2022 Athletics Update

Jim Druart, Director of Athletics & Recreation

This has been a year of positive change for Crandall University Athletics, in spite of the ongoing limitations and challenges we have faced from the pandemic. We have completed the majority of the planned renovations to our athletics spaces, including:

• Gymnasium – new lighting, paint, resurfaced floor, new backboards, second scoreboard, and updated electronics and broadcast equipment.

• Physiotherapy Room – new ice bath, hydroculator, ultrasound and electro therapy machines.

• Varsity Locker Rooms – new locker room space for our varsity athletes with new lockers, lighting, seating, paint and flooring as well as space for video review and analysis.

• Visitor Changing Rooms – the addition of two new visitor changing rooms in the athletics space. These rooms were funded through donations in memory of long-time former coach, Jamie Small.

• Fitness Center – purchase of updated weights, benches and racks.

We believe our student-athletes are called to a Higher Purpose, to excel in academics and athletics and become leaders and mentors in the greater community. This year we are pleased to announce that 19 student-athletes received the CCAA National Scholar Award given to student-athletes who have excelled in academics. In addition, we have four student-athletes who received the CCAA Academic All-Canadian award, the national league’s highest honour for excellence in academics and athletics.

The Crandall Chargers Cross Country team holding aloft the 2021-2022 championship banner

This year, our men’s team won our first-ever league title in Cross Country and went on to represent us at the National Championships in Calgary, AB. The boxing team continues to recruit and attract world-caliber athletes, who are representing the university at matches across the globe. All of our teams have shown significant improvement this year and we are excited to see what the future has in store for them as we continue to change the culture and expectations for athletics and our student-athletes.

In the coming year, we will be hosting ACAA Cross Country Championships on October 29 as well as hosting cadets from West Point Military Academy in New York for our We the North East boxing event on October 1.

As one of the most visible extensions of the University, we are working hard to create a culture founded on integrity, respect, innovation, community and tradition in the pursuit of excellence in academics and athletics. On behalf of the coaches, staff and student-athletes of Crandall University Athletics, I wish to express my sincere and deep gratitude and thanks to the Crandall community for your continued support and commitment to athletics.

2021-2022 Athletics Awards

Chargers Awards

Women’s Soccer:

MVP: Courtney Lutes

Christian Leadership Award: Grace Dorey Coach’s Award: Kaya Shearer

Men’s Soccer:

MVP: Ethan Druart

Christian Leadership Award: Riley Fillmore

Coach’s Award: Luke Knowles

Cross Country:

MVP Male: Sean Finnigan

MVP Female: Mary MacLean

Christian Leadership Award: Charles Taylor

Boxing:

Boxer of the Year: Sean Finnigan

Christian Leadership Award: Giorgos Stavrou

Women’s Basketball:

MVP: Emily Briggs

Christian Leadership Award: Alexa Rancourt

Coach’s Award: Sydnee Balser

Men’s Basketball:

MVP: Brett Curtis

Leadership Award: Devon Glenn

Coach’s Award: Gabriel Cormier

Women’s Volleyball:

MVP: Melora Cook

Christian Leadership Award: Emma Hiltz

Coach’s Award: Amy LeBlang & Janelle Blanchette

Athletes of the Year:

Female Athlete of the Year: Courtney Lutes

Male Athlete of the Year: Sean Finnigan

Additional Awards:

Unsung Hero Award: Annaliese Nylen

Dr. Seth Crowell Award: Sydnee Balser

Female Athlete of the Year: Courtney Lutes

Male Athlete of the Year: Sean Finnigan

CCAA Awards

CCAA National Scholar Award Recipients:

Celine Albinet, Jonathan Albinet, Kylee Balser, Sydnee Balser, Melora Cook, Gabriel Cormier, Riley Fillmore, Tori Ketch, Luke Knowles, Emily Lawrence, Colby Lawrence, Rachel Leland, Maggie Nemeth, Ashley Shaw, Arianna Shoemaker, Kennedy Steeves, Andrew Parker Steeves, Mitchell Webber, Amy West

CCAA Academic All-Canadian Award Recipients:

Melora Cook, Brett Curtis, Ethan Druart, Mary MacLean

ACAA Awards

Cross Country:

ACAA Coach of the Year: Brandon LeBlanc

ACAA Runner of the Year: Sean Finnigan

ACAA First Team All-Conference: Sean Finnigan, Daniel Hawkes, Mary MacLean

Men’s Basketball:

ACAA First Team All-Conference: Brett Curtis

ACAA Second Team All-Conference: Devon Glenn

Women’s Soccer:

ACAA First Team All-Conference: Courtney Lutes

ACAA Second Team All-Conference: Julianna Augustine

Men’s Soccer:

ACAA First Team All-Conference: Ethan Druart

ACAA Second Team All-Conference: Brody Hardwick

Women’s Volleyball:

ACAA First Team All-Conference: Janelle Blanchette

ACAA Second Team All-Conference: Melora Cook