TRENT 2011-12 ATHLETIC AWARDS

Trent University's Department of Athletics and Recreation celebrated student athletic achievement at the 43rd annual Athletic Awards Ceremony, held in the Great Hall at Champlain College last night.

Varsity lacrosse player Joey McClement and varsity rower Maija Robinson were awarded the Arthur Cup, the University's most prestigious award for graduating students who have demonstrated outstanding contribution, sportsmanship, participation, and leadership in the athletic programs.

Maija Robinson has a remarkable list of accomplishments in competition, in the classroom, and in the community. This fourth-year rower has twice earned a bronze medal at the OUA championships, and has coached a team at St. Peter's Secondary School to a Canadian Secondary School Rowing Association to a national silver medal. The Kimberley, Ont. native is a three-time Academic All-Canadian and will likely earn the honour for a fourth straight year. This young woman was elected President of the Trent University Rowing club this season and in this role has lead the organization of the Head of the Trent, a food drive for Kawartha Food Share and a fundraiser for The Run to Live campaign.

"Maija Robinson is one of those people who excels at everything she does," said Bill Byrick, Trent University's director of Athletics. "Whether she is rowing, volunteering at one of her many interests, participating in Campus Recreation teams or academically striving for perfection, she is an individual who will make a significant difference in this world. Throughout her career, she has medaled provincially, served as president of the Trent University Rowing Club, run fund raisers within the community and is a three time Academic All Canadian."

Georgetown, Ont.'s Joey McClement embodies so many of the characteristics of what a Trent student athlete should be. This young man has worked hard and risen to become a leader on the lacrosse team, earning a nod as captain for the 2011 season. His contributions to his team did not come on as the score sheet, as he has been a long pole defender throughout his career, but came in the form of leadership and instruction to the younger players, and acting as a calming influence on the field. He is also active in support of Trent's other varsity programs, as he can be seen in the stands rooting for the Excalibur no matter the sport.

"Joey McClement, a four year veteran of the men's lacrosse team, serving as captain this past year, has demonstrated his determination and ability," said Byrick. "Throughout his career he has developed into a steady, dependable force on the lacrosse pitch and in the Athletic Centre. Playing through an injury this year Joey remained a leader on and off the field."

Another prestigious award, the Gary Wolff Leadership Award, was presented to Josip Bosnjak, a varsity soccer player from Pickering, Ont. The award is presented each year to a student athlete who has demonstrated determination and leadership through balancing sport, community involvement and academic performance. This award was established by the Trent University Alumni Association in June 2002 to commemorate the service of Gary Wolff, chair of the Board of Governors from 1997 to 2002. Bosnjak, has been a vital member of the Excalibur soccer program for five seasons. He is known as much for his quiet demeanor off the field as his vocal leadership on it. He backstopped the Excalibur men's soccer team to consecutive play-off appearances in 2010 and 2011, the first time this feat has been accomplished in school history. His constant hard work in training, academics and community involvement is a reminder to his teammates to strive for their best in each aspect of their lives.   

The Varsity Community Betterment Award, a new award presented for only the third time, was presented to the Trent men's rugby team in recognition of significant community contributions and active involvement towards the betterment of social, economical, and/or environmental issues within Peterborough. Over the past season, the men's rugby program participated in the Movember campaign, in support of prostate cancer research, where they raised nearly $700, to push their two year total to $2,250. The team also hosted a teddy bear toss during the Head of the Trent festivities, donating over 40 bears to the Peterborough Regional Health Centre.

In addition, the following students were honoured with the University Athletic Award, presented to third- and fourth-year students who have demonstrated a significant contribution to the varsity and campus recreation programs:

Hayley Hancock – Barrie, Ont.
Hayley Hancock is a nursing student and women's volleyball captain who has demonstrated dedication to her team and her sport through her entire career. Upon arriving at Trent, Hayley made the challenging transition to the setter position and worked hard to become one of the top setters in the OCAA.

Ashley Holmes Heron – Peterborough, Ont.
Ashley Holmes Heron has been an integral part of the rowing team at Trent for a number of years. On the water, she is a four-time OUA medalist and two-time medalist at the national championships. Ashley has served as club captain and was a three-year president of the Trent University Rowing Club. She is a leader both on and off the water, and has been involved in numerous charitable initiatives over the years in her role with the rowing club.

Sara Rettie – Newmarket, Ont.
Sara Rettie has been involved with varsity sport and recreation at Trent in numerous ways. The Newmarket, Ont., native has been a member of the varsity women's volleyball team, helping her squad to the OCAA championship tournament in three straight seasons. She also serves on Trent's Athletic Advisory Council and holds a position with the Trent Varsity Sport Promotion group, trying to get her fellow students out to cheer on the Excalibur teams. Sara was also named the OCAA Female Athlete of the Week for her dominant play-off performance in February.

Nichola Bendle – Sunderland, Ont.
Nichola Bendle is a Concurrent Education student and member of the rowing team, who hails from Sunderland, Ont. Nichola has achieved a great deal of success on the water and has the drive to help Trent's rowing programs reach the top of the provincial and national rowing scene. She serves as the social convenor for the Trent University Rowing Club, and in that position has helped organize and run numerous food drives and charitable fundraisers. Nichola has also been an Academic All-Canadian in each of her years at Trent.

Richard Love – Peterborough, Ont.
Richard Love is a native of Peterborough, Ontario. In his time at Trent he has been successful both on the water an in the classroom. He has been a part of winning boats since arriving at Trent and has been a three-time OUA medalist. Richard is also working toward rowing at the national and international level. On campus, Richard is the incoming president of the Trent Business Students Association and is active in many of Trent's campus recreation leagues.

Andrew Culham – Peterborough, Ont.
Andrew Culham is a well rounded student athlete, who in addition to his results in competition is also a two-time Academic All-Canadian in the classroom, and is heavily involved in the arts. In his rowing career, Andrew has earned multiple medals for the Excalibur and carried that success onward to great achievements at the club level. He is always willing to offer his time to the rowing club, athletics department or community group.

The following varsity athletes were honoured for outstanding commitment and dedication to their respective sports:

Source: Trent University