Blue and Gold Awards Banquet Recognizing Exceptional Athletes
EDMONTON, AB – The Concordia University of Edmonton (CUE) Thunder hosted their annual Blue & Gold Athletics Awards banquet on Friday, April 5 to mark the end of the 2023-24 athletic season. A night of fantastic food, award presentations, and lots of laughter to acknowledge our athletes for their achievements in sport and academically.
“Our student-athletes are over-achievers,” said CUE President and Vice-Chancellor Tim Loreman. “That is what we celebrate and recognize at our annual Athletics Banquet.”
“Not only do they find time for practice and competition in their chosen sport, but they also contribute to campus life in other ways, such as through volunteer efforts. All this while maintaining what are often outstanding grades in their chosen field of study. I am so proud of them, and we all benefit from the positive spirit that they bring to CUE.”
The night got started with the Thunder Team Awards, the Thunder Leadership Award, All-Heart Award, Outstanding Scholastic Achievement Award, and the MVP Awards presented.
The Thunder Leadership award goes to a student-athlete who demonstrates a commitment to their team and teammates and is a leader both on and off the field of play and in the classroom. The All-Heart award recognizes a student-athlete who demonstrates the attributes of a true team player and places the success of the team ahead of their own no matter the circumstances. The Outstanding Scholastic Achievement Award goes to the athlete with the highest GPA on their team and shows a strong dedication to their education. Lastly, the MVP Award is awarded to the athlete most valuable to their team based on their play in season.
ACAC and CCAA awards, including the All-Conference Athletes, ACAC Players and Rookies of the Year, CCAA All-Canadians, Coaches of the Year, and the Tom Austin Sportsmanship Award were also recognized. Lastly, all 5th-year student-athletes who have completed their ACAC careers, and Thunder Loyalty awards, recognizing athletes who spent their entire university career with Thunder Athletics were recognized. To finish the night, the Thunder Rookies of the Year and Players of the Year awards were presented. It was an incredible night of recognition and Thunder pride.
Thunder Team Awards
Badminton
| Leadership Award | All Heat Award | Outstanding Scholastic Award | MVP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Evan Labonne | Jonathan Su | Jasleen Kaur | Jasleen Kaur |
Men’s Basketball
| Leadership Award | All Heat Award | Outstanding Scholastic Award | MVP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Milton Lendein | Jaxon Kolesar-Lafault | David Wilmes | Yaadvir Dhaliwal |
Women’s Basketball
| Leadership Award | All Heat Award | Outstanding Scholastic Award | MVP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hannah Mitchell | Chloe DeKlerk | Jaycee May | Rachel Harvey |
Cross Country
| Leadership Award | All Heat Award | Outstanding Scholastic Award | MVP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Luke Stewart | Markus Boland | Luke Stewart | Leonard Chesoo |
Indoor Track
| Leadership Award | All Heat Award | Outstanding Scholastic Award | MVP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Markus Boland | Jaycee May | Jaycee May | Domenico Marchese |
Curling
| Leadership Award | All Heat Award | Outstanding Scholastic Award | MVP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Matthew Wasylenko | Ayrwyn Cousins | Cameron Molberg | Gabrielle Wood |
Golf
| Leadership Award | All Heat Award | Outstanding Scholastic Award | MVP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Riley Higdon | Ava Stach | Riley Higdon | Ella Gifford |
Hockey
| Leadership Award | All Heat Award | Outstanding Scholastic Award | MVP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brandon Wallis | Brant King | Hunter Leslie | Tyler Schendel |
Men’s Soccer
| Leadership Award | All Heat Award | Outstanding Scholastic Award | MVP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Josh Acevedo | Euan Bartlett | Euan Bartlett | Dante Garritano |
Women’s Soccer
| Leadership Award | All Heat Award | Outstanding Scholastic Award | MVP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breanna Callander | Elizabeth Crothers | Abigail Burton | Vanessa Pietramala |
Men’s Volleyball
| Leadership Award | All Heat Award | Outstanding Scholastic Award | MVP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kurt Niehoff | Hayden Melnyk | Alexi Dufour | Kai Rosnau |
Women’s Volleyball
| Leadership Award | All Heat Award | Outstanding Scholastic Award | MVP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kara McIntyre | Tanisha Cronin | Andreia Neudorf | Renae Regal |
ACAC Awards
ACAC Coach of the Year
Franco Imbrogno (WSOC)
ACAC Rookie of the Year
Brenna Bilassy (CURL)
Hayden Prins (GOLF)
ACAC Player of the Year
Sean Borkovic (CURL)
Vannessa Pietramala (WSOC)
Ella Gifford (GOLF)
Jasleen Kaur (BMT)
ACAC All-Conference Athletes
Jasleen Kaur (BMT)
Nick Gibb (MBB)
Leonard Chesoo (XC)
Riley Higdon (GOLF)
Hayden Prins (GOLF)
Raphael Motel (BMT)
Rachel Harvey (WBB)
Matthew Wasylenko (CURL)
Breanna Callander (WSOC)
Monica Dickson (WSOC)
Yaadvir Dhaliwal (MBB)
Jenna Rinsky (WBB)
Ella Gifford (GOLF)
Audrey French (WSOC)
Vanessa Pietramala (WSOC)
ACAC Minor Official of the Year
Sarah Silva
CCAA Awards
CCAA All-Canadians
Leonard Chesoo (XC)
Jasleen Kaur (BMT)
Vanessa Pietramala (WSOC)
CCAA Academic All-Canadians
Breanna Callander (WSOC)
Monica Dickson (WSOC)
Audrey French (WSOC)
Nick Gibb (MBB)
Ella Gifford (GOLF)
Riley Higdon (GOLF)
Rachel Jost (CURL)
Jasleen Kaur (BMT)
Payton Sonnenberg (CURL)
Matthew Wasylenko (CURL)
Gabrielle Wood (CURL)
CCAA Exemplary Leadership Award
James McCabe (CURL)
Thunder Department Awards
Fifth Year Athletes
Josh Acevedo (MSOC)
Breanna Callander (WSOC)
Leonard Chesoo (XC)
Tanisha Cronin (WVB)
Elizabeth Crothers (WSOC)
Monica Dickson (WSOC)
Madison Gamache (WSOC)
Nick Gibb (MBB)
Riley Higdon (GOLF)
Sara Hrywkiw (WSOC)
Hannah Mitchell (WBB)
Renae Regal (WVB)
Thunder Loyalty Award
This award is presented to graduating fourth or fifth-year student athletes who have consumed all of their eligibility at Concordia University of Edmonton.
Josh Acevedo (MSOC)
Brian Bailer (GOLF)
Breanna Callander (WSOC)
Leonard Chesoo (XC)
Elizabeth Crothers (WSOC)
Monica Dickson (WSOC)
Audrey French (WSOC)
Madison Gamache (WSOC)
Riley Higdon (GOLF)
Sara Hrywkiw (WSOC)
Jasleen Kaur (BMT)
Milton Lendein (MBB)
Hunter Leslie (HKY)
Brooke Lesoway (WSOC)
Alec MacLean (MBB)
Kara McIntyre (WVB)
Jayden Munguia (MSOC)
Rylan Nivon (HKY)
Tyler Schendel (HKY)
Brandon Wallis (HKY)
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 year’s winner is:
Jasleen Kaur (BMT)
Thunder Female Rookie of the Year
Winner: Brenna Bilassy
Nominees:
Brenna Bilassy (CURL)
Chloe DeKlerk (WBB)
Emma Tran (BMT/WVB)
Thunder Male Rookie of the Year
Winner: Hayden Prins
Nominees:
Ashton Billsberger (HKY)
Raphael Motel (BMT)
Hayden Prins (GOLF)
Thunder Female Player of the Year
Winner: Jasleen Kaur
Nominees:
Jasleen Kaur (BMT)
Vanessa Pietramala (WSOC)
Gabrielle Wood (CURL)
Thunder Male Player of the Year
Winner: Leonard Chesoo
Nominees:
Leonard Chesoo (XC)
Yaadvir Dhaliwal (MBB)
Tyler Schendel (HKY)
You can view photos from the event on the Thunder’s Flikr album.