Trent Athletics is pleased to announce Tess Friar and Nic Badalato as the co-recipients of the Bonnie Patterson Award.
This award is presented to returning full-time undergraduate student-athletes, as a tribute to Bonnie M. Patterson, president and vice-chancellor of Trent University from 1998-2009. Recipients of this award embody leadership on the field/court and in the community. They are high academic achievers and exceptionally talented high-performance student athletes.
Tess Friar is from Roslin, Ontario and is a second-year student-athlete on the women’s rowing team. Currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Friar holds a cumulative GPA of 78.7 %.
On the water, Friar has demonstrated incredible athletic performance. Within this calendar year, she has earned a silver medal at provincials in the double at the club level as well as bronze at the Head of the Trent, silver at the Brock invitational and a gold medal in the women's double at the OUA championship.
Friar has set the bar high for how Trent rowers and Trent Excalibur student-athletes should carry themselves within the school, the community, and athletics.
“The rowing program would not be the same without her,” said head coach Matthew Hagopian.
As a member of the 1EX Council, Friar mentor’s teammates in both the men’s and women’s rowing programs. Her leadership extends into her academic ventures, as Friar supports classmates in her nursing labs, and through peer tutoring.
In addition to her academic and athletic success, Friar is a pillar for betterment in the community. During her time as an Excalibur Friar has personally taken the lead to help organize clothing drives, food drives and fundraisers. She teaches swimming lessons to local youth and supply teaches when she is able. Friar is an active volunteer at the Humane Society and offers her spare time assisting children with special needs.
Nic Badalato is a third-year student-athlete from Kingston, Ontario currently playing on the men’s volleyball team.
Badalato is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology and holds a cumulative GPA of 87.9%, one of the Excalibur’s top-performing student-athletes academically and athletically.
Badalato stands out on the court, having been named the team MVP last season as a second-year athlete. He is the leading scorer on the team and consistently ranks top tier across various fitness metrics.
Badalato is a silent force to be reckoned with. He leads by example on the court and sets the tone for his teammates when it comes to hard work and dedication. His commitment to the team is obvious, fostering team cohesion by actively engaging with younger teammates, and ensuring everyone feels integral to the team's success. His inclusive approach creates a positive team environment, emphasizing the importance of unity. With an unwavering work ethic and a humble demeanour, Badalato is not just a volleyball player; he is a catalyst for excellence, shaping both the team's athletic performance and embodying the team’s mission and high standards daily.