Trent University Honours Top Athletes at 42nd Annual Athletic Awards Ceremony
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Prestigious Arthur Cup Presented to Student Athletes
Kristine Boyles and Brent Holmes
Thursday, March 31, 2011, Peterborough
Trent University’s Department of Athletics and Recreation celebrated student athletic achievement at the 42nd annual Athletic Awards Ceremony, held in the Great Hall at Champlain College last night.
Varsity rugby player Kristine Boyles and Varsity rower Brent Holmes were awarded the Arthur Cup, the University’s most prestigious award for graduates who have demonstrated outstanding contribution, sportsmanship, participation, and leadership in the athletic programs.
Kristine (Krissy) Boyles, a Peterborough native, has been the captain of the Excalibur Women’s Rugby team for two years. Set to graduate from Trent this Spring with a degree in Biology, Krissy leaves the University as the Excalibur's all-time leading scorer and only All-Canadian – an honour she was been awarded twice. She has also twice been an OUA All-Star and the OUA Most Valuable Player once. She holds the Trent records for most points in a season with 27 and career with 78. For the last four seasons she has consistently ranked among the top kickers in all of Canadian University Rugby. Krissy’s coach, Craig Harris, describes her as “a fiery competitor whose bite is worse than her considerable bark.” He adds, “There will be other people playing "10" for Trent, but there will never be another Krissy Boyles.”
Brent Holmes is a prized member of the Trent University Rowing Club. As a Peterborough native, Brent started rowing in high school and went straight onto the varsity team when he arrived at Trent to study Philosophy and Economics. In 2010-11, Brent placed first in the men’s heavyweight single at the OUAs, the Head of the Rideau and the Brock Invitational. With the heavyweight varsity eight, he rowed to a first place finish at Head of the Rideau and a second place finish at Head of the Trent (off the first place team by less than a second). Brent has trained and competed at the national level and represented Canada in the Under 23 4+ in 2006 and at the 2007 PanAm Games in the 4- where he won a bronze medal. In 2008, he won gold in pairs at the nationals with partner Mark Basterfield. Off the water, Brent is also an avid volunteer and community contributor. In 2005 and 2006 he was elected president of the Trent University Rowing Club (TURC). Over the past season Brent was also a key participant in TURC Thanksgiving food drive and Christmas toy drive.
“Krissy and Brent have distinguished both Trent and themselves throughout their careers at the University,” said Director of Athletics Bill Byrick. “Both have worked hard, been supportive team members and contributed to improving the overall quality of our varsity program. These are outstanding athletes competing at the national and international level, who are always striving to improve. They are both outstanding individuals and we are proud of their achievements at Trent.”
Another prestigious award, the Gary Wolff Leadership Award, was presented to Khalil Ajram, a varsity rugby player from Newmarket, Ontario. 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. Khalil Ajram, a key member of the men’s varsity rugby team since 2008, will graduate from Trent this spring with a degree in Business Administration. As a team leader, Khalil has been in charge of the team’s finances and has organized major team events and fundraisers, including participation in the Movember campaign to support prostate cancer research. Under his leadership, the team raised $1,500 for the cause and Khalil was the top individual fundraiser. He is co-chair of the Trent Varsity Athletic Committee and varsity rep on the Athletics Advisory Committee. Most recently he helped chair this committee and aided in presenting the budget for the past academic year. In addition to all of these various roles, Khalil is also a mentor and tutor for many of his teammates, helping them succeed in balancing both academic and athletic demands.
The Varsity Community Betterment Award, a new award presented for only the second time, was presented to the Trent rowing team 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 TURC led several community projects with amazing results. Their Thanksgiving food drive, which set out to raise the equivalent of the men’s heavy eight team, exceeded the goal and raised over 2,260 pounds of non-perishable food items for Kawartha Food Share. A partnership with St. Mary’s Public School resulted in Christmas baskets filled with sweaters, toothbrushes, hats and mitts and more for over 30 families in need. The team also made a $250 donation to a Breastacular event supporting breast cancer research, in addition to an impressive $65,000 donation over five years to support the naming of the Carol Love Rowing/Paddling Tank.
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:
Jessica Clancy – Woodbridge, ON
Jessica Clancy is a shining star on the women’s volleyball team. Named an OCAA second team All Star this season, Jessica has a quiet confidence on the court that is showcased in her consistent game play and hard-working spirit. A versatile player, Jessica, who hails from Woodbridge, Ontario, is also described as one of the smartest members of the team, both on and off the court.
Candice Cook – Peterborough, ON
Candice Cook is known as one of the best coxswains with the Trent and Peterborough Rowing Clubs. As coxie of the heavyweight men’s eight, this Peterborough native led her team to an impressive season this year, with a first place finish at Head of the Rideau, and a second place finish at Head of the Trent, missing first by less than a second. She also coxied the PRC rowing club four to win Head of the Charles in Boston, the largest regatta in the world. In 2009-10, she led the men’s heavy four to an undefeated season, and captured OUA gold. Involved in campus rec, Candice also works part time at the AC and is a member of the TURC executive.
Ben Kinzett – Newmarket, Ontario
Ben Kinzett of Newmarket, Ontario has been playing with the Excalibur men’s volleyball team for the last five years – four of which he was ranked among the top ten in points for the OCAA. Named assistant captain this past season, Ben has been labelled the “robot” by his team members for being virtually unstoppable in blocks and kills. In 2009-10 he was named an OCAA second team All Star.
Brock Koczka – Peterborough, ON
Peterborough native Brock Kozka has played a key role on the men’s varsity lacrosse team since its inception. As the starting defence long pole, Brock’s greatest strengths are his stick skills and his ability to make good checks and force turnovers. He is a great team leader and is known for motivating his fellow teammates. In the off-season, Brock is also known for keeping his team together, building camaraderie and team spirit. Off the field, Brock is involved in a variety of campus rec teams, is a player rep for lacrosse and is a member of the competition committee. This season, he also led the team’s charity fundraiser car wash.
Hannah Lewis – Guelph, ON
A leader in the women’s lightweight rowing program, Hannah Lewis, originally from Guelph, stroked the lightweight eight and four. A rower for more than seven years, Hannah achieved a rare feat when she was selected to row on the varsity team in her first year as a Trent student. Known for being a committed athlete who also participates in various campus rec teams and activities, Hannah was recognized with the LEC campus rec participation award in 2009-10.
Joshua Neadow – Parham, ON
Captain of the men’s volleyball team, Joshua Neadow is recognized across the OCAA as one of the best liberos in the country. This season, the Parham, Ontario native led the league in total digs for the third straight year. Since 2008, Joshua has accumulated 626 total digs, much more than any other libero in Canada over three years. Off the court, he is also a known leader, helping to champion the team’s various fundraising agendas. In 2010, Joshua was awarded the Arthur Cup, the University’s most prestigious athletic award. A dedicated team member whose commitment level and work ethic are not easily matched, Joshua has been selected to travel to Quebec in May to try out for the junior national team to represent Canada at the World Volleyball Games in China.
Paul Nopper – Merrickville, ON
Paul Nopper, a Merrickville, Ontario native, has been a key member of the varsity men’s rugby team since 2007. Providing his team with weekly dinners before game day, Paul is known for being a true team player. A dedicated volunteer, Paul helped out with the CIS Women’s Rugby Championships, hosted by Trent in 2010 and also supports various high school tournaments held at the University. In 2009-10, he also volunteered for Peterborough Minor Hockey as an Atom hockey coach. He was vice-president of the men’s rugby club in 2010-11, after being treasurer in 2009-10. The same year, he was presented with the Golden Ball Award from his teammates in recognition of being the hardest working person behind the scenes of the team.
Brock O’Reilly – Barry’s Bay, ON
Brock O’Reilly is a dedicated member of the Trent Rowing Club. Rowing with the heavyweight men’s eight, Brock placed second at Head of the Trent and finished fourth at the OUA Championships, missing out on a third place finish by mere seconds. Bringing a positive attitude whatever team he is on, this Barry’s Bay, Ontario native is also a goalie for intramural soccer and led his indoor rec soccer team to a perfect season.
Christine Rivest – Belle River, ON
Christine Rivest is captain of the women’s sabre team and a key member of Trent’s varsity fencing team. Consistently placing in the top 10 at tournaments, this Belle River, Ontario native is known for always being first to arrive at practices and being the last to leave. She is a volunteer with the community Learn to Fence programs at the Trent Community Sport & Recreation Centre and captains an intramural hockey team.
Maija Robinson – Kimberley, ON
Only in her third-year at Trent, Maija Robinson is already a leader in the women’s rowing program. An Academic All Canadian, Maija, who is originally from Kimberley Ontario, won OUA bronze with the heavy women’s four. In 2010, she led a Thanksgiving Food Drive to raise the equivalent amount of food as the weight of the men’s heavyweight eight – a goal that was not only met but exceeded. In recognition of outstanding excellence in rowing, in her academics and in community leadership, Maija was honoured with a 2011 OUA Women of Influence Award.
Alexandra (Alex) Thompson – Peterborough, ON
As captain of the women’s volleyball team for three consecutive years, Alex Thompson is recognized as a standout player in the OCAA. Named All-Star of the Game at the annual All-Star Game at Humber College recently, Alex is ranked third in the OCAA for career aces. In 2009-10, she led the team in aces and kills and led the Excalibur to the OCAA championships for the first time – a feat that was duplicated again this year. Last year, Alex, who hails from Peterborough, was named winner of Trent’s prestigious Arthur Cup.
The following varsity athletes were honoured for outstanding commitment and dedication to their respective sports:
Cross Country Running -
Carrie VanHie (MVP), Alisa Craig, ON
Ian Boyce (MVP), Stratford, ON
Curling
Lana Shapton (MVP), Exeter, ON
Michael Bryson (MVP) , Pickering, ON
Fencing
Christine Rivest (MVP), Belle River, ON
Men’s Lacrosse
Kalvin Thomas (MVP), Peterborough, ON
Niall Caravello (Rookie of the Year), Orangeville, ON
Rowing
Cameron Munro, Peterborough, ON (Michael Cullen Award)
Grace Cullen (Rob de Jong Award), Peterborough, ON
Brent Holmes (Rob Marland Award), Peterborough, ON
Women’s Rugby
Whitney Black (MVP) , Belleville, ON
Danielle Julius-Williams (Rookie), Oshawa, ON
Men’s Rugby
Tim Rowe (MVP), Cobourg, ON
Josh Deckv (Rookie of the Year), Trenton, ON
Women’s Soccer
Brittany MacIntosh (MVP), St. Catharines, ON
Danielle Curti (Coaches Award), Richmond Hill, ON
Jennifer Powless (Coaches Award), Newtonville, ON
Men’s Soccer
Matthew Pontin (MVP), Pefferlaw, ON
Josip Bosnjak (Coaches Award), Pickering, ON
Swimming
Daniela Sheinin (MVP), Peterborough, ON
Mitchell Illes (MVP) , Peterborough, ON
Courtney Wood (Sophie Kingdon), Brockville, ON
Women’s Volleyball
Alex Thompson (MVP), Peterborough, ON
Hayley Hancock (Coaches Award), Barrie, ON
Men’s Volleyball
Ben Kinzett (MVP), Newmarket, ON
Joshua Neadow (Coaches Award), Parham, ON
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For more information, please contact:
Kathryn Verhulst-Rogers, Marketing & Communications Coordinator, Athletics & Recreation, Trent University, (705) 748-1011 x7258
