Trent University’s Department of Athletics and Recreation celebrated student athletic achievement at the 44th annual Athletic Awards Ceremony, held in the Great Hall at Champlain College on March 26, 2013.

Varsity women’s rower Nichola Bendle and varsity men’s rugby player Graham Abbott 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 varsity athletic program.

As one of Trent’s top female rowers, Nichola Bendle’s (Uxbridge, Ontario) athletic prowess is exceeded only by her skills as a role model and leader both on and off the water. Currently in her fourth and final year at Trent, Nichola has made her mark on the varsity rowing program, collecting many medals along the way, including: gold in the women’s double at the 2012 Royal Canadian Henley Regatta, women’s double silver at the 2012 OUA Championships and Head of the Trent Regatta, and bronze at the 2011 and 2010 OUA Championships with the women’s eight and the women’s four respectively. In 2011, she also won bronze at the Canadian Indoor Rowing Championships. Always eager to be involved, Nichola has been a key member of the Trent University Rowing Club Executive serving first as social coordinator where she spearheaded the creation of a new mentorship program between varsity and novice athletes to promote integration and respect within the club, and most recently as president, providing leadership on a number of events, including the annual Head of the Trent Regatta. Throughout her time at Trent, she has also been involved with campus recreation intramurals, playing both volleyball and ultimate Frisbee. In addition to all of these activities, she has also maintained a high grade point average, earning the title of Academic All-Canadian several years running. In recognition of all of her accomplishments, Nichola was named an OUA Champion for Life in 2013.

Captain of the men’s varsity rugby team for three years running, 2012/13 Arthur Cup recipient Graham Abbott (Consecon, Ontario) is known for his leadership as well as his commitment to his team and to the sport of rugby. Since taking over the team in 2010, Graham has led the men’s rugby team to their best seasons to date in the OCAA, earning two division championship titles and two medals – bronze in 2011/12 and silver in 2012/13. In 2011/12 he was named MVP for the team. In addition to his role in the varsity program, Graham is also an enthusiastic participant in campus recreation as a member of the men’s extramural hockey team. In 2011/12 he also started the successful Trent St. Patty’s Day 7s Rugby Tournament. Graham is also a devoted volunteer, helping out with team Movember campaigns, as well as non-team events including recent national rugby and lacrosse championships hosted by the University.

“Nichola Bendle and Graham Abbott have contributed much to the Trent University varsity program. They have demonstrated themselves as strong leaders, motivating teammates through their actions and their personal effort, providing encouragement to others, and bringing their respective teams together in a quest for excellence while supporting coaches and the Athletic Department,” said Bill Byrick, Director of Athletics at Trent. “This effort goes beyond their athletic success with their respective academics success. They lead by example in an enthusiastic, positive, and effective way. Nichola and Graham are role models for our Trent Excalibur varsity program. We are very proud to have them as leaders at Trent and have no doubt they will become future leaders in society in the coming years.”

Another prestigious award, the Gary Wolff Leadership Award, was presented to Broderick Robinson (Pickering, Ontario), captain of the men’s varsity cross-country running team. The award is 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. Broderick has been captain of the cross-country team since 2010. He also serves on several committees, including the Otonabee College cabinet, the Athletics Advisory Committee, and the Varsity Supports Varsity committee. Broderick is also an avid participant in campus recreation, playing outdoor competitive soccer, innertube ultimate Frisbee and innertube water polo. His role in campus rec has extended to convener and in 2012-13, Broderick was named head convener. Broderick (aka Swayze) is also a much-loved Trent Summer Sports Camp counselor.

The Varsity Community Betterment Award, a new award presented for only the fourth time, was presented to the Trent varsity rowing teams in recognition of significant community contributions and active involvement towards the betterment of social, economical, and/or environmental issues within Peterborough. Over the past season, the Trent Rowing team once again led a successful Thanksgiving food drive, collecting an impressive 2,282 pounds of food for Kawartha FoodShare and far surpassing their goal to raise 1,631 pounds of non-perishables, the equivalent weight of the men’s heavy eight crew.

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:

Brett Foster – Peterborough, Ont.
Brett is a key member of the rowing team, Brett has achieved a great deal of success on the water as a coach and has the drive to help Trent’s rowing programs reach the top of the provincial and national rowing scene. His novice crews placed third and fourth out of 22 boats at this year’s OUA finals. He is actively involved with the Trent University Rowing Club, and in that capacity has helped organize and run numerous events such as Head of the Trent.

Brittany Douglas – Port Hope, Ont.
Brittany has been a Trent varsity athlete for five years. She was captain of the women’s rugby team this year, leading by example on the field. During her time as a varsity athlete Brittany has played representative rugby at provincial level, which included winning a gold medal with the Ontario Rugby squad at the national championships.

David Mungham – Newmarket, Ont.
David Mungham has been an integral member of the Trent Varsity Rowing program. He came into this season after winning Henley Gold in the heavy Men’s 4x and Men’s 2x. David has shown a true commitment to varsity sports, after breaking him arm in September and being unable to row despite trying to get his cast shaped to accommodate an oar handle. David was also key in supporting the junior varsity rowing program.  

Michael Bryson – Lakefield, Ont.
Mike was the skip of the men’s varsity curling team and led his team to a silver medal at this year’s OUA provincial championships, which earned the team a berth in the CIS national championships in Kamloops, BC. Mike is also active in the community as a member of the Learn to Curl program at the Peterborough Curling Club.

Owen Kane – Peterborough, Ont.
In his time as a varsity rower at Trent Owen has been successful both on the water and in the classroom as an Academic All-Canadian. He has been a part of winning boats since arriving at Trent. On campus, Owen has spread the name of Trent rowing, Trent varsity and Trent athletics.

Rory Lepage – Whitefish, Ont.
Rory has been an integral part of the varsity rowing program as both a leader and a mentor to new varsity athletes. Rory entered this season as a Canadian Club Champion in the men’s 4x at Henley. Rory is dedicated to his academics which he has received several scholarships and is an Academic All Canadian. Rory is also involved in local high school coaching as well as the extramural hockey team.

Sara Rettie – Newmarket, Ont.
Sara has been involved with varsity sport and recreation at Trent in numerous ways including being a key member of the varsity women’s volleyball team, helping her squad to the OCAA championship tournament in four straight seasons. As well as being a member of the Trent JDCC sports team. She also holds a position with the Trent Varsity Supports Varsity group.

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

Cross Country Running    
Monica Farlow (MVP) – Peterborough, ON
Broderick Robinson (MVP) – Pickering, ON        

Curling                
Lana Shapton (MVP) – Exeter, ON
Michael Bryson (MVP) – Lakefield, ON

Fencing            
Joe MacDonald –Peterborough, ON    

Men’s Golf                
Jake Shaughnessy (MVP) – Peterborough, ON

Men’s Lacrosse        
Clarke Robinson (MVP) – Simcoe, ON
Riley Campbell (Rookie of the Year) – Bridgenorth, ON
            
Rowing                
Rory Lepage (Michael Cullen Award) – Whitefish, ON
Nichola Bendle (Rob de Jong Award) – Uxbridge, ON
Rebecca Webber (Rob de Jong) – Oshawa, ON        
    
Women’s Rugby        
Kaitlin Newton (MVP) – Port Hope, ON
Allison Barbalinardo (Rookie of the Year) – Aurora, ON

Men’s Rugby            
Steve Lebrun (MVP) – Ottawa, ON
Kevin Blunck (Rookie of the Year) – Peterborough, ON

Women’s Soccer        
Brittany Foerster (MVP) – Whitby, ON
Samantha Mandarano (Rookie of the Year) – Peterborough, ON
Kristine Boyles (Coaches Award) – Peterborough, ON

Men’s Soccer            
Matt Henchey (MVP) – Pickering, ON
Chris Bascelli (Coaches Award) – Ottawa, ON
    
Swimming            
Anita Vieu-Robson (MVP & Sophie Kingdon) – London, UK
Adrian Forsythe (MVP) – Fallsbrook, ON
                
Women’s Volleyball        
Rebecca van Staalduinen (MVP) – Peterborough, ON
Sam Belsey (Coaches Award) – Norwood, ON

Men’s Volleyball        
Christian Zimmer (MVP) – Ingleside, ON
Leith Perron (Coaches Award) – Sarnia, ON