Thunder Host Annual Blue & Gold Awards Night

EDMONTON, AB (April 8, 2022) – The Concordia University of Edmonton (CUE) Thunder hosted their annual Blue & Gold Awards banquet last night to wrap up the 2021-22 athletics season and to acknowledge the outstanding achievements of the Thunder student-athletes. 

Each team awarded a Thunder Leadership Award, a Thunder Athletics All-Heart Award, an Outstanding Scholastic Student-Athlete Award, and an MVP Award. The Leadership Awards are given to student-athletes that demonstrate a commitment to their team and teammates at all times – someone that is considered a leader both on and off the field of play and in the classroom. The All-Heart Award recognizes a student-athlete that demonstrates the attributes of a true team player, and places the success’ of the team ahead of their own no matter the circumstances they are facing. Finally, the Outstanding Scholastic Award is given to the student-athlete with the highest GPA on their team.

 ACAC Awards –

CCAA Awards –

CCAA All-Canadians:

Johnna Rymes (Badminton)
Leonard Chesoo (Men’s Cross-Country)
Kennedy Turcotte (Women’s Golf)
Breanna Callander (Women’s Soccer)

CCAA Academic All-Canadians:

Jasleen Kaur (Badminton)
Johnna Rymes (Badminton)
Anne McClelland (Women’s Soccer)
Nicolas Lampron (Men’s Soccer)
Kaelyn Bryks (Women’s Basketball)
Emma Derbyshire (Women’s Cross-Country)
Taylor Chamberlin (Women’s Cross-Country)
Morgan Spruyt (Women’s Cross-Country)

CCAA Players of the Year:

Johnna Rymes (Badminton)

Thunder Department Awards –

Fifth Year Athletes:

Rebecca Leavell (Women’s Soccer)
Lucas Turchet (Men’s Basketball)
Ethan Murray (Men’s Volleyball)
James Bryce (Men’s Volleyball)
Shae McDonald (Women’s Volleyball)
Avery Plandowski (Women’s Volleyball)
Scott Allan (Hockey)
Matt Benko (Hockey)
Tyler Benko (Hockey)
Rory Davidson (Hockey)

Thunder Loyalty Awards:

Rebecca Leavell (Women’s Soccer)
Emily Long (Women’s Soccer)
Sarah McClelland (Women’s Soccer)
Scott Hornbeck (Men’s Soccer)
Lucas Turchet (Men’s Basketball)
Ethan Murray (Men’s Volleyball)
James Bryce (Men’s Volleyball)
Shae McDonald (Women’s Volleyball)
Avery Plandowski (Women’s Volleyball)
Scott Allan (Hockey)
Matt Benko (Hockey)
Tyler Benko (Hockey)
Rory Davidson (Hockey)
Charlie Gawlicki (Hockey)
Connor Manegre (Hockey)
Curtis Peck (Hockey)
Sam Visscher (Hockey)

Tom Austin Leadership Award (Donated by Dr. Ruth Glancy) – 

Eligible students are nominated by team coaches based on their outstanding sportsmanship and commitment to the team as demonstrated by virtues such as fairness, civility, integrity, courage and persistence. This years winner is:

Brandon Toal (Men’s Cross-Country & Indoor Track) 

Female Rookie of the Year –

Finalists: Raeesa Cherniwchan (Women’s Basketball), Anne McClelland (Women’s Soccer), and Morgan Spruyt (Women’s Cross-Country & Indoor Track)

Winner: Anne McClelland

Male Rookie of the Year –

Finalists: Griffin Bowerman (Hockey), Ethan Samson (Men’s Cross-Country & Indoor Track), and Arjun Dhaliwal (Men’s Basketball)

Winner: Griffin Bowerman

Female Athlete of the Year –

Finalists: Breanna Callander (Women’s Soccer), Johnna Rymes (Badminton), and Emma Derbyshire (Women’s Volleyball and Women’s Cross Country & Indoor Track)

Winner: Emma Derbyshire

Male Athlete of the Year –

Finalists: Nick Gibb (Men’s Basketball), Leonard Chesoo (Men’s Cross-Country & Indoor Track), and Matt Benko (Hockey)

Winner: Leonard Chesoo