THUNDER BAY – SPORTS – Lakehead Athletics unveiled its annual honours on Thursday evening at the 2011-12 Lakehead Athletics Awards Banquet, held in the Agora. Emma Brightwell (wrestling) and Greg Carter (basketball) were named as Female and Male Athletes of the Year. Brightwell went undefeated all season as was crowned national champion of the 82 kg division. Greg Carter led his team to a record best regular season (20-2) and was named CIS Defensive Player of the Year.
Rookie of the Year honors went to Alannah McLean (nordic skiing) and Mitch Fillman (hockey). McLean came 2nd overall at CCUNC nationals and Fillman was named to the CIS All-Rookie team.
Men’s basketball veteran Ben Johnson was the recipient of the Hank Akervall award for his excellent performances as a Thunderwolf in the classroom as an Academic All-Canadian, on the court setting three point records (9 in a single game) and as an ambassador for the university in the community.
Lindsay Druery received the Argus Award in recognition of her record setting achievements on the women’s basketball team over her 5 year career, including most rebounds (1490).
A full list of individual team awards follows:
Women’s Volleyball
Rookie of the Year – Sara Hudson
Coaches Award – Michelle Cournoyer and Brittany Macleod
Corrine Kollman Award – Jori Daymond
Most Improved Player – Vanessa Masters
Most Valuable Player – Breanne Hilhorst
Women’s Basketball
Rookie of the Year – Erika French
Most Improved Player – Carolyn Fragale
Best Defensive Player – Ayse Kalkan
Amanda Nesbitt Award – Lindsay Druery
Most Valuable Player -Lindsay Druery
Cross Country Running
Most Valuable Runner – Female Tess Naroski
Most Valuable Runner – Male Alastair Brown
Indoor Track & Field
Most Valuable Runner – Female Tess Naroski
Most Valuable Runner – Male Alastair Brown
Men’s Hockey
Rookie of the Year – Mitch Fillman
Most Improved Player – Devin Welsh
Best Work Ethic – Adam Sergerie
Best Defensive Player – Mitch Maunu
Most Valuable Player – Andrew Wilkins
Women’s Wrestling
Rookie of the Year – Kelsey Dayler
Most Improved Wrestler – Bre Beh
Most Valuable Wrestler – Alexi Kreps & Emma Brightwell
Men’s Wrestling
Rookie of the Year – Jake Devlin
Most Improved Wrestler – Scott Christian
Most Valuable Wrestler – Preston Mikulaski
Frank Schaller Award – Dustin Helwig
Men’s Basketball
Rookie of the Year – Sylvester Alexander
Most Improved Player – Ben Johnson
Best Defensive Player – Greg Carter
Most Valuable Player – Venzal Russell
Nordic Skiing – Female
Rookie of the Year – Moira Haggarty
Most Valuable Skier – Andrea Lee
Nordic Skiing – Male
Rookie of the Year – Lucas Shewen
Most Valuable Skier – Harry Seaton
Nordic Skiing
Sportsperson of the Year – Britt Bailey