Portage Voyageurs cap off 2022-23 season with awards
It was a night to remember for the Portage College athletes after being recognized for their accomplishments throughout the sports season.
On Thursday, March 30 the Lac La Biche campus hosted the Voyageurs Athletic Awards evening to showcase students’ hard work and dedication to college sports.
The Voyagers have a thriving group of athletes willing to push themselves and try new things, this year their athletes had 1120 volunteer hours.
“For a season coming out of COVID, and coming out of previously shortened seasons, I am very appreciative of the athlete’s hard work and dedication over the years,” said Jim Knight, Manager of Athletics and Recreation.
“We have a good base and I am again very appreciative. It is a great group of athletes.”
The awards showcased men’s and women’s soccer, golf, curling, futsal and men’s hockey.
Other awards were Female and Male Athlete of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, Humanitarian of the Year, and Spirit Awards.
“Humanitarian of the Year is sponsored by me and my wife as a way to give back. We are giving $250 to each recipient. I am very grateful for the role I play in Portage since the role was given to me in 2011 and this is just a way of thanks,” said Knight.
Other sponsorships were awarded to recognize those going above and beyond. The Volunteer of the Year award also comes with a $1000 check, the Athlete of the Year with $500 each, and the FC award that is given to graduating players in soccer is $250 dollars each.
Men’s Hockey has its own scholarship with the Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation where three players are awarded $2000 each for their hard efforts in the season.
Off-ice officials also had recognition with the ACAC Minor Officials Award given to volunteers who take the time to learn and follow college sports on their own clocks. Timekeepers, Scorekeepers, and Announcers.
After the awards everyone in attendance was asked to gather in the Voyageurs Grill to have some food and share some laughs about the past season.
Images by Ryan Hlewka and Courtney Nielson.
The list of recipients and their awards are as follows.
Golf
Most Improved – Nick Gidney
Rookie of the Year – Lyric Lewis
Voyageurs Spirit Award – Alex Brousseau
Player of the Year – Kelly Orr
Women’s Soccer
Rookie of the Year – Hailee George
Voyageurs Spirit Award – Sarah Jones
Player of the Year – Chloe Gauthier-Schaub
Men’s Soccer
Rookie of the Year – Dante Cashato
Voyageurs Spirit Award – Keagan Gauthier-Schaub
Player of the Year – Bjorn Goolie
Lac La Biche FC Award
Female – Chloe Gauthier-Schaub
Male – Kegan Gauthier-Schaub
Curling
Most Dedicated – Shafick Borufu
Most Improved – Tata Mugisha
Voyageurs Spirit Award – Samantha Lychak
Most Valuable Player – Ashley Hennenfent
Women’s Futsal
Rookie of the Year – Ashley Hennenfent
Voyageurs Spirit Award – Sarah Jones
Player of the Year – Miriam Kabonesa
Men’s Futsal
Rookie of the Year – Akil Johnson
Voyageurs Spirit Award – Micheal Musanza
Player of the Year – Kegan Gauthier-Schaub
Hockey
Top Scorer – Brody Dale
Top Defenseman – Lian Visram
Top Forward – Brayden Dale
Rookie of the Year – Alex Brousseau
Voyageurs Spirit Award – Xavier Halterman
Player of the Year – Liam Visram
Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation Award
Brody Dale, Xavier Halterman, and Brayden Dale.
Humanitarian of the Year
Female – Lexis Roy
Male – Liam Visram
Volunteer of the Year
Miriam Kabonesa
Athlete of the Year
Female – Ashley Hennenfent
Male – Shaye Sommerfeld
Off-ice Officials Award
Allan Robertson – Timekeeper Soccer
Blair Norton – Scorekeeper Hockey
Donna Feledichuk – Timekeeper Hockey
Brian Stanton – Scorekeeper Hockey
David Paul – Announcer Hockey, Soccer, Futsal
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