Trent University’s department of Athletics and Recreation celebrated student athletic achievement at the 50th annual Athletic Awards Ceremony, held at the Trent Athletics Centre on March 18, 2019.

Varsity student-athletes Lauren Temperley (Women’s Rowing & Rugby) and Nick Finlay (Men’s Lacrosse) were awarded the Arthur Cup, the University’s most prestigious award for graduating students who have demonstrated outstanding contribution, sportsmanship, participation, and leadership in athletic programs.

“The Arthur Cup is Trent Athletics most prestigious award, which honours our most well rounded student athletes. The recipients of this award excel on the playing field, in the community, and achieve academic success,” said Deborah Bright-Brundle, director of Athletics and Recreation. “This year’s recipients are no exception. Both Lauren and Nick are exemplary representatives of Trent Athletics and we would like to thank them for proudly representing the ‘Green and White’ in their respective sports, academic, and community endeavors.”

Ms. Temperley (Dundas, ON) of the Women’s Rowing and Rugby teams is a rare two-sport varsity student-athlete. The Biology student is recognized as one of the top athletes in both programs, providing great leadership in and out of sport. In Ms. Temperley’s first three years at Trent, she was a strong contributing member of the Varsity Rowing team. Each year Ms. Temperley competed at Canadian University Rowing Championships, including a sixth place result in 2017/18. Ms. Temperley was also part of the 1 million meter world record group, putting in over 65km, the only female to do so.

In 2018/19, Ms. Temperley sought out a new challenge, and turned her attention to the Rugby pitch. Ms. Temperley had an immediate impact due to her strength and athleticism, playing multiple positions for the team. Ms. Temperley was recognized as the most improved player at season’s end, as her determination ensured she improved every practice, every game, and all season.

In addition to her athletic accomplishments, Ms. Temperley has also demonstrated leadership and dedication to varsity athletics as a volunteer annually at the Head of the Trent Regatta, an orientation week athletics and wellness leader, an orientation week athletic co-chair, as well as positions as varsity event staff and sales desk staff at the Athletics Centre.

Mr. Finlay (Ottawa, ON) spent four and a half years at Trent studying Psychology. Mr. Finlay played a crucial role throughout his time with the Excalibur in driving the Men’s Lacrosse program to be a perennial contender in Canadian University Field Lacrosse. Over the course of his four years with the Excalibur, Mr. Finlay has been part of leading the team from rebuilding to reloading year after year. His responsibility defensively has played a huge roll in that team transition, but he has not been shy to get on the score sheet, putting up over 70 points in his Trent career. Mr. Finlay was a crucial part of the team making it to three consecutive Baggataway Cup National Championship tournaments, including a tremendous run to the finals in 2016.

Mr. Finlay has also always been involved in other athletic ventures on campus as well. He worked at the Athletics Centre for three years, participated in numerous campus recreation programs, coached and officiated with Nationwide Lacrosse and the Peterborough Minor Lacrosse Association. Mr. Finlay’s contributions have also shaped how the Men’s Excalibur lacrosse team and his fellow lacrosse student-athletes grow as well. He began playing Junior A lacrosse with the Peterborough Lakers, and was then drafted to the Arena Lacrosse League (A.L.L.), which paved the way for dozens of current and future Trent players to be drafted to and play in the A.L.L. In 2018, Mr. Finlay was able to fulfill a dream when he was drafted and started his professional career with the Saskatchewan Rush of the National Lacrosse League.

Varsity Men’s Rugby student-athlete Mohamed Yusuf (Peterborough, ON) 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. Mr. Yusuf has been an active leader on and off the field for the Trent Rugby team throughout his career. Mr. Yusuf’s humble work ethic, intensity and supportive character bring great leadership to the program. In a career that has seen Mr. Yusuf be recognized as a team captain, an OUA All-Star, and train with professional club Toronto Arrows and the Team Ontario Blues, he has always carried himself with tremendous modesty. When not training and competing in rugby, Mr. Yusuf is often giving back by organizing trail cleanups, running team events, giving time at the Warming Room, and refereeing local junior and high school rugby games. On campus, Mr. Yusuf has held multiple positions with the Trent Athletics Centre, Trent varsity event staff, and Trent Excalibur Camp, as well as being guest speaker at the President’s Excalibur Golf Tournament in 2018.

This year Trent Athletics is also pleased to announce Matthew Melo (Keswick, ON) and the Cross-Country and Women’s Curling teams as the recipients of the Community Betterment Award. Mr. Melo, a Cross Country student-athlete and captain has championed the establishment and growth of the Student-Athlete Mental Health Initiative chapter at Trent over the past three years. Using his own story and life experiences, Mr. Melo has brought awareness to the unique challenges posed to student-athletes, and worked to end stigma surrounding mental health in sport. Mr. Melo’s efforts have encouraged further participation and community involvement from student athletes, and has shown leadership and dedication to the sport of cross-country, the program, and the community of Peterborough.

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

* Austin Cairns – Men’s Lacrosse
* Jeff Fernandes – Men’s Lacrosse
* Nick Finlay – Men’s Lacrosse
* Lexis Hill – Women’s Lacrosse
* Nick Karam – Men’s Lacrosse
* Jonny Leclerc – Men’s Lacrosse
* Thomas Martin – Men’s Volleyball
* Matthew Melo – Men’s Cross Country
* Riley Peat – Women’s Soccer
* Adam Perroni – Men’s Lacrosse
* Emily Rhind – Women’s Soccer
* Ethan Schott – Men’s Lacrosse
* Lauren Temperley – Women’s Rowing & Rugby
* Mohamed Yusuf – Men’s Rugby

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

Fencing

Justin Matthews (Men’s MVP)
Ashley Hodgson (Women’s MVP)
Stephanie Olson (Rookie of the Year)

Golf

Zac Howard (MVP)

Cross Country

Sean Ibbott (Men’s MVP)
Keely Clements-Dodds (Women’s MVP)

Curling  

Caleb Clawson (Men’s MVP)
Mikayla Mundy (Women’s MVP)

Men’s Lacrosse

Nick Chaykowsky (MVP)
Curtis Conley (Rookie of the Year)

Women’s Lacrosse

Leah Michel (MVP)
Victoria Clarke (Rookie of the Year)

Rowing

Jordan Hamilton & Hailey Guertin (Michael Cullen Award)
Dan Bullock & Grace VandenBroek (Rob de Jong Award)
Spencer Kielar (Rob Marland Award)

Men’s Rugby

Charles Oulton (MVP)
Alex Zajac (Rookie of the Year)

Women’s Rugby

Maddy Howells (MVP)
Rosa Aiello (Rookie of the Year)

Men’s Soccer

Aaron Chia (MVP)
David Attah-Ogbole (Coaches)

Women’s Soccer

Tori Chia (MVP)
Emma Twohey (Co-Rookie of the Year)
Violet Hipkin (Co-Rookie of the Year)
Abigail Hubble (Coaches)

Men’s Volleyball

Matthew Bergin (MVP)
Thomas Martin (Coaches)

Women’s Volleyball

Camile Garzon (Co-MVP)
Carley Gougeon (Co-MVP)
Jill Barr (Coaches)