Alysha Corrigan, Katie Donahoe, Cole MacMillan and Tyler Scott named UPEI athletes of the year

UPEI’s Department of Athletics and Recreation celebrated the 2015-16 season at the 47th annual UPEI Athletic Awards Gala on Saturday, April 2, recognizing outstanding student athletes who have excelled in sport, the classroom, and serving the community.

The event, held at the Rodd Charlottetown Hotel, included student-athletes, coaches, staff, along with senior administration, alumni, donors, sponsors, and booster club supporters. The UPEI Panther Celebration and Athletic Awards Gala is an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of student-athletes and to thank coaches, team staff, and partners supporters, while reflecting on a great season.

The UPEI Alumni Association’s Outstanding Athlete of the Year awards went to two “co-winners” in each the female and male categories. Women’s rugby’s Alysha Corrigan and women’s basketball’s Katelynn Donahoe shared the top honours while basketball standout, Tyler Scott, and dual-athlete Cole MacMillan (men’s soccer and hockey) were repeat co-winners.

In addition to the Athlete of the Year awards, club and varsity team awards were presented. The MVP and Rookie of the Year award winners from each team include (MVP is listed first, followed by rookie):

Women’s volleyball: Rachel Hughes, Erika Miller
Men’s rugby: Sean Doyle, Kaleb Haque
Women’s rugby: Emily Keen, Anneke Dykerman
Field hockey: Katherine Koughan, Sarah Sear
Men’s soccer: Cole MacMillan, Brett Strba
Women’s soccer: Jenna Jo McDonald, Danielle Younker
Men’s hockey: Marcus Power, Ryan MacKinnon
Women’s hockey: Samantha Sweet, Ashtyn Bartlett
Men’s basketball: Tyler Scott & Bradley States, Amin Suleman
Women’s basketball: Katie Donahoe, Kendra Craswell & Jennifer Newman
Swimming: (female) Rebekah Nitschmann, Callie McAuley; (male) Matthew Smith (both MVP and Rookie)
Cross country: Brandon Higginbotham, Jeremy Thompson
JV women’s hockey: Jill MacIsaac, Brittany Williams

The J.T. “Mickey” Place Awards are presented by the UPEI Student Union to student-athletes who have made a contribution to student leadership on their team and on campus. John Thomas “Mickey” Place was connected not only with Athletics at UPEI, but also with all aspects of campus life. These awards given in his memory were presented to: Lauren Chamberlain (women’s rugby), Emily Ross (field hockey), Harminder Singh (men’s soccer), Kelsie Collier (women’s soccer), Brent Andrews (men’s hockey), Teagan Pringle (women’s hockey), Lorenzo Parker (men’s basketball), Katie Donahoe (women’s basketball), and Katie VanLeeuwen (swimming).

The Gordon and Muriel Bennett Award is given to a student (male or female) who, over four years, best combined athletic achievement and academic excellence. Field hockey student-athlete Katherine Koughan was this year’s recipient.

The W.A. Ledwell Award goes to a student-athlete who has demonstrated outstanding athletic ability in the intercollegiate program, academic excellence, and the qualities of leadership, sportsmanship and citizenship. Maggie Grimmer from women’s hockey was the recipient.

One of the evening highlights was the presentation of the Passion for Life Award, originated in memory of Rene Ayangma, a former UPEI soccer player. All nominees were recognized and the overall award winner was Mason Wilgosh from the men’s hockey team.

Congratulations to all of our Panther athletes, the entire UPEI family is very proud of you!

About the UPEI Athletes of the Year

Alysha Corrigan, a 5’4” fullback on the women’s rugby team, is a second-year business student from Charlottetown, PEI. She was named an AUS All-Star, CIS Second Team All-Canadian and is a national team prospect. She is also a talented ringette player.

Katelynn Donahoe, a 5’6 guard on the women’s basketball team, is a fifth-year kinesiology student from Riverview, NB. She was named an AUS Second Team All-Star and led the AUS and CIS in several important statistical categories.

Tyler Scott is a 6’2” guard from Halifax, NS who was a strong performer for the men’s basketball team all season. The fourth-year arts student was an AUS First Team All-Star, CIS Second Team All-Canadian and finished third in the CIS in scoring.

Cole MacMillan, from Stanhope, PEI, is a fifth-year Arts student who plays both varsity soccer and hockey. In men’s soccer, the 5’11” fullback was an AUS First Team All-Star.  In men’s hockey, the forward was key player in the Panthers reaching the playoffs and reaching the AUS semi-finals.