2018-19 Guelph Gryphon Athletic Banquet

See past winners, watch the nomination videos & view photos by going to > gryphons.ca/201819AB

The Guelph Gryphons have become synonymous with success. And for all of the teams and individual athletes who proudly wore the red, black and gold during the 2018-19 varsity season, Thursday, March 28 was the night for the entire athletics program to be recognized. The Gryphons capped an historic year with a well-deserved celebration as a crowd of over 820 people gathered at the GGAC for the 2019 Athletic Banquet.

The Gryphons were the most successful school in the country this past season after recording more top-three finishes at nationals than any other U SPORTS institution, including national titles in women’s hockey and both women’s and men’s track and field. Director of Athletics Scott McRoberts was struck not only by the victories but by the people who achieved them.

“It just shows you the type of talent we have and the people that our coaches recruit, both on and off the field and in the community,” said McRoberts. “I’m so proud of what everybody has accomplished this year and we all get to celebrate in being No. 1 in the country. And it’s not just accomplishments on the field, it’s the grades they are achieving and the difference we are making in young kids’ lives in the community.”

The best and brightest Gryphons were honoured, including the 101 athletes who reached league all-star status, 10 first-year athletes named to the OUA All-Rookie teams and the 13 individuals (nine athletes and four coaches) recognized as OUA major award winners. There were an impressive 39 athletes who achieved the pinnacle of collegiate athletics, earning U SPORTS All-Canadian honours.

The major awards gave a glimpse of the diverse and talented athletes who performed so admirably for Guelph this past varsity season. In the end, it was fifth-year track and field star Jenna Westaway and fourth-year striker Jace Kotsopoulos of the men’s soccer team who were recognized as the Gryphon Athletes of the Year.

Major Award Winners

Male Athlete of the Year: Jace Kotsopoulos (M Soccer) // Female Athlete of the Year: Jenna Westaway (Track and Field) // “Gryphie” Moment of the Year: “Hockey History” – W Hockey // W.F. Mitchell Sportsman of the Year: Connor Black (Cross Country / Track) // W.F. Mitchell Sportswoman of the Year: Valerie Lamenta (W Hockey) // President’s Trophy (Male): Mostafa Elkurdy (Cross Country / Track) // President’s Trophy (Female): Zoe Sherar (Track & Field // Fred Ramprashad Award: Rebecca Plouffe (Field Hockey // Don Cameron Award (3-year M.I.P.): Banky Alade (M Basketball) // Shirley Peterson Award (3-year M.I.P.): Victoria Hinchliffe (W Soccer) // Scott Yanchus Male Rookie of the Year: Matthew MacNeill (Track & Field) // Dr. Mary Beverley-Burton Female Rookie of the Year: Tyra Boug (Track & Field) // Gunner Obrascovs Trainer of the Year: Deanna Quattrociocchi & Rebecca Holland (W Soccer) // Cathy Rowe Manager of the Year: Melanie Beck (Figure Skating) // Dr. John T. Powell Award: Al Weersink (W Soccer)

Team Award Winners

BASEBALL M.V.P. Robert Wolfer

BASKETBALL (MEN): Jack Tanner M.I.P. Banky Alade Bill Dimson Memorial M.V.P. Tommy Yanchus

BASKETBALL (WOMEN): M.I.P. Modupe Okeowo M.V.P. Burke Bechard

CROSS COUNTRY (MEN): (M) R.O.Y. (Al Claremont Freshman Harrier Trophy) Alec Purnell (M) M.V.P. (Art Hackett Trophy) Connor Black (W) R.O.Y. Nina Whitford (W) M.V.P. (Vic Matthews Award) Danielle Jossinet

CURLING: (M): M.V.P. Dillon Pierce (W): M.V.P. Breanna Rozon

FIELD HOCKEY: M.I.P. Sophi Jantzi Laura Sharp M.V.P. Rudi Ballard

FIGURE SKATING: M.V.P. Andrew McDonald

FOOTBALL: R.O.Y. Brendan Murphy M.V.P. (Donald Forster Trophy) Luke Korol

GOLF: (M): David Fell M.V.P. Nick Striker (W): Grace Glofcheskie M.V.P. Olivia Lee

HOCKEY (MEN): R.O.Y. (Walter Rickard Memorial Award) Connor Bramwell M.V.P. (Jack Pos Trophy) Scott Simmonds

HOCKEY (WOMEN): Rookie of the Year Lauren Ianni M.V.P. Claire Merrick

LACROSSE: (M): M.V.P. Josh Manangan (W): M.V.P. Carly Stephens

NORDIC SKIING: (M): M.V.P. Robert Simpson-Spook (W): M.V.P. Madeline Aarts

ROWING: (M): M.V.P. Caelan Weber-Martin (W): M.V.P. Carly Zanatta

RUGBY (MEN): R.O.Y. (Robin Best Award) Cameron Hurst M.V.P. (Ieuan Evans Rugger Award) Marcello Wainwright

RUGBY (WOMEN): R.O.Y. Emily Frasson M.V.P. Alexandra Everett

SOCCER (MEN): M.I.P. Luke Rankin M.V.P. (Bill McAnuff Memorial) Jace Kotsopoulos

SOCCER (WOMEN): R.O.Y. Laura Marrelli M.V.P. Danielle Sauve

SWIMMING: (M): M.I.P. Kyle Zammit (M): M.V.P. (C.M. Kinnear Memorial) Samuel Kuntz (W): M.I.P. Veronica Dietrich (W): M.V.P. Samantha Anderson

TRACK & FIELD: (M): R.O.Y. Matthew MacNeill/Brennan Seguin (M): M.V.P. (Hamilton Olympic Club Award) Mark Bujnowski (W): R.O.Y. Tyra Boug (W): M.V.P. Zoe Sherar/Jenna Westaway

VOLLEYBALL (MEN): M.I.P. Gideon Dresser M.V.P. Zach Newman

VOLLEYBALL (WOMEN): M.I.P. (Makala King Memorial) Cassidy Collins M.V.P. Tara Tanasijevic

WRESTLING: (M): M.I.P. Job Reinhart (M): M.V.P. Alexander Chaves (W): M.I.P. Esmee Hotson (W): M.V.P. Natassya Lu