The Lakehead Orillia Thunderwolves didn’t let the cancellation of the annual Athletic Awards Banquet stop them from celebrating a successful 2019-2020 athletics season.
On Friday, March 27, the Thunderwolves handed out awards to student athletes during a virtual banquet.
“This isn’t the way that we wanted the season to end, but it was important for us to celebrate the accomplishments of our athletes with their teammates and peers,” explained Sarah Batley, Student Athletics and Wellness Coordinator. “Thank you for the incredible spirit and passion you have shown, this year, for your sport. And a special thanks to our graduating athletes. Congratulations to everyone, in particular our award winners.”
Hannah Clark (women’s basketball) and Chris Bettencourt (varsity men’s indoor soccer) were named 2019-2020 Athletes of the Year.
Clark, a Master of Education student, helped lead the women’s basketball team to three championships. This year, she stepped up to mentor and welcome new players into the Thunderwolves family, and committed to making the new on-court partnership with the Georgian Grizzlies a success.
Bettencourt, a fourth-year Business Administration student, will leave the program on solid footing. For four years, Bettencourt led the varsity men’s indoor soccer team with dedication, charisma and hard work. As team captain, he took an active role in supporting the first-year players and ensuring that they adapted to the program and the collegiate level of play.
The new Principal’s Award for Leadership in Athletics and Recreation was presented to Gia Spiropoulos (women’s basketball) and Peter Scholtes (men’s basketball).
Both Spiropoulos and Scholtes stepped up to take on player-coach roles for their respective teams in their first year with the Thunderwolves. Neither of these student-athletes needed to take on the role of coach, adding to their already demanding academic programs, but they both did so in order to allow their teammates to continue playing.
Another major award winner was varsity golfer Lucas Chiarot who received the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) All-Academic Award. The OCAA All-Academic Award is presented to full-time student athletes who also meet honours academic standards at Lakehead University.
Awards were also presented to top student athletes in each of the University’s sports teams: varsity golf, equestrian, men’s and women’s hockey, dance, men’s and women’s varsity indoor soccer, and men’s and women’s basketball. Most valuable player and rookie of the year were announced and presented by the team coaches, who were also recognized and thanked by the University.
A complete list of award winners from the evening can be found below as well as on our website www.orilliathunderwolves.ca
Athletes of the Year
- Hannah Clark – Women’s Basketball
- Chris Bettencourt – Varsity Men’s Indoor Soccer
Principal’s Award for Athletics in Leadership and Recreation
- Gia Spiropoulos – Women’s Basketball
- Peter Scholtes – Men’s Basketball
TEAM AWARDS
Men’s Basketball
- MVP: Kurtis Page
- Leadership Award: Brett Tomlinson
Women’s Basketball
- MVP: Breanna Shaw
- Rookie of the Year: Avery Williams
Dance
- MVP: Lauren Oke
- Most Dedicated: Elizabeth Reynolds
Equestrian
- MVP: Jill Widdifield
- Rookie of the Year: Meaghan Welch
Varsity Golf
- MVP: Josh Brown
- Rookie of the Year: Alex Castanheiro
Men’s Hockey
- MVP: Santino Tonigussi
- Rookie of the Year: Kyle Kopko
Women’s Hockey
- MVP: Jordan Bolzon
- Rookie of the Year: Fairyn Bannerman
Men’s Varsity Indoor Soccer
- MVP: Chris Bettencourt
- Rookie of the Year: Connor Chowen
Women’s Varsity Indoor Soccer
- MVP: Ally Morris
- Rookie of the Year: Grace Heywood
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