Pronghorn Athletics hands out 2021-22 season awards

MALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR

In his first year of Canada West competition, swimmer Apollo Hess set 10 University of Lethbridge swim records. He was named a Canada West first-team all-star, the Canada West Rookie of the Year, and the Canada West Male Swimmer of the Year.

At the Canada West Championships, he and his teammates won bronze in the 4×100 medley relay and silver in the 4×100 free relay.

Individually, Hess won silver in the 100-metre breaststroke, and gold in the 50-metre and 200-metre breaststroke, setting Canada West records in both events.

At the national level, Hess was named the U SPORTS Male Rookie of the Year and a first-team All-Canadian. At the U SPORTS Championships, he and his teammates won silver in both the 4×100 medley relay and the 4×100 free relay. Individually, Hess won silver in the 100-metre breaststroke and gold in the 50-metre and 200-metre, setting a U SPORTS record in the 50-metre breaststroke. Not only was it a U SPORTS record, but his 26.65 time in the 50-metre event is the new Canadian senior record, previously set by Paul Kornfield in 2009.

FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR

First-year Jinaye Shomachuk proved she is a force in the throwing events. She threw 16.63 metres in weight throw at the Canada West Track & Field Championships, claiming bronze en route to shining on the national stage. With one bronze medal position and with one throw to complete, she threw a new personal best by over a metre to win the U SPORTS silver medal.

Her best throw of 18.00-metres clipped the thrower from the University of Calgary Dinos by one centimetre for the silver medal.

For her win, Shomachuk was named a U SPORTS second team All-Canadian.

PRONGHORN COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARDS

Pronghorn Athletics created four community service awards, to be awarded to two female and two male student-athletes. Recipients demonstrated outstanding community involvement in volunteering and providing community service within the most recent academic year.

The women’s community service awards are sponsored by Lethbridge Fire Safety Services Limited. The men’s awards are sponsored by Lethbridge Fasteners & Tools Limited.

Pronghorn Athletics said recipient Madeline Szabo (track & field) is a leader when it comes to community service. While carrying a full academic course load, Szabo maintains a rigorous training scheduled and contributes hours of weekly volunteer work. She volunteers with Alberta Health Services at the Chinook Regional Hospital in Lethbridge, is part of a school mentoring program with Big Brothers Big Sisters, participated in the Keep in Touch program that checks in on seniors in the community, sits on the Pronghorn Student Athlete Council and Pronghorn Leadership Academy, among other projects.

Keegan Brantner (women’s rugby) is also a member of the Pronghorn Student Athlete Council and Pronghorn Leadership Academy. She sits on the Canada West Student-Athlete Engagement Council as well. Brantner was named a U SPORTS Academic All-Canadian for the 2020 and 2021 school years. Additionally, she is the key driver in the Plasma Playoffs campaign helping to recruit donors for Canadian Blood Services.

David Musk (men’s soccer) is set to graduate this fall with a degree in environmental science with a minor in political science. He plans to return to complete a second minor in philosophy. Musk is a regular donor at Canadian Blood Services and coordinates and encourages his teammates to donate as well. He is a volunteer with the Lethbridge Soup Kitchen, lending his help every Tuesday morning. Musk also volunteers weekly at Our Lady of Assumption School and with Big Brothers Big Sisters.

David Awosoga (track & field) is a member of the Pronghorn Student Athlete Council and Pronghorn Leadership Academy. He volunteers with Love Lethbridge Youth, Big Brothers Big Sisters, peer tutoring services, and Lethbridge Bible Quizzing, among other projects. He is a member of the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada National Youth Mentoring Advisory Council.

ALUMNI LEADERSHIP AWARD

The Alumni Association Leadership Award is presented every year to the student athletes who best exemplify a career long dedication to fair play, strong athletic ability, and community service while demonstrating a concerted commitment to leadership on and off the playing field. The recipient of this award receives a scholarship from the Alumni Association.

Jitse van den Hadelkamp of the men’s soccer team has been called by his teammates as the best leader in the program. As captain, he ensured that his teammates were staying in shape throughout the soccer season, while analyzing game film every week.

Ellie Kabayama, the captain of the women’s soccer team works in respite care and is involved with Big Brother Big Sisters. As her coach says, “she is the face of U of L women’s soccer and her presence will sorely be missed as she graduates and moves on to the next phase of her life.”

MAHON FAMILY SPORT AWARDS

Created by the University of Lethbridge’s President Dr. Mike Mahon and his family, each Pronghorn athlete selected receives a scholarship from the Mahon family.

2021-22 Mahon Family Sport Award recipients are:

Men’s Soccer – David Musk
Women’s Soccer – Tory Clements
Women’s Rugby – Keegan Brantner
Women’s Swimming – Sophie MacLean
Men’s Swimming – Raine Arden
Women’s Basketball – Jessica Haenni
Men’s Basketball – Chad Oviatt
Women’s Track – Caitlyn Bailes
Men’s Track – Xavier Crosby

MVPs for each team are:

Women’s Track – Jinaye Shomachuk
Men’s Track – Andreas Troschke
Women’s Swim – Hunter Stewardson
Men’s Swim – Apollo Hess
Women’s Soccer – Lucy Mundy
Men’s Soccer – Nolan French
Women’s Rugby – Abby Duguid
Women’s Basketball – Jessica Haenni
Men’s Basketball –Angelo Mbituyimana

by Justin Goulet

Pronghorn Athletics hands out 2021-22 season awards

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