marques. From the women's basketball team, third-year player, Brittany Mason and from the women's soccer team, a first-year athlete, Amy Vieira.

MAJOR AWARDS

Bob Young Award

The Bob Young Award is presented to a student-athlete for their Academic and Athletic Excellence. The first recipient is an elite female basketball player. In her graduating year competing as a Lancer, she led by example on and off the court, with an impressive average of 91.5%.

The second recipient made a huge impact on the men's volleyball team this year. He was selected to OCAA Men's Volleyball East Division Second-Team All-Star after finishing third in the OCAA in total assists with 563. He is a leader on the court and in the classroom, with an average of 86% in the paramedic program.

The winners of the Bob Young award are Piper Kehoe and Savino Marques.

Larry Cook Award

The Larry Cook Award is presented to student-athletes who best exemplify the values of fair play, integrity and commitment.

The first recipient is a dual-sport athlete who is incredibly skilled, hardworking and is wonderful young lady. The second recipient has been part of the cross-country team for two years at Loyalist and in her first year she won the OCAA Fair play award for her incredible determination. She never backs down and is always a joy to be around.

The Larry Cook Award Winners are Amy Vieira and Nicole Flynn.

Dave Butler Award

The Dave Butler award is presented to a student-athlete who through their enthusiasm and love of the game attracts others to participate. The first award recipient is a leader on his respective team and a very friendly individual. He is a terrific ambassador for the Lancers and is liked by all his peers and professors.

The second recipient is also a leader on her respective team and is very sociable individual. She works incredibly hard to balance her busy schedule. Not only does she excel on the field and in the classroom, she also brings a positive attitude in everything she does.

The Dave Butler Award winners are Akim Ruot and Cortney Wright-Mooney.

Greg Gavin Award

The Greg Gavin award is presented to a student athlete for their outstanding commitment and dedication to varsity athletics.

The first award recipient is a member of the women's soccer team and holds the highest average among all Lancers. She has been a Lancer for 3 years, is a talented team leader and is a dedicated staff member for the fitness centre.

The second recipient is a third-year Lancer who is graduating this year in the nursing program. She holds an impressive 80% average and is a force to be reckon with on the basketball court. When you combine her outstanding academics, her talents on the court and her natural leadership abilities, you get the epitome of a student-athlete.

The Greg Gavin Award winners is Taylor Wightman and Kate Raso.

Peter Williams Award

The Peter Williams award is presented to a student-athlete who has been selfless in their dedication to athletics, Loyalist College and the community. This year's award winners are a pair of dual-sport athletes who have worked tirelessly on their athletic ability, while maintaining high academic standards. They are always the first to jump on board for recruitment initiatives and have become two well-known faces around campus.

The first recipient is a second-year student in the nursing program who has proven to be a dynamic member of both the women's soccer team and the women's volleyball team. Not only is she a dual sport athlete in a tough program, she's a dedicated coach for a competitive youth soccer team.

The second recipient is the living embodiment of hard work who has shown tremendous improvement during her time at Loyalist. Also a dual-sport athlete, she's a contributing member of both the volleyball & soccer teams. Not only does she work hard while playing sports and in the classroom, she is committed to working with several local municipal groups to do her part in the community.

The Peter Williams award winners are Rachel Cole and Ashley MacDonald.

President's Award

The President's Award is presented to student-athletes who demonstrates a commitment to Loyalist College, not only through an outstanding balance of academics and athletics, but also by making a positive impact on the greater college community during their time as a student.

Both recipients of the President's Award are admirable leaders on and off the court. They have made a tremendous impact as Lancers during their time at Loyalist College. These two athletes not only lead their respective teams in various ways but have truly embedded themselves in every aspect of campus.

Regardless of what game is playing you would be hard pressed not to see both in attendance cheering on their fellow Lancers. They have evolved into tremendous leaders and we are so proud to see this development in them. Their commitment to their academics, their teams and to making Loyalist a better place during their graduating year is abundantly clear. Seeing these two wonderful individuals throughout the halls and in the gym will be deeply missed next year.

The President's Award winners are Lola Akindolire and Caleb Seguin.

LANCER TEAM AWARDS

Women's Soccer

MVP: Ashley MacDonald

Coaches Award: Alyssa Prinzen & Rachel Cole

Leadership Award: Ella Bannon & Amy Vieira

Women's Basketball

MVP: Kate Raso & Brittany Mason

Coaches Award: Sheanne Andres

Leadership Award: Andrea Salazar

Women's Volleyball

MVP: Paula Bailey