Lauren Rainford and Kamari Scott named UPEI Athletes of the Year

Charlottetown, PEI (March 29, 2025)—UPEI's Department of Athletics and Recreation celebrated the 2024–25 season at the annual UPEI Panther Celebration – Athletic Awards Gala on Friday, March 28, recognizing outstanding student-athletes who have excelled in sport, the classroom, and the community.

This year, the UPEI Alumni Association's Outstanding Female Athlete of the Year award went to Lauren Rainford, UPEI Women's Basketball. The Male Athlete of the Year winner was Kamari Scott, UPEI Men's Basketball.

The event, held at the Rodd Charlottetown Hotel, included student-athletes, coaches, and team staff from both varsity and club sport programs along with members of the University community. UPEI's varsity program includes Women's Field Hockey, Men's Soccer, Women's Soccer, Women's Rugby, Men's Hockey, Women's Hockey, Men's Basketball, Women's Basketball, Men's Cross Country, Women's Cross Country, Men's Track and Field, and Women's Track and Field. UPEI club sport teams include Men's Rugby, Men's Lacrosse, Ringette, Ultimate, Equestrian, Cricket, and Cheer.

"We take great pride in the achievements of our student-athletes this season, and we are excited to watch them continue to develop and realize their full potential at UPEI," said Jane Vessey Director of UPEI Athletics and Recreation. "As our senior student-athletes move on to new chapters, we wish them the best in all their future endeavours and look forward to seeing the impact they will make beyond university."

The W.A. Ledwell Award is presented annually to a student who has demonstrated outstanding athletic ability in the intercollegiate program, academic excellence, and the qualities of leadership, sportsmanship, and citizenship. This year's recipient was Kamari Scott, UPEI Men's Basketball.

The Gordon and Muriel Bennett Award is presented to a male or female student athlete who, over four years, has best combined athletic achievement and academic excellence. This year's winner was Bianca Boutilier, UPEI Women's Track and Field.

The James Bayer Memorial Scholarship Award was established in 1985 and is awarded annually to an outstanding student-athlete in Atlantic University Sport for excellence in academics, athletics, leadership, sportsmanship, and citizenship. The recipient is selected from nominees submitted by each AUS-member university. This year's nominee from UPEI was Kamari Scott, UPEI Men's Basketball.

In addition to the overall awards, varsity and competitive club team awards were also presented. These included the Most Valuable Player (MVP), Rookie of the Year, J.T. "Mickey" Place, and Principles of Panther Pride awards.

The J.T. "Mickey" Place Awards are presented by the UPEI Student Union to varsity team student-athletes who contributed to student leadership on their team and on campus. Each coach presents the Principles of Panther Pride Coaches Award to the student-athlete on their team, who best exemplifies purpose, preparation, respect for people, positivity, professionalism, presence, passion, and perseverance.

 

 

 

Women's Field Hockey: Livi Lawlor (MVP), Katie-Grace Noye (Rookie of the Year), Maria McLane (J.T. "Mickey" Place Award), and Julie Hall (Principles of Panther Pride Coach's Award)

 

Men's Soccer: Riad Jaha (MVP), Jahmal Boursiquot (Rookie of the Year), Isaac Wolters (J.T. "Mickey" Place Award), and Will Campbell (Principles of Panther Pride Coach's Award)

 

Women's Soccer: Claudia Mazzei (MVP), Juliette Bader (Rookie of the Year), Lydia Hamill (J.T. "Mickey" Place Award), and Madi Fisher (Principles of Panther Pride Coach's Award)

 

Women's Rugby: Emma MacLean (MVP), Rowan Gallagher (Rookie of the Year), Mia Fradsham (J.T. "Mickey" Place Award), and Abbey Morice (Principles of Panther Pride Coach's Award)

 

Men's Hockey: Kaleb Pearson (MVP), Bobby Orr (Rookie of the Year), Cade Kowalski (J.T. "Mickey" Place Award), and Ben McFarlane (Principles of Panther Pride Coach's Award)

 

Women's Hockey: Chloe McCabe (MVP), Renée Chapman (Rookie of the Year), Sarah Forsythe (J.T. "Mickey" Place Award), and Kaiya Maracle (Principles of Panther Pride Coach's Award)

 

Men's Basketball: Kamari Scott (MVP and J.T. "Mickey" Place Award), Hugo Bermejo (Rookie of the Year), and Sam Chisholm (Principles of Panther Pride Coach's Award)

 

Women's Basketball: Lauren Rainford (MVP), Naki Alonzo (Rookie of the Year), Karla Benitez (J.T. "Mickey" Place Award), and Devon Lawlor (Principles of Panther Pride Coach's Award)

 

Cross Country (men): Jack Roberts (MVP)

 

Cross Country (women): Katie Richard (MVP), Stefania Angona (J.T. "Mickey" Place Award), and Grace Richard (Principles of Panther Pride Coach's Award)

 

Track and Field (men): Daniel Onunwor (MVP), Avery Baker (Rookie of the Year), and Colin Blanchard (J.T. "Mickey" Place Award)

 

Track and Field (women): Helena Ikpotokin (MVP), Sophie Crabbe (Rookie of the Year), and Bianca Boutilier (Principles of Panther Pride Coach's Award)

 

 

Men's Rugby: Noah Poirier (MVP and J.T. "Mickey" Place Award), William Kent (Rookie of the Year), and Ben Bassett (Warhorse Award)

 

Men's Lacrosse: Top Senior – Conor McInnis (MVP), Top Freshman – Ethan Reeves (Rookie of the Year), Reece Packman (J.T. "Mickey" Place Award), and Kelton Trainor (James Thomson Memorial Award).

 

Ultimate: Brian MacDonald and Sophie Hayes (MVPs), Tyson Laybolt and Sinead Riordon (Rookies of the Year), Maddy Cronin (J.T. "Mickey" Place Award), and Hicham Barouti and Kenzie Schwartz (Spirit of the Game Players)

 

Equestrian: Jordyn Jackson (MVP), Gabriel Bruce (Rookie of the Year), Lacey White (Sportsmanship and J.T. "Mickey" Place Awards), and Avea Stiles (Principles of Panther Pride Coach's Award)

 

Cricket: Muhammad Mudassar Maqsood (MVP), Muhammad Saifullah (Best Bowler), and Muhammad Maaz (Best All-Rounder)

 

Cheer: Callum Machum (MVP), Karolina Jaeger (Rookie of the Year), Chloe Betts (J.T. "Mickey" Place Award), and Alex Zakem (Principles of Panther Pride Coach's Award)

 

 

 

Lauren Rainford's stellar career with UPEI Women's Basketball culminated in being named UPEI's Female Athlete of the Year. In 2024–25, she led the Panthers in scoring (18.6 points per game, seventh in U SPORTS), assists (2.2), steals (1.7), and blocks (0.8), earning her fourth AUS all-star selection and third first-team nod.

 

She guided UPEI to a 14-6 regular season record (third in the conference) and an AUS final appearance. On February 15 against the Memorial Sea-Hawks, Rainford etched her name into the program's history books, becoming the Panthers' all-time leading regular season scorer. She surpassed the legendary Jenna Mae Ellsworth's record of 1,380 points on a free throw with 3:52 remaining in the third quarter of that evening's contest, cementing her status as one of UPEI's all-time greats. She finished her career with 1,422 points.

 

 

For the second consecutive year, Kamari Scott has been named UPEI's Male Athlete of the Year, capping off a legendary career with the Panthers. In his final season, Scott led UPEI to its first Atlantic University Sport (AUS) championship in 22 years, delivering a heroic 24-point performance in a stunning comeback win over the St. FX X-Men. His clutch play earned him tournament MVP honours and secured the Panthers a spot at the U SPORTS Final 8, where they upset host UBC Thunderbirds and finished fourth—marking a new program best.

 

Scott was a force throughout the season, averaging 14.1 points, 6.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.6 steals per game. His leadership and impact on both ends of the court defined his tenure, leaving an indelible mark on UPEI basketball history.

 

Beyond his on-court success, Scott was recognized nationally as the U SPORTS Ken Shields Award winner—a testament to his leadership, humility, and unwavering commitment to giving back. Over six years, he proudly represented UPEI at the highest level, inspiring those around him and becoming a fan favorite. His impact on and off the court has touched countless lives across PEI, solidifying his legacy as one of the greatest to wear a Panthers jersey.

 

 

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