Trent University’s department of Athletics and Recreation celebrated student athletic achievement at the 48th annual Athletic Awards Ceremony, held in the gymnasium at the Trent Athletics Centre on Tuesday night.

Varsity athletes Leah Ogilvie, an Anthropology and Sociology student, and Griffin Williams, an Environmental Science student, were awarded the Arthur Cup, the University’s most prestigious award for graduating students who have demonstrated outstanding contribution, sportsmanship, participation, and leadership in the athletic programs.

“The Arthur Cup award recognizes our most well-rounded student-athletes, factoring in athletic performances alongside contributions off the field, in the community, and their achievements academically,” said Deborah Bright-Brundle, director of Athletics & Recreation at Trent University. “Both Leah and Griffin are exceptional student athletes and leaders, and we are so proud of everything they have done to support their teams, Trent Athletics and the community as a whole.”

Leah Ogilvie, a Peterborough native who plays for the Excalibur women’s lacrosse program is recognized as a leader on the team. She developed into the top offensive player on the team and in the university league in her rookie year; being the only first year player to be named to the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) all-star team. During her second-year, Ms. Ogilvie was chosen by her teammates to take on the role of team captain, and again she was honoured as being one of three offensive players to be on the OUA all-star team. One of Ms. Ogilvie’s most noteworthy achievements is her repetitive OUA offensive player of the year award in both 2015 and 2016, making her the first player to repeat the award in league history. Ms. Ogilvie was also named the first Trent University athlete to win an OUA league award in women’s field lacrosse. By her fourth season on the team, Ms. Ogilvie had been on the OUA all-star team four years in a row. While accomplishing all these incredible goals, Ms. Ogilvie has also volunteered much of her time mentoring with Big Brothers Big Sisters. With hopes of becoming a teacher, Ms. Ogilvie spends large amounts of her time volunteering as an educational assistant at a local school, as well as coaching in the local house league team. Without Ms. Ogilvie’s dedication and incredible talent, the women’s lacrosse program would not be what it is today as she led her teammates in scoring five goals during their final OUA championship game, allowing them to win the OUA gold medal.

Griffin Williams, who is originally from London Ontario, was the heart of his team as he led the Excalibur men’s volleyball team through their inaugural OUA season. Throughout his time with the team, Mr. Williams has still managed to volunteer his efforts towards assisting the men’s volleyball fundraising successes and held a position on the Varsity Supports Varsity Committee. During his rookie year he was proudly chosen for Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) men’s volleyball all-rookie team. Mr. Williams managed to balance his second-year on the men’s volleyball team with volunteering his time as a Lady Eaton College orientation week leader and campus recreation basketball league coordinator and referee. Mr. Williams last two years at Trent University cannot go unrecognized as he has spent much of his time giving back to both the school and the local community. He was named Trent men’s volleyball MVP in his third year and was nominated as team captain for his final year on the team. Along with this, he was awarded OCAA All-Academic Award for his dedication on the court and in the classroom. Mr. Williams generously gives his time back to the community; in his third-year he laid the groundwork for the Mini-Excalibur outreach program which has the men’s volleyball team volunteer promoting healthy and active living through sport at local elementary schools. The following year Mr. Williams volunteered his time towards the Special Olympics Ontario event held at Trent, and hosted local club volleyball practices. Mr. Williams’ outgoing personality and wonderful charisma has given him the opportunity to proudly represent Trent University at numerous events such as the President’s Excalibur Golf Tournament, the annual athletic banquet, and the Ontario University Fair. Mr. Williams has been a leader on and off the court, as his kind-heartedness and dedication has been an inspiration for both athletes and all Trent University students.

Varsity rowing athlete Abigail Adair was awarded the prestigious Gary Wolff Leadership Award, presented each year to a student athlete who has demonstrated determination and leadership through balancing sport, community involvement, and academic performance. This award was established by the Trent University Alumni Association in June 2002 to commemorate the service of Gary Wolff, chair of the Board of Governors from 1997 to 2002. Ms. Adair has been an active leader on and off the water for Trent Rowing throughout her career. While Ms. Adair has held the role of Trent University Rowing Club President for the 2016-2017 year, she has also managed to lead the planning process for the Trent beer garden for Head of the Trent, and volunteers her time as a youth development coach. Ms. Adair generously gives back to the community; in 2015 she organized Row 4 Heart, a fundraiser for the Heart & Stroke foundation, and is the voice of student rowers at Trent University. Ms. Adair has managed to maintain a balance with rowing and in her Math and Chemistry double major with concurrent education while positively impacting the Trent community. She continues to be an inspirational leader to female athletes and students, as she was named one of Trent University Rowing Club’s (TURC) athletes’ most valuable leaders; even awarding her the TURC “Classy Lady” award.

This year Trent Athletics is also pleased to announce Men’s Rugby as the recipient of the Community Betterment Award. What sets Men’s Rugby apart this year is the commitment demonstrated by many members of the team in their community involvement efforts. The Men’s team proved their leadership abilities by organizing and completing the Rotary Trail clean up in October, organized Movember fundraising efforts alongside Trent Rowing, and also helped in athletic youth development by running regional wide winter clinics and preparing the Ontario U-18 boys rugby team for their national championship in Kingston set to happen this month.

In addition, the following students were honoured with the University Athletic Award, presented to third and fourth-year students who have demonstrated a significant contribution to the varsity, and campus recreation programs:

• Monique Sheehan – Women’s Volleyball
• Claire Lapum – Women’s Rowing
• Abigail Adair – Women’s Rowing
• James Dyer – Men’s Rowing
• Katie Stefopulos – Women’s Rowing
• Andrew Stewart-Jones – Men’s Rowing
• Anders Fish – Men’s Rowing
• Jessica Lenters – Women’s Rowing
• Noemi Marcoux – Women’s Rowing
• Brandi Riggs – Women’s Soccer
• Reginald McLean – Men’s Volleyball
• Nathan Koopman – Men’s Volleyball
• Griffin Williams – Men’s Volleyball

The following varsity athletes were also honoured for outstanding commitment and dedication to their respective sports:

• Men’s Soccer
  • MVP - Aaron Chia
  • Coaches Award – Carl DeAbreu
• Women’s Soccer
  • MVP - Abigail Hubble
  • Coaches Award- Alexandra Fracz
  • Rookie of the Year- Krysta Southwell
• Women’s Rugby
  • MVP (Co) - Jessica Hercus, Carlie Moloney
  • Rookie of the year- Jordan Semark
• Men’s Rugby
  • MVP – Nathan Hawkins
  • Rookie of the Year – Blake Reid
• Women’s Volleyball
  • MVP – Camile Garzon
  • Coaches Award – Carley Gougeon
• Men’s Volleyball
  • MVP – Griffin Williams
  • Coaches Award – Nathan Koopman
• Rowing
  • Rob Marland Award – James Dyer, Alex Watson, Trevor Jones, Graham Peeters, Matt Seaby, Andrew Stewart-Jones
  • Rob DeJong Award (pursuit of excellence) – Alex Watson
  • Michael Cullen Award – Abigail Adair
  • Bubba Lougheed Award – Larry Beattie, Scott Bishop, Ashley Holmes, Terry Kelly, Kate Klarer, Marissa Kump, Jack Lapum, Matt Lapum, Mike Maddock, Mike Nevills
• Women’s Lacrosse
  • MVP - Alexandra Ogilvie
  • Rookie of the Year – Leah Michel
• Men’s Lacrosse
  • MVP – Danny Michel
  • Rookie of the Year – Cam Garlin
• Cross Country
  • Women’s MVP – Sarah Law
  • Men’s MVP – Josh Hill
• Curling
  • MVP – Men’s – Dillon Muldoon
  • MVP – Women’s – Sarah Daviau
• Golf
  • MVP – Matthew O’Neill
• Fencing
  • MVP (Co) – Jordan Kortko, Evan McDonnell
  • Rookie of the Year – Ashley Hodgson