Lakehead University Orillia honoured its top athletes at a banquet Friday night at Hawk Ridge Golf and Country Club.
Women’s basketball star Gia Spiropulos was awarded the female athlete of the year, earning one of the campus' top two honours.
Spiropulos is in her first year at Lakehead, pursuing her Masters of Education.
When Spiropulos arrived on campus in Orillia, the women’s basketball program was in danger of folding due to a lack of coaches. When Spiropulos heard that news, she stepped up to the plate and offered to be the new head coach.
Spiropulos recruited enough players to put a team on the court and even made her return to the court after playing previously with Queen’s University in Kingston. Her leadership as a player/coach is credited with saving the program.
After accepting her award, Spiropulos said it was a special first year with the Thunderwolves.
“It’s the first year in a while that we’ve had a team here, so, number one, I’m thankful we were able to play," said the Belleville native.
“To play with this great group of girls was exciting, and then to be recognized for both my coaching and player role is really special," she added.
Elana Weber, the Student Wellness and Athletics Coordinator at Lakehead, said Spiropulos an exceptional athlete.
“I’ve never heard more motivation from anyone on a court than I do with Gia," said Weber.
Spiropulos said she is excited to watch the women’s basketball program grow in the years to come.
The male athlete of the year was awarded to multi-sport athlete Ryan Rodger, who is in his fifth year at Lakehead in the Faculty of Education.
Rodger was a member of the varsity golf team this year and was also a key contributor for the men’s hockey team that won the Georgian College Super League Championship last month.
Like Spiropulos, Rodger was also recognized for the leadership qualities he brings; he was named one of the three team captains at the beginning of the season.
The highlight of Rodger’s year was notching an assist on the first goal of the Georgian College Super League Championship game, and later raising the trophy above his head while he skated on the Barrie Molson Centre ice surface, alongside his teammates.
“That’s the best group of guys I’ve ever played hockey with," said Rodger, who is from Orillia. “Maybe not so far as skill-wise, but they are just the best guys and now some of my lifelong friends.”
While recognizing Rodger for his success, Weber expressed her admiration for his personality and leadership qualities.
“Ryan is more about the personality of an athlete; He has something that we wish was in more of our athletes," said Weber.
Rodger not only participated in varsity sports but also extramural sports, campus recreation activities and was a leader in the development program.
“He’s the most positive role model in the sense of his enjoyment of being an athlete,” Weber added.
The other athletes who were acknowledged Friday night are as follows:
- Women’s Basketball Rookie of the Year - Chelsea Wopnford
- Women’s Basketball MVP - Rebecca Alize-Minty
- Men’s Basketball Rookie of the Year - Samson Kennedy-Bissah
- Men’s Basketball MVP - Connor Garrison
- Women’s Hockey Rookie of the Year - Aimee Tindale
- Women’s Hockey MVP - Melani Moylan
- Men’s Hockey Rookie of the Year - Jonathan Corkery
- Men’s Hockey MVP - Colton Stone
- Golf Rookie of the Year - Jake Akan
- Golf MVP - Jeremy Ruth
- Women’s Soccer Rookie of the Year – Ally Morris
- Women’s Soccer MVP – Madison Leigh
- Men’s Soccer Rookie of the Year – Shane Tonkonog
- Men’s Soccer MVP – Maximillian Hayes
- Dance Rookie of the Year – Kali Wintermute
- Dance MVP – Kresson Taylor
- Equestrian team – Tori Beauchem, Sophia Varga and Jill Widdfield
