Top student-athletes honoured at annual Night of the Mounties
SACKVILLE, NB — Mount Allison University held its annual “Night of the Mounties” on Thursday, March 30 to honour its student-athletes.
Mount Allison Director of Athletics and Recreation Pierre Arsenault says, “Our student-athletes continue to compete hard and put the time and effort into being great ambassadors for Mount Allison and Mountie Pride. ąű¶ł´«Ă˝Ň•îl proud to honour all of their accomplishments on the Night of the Mounties.”
ATHLETES OF THE YEAR
Basketball Mountie Kiersten Mangold from Peterborough, ON was named the female athlete of the year.
Mangold ranked third in the ACAA with 14.2 points per game and 9.2 rebounds per game. She was also second in the conference in blocks per game. The second-year forward led Mount Allison to an 11-7 record and a third-place finish in the ACAA. Mangold is described by her coach as having a tremendous work ethic, drive, and humility. She has emerged as an important on-court leader and wonderful teammate. She is a strong student who epitomizes “Mountie Pride.”
Football Mountie Jakob Loucks from Cornwall, ON was named the male athlete of the year.
Loucks, a first-year quarterback, was named the AUS Football Rookie of the Year and captured the Peter Gorman Trophy for U Sports Football Rookie of the Year this past season. He was consistent at the helm of a young offensive unit and finished second in the Atlantic conference in most passing categories, completing 54.2 per cent of his passes for 1,325 yards, five touchdowns, and only seven interceptions in 225 attempts. He also proved a dual threat for opposing defences as he carried the ball 56 times for 404 yards and one major, finishing second in rushing yards among U Sports pivots behind Alberta’s Ben Kopczynski (443).
OUTSTANDING SCHOLAR ATHLETE
Winning the Outstanding Scholar Athlete Award this year was Swimming Mountie Allison Loewen from Montreal, QC.
This award goes to a graduating senior student in a recognized undergraduate degree program who has been a varsity athlete at Mount Allison for a minimum of two years. He/she must have shown extraordinary accomplishments both academically and athletically.
Loewen is a three-time AUS all-star, a three-time qualifier for U Sports Nationals, and a 2016 AUS Bair Award nominee for excellence in academics, athletics, and community service. She had a six medal performance at this year’s AUS championship, including a gold medal in the 50m freestyle. Last year’s female athlete of the year, Loewen is also a Dean’s List student.
OUTSTANDING SENIOR ATHLETES
Selected as the Outstanding Senior Male Athlete was Football Mountie Michael Bohan from Sackville, NB.
The Men’s Outstanding Senior award is the Gus MacFarlane Trophy, which is given to the senior athlete who best exemplifies what a Mount Allison athlete should be.
Bohan is a fifth-year Mountie and three-year captain of the football team. He is a two-time AUS All-star, while maintaining a 3.7 GPA. This year he participated in the East-West Bowl and the CFL Regional Combine.
Selected as the Outstanding Senior Female Athlete was Hockey Mountie Kelsey MacDougall from Pennfield, NB.
The Joy Taylor Memorial was established in 1973 to remember Miss Joy Taylor, a former Director of Women’s Athletics at Mount Allison who was killed in a car accident. This award goes to a student in the senior class who has contributed to athletics in an outstanding manner throughout her athletic career at Mount A and is a candidate for a first degree. Also taken into consideration is her attitude toward competition and sportsmanship.
A natural forward turned defence, MacDougall logged the most ice time this season. She is a leader on and off the ice with her positive attitude and was the team’s top defence, while also accumulating 6 points.
OVERALL UNIVERSITY ROOKIES OF THE YEAR
Overall University Rookie of the Year honours went to Volleyball Mountie Rachel McDougall from Calgary, AB and Basketball Mountie Thomas LeGallais from Cornwall, ON.
Awarded to students who contribute the most to their teams in their first year of university competition.
McDougall was named the ACAA Rookie of the Year, leading the Mounties to a 12-9 record. She led the conference with 257 kills, 296 points, and a .257 hitting percentage. She is described by her coach as a great talent with a strong work ethic and a determination to succeed. McDougall is committed to her development and has quickly earned the respect of her teammates and those around the league.
LeGallais, a first-year guard, burst onto the men’s basketball team this season, earning ACAA Rookie of the Year and 1st team all-star honours. As a rookie LeGallais finished third in the conference in scoring with 17.6 points per game. He also had the second most total points with 369 points on the season. He also led the conference with 139 free throws made.
GIGI HICKS & GILMOUR SPORTSMANSHIP AWARDS
The women’s sportsmanship award was presented to Soccer Mountie Claire Neufeld from Newmarket, ON.
In 1983, this award was established as a memorial to Miss Virginia Anne (Gigi) Hicks, a graduate of the Class of 1981. Gigi displayed the qualities that this award represents. In the selection, the committee should consider the student’s dedication to the sport primarily, but also give serious consideration to the athlete’s attitude toward competition, degree of improvement, and her continuous contribution to the team.
Neufeld took on a prominent leadership role on the women’s soccer team this past season, serving as a mentor for younger student-athletes. She leads by example on the field with her sheer effort and dedication to the team-first approach. She is vocal in her support and guidance of teammates and contributes greatly to the culture within the locker room. She is described by her coach as representative of the ideal student-athlete: a high academic achiever, a dedicated athlete, a leader and mentor, and one who balances this with great sportsmanship.
The men’s sportsmanship award was presented to Basketball Mountie Jesse Balser from Riverview, NB.
The Men’s Sportsmanship award was donated by the Paikin family in the name of G. Harvey Gilmour. It is awarded to an individual who puts his heart and soul into practices and games while positively contributing to his team in every way.
Balser is a fourth-year guard and is described by his coach as an ultimate leader off the court, as much as he is in the locker room and on the court. He is coachable, respected by teammates, opponents, and referees and is a great representative for Mount Allison.
BUBSY GRANT AWARD
Winning the prestigious Bubsy Grant Award was long-time women’s hockey coach Zach Ball.
The Bubsy Grant Award was established in honour of Alexander Grant (Bubsy), a dedicated employee for 36 years at the Mount Allison Athletic Centre. The award is presented to a deserving individual who has, through time and effort, made a significant contribution to Mount Allison athletics.
MANAGERS OF THE YEAR
The men’s team manager of the year was presented to Ben Wishart from Moncton, NB (men’s basketball) and the women’s team manager of the year was presented to Kathryn Hallett from Almonte, ON (women’s soccer).
BILLY JOHNSTONE MERIT AWARDS
Billy Johnston Merit Awards went to Charlie Scott (Homecoming Golf Tournament), Geoff Lebans (Homecoming Golf Tournament), Gord Francis (Football), and Mackenzie Lalonde (Athletics).
In honouring the memory of Mr. Billy Johnstone, one of the Mounties’ biggest supporters and friends, these awards are presented in recognition of outstanding contribution to the athletic programs at Mount Allison.
DISTINGUISHED THERAPY AWARD
The distinguished therapy award was presented to fourth-year student trainer Bronwen Clark-Brewin from Nepean, ON.
TEAM ROOKIES OF THE YEAR
Team Rookies of the Year were: Suzuha Tanaka (badminton); Azeem Munawar (badminton); Thomas LeGallais (basketball); Jakob Loucks (football); Patrick Hennessey (soccer), Morgan Gamble (soccer); Jill Harris (basketball); Brooke Gillespie (volleyball); EmmaRae Murphy (hockey), and Katya Parker (swimming).
TEAM MOST VALUABLE PLAYERS
Most Valuable team members were: Jakob Loucks (football Overall MVP); Chris Reid (football MVP Offence); Kyle Horsman (football MVP Defense); Bradley Payne (soccer); Geraint Berger (swimming); Jesse Balser (basketball); Jaryd Morrissey (badminton); Rachel McDougall (volleyball); Olivia Feschuk (swimming); Olivia Adams (badminton); Tessa Ritchie (soccer); Kiersten Mangold (basketball); and Jennifer Bell (hockey).
