Pronghorns celebrate 2025-26 Season at 59th Annual Blue and Gold Banquet

The honour recognizes a first-year student-athlete under 21 who is competing in their first season of eligibility in Canada West and U SPORTS while enrolled full-time at the University of Lethbridge.

University officials say the award celebrates outstanding athletic performance and contributions to team success, as well as demonstrated teamwork, sportsmanship, leadership and academic commitment.

“The Blue and Gold Banquet is a celebration of everything that defines Pronghorn Athletics, excellence in competition, commitment in the classroom, and leadership in our community,” says Spencer Pommells, Director of Athletics. “This year’s group of student-athletes has continued to raise the bar across all areas, and it’s especially exciting to recognize new award winners alongside those who have built on our proud tradition. We are incredibly proud of what this group has accomplished and the standard they continue to set”.

In the inaugural Rookie of the Year categories, men’s soccer player Xander McIntyre was named Male Rookie of the Year.

School officials say McIntyre made an immediate impact in his first season, earning key starts and emerging as a primary playmaker while tying for the team lead in assists. His composure, vision and consistency are said to have established him as a reliable presence in the Pronghorn lineup.

Swimming’s Grace Hitchcock was named Female Rookie of the Year after a record-breaking debut season.

Athletics officials note, she set multiple program records, including marks that had stood for more than 20 years, and finished as the top rookie points scorer at the Canada West Championships. University officials say her performances positioned her among the top contributors across both the men’s and women’s teams.

“Winning this award means a lot to me as a kid from Lethbridge and I’m honored to be named the Male Rookie of the Year,” says McIntyre. “Thank you to my coaches, teammates, and family for believing in me. This is just the beginning – I’m ready for what’s next.”

Men’s basketball guard Kymani Pollard earned Male Athlete of the Year honours after leading Canada West in scoring and finishing third nationally with an average of 21.8 points per game.

Athletics officials say he also contributed 6.1 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game and now ranks seventh in all-time scoring in Pronghorn history. Pollard was named a Canada West Third Team All-Star, highlighting his impact and consistency throughout the season.

Track and field standout Jinaye Shomachuk was named Female Athlete of the Year following a historic season.

According to university officials, she set a new U SPORTS record in the women’s weight throw, remained undefeated in the event, and captured gold medals at both the Canada West Championships and U SPORTS Nationals, where she was named Female Field Athlete of the Year. Officials note, she also earned gold at Canada West and silver at the national level in shot put, showcasing her versatility and dominance across multiple disciplines.

Track and field head coach Larry Steinke was named Coach of the Year in recognition of his leadership and program development.

Under his guidance, athletics officials say the program produced three national championship medalists and multiple award winners while continuing to build long-term sustainability through recruiting, fundraising and scholarship development. The school says Steinke’s leadership has helped foster both athletic success and a strong culture within Pronghorn Athletics.

“This recognition is a reflection of the commitment and culture our entire program has built together,” says Steinke. “Our student-athletes show up every day ready to compete, learn and support one another, and our staff works tirelessly to create an environment where they can succeed. I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve accomplished as a team, and I’m grateful to be part of such a dedicated group.”

Organizersa say the annual Blue and Gold Banquet continues to serve as a cornerstone event for Pronghorn Athletics, celebrating not only competitive success but also the character, leadership and community impact of its student-athletes.

Full list of Award Winners:

Men’s Basketball:

Brent Watkins Heart Award: Bryce Solis

Paul Blaskovits Most Improved Player: Joe Lemieux

MVP: Kymani Pollard

Women’s Basketball:

Most Improved Player: Rae Wedman

Krista Hedinger Coaches Award: Abby Stonehocker

MVP: Kamryn DeKlerk

Men’s Soccer:

ET Award: Soren Hendricks

MK4 Award: Ben Gingrass

MVP: Kai Sakaguchi

Women’s Soccer:

Coaches Award: Lisa Popp

MVP: Kate Prince

Women’s Rugby:

15’s Rookie of the Year: Sydney Wollbaum

Silver Fox Award: Elizabeth LePage

15’s MVP: Charli Helland

7’s Rookie of the year: Lucy Finnson

7’s MVP: Millie Teskey

Swimming:

Most improved: Tanner Sanders (Male) and Megan Mertz (Female)

MVP: Tristan Bennett (Male) and Delaney Lehman (Female)

Track and Field:

Sean Steacy Rookie of the Year: Reise Dolan (Male) and Brooke Bentley (Female)

MVP: Lauchlan Irish (Male) and Kimoya Edwards (Female)

Marquee Awards:

Alumni Leadership Award: Orion Legg/Meadow Liversuch

Pronghorn Citizenship Award: Makena Wood/Alejandro Figueroa

Community Service Award: Orion Legg/Kimoya Edwards

Dr. Gary Bowie Leadership Award: Terry Whitehead

Major Awards:

Rookie of the Year: Xander McIntyre (Male) and Grace Hitchcock (Female)

Left to right: Xander McIntyre and Grace Hitchcock. (Image Credit: Photo credit: Vasya Omelchuk, University of Lethbridge Pronghorn Athletics.)

Athletes of the Year: Kymani Pollard (Male) and Jinaye Shomachuk (Female)

Coach of the Year: Larry Steinke (Track and Field)

Left to right: University of Lethbridge Chancellor Terry Whitehead and Larry Steinke (Image Credit: Photo credit: Vasya Omelchuk, University of Lethbridge Pronghorn Athletics.)

by LNN Staff

Pronghorns celebrate 2025-26 Season at 59th Annual Blue and Gold Banquet

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