2021-22 Gryphon Athletics Awards Ceremony

GUELPH, Ont. – The Guelph Gryphons celebrated the best and brightest from a memorable 2021-22 season by holding the annual Gryphon Athletics award ceremony on Saturday, April 9, 2022. Highlighting the major award winners were a pair of track and field stars in Mark Bujnowski and Sadie-Jane Hickson, who were named the University of Guelph's male and female athletes of the year.

A complete list of award winners from the 2021-22 Gryphon Athletics award ceremony can be found below.

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2021-22 Major Award Winners

Male Athlete of the Year: Mark Bujnowski (Men's Track and Field)
Female Athlete of the Year: Sadie-Jane Hickson (Track and Field)
W.F. Mitchell Sportsman of the Year: Michael Berger (Men's Lacrosse)
W.F. Mitchell Sportswoman of the Year: Burke Bechard (Women's Basketball)
President's Trophy (Male): Harvey Marchant (Men's Soccer)
President's Trophy (Female): Sidney Evans (Field Hockey)
"Gryphie" Moment of the Year: "Striking Gold" (Men's Soccer)
Fred Ramprashad Award: MacKeely Shantz (Women's Basketball)
Don Cameron Award (3-year M.I.P.): Alec Purnell (Men's Track and Field)
Shirley Peterson Award (3-year M.I.P.): Hanna Nicholl (Women's Rugby)
Scott Yanchus Male Rookie of the Year: Devynn Cromwell (Football)
Dr. Mary Beverley-Burton Female Rookie of the Year: Cloey Uddenberg (Women's Soccer)
Gunner Obrascovs Trainer of the Year: Alyssa Morris (WSCR | T&F)
Cathy Rowe Manager of the Year: Ivy Gibson (Women's Volleyball)
Student-Athlete Mentor Award: Kiana Gibson (XC | T&F) & Lisa Wedel (Women's Volleyball)

Female Athlete of the Year: Sadie-Jane Hickson (Women's Track & Field)

Sadie-Jane Hickson takes home University of Guelph Female Athlete of the Year honours after a sensational 2021-22 season with the Gryphons women's track and field and cross country teams. The 23-year-old Oakwood, Ontario native became just second Gryphon ever in U of G women's track and field history to be named U SPORTS Athlete of the Meet at the national track and field championships, after taking home a total of three U SPORTS gold medals, as well as one U SPORTS bronze medal. Hickson's performance helped lead the Gryphons women's track and field team to their fourth straight national title, and 6th national title in program history. The bio-medical science major also earned OUA First Team All-Star status in women's cross country during the fall semester, where she helped lead the Gryphon women's cross country team to their first OUA team title in five years.

Male Athlete of the Year: Mark Bujnowski (Men's Track & Field)

Mark Bujnowski, a 24-year-old agricultural science major in his fourth year of eligibility, is the University of Guelph's Male Athlete of the Year for the 2021-22 season following a sensational year with the Gryphons men's track and field team.

The 6-foot-4, native of Mount Brydges, Ontario dominated at both the provincial and national levels within his disciplines, producing double-gold medal performances at both the OUA and U SPORTS Track and Field Championships in men's shot put and men's weight throw. Leading the way for the Gryphons men's track and field team, who were crowned OUA and U SPORTS Champions, Bujnowski became the first student-athlete in the history of Gryphons men's track and field program to be named "U SPORTS Athlete of the Year" on multiple occasions (after having also received the national honour during the 2019-20 season). Over the course of his decorated Gryphon career, Bujnowski has now competed on four occasions at the national Track and Field Championships, and has made an incredible 7 total appearances on the podium, winning 5 U SPORTS gold medals to go along with 1 silver and 1 bronze.

W.F. Mitchell Sportsman of the Year: Mike Berger (Men's Lacrosse)

Michael Berger is the first men's lacrosse player to be named the W.F. Mitchell Sportsman of the Year in the history of the award, which dates back to the late 1970's. The 23-year-old Uxbridge native ends his Gryphon career as a 4-time All-Canadian. In 2021, Berger led the Gryphons to a national title game, and would later be named league MVP by the Canadian University Field Lacrosse Association. The criminal justice major has led by example on and off the field, and has also made an impact in the community as a volunteer with the Guelph Elite program, teaching lacrosse skills to local youth.

Note: The W.F. Mitchell Sportsman Award is presented to a student-athlete who is in their graduating year. The individual must have demonstrated outstanding talent and ability in their sport, combined with exceptional leadership and involvement in athletics at the University of Guelph.

W.F. Mitchell Sportswoman of the Year: Burke Bechard (Women's Basketball)

Women's basketball guard Burke Bechard ends her decorated Gryphon career as the W.F. Mitchell Sportswoman of the Year for the 2021-22 season. For the past five years, Burke has been the heart and soul of the Gryphons women's basketball team on the court and in the community, with the fifth-year psychology major capping off her career with an impressive senior season where she finished top two in the OUA in points per game, field goal percentage, and 3-point percentage. For a third straight year, Burke earned OUA all-star status after being named an OUA West First Team All-Star. The 23-year-old native of Dover Centre, Ontario, who led her team to a playoff berth in each of her four seasons of on-court action, also became just the third Gryphons women's basketball player in program history to receive the OUA's Joy Bellinger Award for her outstanding career contributions to OUA basketball.

Note: The W.F. Mitchell Sportswoman Award is presented to a student-athlete who is in their graduating year. The individual must have demonstrated outstanding talent and ability in their sport, combined with exceptional leadership and involvement in athletics at the University of Guelph.

President's Trophy Male: Harvey Marchant (Men's Soccer)

In his 2nd year academically and 1st year of eligibility, Gryphons men's soccer midfielder Harvey Marchant takes home the President's Award for his outstanding performances both academically and athletically during the 2021-22 season. The native of Fleet, England was exception in the classroom, where he majors in human kinetics. On the field, the 22-year-old was a key fixture in the midfield for the Gryphons OUA championship-winning squad. Harvey was also named an OUA major award winner in 2021 after being named the recipient of the OUA Community Service Award.

President's Trophy Female: Sidney Evans (Field Hockey)

Bio-medical science major Sidney Evans takes home the President's Trophy after excelling in the classroom as well as on the field for the Gryphons field hockey team. In her third year academically but second year of eligibility, the Waterloo, Ontario native earned U SPORTS All-Canadian status while helping lead the Gryphons to an OUA silver medal during the 2021 season.

Female Rookie of the Year (Dr. Mary Beverley Burton Award): Cloey Uddenberg (Women's Soccer)

Cloey Uddenberg is the recipient of the Dr. Mary Beverley Burton Female Rookie of the Year award after a sensational first season as a member of the Gryphons women's soccer team. Cloey made program history, becoming the first University of Guelph women's soccer player to earn the title of national Rookie of the Year.

In her first season of on-field action in OUA women's soccer, Cloey Uddenberg quickly established herself as one of the most dynamic centre midfielders in the country. The Richmond Hill, Ontario native, who is currently in her second-year of studies at the University of Guelph, majoring in bio-medical science, played almost every minute of every game for the Gryphons women's soccer team in 2021, helping lead the team to a 6-2-2 regular season record and a berth in the OUA playoffs as the No. 5-seed in the conference. The 19-years-old has also impressed on the international stage, where she has taken part in CONCACAF Women's World Cup Qualifying for Saint Kitts and Nevis.

Male Rookie of the Year (Scott Yanchus Award): Devynn Cromwell (Football)

Devynn Cromwell, a rookie defensive back with the Gryphon football team, takes home the Scott Yanchus Award as the University of Guelph's Male Rookie of the Year for the 2021-22 season. Cromwell, a standout member of the Gryphon secondary, was named a U SPORTS Second Team All-Canadian at halfback. The 20-year-old psychology major impressed in his first season of on-field action after having joined the Gryphon football program prior to the cancelled 2020 season. A talented and physical defensive back out of Clarkson Football North academy in Toronto, Cromwell finished the 2021 regular season with 7 pass break ups, earning a spot on the 2021 OUA All-Rookie Team.

Don Cameron Award (most improved over first three years): Alec Purnell (Men's Track & Field)

22-year-old adult development major, Alec Purnell, is the 2021-22 recipient of the Don Cameron three-year most improved award after a standout season with the Gryphons men's track and field and cross country teams. Since arriving on U of G campus in the fall of 2018, the native of Dundas, Ontario has progressed each season as a Gryphon, and now has established himself as one of the top distance athletes in the country. Purnell just the 5th student-athlete in program history to be named OUA (Men's) Track MVP following his outstanding performance at the 2022 OUA Track and Field Championships where he produced a double-gold in the men's 1,000 & 1,500m. At nationals, Alec would add 2 silver medals as well as a gold in the 4x800m relay, helping the Gryphons men's track and field team claim their 5th straight national title and 8th in program history. Purnell was also an OUA Second Team All-Star and part of an OUA team title in men's cross country this past fall.

Note: The Don Cameron trophy is awarded to the male student-athlete showing the greatest progress in athletics during his first three years at the University.

Shirley Peterson Award (most improved over first three years): Hanna Nicholl (Women's Rugby)

Hanna Nicholl becomes the second member of her family to be named the recipient of the Shirley Peterson most-improved award, following in the footsteps of her older sister, Emilie, who earned the award in 2017-18. As a rookie in 2018, Hannah saw limited time on the field, but emerged as an impact player off the bench in 2019. During the COVID-cancelled 2020 season, Hanna led by example with her work ethic, which paid off in 2021 when she was voted co-captain en route to helping lead the Gryphons to an OUA title. The environmental sciences major earned U SPORTS First Team All-Canadian status following the 2021 season and has been identified on the long list by Rugy Canada for the women's 15's senior national team.

Note: The Shirley Peterson Award is presented to the female student-athlete showing the greatest progress in athletics during his first three years at the University.

"Gryphie" Moment of the Year - "Striking Gold" (Men's Soccer)

It was the biggest men's soccer game on U of G campus in 31 years and it took place on November 13, 2021. The Guelph Gryphons men's soccer team had earned the right to host the OUA gold medal match thanks to a dramatic win over Carleton in the semi-finals. Which meant, for the first time since 1990, the OUA men's soccer championship final would be played at the University of Guelph. But the Gryphons weren't content with hosting. They were looking to strike gold. In front of 1,160 fans at Alumni Stadium, the Gryphons won 3-2 over the No. 2-nationally ranked York Lions to claim the program's third OUA title in school history.

Watch the nominee and winner videos, and past winners here.

Fred Ramprashad Award - MacKeely Shantz (Women's Basketball)

Note: This award is established through the direction of the College of Biological Science Alumni to honour Professor Fred Ramprashad for his commitment to the college and to the athletic programs at Guelph. The award will recognize the student that best demonstrates the combination of academic excellence in biological science and participation in intercollegiate athletics.

Gunner Obrascovs Trainer of the Year - Alyssa Morris (Women's Soccer | Track & Field)

Cathy Rowe Manager of the Year - Ivy Gibson (Women's Volleyball)

Student-Athlete Mentor Award - Kiana Gibson (Women's Cross Country | T&F) & Lisa Wedell (Women's Volleyball)

Team Award Winners

Baseball: Rookie of the Year – Sam Brown
Baseball: MVP – Ashton Patterson
Basketball (M): Jack Tanner M.I.P. – Viktor Nausedas
Basketball (M): Bill Dimson Memorial M.V.P. – Malcolm Glanville
Basketball (W): M.V.P. – Burke Bechard
Cross Country (M): Rookie of the Year (Al Claremont Freshman Harrier Trophy) – Christian Rachner
Cross Country (M): M.V.P. (Art Hackett Trophy) – Mitchell Ubene
Cross Country (W): Rookie of the Year – Laura Kuszaj
Cross Country (W): M.V.P. (Vic Matthews Award) – Kiana Gibson
Curling (W): M.V.P. – Rachel Steele
Curling (M): M.V.P. – Dan del Conte
Field Hockey: Rookie of the Year – Arden Goddard-Despot
Field Hockey: Laura Sharp M.V.P. – Bailey Mitchell
Figure Skating: M.V.P. – Helene Carle
Football: Rookie of the Year – Devynn Cromwell
Football: M.V.P. (Donald Forster Trophy) – A.J. Allen
Golf (M): David Fell M.V.P. - Justin Allen
Golf (W): Grace Glofcheskie M.V.P. – Jacqueline Giles
Hockey (M): Rookie of the Year (Walter Rickard Memorial Award) – Jaxon Camp
Hockey (M): M.V.P. (Jack Pos Trophy) – Connor Bramwell
Hockey (W): Rookie of the Year – Jaime Magoffin
Hockey (W): M.V.P. – Lauren Ianni
Lacrosse (M): Rookie of the Year – Nolan Schott
Lacrosse (M): M.V.P. – Mitch Ogilvie
Lacrosse (W): Rookie of the Year – Megan Latoski
Lacrosse (W): M.V.P. – Shayla Larson
Nordic Skiing (M): M.V.P. – Alec MacLean
Nordic Skiing (W): M.V.P. – Miriam Lutes
Rowing (M): M.V.P. – Kurtis Sobkowich
Rowing (W): M.V.P. – Abbegayle Smith
Rugby (M): Rookie of the Year (Robin Best Award) – Aidan Vachon
Rugby (M): M.V.P. (Ieuan Evans Rugger Award) – Max Goodwin
Rugby (W): Rookie of the Year – Kennedy Feasby
Rugby (W): M.V.P. – Talia Hoffman
Soccer (M): Rookie of the Year – Svyatoslav Artemenko
Soccer (M): M.V.P. (Bill McAnuff Memorial) – Lucas Doros
Soccer (W): Rookie of the Year – Jasmine Burke
Soccer (W): M.V.P. – Laura Marelli
Swimming (M): Rookie of the Year – Ruben Jansen
Swimming (M): M.V.P. (C.M. Kinnear Memorial) – Ethan Rotsaert-Smith
Swimming (W): Rookie of the Year – Shannon Russell
Swimming (W): M.V.P. – Abigail McDonald
Track & Field (M): Rookie of the Year – Carter Teal
Track & Field (M): M.V.P. (Hamilton Olympic Club Award) – Mark Bujnowski
Track & Field (W): Rookie of the Year – Jen Elizarov
Track & Field (W): M.V.P. – Sadie-Jane Hickson
Volleyball (M): Rookie of the Year – Josh Glasbergen
Volleyball (M): M.V.P. – Jonathan Pickett
Volleyball (W): Rookie of the Year – (Makala King Memorial) – Sophie Fernback
Volleyball (W): M.V.P. – Alex Curran
Wrestling (M): Rookie of the Year – Brennan Brady
Wrestling (M): M.V.P. – Simon Chaves
Wrestling (W): Rookie of the Year – Rebecca Redlich
Wrestling (W): M.V.P. – Amelia Frisbee

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