Tuesday, March 20, 2018, Peterborough
Trent University’s department of Athletics and Recreation celebrated student athletic achievement at the 49th annual Athletic Awards Ceremony, held in the gymnasium at the Trent Athletics Centre on March 20.
Varsity rowing athletes Abigail Adair and Dayton Kelly were honoured with the Arthur Cup, the University’s most prestigious award for graduating students who have demonstrated outstanding contribution, sportsmanship, participation, and leadership in athletic programs.
“The Arthur Cup award recognizes our most well-rounded student-athletes, factoring in athletic performances alongside contributions off the field, in the community, and their achievements academically,” said Deborah Bright-Brundle, director of Athletics & Recreation at Trent University. “They truly embody the spirit of this award. Abby and Dayton are our leaders of the future and I cannot thank them enough for all that they have done to proudly represent their team, their sport, Trent Athletics and the community as a whole.”
Abigail Adair (Peterborough) of the Trent Rowing team is recognized as a leader on the team. The Math and Chemistry student is one of the top rowers in the program, and makes countless contributions to Excalibur athletics. Ms. Adair has had success competing in women’s 8+, 4+, as well as competing on the men’s side as coxswain for the Excalibur. Ms. Adair won bronze at OUA’s in women’s 8+, won the Head of Trent in men’s 4+ and 8+, won Head of the Rideau in women’s 4+, as well as placed sixth in the prestigious Head of the Charles Regatta in Boston. Ms. Adair has also competed in the Canadian University Rowing Championships in 2016-17 as coxswain in the men’s 8+ division. In addition to her athletic accomplishments, Ms. Adair has also demonstrated leadership and dedication to varsity athletics as the president of the Trent University Rowing Club for the past two years, led the Head of Trent planning committee, organized the Row for Heart campaign in conjunction with the Heart and Stroke Foundation, and sat on the Varsity Supports Varsity board, promoting communication between varsity sport programs and the community.
Dayton Kelly (Winchester), a Biomedical Science major, was one of the top performers on the Trent Rowing team during his time at Trent. His contribution to varsity athletics and the sport of rowing cannot be understated. During his time at Trent, Mr. Kelly has won bronze in Novice Men’s 8+, Bronze in OUA Lightweight 8+ and Bronze in Lightweight 4+ in 2015-16, OUA silver in Lightweight 8+ and bronze in Lightweight 2- in 2016-17, as well as placing second in OUA Lightweight 2x and third in Lightweight 4+ in 2017-18. In addition, Mr. Kelly has also competed at the Canadian University Rowing Championships for the past three seasons, twice making the finals in both lightweight 4+ and heavyweight 8+, as well as recording a third place finish in heavyweight 8+, an impressive feat as a traditional lightweight rowing competitor. In addition to his achievements on the water, Mr. Kelly has also contributed to varsity athletics at Trent as a representative on the board for the Trent Rowing Club the past three seasons, acting as a liaison between the Trent Rowing Club and the Peterborough Rowing Club. He has also helped implement the annual Trent Athletics Golf Tournament, acting as emcee in 2016-17, as well as being an emcee at the Athletics’ Banquet last spring. A recipient of the Rob de Jong Volunteerism Award this year, Mr. Kelly has been committed to contributing to varsity sport both on and off the water.
Varsity Women’s Rugby athlete Reagan MacDonald (Courtice) was awarded the prestigious Gary Wolff Leadership Award, presented each year to a student athlete who has demonstrated determination and leadership through balancing sport, community involvement and academic performance. Ms. MacDonald has been an active leader on and off the field for the Trent Rugby team throughout her career. While Ms. MacDonald has held the role of Trent University Rugby Team Council president for the 2016-17 and 2017-18 years, she also volunteered her time over the past four seasons with the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board, developing and running after school rugby programs, learn rugby days, and organizing high school tournaments. Ms. MacDonald has also been a member of the Varsity Supports Varsity club for the past three seasons, and has organized Women’s Rugby recruits, coordinating the Women’s Rugby strength and conditioning programs. Ms. MacDonald has demonstrated exceptional leadership on and off the field throughout her time at Trent, serving as team captain for the 2017-18 season, and being recognized by her team as the Women’s Rugby team MVP for 2017-18.
This year Trent Athletics is also pleased to announce Paige Spurgeon (Minesing) and the Women’s Soccer team as the recipient of the Community Betterment Award. Ms. Spurgeon, a second-year goalkeeper for the women’s Soccer team led varsity athletes in the Bras for a Cause initiative, supporting breast cancer awareness. In addition, Ms. Spurgeon helped initiate a fundraiser for the Warming Room in Peterborough, and was instrumental in advocating for student athletes to volunteer time with the local organization. Her efforts have encouraged further participation and community involvement from student athletes, and she has shown her leadership and dedication to the sport of soccer, the program, and the community of Peterborough.
In addition, the following students were honoured with the University Athletic Award, presented to students who have demonstrated a significant contribution to the varsity and campus recreation programs:
Monique Sheehan – Women’s Volleyball
Jessica McDougall – Women’s Volleyball
Jordan Semark – Women’s Rugby
Reagan MacDonald – Women’s Rugby
Hannah Cahill – Women’s Rugby
Jordan Secord – Women’s Rugby
Dayton Kelly – Men’s Rowing
The following varsity athletes were also honoured for outstanding commitment and dedication to their respective sports:
Men’s Soccer MVP - Aaron Chia
Coaches Award – Riley Brennan
Women’s Soccer MVP – Kaitlyn Steffler
Coaches Award – Haley Giles
Rookie of the Year (Co) – Tori Chia, Alexis Wilson
Women’s Rugby MVP (Co) – Jordan Semark, Maddy Howells
Rookie of the year – Lauryn Bons
Men’s Rugby MVP – Mohamed Yusef
Rookie of the Year – Tyler Webb
Women’s Volleyball MVP – Camile Garzon
Coaches Award – Heidi Hayes
Men’s Volleyball MVP – Emmanuel Danso-Amofa
Coaches Award – Jacob Bothen
Rowing Rob Marland Award – Trevor Jones, Dan Bollock
Rob DeJong Award (pursuit of excellence) – Dayton Kelly
Michael Cullen Award – James Dyer
Women’s Lacrosse MVP – Leah Mitchel
Rookie of the Year (Co) – Sydney Venton, Madison Campbell
Men’s Lacrosse MVP – Garrett Eddy
Rookie of the Year – Curtis Romanchych
Cross Country Women’s MVP – Anastasia Nepotiuk
Men’s MVP – Matt Melo
Curling MVP – Men’s – Jason March
MVP – Women’s – Sarah Daviau
Golf MVP – Jack Prinns
Fencing Men’s MVP – Sean Baxter
Women’s MVP – Sabrina Bailey
Rookie of the Year – Rachel Gilham
About Trent University
One of Canada's top universities, Trent University was founded on the ideal of interactive learning that's personal, purposeful and transformative. Consistently recognized nationally for leadership in teaching, research and student satisfaction, Trent attracts excellent students from across the country and around the world. Here, undergraduate and graduate students connect and collaborate with faculty, staff and their peers through diverse communities that span residential colleges, classrooms, disciplines, hands-on research, co-curricular and community-based activities. Across all disciplines, Trent brings critical, integrative thinking to life every day. Today, Trent's unique approach to personal development through supportive, collaborative community engagement is in more demand than ever. Students lead the way by co-creating experiences rooted in dialogue, diverse perspectives and collaboration. In a learning environment that builds life-long passion for inclusion, leadership and social change, Trent's students, alumni, faculty and staff are engaged global citizens who are catalysts in developing sustainable solutions to complex issues. Trent's Peterborough campus boasts award-winning architecture in a breathtaking natural setting on the banks of the Otonabee River, just 90 minutes from downtown Toronto, while Trent University Durham Greater Toronto Area, delivers a distinct mix of programming in the east GTA.
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For more information contact: Kate Weersink, communications and media relations officer, Trent University, (705) 748-1011 x6180 or kateweersink@trentu.ca If you no longer wish to receive news releases and advisories from Trent University, please email communications@trentu.ca to unsubscribe. Accessible versions of this document are available upon request at trentu.ca/accessible