BANQUET PROGRAM ORDER OF EVENTS
Before Dinner Call to Order Greetings from the Emcees Welcome and Introduction of VIPs Native Land Acknowledgment Greetings from the University Sport Council Award Roar Cup Spirit Cup Most Improved Team
DINNER During Dinner OUA All-Stars Academic & Graduate Awards OUA & U SPORTS Major Awards & All-Canadians
After Dinner Most Valuable Player Awards Student Therapist of the Year U SPORTS Medallists OUA Champions Male Rookie of the Year Female Rookie of the Year Toast to the Coaches Coach of the Year Charles Saundercook Memorial Trophy Outstanding Male Graduate Award Bryce M. Taylor Award Male Athlete of the Year Female Athlete of the Year Closing Remarks
York Lions 50th Annual Varsity Banquet 3
TONIGHT’S EMCEES York University Athletics & Recreation would like to thank Muad Issa and Rebecca Titus for officiating tonight’s festivities. Muad Issa Muad graduated from York last year with his degree in psychology and is currently enrolled in the sport and event marketing program at George Brown College. In his five years at York, he represented the Lions at the OUA championships in cross country, track & field, and was part of the national title-winning team in 2014. He became a leader on the team while serving as co-president of the York Sport Council and as a mentor-in-training in the PAWS program. He was also a regular at varsity events cheering on his fellow Lions, and worked as a varsity photographer and a statistician in his years at York. He capped his career by earning a Lions Legacy Award and the Outstanding Male Graduate Award. Muad remains a familiar face around the Tait McKenzie Centre even though he is no longer a Lions student-athlete, and he is also a coach for the track & field team and an intern with Ontario University Athletics. Rebecca Titus Rebecca is a fifth-year defender on the Lions field hockey team and will graduate from York this summer with a degree in kinesiology and health science. She is a three-time OUA all-star for the Lions and was a key piece of the team’s run to the OUA championship this past fall. She is also in the athletic therapy certificate program and is the head athletic therapist with track & field this year after previously working with the Lions wrestling and women’s hockey teams. Rebecca is also a member of the York Sport Council and a former mentor in the PAWS program, among other volunteer initiatives.
4 York Lions 50th Annual Varsity Banquet
YORK UNIVERSITY SPORT COUNCIL PRESIDENT GREETINGS
On behalf of York University’s Sport Council, we would like to welcome you to the 2017-18 Varsity Athletics Awards Banquet. Tonight we are all here to celebrate both the individual and team successes experienced throughout this past season. We would like to extend our sincerest gratitude to everyone who has contributed to the various events arranged by the sport council, including Adopt-A-Family, the Shooting Star award program, our outreach to Shoreham Public School, our Winter Holiday Social, as well as the annual Varsity Post-Season Palooza. To the sport council members who have attended the meetings and provided so many amazing ideas and helped with these initiatives, we thank you all for your enthusiasm and assistance as none of this could have been possible without your help. We would also like to acknowledge the individuals that enthusiastically attended the regular season and playoff games, cheering on your fellow Lions and demonstrating your ongoing pride. Furthermore, congratulations to all athletes for the outstanding success that they have had this past season. It took constant work, determination, sacrifice, blood, sweat and tears to get just an inch closer to success. To recognize a few, we saw our men’s soccer team and women’s field hockey team earn OUA gold medals in the fall, while our women’s tennis team earned the OUA silver medal. Our women’s field hockey team also earned the U SPORTS silver in the fall. We had 11 athletes take home OUA and U SPORTS major awards. As well we boasted 11 U SPORTS all-Canadians and 36 OUA all-stars. Lions also had an impressive showing in the classroom with 71 academic all-Canadians representing 19 varsity teams. Each and every competing team represented York University with pride and we want to thank you for setting the bar higher for next season! On behalf of the York University Sport Council, we would like to thank you all for being here tonight to celebrate our successes, particularly our special guests for their continued support, in addition to the administrative staff, coaches and therapists who are the foundation of our programs and work to support us daily to help us reach our potential. A very special thank you to all of the student-athletes in attendance today who have dedicated countless hours to being the best they can be both in the classroom and on the court, field, track, ice and mat. To the graduating athletes, we would like to thank you for all of your hard work and commitment throughout your entire university career. We wish you the best of luck in your future endeavours and would like to remind you that you will always be a Lion. To the returning athletes: congratulations once again on the completion of yet another successful season. Take the lessons learned from both accomplishments and failures to motivate you to accomplish new goals in each year to come. Sincerely, Tracey Edwards and Rebecca Titus York Sport Council Presidents
York Lions 50th Annual Varsity Banquet 5
TEAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS MEN
WOMEN
Basketball Cross Country
8th in OUA East (2-21)
Football
10th in OUA (1-7)
Hockey Soccer
2nd in OUA West (17-10-1) 4th at OUA Championship
Tennis
4th at OUA Championship
Track & Field
4th at OUA Championship 6th at U SPORTS Championship
Volleyball
2nd in OUA East (12-6) OUA Quarter-finalist
Wrestling
6th at OUA Championship
No team score
1st in OUA West (13-2-1) OUA Champions 5th at U SPORTS Championship
6 York Lions 50th Annual Varsity Banquet
Basketball Cross Country
5th in OUA East (11-12) Advanced to first round of OUA playoffs
Field Hockey
1st in OUA (11-1) OUA Champions U SPORTS Silver Medallists
Hockey
10th in OUA (8-0-12-4)
Rugby
4th in OUA Shiels Division (1-3) 4th at OUA Championship
Soccer
5th in OUA West (5-6-5) Advanced to first round of OUA playoffs
Tennis
OUA Silver Medallists
Track & Field
5th at OUA Championship 6th at U SPORTS Championship
Volleyball Wrestling
4th in OUA East (8-11) OUA Quarter-finalist
No team score
6th at OUA Championship
MEDAL WINNERS U SPORTS TEAM
O UA T E A M
SILVER
GOLD Field Hockey Men’s Soccer
Field Hockey
SILVER Women’s Tennis
U S P O RTS I N D I V I D UA L
O UA I N D I V I D UA L
GOLD Kayden Johnson Holly Pitters
GOLD Nicholas Fyffe Kayden Johnson Xavier Joseph Vanesa Lacas-Warrick Holly Pitters
Track & Field (60m Hurdles) Track & Field (Triple Jump)
SILVER Kaitlin Brooks Nicholas Fyffe Holly Pitters Alexandria Town
Track & Field (Shot Put) Track & Field (Triple Jump) Track & Field (Long Jump) Wrestling (59kg)
BRONZE Samuel Adams Marvelous Agbonwaneten Courtney Dwyer Christy Ihunaegbo Nicolette Witherspoon
Track & Field (Pole Vault) Track & Field (4x400m) Track & Field (4x400m) Track & Field (4x400m) Track & Field (4x400m)
Track & Field (Triple Jump) Track & Field (60m Hurdles) Track & Field (60m) Fencing (Individual Epee) Track & Field (Triple Jump)
SILVER Samuel Adams Drew Erskine Christy Ihunaegbo Holly Pitters Alexandria Town
Track & Field (Pole Vault) Track & Field (Weight Throw) Track & Field (300m) Track & Field (Long Jump) Wrestling (59kg)
BRONZE Marvelous Agbonwaneten Courtney Dwyer Nicholas Fyffe Mark Hutchinson Christy Ihunaegbo Xavier Jehovah Christelle Lans Daniele Orsini Jonathan Raspanti Tohma Van Bergen Nicolette Witherspoon
Track & Field (4x400m) Track & Field (4x400m) Track & Field (Long Jump) Track & Field (4x400m) Track & Field (4x400m) Track & Field (4x400m) Wrestling (72kg) Track & Field (4x400m) Track & Field (Weight Throw) Track & Field (4x400m) Track & Field (4x400m)
York Lions 50th Annual Varsity Banquet 7
FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR Awarded to a female student-athlete who has exhibited outstanding athletic skill, character and fair play, in her sport and, as a result, contributed to the success of her team.
EUGENIE L I M A H TO C K TENNIS
TO M I K A M C I N TO S H SOCCER
H O L LY PITTERS TRACK & FIELD
L I N D SAY S H OT B O LT BASKETBALL
ALEXANDRIA TOW N WRESTLING
8 York Lions 50th Annual Varsity Banquet
• OUA all-star • Went 3-1 in singles and doubles at OUA championships • Went undefeated in singles (5-0) and doubles (4-0) in regular season • Helped Lions finish 1st in OUA with undefeated regular season and win OUA silver medal • York athlete of the week
• OUA West first-team all-star • Started all 16 games at centre back • Anchor of a defensive unit that allowed only one goal per game • Helped Lions finish 5th in OUA West and advance to first round of playoffs
• U SPORTS gold medallist in triple jump and silver medallist in long jump • U SPORTS first-team all-Canadian • OUA gold medallist in triple jump and silver medallist in long jump • OUA first-team all-star • Contributed 18 of Lions’ 42 points at U SPORTS championships to help team finish in 6th place • York athlete of the week
• U SPORTS second-team all-Canadian – First from York since 1997 • OUA first-team all-star • OUA Tracy MacLeod Award winner for determination and perseverance • 2nd in OUA in rebounding and 6th in scoring – One of only four players in OUA to average a double-double • 2nd in OUA in blocks per game, 7th in steals per game, 9th in field goal percentage and 11th in free throw percentage • 2-time York athlete of the week • Helped Lions finish 5th in OUA East and advance to playoffs for second straight year • U SPORTS silver medallist in 59kg weight class • U SPORTS second-team all-Canadian – First in York women’s wrestling history • OUA silver medallist in 59kg weight class • OUA second-team all-star • 3 podium finishes at regular-season meets, including 2 gold medals • 3-time York athlete of the week • Helped Lions finish 10th at U SPORTS championships – Best finish in program history
MALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR Awarded to a male student-athlete who has exhibited outstanding athletic skill, character and fair play, in his sport and, as a result, contributed to the success of his team.
C R I ST I A N C AVA L L I N I SOCCER
K AY D E N JOHNSON T R A C K & F I E L D/ FO OT BA L L
LO G A N MEND VO L L EY BA L L
• OUA West most valuable player – OUA nominee for U SPORTS player of the year • U SPORTS first-team all-Canadian • OUA West first-team all-star • 2nd in OUA scoring • 5th in OUA in shots on goal and 8th in total shots • OUA athlete of the week • 2-time York athlete of the week • Helped Lions finish 1st in OUA West, won OUA championship and 5th at U SPORTS championships
• U SPORTS gold medallist in 60m hurdles • U SPORTS first-team all-Canadian • OUA gold medallist in 60m hurdles • OUA first-team all-star • Recorded time under 8 seconds three times – Only athlete in the country to clock a time under 8 seconds all year • Contributed 10 of Lions’ 43 points at U SPORTS championships to help team finish in 6th place • Played in all 8 games at running back for football team • 16th in OUA in total rushes and 19th in total rushing yards • York athlete of the week
• OUA East first-team all-star • 7th in OUA in assists per set • 1st in OUA in scoring by setters – One of only three setters with a scoring average above one point per set • 1st in OUA in service aces, 22nd in total blocks and 28th in digs per set • York athlete of the week • Helped Lions finish 2nd in OUA East and advance to OUA quarter-finals for second straight year
York Lions 50th Annual Varsity Banquet 9
BRYCE M. TAYLOR AWARD Presented to the female graduating student-athletes who have, throughout their undergraduate years, made outstanding contributions to varsity athletics at York University. Leadership, dedication, enthusiasm and participation in all aspects of varsity sport will be considered qualifications for this award. The winner will receive the Bryce M. Taylor Award.
TA M A R A ORLANDO SOCCER
R E B ECC A TITUS FIELD HOCKEY
ALEXANDRIA TOW N WRESTLING
10 York Lions 50th Annual Varsity Banquet
• Had best career season as a goalkeeper for the Lions • Recipient of the prestigious Patricia Murray Excellence Bursary • Stong residence don • 2-time recipient of the York University Residence Life Most Spirited Award • PAWS mentor • York Sport Council and Leadership Group member • Organizer of the York Kick 4 Camp fundraiser – Raised more than $6,000 for Camp Quality Canada • Organizer of the Stong Residence CAMH fundraiser – Raised more than $2,200 • Volunteer for multiple camps and fundraisers around the city • 3-time OUA all-star • Team captain for OUA championship run this past fall • U SPORTS academic all-Canadian and 5-time AFA renewal • President of the York Sport Council and 5-year participant in sport council initiatives • PAWS mentor • Head student athletic therapist for Lions track and field and former assistant for wrestling and women’s hockey • 2-time Hall of Fame selection committee member • Volunteer at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital • Participated in multiple international volunteer outreach trips
• 2-time U SPORTS medallist – 1 silver and 1 bronze • 3-time OUA medallist – 2 silvers and 1 bronze • Most decorated women’s wrestler in York history – First OUA and U SPORTS medallist and first U SPORTS second-team all-Canadian • OUA and U SPORTS community service award recipient • PAWS mentor • President of the York wrestling club • Strong supporter of Lions 4 Lions and cheering on fellow Lions student-athletes • Frosh leader for Stong College • 2018 Canadian senior national champion and outstanding wrestler of the meet
OUTSTANDING MALE GRADUATE AWARD Presented to the male graduating student-athletes who have, throughout their undergraduate years, made outstanding contributions to varsity athletics at York University. Leadership, dedication, enthusiasm and participation in all aspects of varsity sport will be considered qualifications for this award. The winner will receive the Outstanding Male Graduate Award.
TIM JENSEN VO L L EY BA L L
S H AY N E R OV E R HOCKEY
• 5-year outside hitter for the Lions • Team captain for 2 years • Academic mentor for multiple varsity teams on his own time and separate from PAWS • Strong supporter of Lions 4 Lions and cheering on fellow Lions student-athletes – Led team to Roar Cup win in 2017 • Participated in Shoreham Clinics and other York Sport Council initiatives • Played an integral role with senior administration through multiple coaching changes • Served in an assistant coach role for team on multiple occasions • Volunteered at multiple community events with men’s volleyball team
• Played in every regular season and playoff game over 5-year career – All-time leader in York hockey history for games played • Team captain for 2 years and assistant captain for 2 years • OUA West recipient of the Randy Gregg Award and most sportsmanlike player award • Led Lions to Queen’s Cup title in 2017 – First OUA championship since 2004 • Graduated with kinesiology degree 2 years ago and returned for final two years of eligibility and teacher’s college, which he will graduate from this spring • U SPORTS academic all-Canadian • Sport clubs representative for Athletics & Recreation • Played an integral role with senior administration through multiple coaching changes • Volunteer coach at local high schools in multiple sports
York Lions 50th Annual Varsity Banquet 11
CHARLES SAUNDERCOOK The Charles Saundercook Memorial Trophy is presented to a student-athlete within the varsity athletics program who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, enthusiasm for life, and the consideration for others.
J O EY C I CC H I L LO SOCCER
CO LTO N HUNCHAK FO OT BA L L
CAITLIN LEE HOCKEY
12 York Lions 50th Annual Varsity Banquet
• Suffered 2 torn ACLs throughout career and rehabbed from both to come back stronger • First was at the end of successful rookie season – Returned for third game of the following season less than a year later • Second was in off-season training before final year – Graduated with kinesiology degree and re-enrolled at York to play fifth year of eligibility this past fall • 3-time OUA West first-team all-star • 4-time OUA champion • 2-time U SPORTS champion in 4 appearances at national tournament • U SPORTS championship tournament all-star and player of the match in the gold-medal final in 2014 • Scored multiple clutch goals, including gold-medal winning goal at 2014 U SPORTS championships and OUA quarter-final winning goal in 2017 playoffs
• Suffered injury in pre-season game that was determined to be season-ending, but rehabbed hard and returned to play in final 3 games • Despite playing in only 3 of 8 games, finished 2nd in OUA in touchdown receptions and 3rd in yards per game • Selected to represent York at the CFL / U SPORTS all-star game in May • OUA all-rookie team member and OUA second-team all-star in first two years • Came to York as a 17-year-old and earned starting spot at receiver immediately • Father to a 1-year-old daughter who is always in attendance at games and York events • Missed 2 months and 11 games last season due to a concussion and came back to play all 24 games this season • One of the hardest-working players on the team over her career • 3-time U SPORTS academic all-Canadian • Had the highest GPA among all varsity student-athletes at York in 2015-16 and has an overall cumulative GPA of 8.6 • 2-time recipient of the Stuart G. Robbins Award for having the highest GPA among all Sport Excellence Award recipients • PAWS mentor and a key academic resource for other student-athletes
MEMORIAL TROPHY
H O L LY PITTERS TRACK & FIELD
L I N D SAY S H OT B O LT BASKETBALL
ALEXANDRIA TOW N WRESTLING
• Competed and won national medal last year on an injured ankle, had surgery in the off-season to repair ankle but it didn’t completely fix injury so decided to switch to jumping off her non-dominant foot this season and won 2 national medals • 3-time U SPORTS medallist – 2 golds and 1 silver • 5-time OUA medallist – 4 golds and 1 silver • 3-time U SPORTS all-Canadian and 5-time OUA all-star • 3-time U SPORTS academic all-Canadian • Team captain for 4 years
• OUA recipient of the Tracy MacLeod Award for determination and perseverance • Came to York for teacher’s college and decided to resume basketball career for final season of eligibility after nearly quitting the sport due to depression and a torn ACL • Put together one of the best statistical seasons in York history – One of four players in OUA to average a double-double • U SPORTS second-team all-Canadian – Only 3rd in program history and first since 1997 • OUA first-team all-star • Leadership, work ethic, grit and love for her teammates embody what it means to be a student-athlete
• Missed all of last season after tearing ACL in the fall • Returned this year to win U SPORTS silver medal in her weight class – Best ever result for a York women’s wrestler in program history • U SPORTS second-team all-Canadian – First York women’s wrestler ever • OUA silver medallist and second-team all-star • Won 4 medals in the regular season, including 2 golds • During career, was first OUA and U SPORTS medallist in program history and is the most decorated women’s wrestler at York
York Lions 50th Annual Varsity Banquet 13
FEMALE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR Awarded to a female student-athlete in her first year of eligibility who has exhibited outstanding athletic skill, character and fair play in her sport and has contributed to the success of the team.
M A RV E LO U S AGBONWANETEN TRACK & FIELD
L AU R E N GOLDING BASKETBALL
C H R I ST E L L E LANS WRESTLING
JAS L A N ST I R L I N G FIELD HOCKEY
14 York Lions 50th Annual Varsity Banquet
• U SPORTS bronze medallist in 4x400m relay • OUA bronze medallist in 4x400m relay • Member of the 4x400m relay team that broke a 34-year-old York record • 10th in 300m at OUA championships • Helped Lions finish 6th at U SPORTS championships
• Started all 23 games at guard • 10th in OUA in offensive rebounds and 27th in total rebounds per game • 13th in OUA in blocks • 6th in team scoring and 1st among rookies • Hit game-winning three-point shot in final seconds against Ryerson • Helped Lions finish 5th in OUA East and advance to playoffs for second straight year
• OUA bronze medallist in 72kg weight class – Third women’s medallist in York history • 6th at U SPORTS championships in 72kg weight class • 4 podium finishes at regular-season meets • Helped Lions finish 10th at U SPORTS championships – Best finish in program history
• U SPORTS rookie of the year • U SPORTS first-team all-Canadian • OUA co-most valuable player • OUA rookie of the year • OUA first-team all-star • 1st in OUA and U SPORTS in regular-season scoring • OUA and U SPORTS athlete of the week • 2-time York athlete of the week • Helped Lions finish 1st in OUA and win OUA championship for first time since 1996
MALE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR Awarded to a male student-athlete in his first year of eligibility who has exhibited outstanding athletic skill, character and fair play in her sport and has contributed to the success of the team.
DA N I E L LO G G A L E FO OT BA L L
ANDREW TAU H I D VO L L EY BA L L
TO H M A VA N B E R G E N TRACK & FIELD
• OUA all-rookie team member • Started 7 games at cornerback after overtaking a veteran in training camp • Tied for 6th in OUA in interceptions – 1st on the Lions • 7th on the team in total tackles
• OUA East all-rookie team member • Played in 17 matches and 65 sets as an outside hitter • 26th in OUA and 3rd on the team in scoring • 24th in OUA in kills per set, 29th in service aces and 33rd in total blocks • Helped Lions finish 2nd in OUA East and advance to OUA quarter-finals for second straight year
• OUA bronze medallist in 4x400m relay • 6th at U SPORTS championships in 4x400m relay • 4th in 4x200m relay at OUA championships • 10th in 300m at OUA championships • Helped Lions finish 6th at U SPORTS championships
York Lions 50th Annual Varsity Banquet 15
COACH OF THE YEAR Awarded to a head coach who has demonstrated leadership, earned the respect of both athletes and coaches in setting high expectations which have led to significant improvement and/or accomplishments over the past season for their program.
RUSS HERRINGTON MEN’S HO CK EY
ZEESHAN MINHAS FI ELD HO CK EY
R AY M O N D RUDDER TRACK & FIELD
16 York Lions 50th Annual Varsity Banquet
• First season as head coach after two seasons as an assistant • Led Lions to 17-10-1 mark and second place in OUA West Division • Lions went 5-4 in the playoffs and finished 4th overall, losing the bronze medal game by a single goal • Team had best penalty kill in the OUA and second best overall in the country • Team was in OUA’s top 10 in goals allowed per game (7th) and goals scored (10th)
• Led Lions to 11-1 record and first place in OUA standings • Guided Lions to OUA championship – First since 1996 • Lions won U SPORTS silver medal with loss to UBC in best-of-three series • Team led the OUA in goals scored (12 more than any other team) and goals allowed (only 6 in 12 games) • Brought in 12 rookies and integrated them immediately – 3 of the team’s top 5 scorers were rookies, including conference leading scorer
• First year as head coach after two seasons as an assistant • Led men’s team to 4th at OUA championships and 6th at U SPORTS championships – Up from 5th and 15th last year • Led women’s team to 5th at OUA championships and 6th at U SPORTS championships – Up from 13th last year • Increased number of athletes competing at U SPORTS championships from 11 to 33 • Women’s 4x400m relay team broke a 34-year-old school record
MOST IMPROVED TEAM Awarded to the team that has shown the greatest improvement over the previous season.
WOM E N ’S BAS K E T BA L L • Finished 5th in OUA East with 11-12 record, compared to 5-14 last year • Scored 6.2 more points per game, moving to 8th in the OUA from 16th • Allowed 5.6 less points per game, moving to 7th in the OUA from 13th • Defeated Ryerson Rams in regular season for the first time since 2014 • Lost to undefeated Carleton by just six points, the narrowest margin of victory for the No. 1 Ravens against any OUA opponent in regular season and playoffs
F I E L D H O C K EY • Finished 1st in OUA with 11-1 record, compared to 7-2-3 and 3rd in OUA last year • Won first OUA championship since 1996 after 5th place finish last year • Won silver medal at U SPORTS championships, first national medal since 1994 • Defeated Toronto Varsity Blues for first time since 1999 • 1st in OUA scoring and nearly doubled number of goals scored with 51, compared to 26 last year • 1st in OUA in goals against, allowed only six goals in 12 regular-season games, compared to 11 last year
M E N ’S T RAC K & F I E L D • Finished 4th at OUA championships with 99 points, up from 5th place and 48 points last year • Finished 6th at U SPORTS championships with 48 points, up from 15th place and 43 points last year • Won 8 medals at OUA championships, compared to 3 last year • Won 3 medals at U SPORTS championships, compared to 1 last year • Had 19 athletes qualify for the U SPORTS championships, compared to 4 last year
York Lions 50th Annual Varsity Banquet 17
AWARD WINNERS U S P O R T S AWA R D S
O U A A L L- S TA R S
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
FIRST-TEAM ALL-STARS
Jaslan Stirling
Cristian Cavallini Nicholas Fyffe Daniel Gogarty Kayden Johnson Xavier Joseph Julia Khalilova Steve Kloutsouniotis Vanesa Lacas-Warrick Eugenie Lim Ah Tock Sydney McFaul Tomika McIntosh Logan Mend Tobi Owotomo Holly Pitters Andrew Shotbolt Lindsay Shotbolt Jaslan Stirling Rebecca Titus De Vante Walker Petra Woods
Rookie of the Year
FIRST-TEAM ALL-CANADIANS Cristian Cavallini Kayden Johnson Daniel Gogarty Holly Pitters Jaslan Stirling
Men’s Soccer Men’s Track & Field Men’s Soccer Women’s Track & Field Field Hockey
SECOND-TEAM ALL-CANADIANS Kaitlin Brooks Nicholas Fyffe Holly Pitters Lindsay Shotbolt Alexandria Town Petra Woods
Women’s Track & Field Men’s Track & Field Women’s Track & Field Women’s Basketball Women’s Wrestling Women’s Rugby
O U A M A J O R AWA R D S
Men’s Soccer Men’s Track & Field Men’s Soccer Men’s Track & Field Men’s Track & Field Women’s Tennis Men’s Soccer Women’s Fencing Women’s Tennis Field Hockey Women’s Soccer Men’s Volleyball Women’s Rugby Women’s Track & Field Men’s Volleyball Women’s Basketball Field Hockey Field Hockey Men’s Soccer Women’s Rugby
MOST VALUABLE PLAYER Cristian Cavallini Nicholas Fyffe Jaslan Stirling
Men’s Soccer Track & Field (Field Events) Field Hockey
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR Jaslan Stirling
Field Hockey
MOST SPORTSMANLIKE PLAYER Shayne Rover
Men’s Hockey
TRACY M AC LEOD AWARD Lindsay Shotbolt
Women’s Basketball
STUDENT-ATHLETE COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD RECIPIENT Christine Chan Spencer Dakin Kuiper Shayne Rover Kevin Vuong
Women’s Wrestling Men’s Volleyball (Dale Iwanoczko Sportsman Award) Men’s Hockey (Randy Gregg Award) Men’s Wrestling
18 York Lions 50th Annual Varsity Banquet
SECOND-TEAM ALL-STARS Samuel Adams Dylan Carreiro Drew Erskine Christy Ihunaegbo Nikola Kalinic Jonathan Lao Christina Morelli Sonya Mwambu Holly Pitters Rossini Sandjong-Djabome Heather Setka Derek Sheppard Mack Shields Alexandria Town Sarah Williams Celeste Witzell
Men’s Track & Field Men’s Soccer Men’s Track & Field Women’s Track & Field Football Men’s Soccer Women’s Soccer Women’s Lacrosse Women’s Track & Field Football Women’s Volleyball Men’s Hockey Men’s Hockey Women’s Wrestling Women’s Volleyball Women’s Volleyball
ALL-ROOKIE TEAM James Duffey Jr. Daniel Loggale Andrew Tauhid
Football Football Men’s Volleyball
ATHLETES OF THE WEEK C O N F E R E N C E AT H L E T E S O F THE WEEK U SPORTS Jaslan Stirling
Field Hockey
OUA Cristian Cavallini Kadeem Hemmings Rossini Sandjong-Djabome Jaslan Stirling
Men’s Soccer Football – Special Teams Football – Defence Field Hockey
Y O R K AT H L E T E S O F T H E W E E K Adam Adeboboye Marvelous Agbonwaneten Milan Beader Haley Bowie Kyle Campbell Dylan Carreiro Cristian Cavallini (2) Joey Cicchillo Katrina Collins-Samuels Courtney Dwyer Lauren Dubie Alex Fotinos Nicholas Fyffe Ali Ghadghoni Heather Hills Colton Hunchak Christy Ihunaegbo (2) Xavier Jehovah Kayden Johnson Steve Kloutsouniotis Jonathan Lao Eugenie Lim Ah Tock Erin Locke Megan MacLeod Logan Mend
Football Women’s Track & Field Men’s Soccer Women’s Basketball Men’s Hockey Men’s Soccer Men’s Soccer Men’s Soccer Women’s Basketball Women’s Track & Field Women’s Hockey Men’s Hockey Men’s Track & Field Men’s Cross Country Women’s Tennis Football Women’s Track & Field Men’s Track & Field Men’s Track & Field Men’s Soccer Men’s Soccer Women’s Tennis Women’s Hockey Women’s Basketball Men’s Volleyball
Morgan Messenger Christina Morelli Ashley Nater Daniel Nikandrov Tobi Owotomo Megan Pakulis Shania Payne Holly Pitters Shayne Rover Levar Russell Heather Setka Derek Sheppard Mack Shields Andrew Shotbolt Lindsay Shotbolt (2) Melissa Smillie Kristina Steins Jaslan Stirling (2) Alexandria Town (3) Colton Vannucci Sara Vollmerhausen
Men’s Hockey Women’s Soccer Women’s Soccer Men’s Hockey Women’s Rugby Women’s Rugby Women’s Track & Field Women’s Track & Field Men’s Hockey Men’s Track & Field Women’s Volleyball Men’s Hockey Men’s Hockey Men’s Volleyball Women’s Basketball Women’s Volleyball Women’s Swimming Field Hockey Women’s Wrestling Men’s Hockey Field Hockey
York Lions 50th Annual Varsity Banquet 19
ACADEMIC AWARDS U S P O RTS ACA D E M I C A L L- CA N A D I A N S For 2016-17 Academic Year Samuel Adams Faisal Al-Hamdan Dexter Bricker Gehrig Carlse Stephanie Caruso Jeffrey Chen Christina Chin Joshua Ching Bobbi-Jo Cronk Charlene D’Mello Spencer Dakin Kuiper Meira Dholakia Kirsten Dillon Dereck Djan Lauren Dubie Tegan Duncan Scott Feser Shauney Fischer Sean Ford Nicholas Fyffe Nicholas Geiser Elgar Gong Emily Goodwin Jack Goranson Ally Govier Marilyn Grammenopoulos Connor Hale Leah Hibbert Jessica Ho Amanda Hroncok Mark Hutchinson Armanda Iuliano Justine Jones Sabah Kalim Owen Kerr Caitlin Lee Erran Lee Cheyenne Legerton
Financial & Business Economics Kinesiology & Health Science Cognitive Science Biophysics Education Nursing Schulich School of Business Kinesiology & Health Science Education Administrative Studies Geography Schulich School of Business Kinesiology & Health Science Kinesiology & Health Science Psychology Kinesiology & Health Science Finance Kinesiology & Health Science Kinesiology & Health Science Kinesiology & Health Science / Psychology
Kinesiology & Health Science Schulich School of Business Professional Writing Communications Studies / Political Science
Kinesiology & Health Science Kinesiology & Health Science / Psychology
Psychology Kinesiology & Health Science Communications Studies Education Kinesiology & Health Science Biomedical Science Kinesiology & Health Science Law & Society Administrative Studies Kinesiology & Health Science Kinesiology & Health Science Fine Arts
20 York Lions 50th Annual Varsity Banquet
Tara Leithead Amy Locke Erin Locke Malcolm Loukides Peyton Lozzi Natalie Maw Sydney McFaul Greg Milner Sandra Nagowska Sia Papadopoulos Julia Pennella Michelle Per Holly Pitters Mikhel Poldma Maurizio Ragone Jonathan Raspanti Dina Ricco Taylor Ross Shayne Rover Steffei Samuel Kendra Saxton Ishanaa Seupersadsingh Sasha Seymour Nezar Shahin Mack Shields Daniel Sibley Alexa Silva Dana Somerville Peyman Tadi Justine Treadwell Lorissa Tsenis Chelsea Tucker Mitchell Van Teeling Colton Vannucci Bria Williams Nicholas Zottl
Social Work / Education Kinesiology & Health Science Kinesiology & Health Science Kinesiology & Health Science Education Environmental Studies Criminology Environmental Studies Education Communications Studies History Administrative Studies Kinesiology & Health Science / Psychology
Kinesiology & Health Science Kinesiology & Health Science Kinesiology & Health Science Health Studies Kinesiology & Health Science Education Education English / Professional Writing Kinesiology & Health Science Political Science Psychology Business, Accounting Kinesiology & Health Science Kinesiology & Health Science Communications Studies Kinesiology & Health Science Kinesiology & Health Science Education Education / Psychology Kinesiology & Health Science Business & Society Criminology Commerce, Finance
ACADEMIC AWARDS O UA ACA D E M I C AC H I E V E M E N T AWA R DS For 2016-17 Academic Year Kevin Borsos Scott Buck Judy Cheung Hunter Delorme Madeline Dinunzio Melissa Fournier Randa Hassan Nikola Janev Ana Janic Glen Katsnelson Sofiya Kostikova Vanesa Lacas-Warrick John Lau Eun Lim Daiyan Luo Filip Obucina Taylor Remez Jagpreet Singh Michael Tabascio Georg Zoidl
Biophysics Administrative Studies Music & Design Psychology Education French Studies Kinesiology & Health Science Biology Psychology Kinesiology & Health Science Criminology Psychology Law & Society Business Economics Kinesiology & Health Science Administrative Studies Education / English Administrative Studies Space Engineering Biology
In total, York had 74 U SPORTS all-Canadians and 20 OUA academic achievement award winners. These numbers include student-athletes on our club teams.
York Lions 50th Annual Varsity Banquet 21
B A S K E T B A L L-Y E A R I N R E V I E W MEN 2017-18 TEAM ROSTER Hassan Adenola Nana Adu-Poku Yaw Anti-Boasiako Chevon Brown Matthew Carating Christian D’Alessandro MJ Forbes Ammar Hassan Ricky Hudson Sukhjot Kalsi Prince Kamunga Gianmarco Luciani DeShawn Montaque Brandon Ramirez Josiah Riley Isaiah Scipio Stefano Spagnuolo Gene Spagnuolo
The men’s basketball team underwent a major overhaul this season and was able to find some success despite the many challenges that came their way. Nate Philippe was hired as head coach in the summer of 2017 to lead a team full of fresh faces on every level. Eleven different players and Philippe’s four assistant coaches all made their debuts with the Lions this season. The squad won eight of their preseason games and opened the regular season with a win over Lakehead. Two
games later the Lions picked up their second win of the regular season over McMaster. The team struggled down the stretch but played in a number of tight games, including narrow losses to a number of playoff teams such as Windsor and Laurentian. Fourth-year guard Gene Spagnuolo cracked the top five in the OUA in three-point shooting percentage and Gianmarco Luciani led the team in scoring in his debut season with the Lions.
COACHING STAFF Head Coach Assistant Coaches Player Development Specialist Head Student Therapist Assistant Student Therapist
WOMEN 2017-18 TEAM ROSTER Madison Bardoel Haley Bowie Chante Clarke Katrina Collins-Samuels Lauren Golding Cyanna King Khara Keane Kiley Langille Megan MacLeod Taylor McAlpine Alysha Pinck Lindsay Shotbolt Megan Stewart Madeline Weber
22 York Lions 50th Annual Varsity Banquet
Nate Philippe Juan Nunez, Kenan Jorsling, Brandon Emmanuel Ben Haile Jason Li Tiffany Ho
Building on the Lions’ success in 201617 under head coach Erin McAleenan, the Lions had their best regular-season since 2007-08. They won 11 games, a huge jump from the five they won in the previous year. The Lions made it to the first round of OUA playoffs for the second year in a row, where they fell to Ryerson in a tight five-point contest. In the winter portion of the schedule, against only rivals from the OUA East, the Lions put together a 7-6 record that included a four-game winning streak. They also defeated the Rams twice, their first wins over their
rivals since 2014. Lindsay Shotbolt had one of the best statistical seasons in OUA history and picked up a number of honours, including the Tracy MacLeod Award, an OUA first-team all-star selection and became the first York women’s basketball player to be named a second-team all-Canadian since 1997 and only third overall in program history. She finished second overall in rebounds and sixth in scoring, part of a number of top finishes in the OUA individual rankings. Chante Clarke was 20th in scoring and Haley Bowie was 18th in three-point scoring percentage.
COACHING STAFF Head Coach Assistant Coaches Head Student Therapist Assistant Student Therapist
Erin McAleenan Lexie Sananes, Menelik Fernandes, Emily Hazlett Hollie Lau, Sunny Marshall Michelle Gorkunberg
CROSS COUNTRY-YEAR IN REVIEW MEN 2017 TEAM ROSTER Sam Agnew Ali Ghadghoni
The men’s cross country team was a small contingent this year with just a pair of runners, Ali Ghadghoni and Sam Agnew, who both had strong showings at the OUA championships this season. Ghadghoni is in his first season with the Lions and ran his way to a 50th place finish, while Agnew returned after a year off due to injury
and finished just two places behind his teammate in 52nd spot. Ghadghoni had one top-five finish in the regular season, at the Don Mills Open in Waterloo.
COACHING STAFF Head Coach Assistant Coach Head Student Therapist
WOMEN 2017 TEAM ROSTER Ivon James Alberran Brittania Fusca Anna Green Amanda Hroncok Meaghan Kelly Zoe Pekos Katrianna Pisani Anna Prouzou Vaishnavy Yogarajah
Raymond Rudder Ryan Finn Rebecca Titus
The runners on the women’s cross country team had a solid start to the season and three of them went on to represent York at the OUA championships. Fourth-year veteran runner Vaishnavy Yogarajah was the top finisher at the conference meet for the Lions, crossing the line 82nd with a time of 33:12.8. Rookie runners
Katrianna Pisani and Amanda Hroncok were close behind, finishing 85th and 87th respectively.
COACHING STAFF Head Coach Assistant Coach Head Student Therapist
Raymond Rudder Ryan Finn Rebecca Titus
York Lions 50th Annual Varsity Banquet 23
FIELD HOCKEY & RUGBY-YEAR IN REVIEW FIELD HOCKEY 2017 TEAM ROSTER Haley Bannister Amira Brar Brianna Fequet Alycia Gray Ravneet Kalkat Michelle Kelly Pamela Kernohan Kendra Kerr Paige Koochin Natalie Maw Sydney McFaul Kyra McKinnon Montana Merante Madison Mitchell Cassidy Nicholls
Michelle Per Christina Sine Mikhaela Slavin Frankie St. Louis Jaslan Stirling Rebecca Titus Laura Touhey Sara Vollmerhausen Paige Warner Natalie Winter
2017 TEAM ROSTER Cheyenne Legerton Lauryn Legerton Chanelle Lindegaard Kiara Maclean Katherine Markudis Kimberly Moon-Chong Natasha Naismith Tobi Owotomo Megan Pakulis Rae-Lynn Parkins Lexie Riley Eryn Roberts Sasha Seymour Zoe Sian Jodi Stewart Michela Stratton Petra Woods
the Lions battled for the title of U SPORTS champion one week later and ultimately brought home silver, falling 2-0 in both games to host UBC. This was the Lions’ best U SPORTS performance since 1994, when they also recorded a second-place finish. Rookie forward Jaslan Stirling was named U SPORTS rookie of the year and earned all-Canadian and OUA first-team honours after leading the country in scoring with an average of 1.58 goals per game.
COACHING STAFF Head Coach Assistant Coaches Head Student Therapist Assistant Student Therapist
RU G BY Tia Anderson-Hudson Rianne Barnes Catherine Belanger Brianna Berry Lucy Boronka Veronica Curcuruto Rayann D’Aguiar Brittany Ediagbonya Glory Ezeude Vanessa Ferrara Courtney Foster Clarice Gillard Ally Govier Britney Grey Miranda Hebert Jasmine Hector Jessica Ho Catherine Iuliano Brooke Jensen Syan Johnson
The women’s field hockey team experienced tremendous success this season. They went 11-1 in the regular season and went on to win the OUA championship, a feat they had not accomplished since 1996 and a huge improvement from their fifth-place finish last season. The Lions also outscored the competition 51-6 over the course of the season, scoring more goals and allowing fewer than any other team in the conference. Their journey wasn’t over yet, as
Zeeshan Minhas Dave Cox, Lisa McRae Sunny Marshall Kyle Frey
The women’s rugby team had its best finish in program history with a fourth-place result. Playing in the tougher Shiels Division, against the top teams in the OUA, the Lions went 1-3 with a big win over Western in the last game of the season that qualified them for the post-season. The team pulled together in the first round of the playoffs to defeat Brock and move into the semifinals, a historic first for the Lions. They were defeated by eventual champion Guelph in the semifinals, but still had a chance to play McMaster in the bronze-medal match. Despite a tough loss, the Lions were able to
celebrate a huge milestone and hold onto their spot in the Shiels Division, where they can continue to play the top teams in the OUA. Petra Woods and Tobi Owotomo were both named OUA all-stars for a second straight year, and Woods also earned second-team all-Canadian honours, the second time in her four years with the Lions.
COACHING STAFF Head Coach Assistant Coaches Head Student Therapist Assistant Student Therapists
24 York Lions 50th Annual Varsity Banquet
Jenn Russell Ashley Rycroft, Brian Kelly, Sarah Meng Ruth Yeung David Lisi, Yechiel Fine
F O OT B A L L-Y E A R I N R E V I E W 2017 TEAM ROSTER Airgama Abaya Jordan Adams Adam Adeboboye Malachi Adlam Muhammad Ali Terrell Allert Jesse Amankwaa Daniel Amoako Mohammed Anmashawun Gabriel Appiah-Kubi Aaron Atwell Nicholas Baker Chavaughn Barrett Andrew Batman Genesis Bediako Shakim Bennett Lesean Betton Luke Borsella Alexei Brazeau Isaiah Brown Sheldon Brown Nathaneal Cameron Mack Chapman Emanuel Charest Jeffrey Chen Brett Colangelo Marcus Colangelo Bryce Covello Alex Daley Dona Danhoundo Dawson Davis Noah DiMatteo Anthony DiNardo Desi Dixon James Duffey Jr. Talik Ehouman Ryan Farr Matthan Francis Connor Gardiner James Garrish Philippe Girouard Jackson Haime Luther Hakunavanhu Brandon Hatzes Kadeem Hemmings Brett Hunchak Colton Hunchak Damian Jamieson Jacob Janke
Reid Jeffs Kayden Johnson Brinder Kaile Nikola Kalinic Eric Kimmerly Skye King Matt Krason Jonathan Landry Malik Langston Enzo Lariccia Ian Lawrence Chase Lemperes Nicholas Lichacz Daniel Loggale Carlton Makini Harrison Mancuso Dante Mastrogiuseppe Chris Mote Kevin Musai Timi Oladipo Alexander Olay Jared Ott Rees Paterson Matthew Prusin Aarmin Purewal Alex Purvis Gautham Rajendra Lane Raposo Vincent Reale Jayden Reid Joey Ricottone Xavier Rogers Robert Rudderham Jamian Rush Mustafa Sagbilge Rossini Sandjong-Djabome Matthew Skoko Andrew Smith Christopher Smith Terrell Theberge Kadeem Thomas Nick Voci Majeed Zabsonre
The football team faced some tough competition and adversity this season and, as a result, picked up one win in their schedule. This was a huge win over crosstown rival Toronto by a thrilling final score of 41-16 at the 48th annual Red & Blue Bowl in a game the Lions dominated from start to finish. They played a number of playoff teams tough, including holding a fourth-quarter lead over Ottawa in an eventual narrow loss. Tight end Nikola Kalinic and defensive end Rossini Sandiong-Djabome earned OUA
second-team all-star honours for the first time, while James Duffey Jr. and Daniel Loggale earned spots on the OUA all-rookie team.
COACHING STAFF Head Coach Offensive Coordinator / Strength & Conditioning Defensive Coordinator Special Teams Coordinator Assistant Head Coach / Defensive Line Recruiting Coordinator / Defensive Backs Defensive Line Offensive Assistants Defensive Assistant Quarterbacks Offensive Line Running Backs Linebackers Kickers Video Coordinator Study Hall Coordinator Head Student Therapist Assistant Student Therapists
Warren Craney Kamau Peterson Sammy Okpro Jesse Alexander Tom Norwell Zak Colangelo Stefano Conte Mike Danischewsky Nathaniel Griffith Vince Hamilton Marcello Lio Jordyn Moore Garfield Nelson Nick Sapone Roy Venier Aaron Wolski Marty Alaimo Valerie Chuong Maksym Fedak Elizabeth Sung Laura Clinton Billy Nguyen Giamluca Perfetti Angela Kouadio
York Lions 50th Annual Varsity Banquet 25
HOCKEY-YEAR IN REVIEW MEN 2017-18 TEAM ROSTER Daniel Altshuller Giusten Annetta Justin Bean Kegan Blasby Dexter Bricker Kyle Campbell Nik Coric Nicolas Crescenzi Andrew Doyle Scott Feser Sal Filice Alex Fotinos Jack Goranson Reid Jackman Josh LaFrance Justin Maiolino Adam Marsh Morgan Messenger Alex Mowbray Daniel Nikandrov Trevor Petersen
Stefano Pezzetta Shayne Rover Derek Sheppard Mack Shields Colton Vannucci Ben Verrall Keelan Williams Nick Zottl
Top 10. After some tough matchups in the Queen’s Cup playoffs, the Lions just missed out on qualifying for the U SPORTS tournament with a fourth-place OUA finish. Goaltender Mack Shields and defenceman Derek Sheppard were both named OUA second-team all-stars. Graduating team captain Shayne Rover – the Lions’ ultimate good guy – was awarded the OUA’s Randy Gregg Award and the Most Sportsmanlike Award, to cap off a tremendous five-year career.
COACHING STAFF Head Coach Assistant Coaches Goaltending Coach Co-Head Student Therapists
WOMEN 2017-18 TEAM ROSTER Brooke Anderson Allison Carswell Christina Chin Chloe Cyr Madison Davey Taylor Davison Ellen Donaldson Lauren Dubie Tegan Duncan Courtney Gardiner Jenna Gray Eva Hall Kayla Hosegood Roxanne Kis
The men’s hockey team went through a coaching change this off-season, with Russ Herrington taking over the lead duties after two years as an assistant under Chris Dennis, who left to join the AHL’s Chicago franchise. The reigning OUA champions opened the season with a six-game winning streak, allowing only nine goals against during that time. The Lions remained at or near the top of the OUA West Division for the remainder of the regular season, finishing in second place with a 17-10-1 record, and made eight appearances in the U SPORTS
Caitlin Lee Erran Lee Erin Locke Lauren Matta Kelsey McHolm Jenna McNamara Tayler Murphy Sarah Power Taylor Price Avery Reeves Steffei Samuel Cynthia St-Cyr Chelsea Tucker
Russ Herrington Jesse Messier, Jesse Cook, Justin Larson Rob Heholt Amanda Deluca, Matthew Baranowicz
The women’s hockey team finished its season 10th in the OUA, two spots higher than the 12th-place finish they recorded in 2016-17, and won twice as many games, picking up eight in the regular season. After a tough start to the year, the Lions bounced back with four wins in November and wrapped up their schedule with a pair of 3-1 wins
26 York Lions 50th Annual Varsity Banquet
over Brock and Toronto. Their season also included a massive 4-0 shutout win over Laurentian, a shootout loss against eventual OUA champion Western and an overtime defeat to nationally-ranked Guelph. The team finished the regular season with an 8-0-12-4 mark, six points outside of the playoff picture.
COACHING STAFF Head Coach Assistant Coaches Goaltending Coach Performance Coaches Head Student Therapist Assistant Student Therapist
Dan Church Steve Dempsey, Dino Caggiula, Stephanie Lockert Rob Heholt Susan Hobson, Kiri Langford Alix Mahood Serena Finlayson
SOCCER-YEAR IN REVIEW MEN 2017 TEAM ROSTER Myles Abreo Faisal Al-Hamdan Sebastian Amaya Sergiu Anton Mike Argyrides Milan Beader Vaughan Bianchi Dylan Carreiro Cristian Cavallini Joey Cicchillo Michael Costanzo Andrew D’Souza Andre Dyer Shyon Gaeeni Avian Girard Daniel Gogarty Daniel Gosciniak Pierre Grenier Gabriel Jodhan Josh Kiselyov Steve Kloutsouniotis
Jonathan Lao Eddie Lay Adam Lofranco Malcolm Loukides Nick Lucchetto Basit Madamidola Omar Marzouk Malcolm McKay Adam Parda Hamzah Rizvi Quillan Roberts Jean Stanley Romulus Paramvir Sekhon Francesco Sinopoli Taylor Templeton De Vante Walker Caleb Washington
WOMEN 2017 TEAM ROSTER Ally Bruder Stephanie Caruso Eva Colella Courtney Davis Taylor Grant Kaitlin Hawley Chynna Ho-Young Cadogan Julia Iaquinta Michaela Krampert Stephanie Lamanna Mia Laursen Jessica Lush Tomika McIntosh Kristine Messinis Christina Morelli Farkhunda Muhtaj
The men’s soccer team brought home the OUA championship banner for the fourth time in the last five years, capping off another tremendous year. The Lions went 13-2-1 in the regular season with nine shutout wins and finished on a fivegame winning streak, putting them atop the OUA West Division for the 11th straight year. In the playoffs, the Lions went on to defeat both Western and Ryerson in thrilling fashion, needing late goals in both to advance to the U SPORTS tournament, and then won 2-0 over Carleton in the
COACHING STAFF Master Coach Assistant Coaches Goalkeeper Coach Fitness Coach Head Student Therapist Assistant Student Therapist
Carmine Isacco Hieu Quach, Luca Forno, Matthew Stinson, Andrea Lombardo, Matt Arnone, Enzo Paez Gerald Pennant Luke Buttery Benjamin Intarakosit Manon Melanson
The women’s soccer team battled its way through a tough year to end the regular season 5-6-5. The Lions picked up their first win over Brock Ashley Nater after tying two games and losing Teni Odetoyinbo four, and then lost just twice in their Ola Olatoye final 10 games. Three of the Lions’ Tamara Orlando five wins were shutouts, and in each Sia Papadopoulos of their other wins only allowed Yoana Peralta the opposition to score once. The Mika Richards Kristen Riquelme Kendra Saxton Amanda Spano Taylor Tsotsos Alyssa Walkuski Haley Walsh
COACHING STAFF Master Coach Assistant Coaches Goalkeeper Coach Fitness Coach Head Student Therapist Assistant Student Therapist
gold-medal game on home turf. The Lions suffered a tough loss to host Thompson Rivers in the U SPORTS quarter-finals and finished fifth overall with wins over Carleton and UQAM in consolation matches. Cristian Cavallini picked up a number of awards including OUA West MVP, a first-team all-star selection and all-Canadian honours, while Daniel Gogarty was also named a firstteam OUA all-star and U SPORTS all-Canadian. Steve Kloutsouniotis and De Vante Walker were named OUA first-team all-stars while Dylan Carreiro and Jonathan Lao earned second-team all-stars honours.
Lions finished the regular season in fifth place in the OUA West and took on Waterloo in a nail-biting first-round playoff match that went into penalty kicks and resulted in a Warriors victory, the fourth straight year the team has seen its season end in penalty kicks. Tomika McIntosh and Christina Morelli both earned OUA all-star awards on the first and second team, respectively, McIntosh’s third straight selection to the all-star team.
Carmine Isacco Paul DeAbreu, Olivia Lukasewich, Shannon Wood, Nour Ghoneim, Marilyn Grammenopoulos, Alex Fogolin Gerald Pennant Luke Buttery Barbara Paraskevakos Katie Lehoux York Lions 50th Annual Varsity Banquet 27
TENNIS-YEAR IN REVIEW MEN
The men’s tennis team ended the regular season 1-5, with its one victory coming over McMaster. The Lions entered the OUA championships as the fifth seeds and upset Waterloo in the first round for the second year in a row to advance to the medal round. They were defeated by Western in the bronze-medal match
2017 TEAM ROSTER Kevin Borsos Masood Eisa-Beygi Tre Eli Andres Findlay Nikola Janev Glen Katsnelson Karan Negi Xander Owen-Vasilis Sahil Sareen Dylan Shanmugadhasan Georg Zoidl
WOMEN 2017 TEAM ROSTER Isabella Baston Vanesa Ereqi Aryanne Hart-Dixon Lobna Hassan Randa Hassan Heather Hills Ana Janic Julia Khalilova Sara Krupica Eugenie Lim Ah Tock Claudia Poluga
to finish in fourth place for the second straight season. At the Canadian University Winter Championships five months later, the Lions finished just one point behind Western to win team silver.
COACHING STAFF
Head Coach Assistant Coach Head Student Therapist
Chris Field Mark Furman Zoe Rubin
It was another successful season for the women’s tennis team. The Lions went undefeated in the regular season for the fourth straight year and are currently sporting a 26-match winning streak. This earned them a top seed and a bye in the first round of OUA championships. They went on to easily defeat Montreal in the semifinals to make it to the final for the fourth year in a row. Playing defending champion Western in the
OUA final, the Lions had to settle for silver after a narrow 4-3 loss. In March, the Lions picked up a silver medal at the Canadian University Winter Championships after defeating Queen’s and Waterloo to finish just behind defending champion Alberta. Julia Khalilova and Eugenie Lim Ah Tock both received OUA all-star awards.
COACHING STAFF Head Coach Assistant Coaches Head Student Therapist
28 York Lions 50th Annual Varsity Banquet
Chris Field Mark Furman, Valerie Ushanova Zoe Rubin
TRACK & FIELD-YEAR IN REVIEW MEN
Under the guidance of new head coach Raymond Rudder, the men’s track and field team saw huge 2017-18 TEAM ROSTER success this year after finishing Samuel Adams Kayden Johnson outside of the U SPORTS top 10 last Sam Agnew Xavier Joseph season. The Lions finished fourth Abdiaziz Ali Tyrell Mairs overall at the OUA championships Zeon Bass Brock Martin by half a point after Nicholas Fyffe, Quinn Charles Nick Mills Kayden Johnson and Xavier Joseph Joshua Ching Ryan Mitra won gold medals in their respective Jason Clare Victor Nogues-Szalkowski events, while Samuel Adams and Dereck Djan Daniele Orsini Drew Erskine took home silvers and Kingboy Douglas Jr. Jalen Pidlubny Jonathan Raspanti and the 4x400m
Ugatua Ebikeme Drew Erskine Nicholas Fyffe Ali Ghadghoni Demari Grant Mark Hutchinson Sodiq Ibrahim Placide Ilunga Xavier Jehovah
Gabriel Rahming Jonathan Raspanti Levar Russell Brandon Shokour Tim Sirisombath Tohma Van Bergen David Vargas Alex Zomparelli
COACHING STAFF Head Coach Assistant Coaches Head Athletic Therapist Head Student Therapist Assistant Student Therapists
WOMEN
Raymond Rudder Bradley Matheson, Eric Brathwaite, Mary Egbo-Egbo, Ryan Finn, Sheereen Harris, Adam Kovacs, Arye Rosenoer, Nathan Stern, Kevin Montgomery Kevin Montgomery Rebecca Titus Vicky Choi, Vesna Galenic
The women’s track and field team also followed a new coaching direction and saw dramatic results. 2017-18 TEAM ROSTER The Lions held on to fifth overall at Marvelous Agbonwaneten Danielle Knight the OUA championships, where Holly Diana Boa Jennifer Lesurf Pitters won gold and silver medals Mikeisha Bobb Shania Payne in the triple jump and long jump, Kaitlin Brooks Katrianna Pisani respectively, and Christy Ihuneagbo Georgia Campbell Holly Pitters was the 300m silver medallist and Heniesha Christie Caroline Ritchie part of the 4x400m relay team that Simone Da Silva Monique Simon-Tucker won bronze. She also broke York’s Courtney Dwyer Zakiya Tavernier school record in the 300m in the Madeline Eastmond Nicolette Witherspoon regular season, as did the 4x400m Tracey Edwards Vaishnavy Yogarajah relay team. An additional seven
Bailey Francis Emily Goodwin Anna Green Rasheeda Gurley Naomi Henry Christy Ihunaegbo Stella Isaac Leah Jones Meaghan Kelly
relay team won bronze medals. Fyffe was also named the OUA field events MVP after breaking an 11-year OUA record in the triple jump. Two weeks later, the Lions finished sixth overall at the U SPORTS championships. Johnson earned first-team allCanadian status with his gold medal in the 60m hurdles, and Fyffe became a second-team all-Canadian for a second year in a row with his silver medal in the triple jump.
top-six performances added more points for the Lions. They went on to finish sixth at the U SPORTS championships after missing out on the top 10 last season. Pitters earned both first- and second-team all-Canadian honours with her medal performances in the triple jump and long jump, respectively, and Kaitlin Brooks became a secondteam all-Canadian for the first time in her career with a surprise silver in the shot put. The 4x400m relay team ended its strong season with a national bronze medal.
COACHING STAFF Head Coach Assistant Coaches Head Athletic Therapist Head Student Therapist Assistant Student Therapists
Raymond Rudder Bradley Matheson, Eric Brathwaite, Mary Egbo-Egbo, Ryan Finn, Sheereen Harris, Adam Kovacs, Arye Rosenoer, Nathan Stern, Kevin Montgomery Kevin Montgomery Rebecca Titus Vicky Choi, Vesna Galenic York Lions 50th Annual Varsity Banquet 29
V O L L E Y B A L L-Y E A R I N R E V I E W MEN 2017-18 TEAM ROSTER Jade Cameron Tyler Covach Spencer Dakin Kuiper Kirsten Duncan-Thibault Aleksander Grzegorczyk Patrick Jensen Tim Jensen Andrew Jones Logan Mend Jules Muhawe Toure Nwakwesi Amir Paknahad Alexandre Rioux Michael Sherbut Andrew Shotbolt Alexander Smith Andriy Sozanskyy Andrew Tauhid Robert Thompson
WOMEN 2017-18 TEAM ROSTER Rachel Adams Kayla Clennon Cadence Currie Chiara Da Silva Mimi Demski Justine Jones Sabah Kalim Tara Leithead Keeva MacLeod Jordan Neely Heather Setka Theresa Skubic Melissa Smillie Sarah Williams Celeste Witzell
The men’s volleyball team picked up where it left off last season and battled Ryerson all year for the top spot in the OUA East. The Lions went 12-6 in the regular season, which included four straight-sets wins, and finished in second place in the division. They advanced to the OUA quarter-finals where they hosted Windsor. After winning the first set, the Lancers bounced back to win three in a row and knock the Lions out of the playoffs. Throughout the season, the Lions averaged 12.06
COACHING STAFF Head Coach Assistant Coaches Team Manager Head Student Therapist Assistant Student Therapist
Michael Wahbi John Luu, David Ta, Sam Schachter, Grant Lynch Bruce Nguyen Brian Richard Cathy Salvo
The women’s volleyball team had an up-and-down season but won when it mattered most, defeating Nipissing in a must-win game to secure the final playoff spot in the OUA East. The Lions finished the regular season 8-11, with three of those wins coming in straight sets. The Lions also put together a fivegame winning streak in the fall. They ended their season on the road for the OUA quarter-final match-up,
30 York Lions 50th Annual Varsity Banquet
kills per set with 868 total kills and put up more service aces than any other team in the OUA. Logan Mend and Andrew Shotbolt received OUA first-team all-star honours and Andrew Tauhid was named to the all-rookie team. To round out the OUA awards, Spencer Dakin Kuiper received the Dale Iwanockzo Award of Merit. The team also had a number of top performances, with Shotbolt finishing in the top 10 in both kills per set and total kills, Jules Muhawe and Mend tying for 16th in total digs, and Mend finishing first overall in services aces.
where they suffered a straight sets loss to the eventual silver medallist McMaster. The team averaged 10.97 kills per set and recorded over 1,000 digs. Heather Setka, Sarah Williams and Celeste Witzell finished the season with OUA second-team all-star honours. Notable top OUA performances came from Witzell in the top 15 in total kills, Williams finishing top 20 in total digs, and Williams and Mimi Demski in the top 25 in service aces.
COACHING STAFF Head Coach Assistant Coaches Defensive Coordinator Setter Coach Head Student Therapist Assistant Student Therapist
John May Melissa Monkhouse, Melissa Humana-Paredes Reed May Carla Bradstock Monique Wojcik Simone Stella
WRESTLING-YEAR IN REVIEW MEN 2017-18 TEAM ROSTER Khaalid Alexander Usman Aslam Ihsan Atilan Wassim El Rabie Jasman Gill Hermon Kidane Ali Koca Calvin Lam Josh Malu Alec McNeil Jonathan Molloy Paul Nguyen
Trevonn Paul Nashane Ralph Mustafa Shah Anton Smyrnov Alvand Soltankhah Gurnek Tak Oeter Tsarev Kevin Vuong Shevonne Witter Kirill Zvenyatskovskiy
WOMEN 2017-18 TEAM ROSTER Christine Chan Katherine Drewry Carol Huynh Christelle Lans Sophia Ortiz Tayna Romeiro Wendy Roza Mecah Savory Gurleen Tak Alexandria Town Nishtha Vaghela Petra Woods
The men’s wrestling team finished their season fifth overall in the OUA. Four of the Lions’ wrestlers finished fourth in their weight classes, including Kevin Vuong at the 54kg weight class, Shevonne Witter at 57kg, Mustafa Shah at 76kg and Peter Tsarev in 120kg. These finishes
gave the Lions the edge they needed to improve their final placing after a sixth-place finish last season. Vuong also took home the OUA community service award.
COACHING STAFF Head Coach Assistant Coaches Head Student Therapist Assistant Student Therapists
Eamonn Dorgan Chris Kelman, Erica D’Angelo, Cyrus Darius, Seiji Ishiguro Taylor Plaja Alix Mahood, Rebecca Titus
The women’s wrestling team continued to head in the right direction this season. Veteran Lion Alexandria Town wrestled her way to a silver-medal finish in the 59kg weight class at the OUA championships after going 3-0 in her tournament pool and went on to win silver at the U SPORTS championships as well, the best finish ever for a York women’s wrestler. Rookie Christelle Lans
also won an OUA medal, finishing third in the 72kg weight class, and finished sixth at the U SPORTS tournament. Their results gave the Lions their best ever team result nationally, in 10th place. In addition to the team’s success on the mats, Christina Chan received the OUA community service award.
COACHING STAFF Head Coach Assistant Coaches Head Student Therapist Assistant Student Therapists
Eamonn Dorgan Chris Kelman, Erica D’Angelo, Cyrus Darius, Seiji Ishiguro Taylor Plaja Alix Mahood, Rebecca Titus
York Lions 50th Annual Varsity Banquet 31
THANKS AND APPRECIATION OUR SUPPORTERS
York University Athletics & Recreation would like to thank the many people who have supported the varsity athletics program during the 2017-18 season: The members of the Board of Governors and senior management of York University for their leadership, for the resources, excellent facilities they provide and for their ongoing involvement in various aspects of our program. Our sponsors, whose funds, products and gifts help us enhance our sport program and provide quality publications and promotions. Also our on-campus and local media partners, who have been instrumental in spreading the word about the accomplishments of our varsity teams. Those individuals who have donated or raised funds to support awards designated for York student-athletes. The University continues to seek out individual and corporate donors interested in supporting student awards and bursaries. Our many coaches, assistant coaches and team managers who give generously of their time and energy on behalf of our student-athletes. Our student therapists and sport medicine team, the facility operations and marketing & communications teams, campus and local media, campus student leaders, our many volunteers, the staff and management of the School of Kinesiology & Health Science who assisted us throughout the year. You have all contributed to the success of our varsity athletics program!
OUR SPONSORS
32 York Lions 50th Annual Varsity Banquet
ATHLETICS & RECREATION A D M I N I S T R AT I O N
Jennifer Myers Duke Dickson Stan Xiao Elli Abaei Lillian Chan Misi Ogunjimi Kelly Ferguson-Nippard
Executive Director, Athletics & Recreation Director, Business Development & Operations Finance & Administrative Officer Finance Assistant Administrative Coordinator Accounts Receivable Analyst Payroll & Administrative Assistant
VA R S I T Y
Gillian McCullough Hailey Milligan-Jones Bart Zemanek Geoff Carson Nathaniel Griffith Alyson Fisher Katie Robinson Adam Douglas Alena Luciani Jesse Messier
Associate Director, Athletics Manager, Varsity Athletics; Leadership & Community Outreach Manager,Varsity Athletics; High Performance & Alumni Engagement Coordinator, Equipment Services Equipment Services & Stadium Attendant Coordinator, Sport Information Coordinator, Athlete Services Head Strength & Conditioning Coach Assistant Strength & Conditioning Coach Varsity Athletics Representative
MARKETING & C O M M U N I C AT I O N S
Tricia Wyles Mike Bianchi Mike Dahiroc Kim Servinis
Manager, Marketing & Communications Coordinator, Game Day Operations Digital Media Assistant Coordinator, Promotion & Game Day Experience
FA C I L I T Y O P E R AT I O N S
Jonathan Cevallos Manny Troitino
Manager, Facility Operations Coordinator, Facility Operations
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
Ron Carpentier Cassandra Russo Tyler Dongen Spencer Dawe, Nilan Perera, Linda Troitino Nicole Alexandre-Skrotzki
Manager, Business Development Coordinator, Business Development Coordinator, Client Services Client Services Representatives Facilities Secretary
SPORT MEDICINE TEAM
Tracy Meloche James Gardiner Brittney Enright-Blount Jo Hurtubise Loriann Hynes Michael Boni Gus Kandilas Dr. Rick Zarnett, Dr. Jacqueline Auguste Dr. Ramzi Hadad Dr. Hemen Shukla, Dr. Laura Cruz, Dr. John Ho Dr. Karen Johnston Dr. Anthony Mascia Dr. Yuri Frenklah Dr. Saul Marks Dr. Scott Howitt Angela Greco Kevin Montgomery Annette McClelland Debbie Wilkes Alison Macpherson, Lauren Sergio, Mazrah Fallah
Manager, Sport Injury Clinic Assistant Manager, Sport Injury Clinic Supervisor, Outdoor Sports & Head Football Therapist Certified Athletic Therapist, Clinic Assistant Director, Athletic Therapy Certificate Program Associate Director, Athletic Therapy Certificate Program Coordinator, Athletic Therapy Certificate Program Orthopedic Surgeons Team Dentist Sport Medicine Physicians Neurosurgeon Radiologist Cardiologist Sports Psychiatrist Sport Chiropractor Osteopath Certified Athletic Therapist Pedorthist Registered Social Worker Research Consultants York Lions 50th Annual Varsity Banquet 33
YO R K U N I V E R S I T Y AT H L E T I C S & R EC R E AT I O N