Continuing her sweep of awards, fifth-year Viking Shae Boyes is named the 2023-24 Vikings Female Athlete of the Year, while men's hockey leading points getter Jack Hamly is honoured as the Male Athlete of the Year as Vikings Athletics announced their major award winners on Thursday Night at the Jeanne & Peter Lougheed Performing Arts Centre in Camrose during the University of Alberta - Augustana Student Life Awards.
Vikings Women's Basketball's Hanna McCarroll and Hockey's Jayven Leslie were named Rookies of the Year, while Owen Lamb from Vikings Men's Hockey was the recipient of the Dean's Vikings Leadership Award.
For the first time in his five seasons as head coach, Steve Enright was named Vikings Coach of the Year, while long-time running coach Robert Renman received the Vikings Assistant Coach of the Year. Jon Hironaka picked up the Vikings Volunteer Award for his work with the men's hockey team.
Lastly, Vikings Curling and Women's Soccer proved they had the academic edge during the Fall 2023 semester earning the Team GPA Award each with a team average GPA of 3.5.
Male Athlete of the Year - Jack Hamly (Hockey)
Having a personal best season, Jack led the Vikings with 25 points this season, including 19 assists and who could forget his two goal performance against the SAIT Trojans with less than 2 minutes on the clock in the first round of playoffs. Jack's work ethic on and off the ice is the epitome of Vikings Hockey.
Other nominees: Jack Smilski (Basketball), Ewan Schellenberg (Cross-Country Running & Indoor Track)
Female Athlete of the Year - Shae Boyes (Volleyball)
Having earned this award in 2022 and being named Rookie of the Year in 2019, Shae has been the heart and soul of the team during her time in the red, black and white. This season she broke the Vikings Women's Volleyball all time records for Kills, aces and digs. Has the 7th most kills all-time in the ACAC and the 2nd most aces male or female in the conference. This season she once again led the conference in kill and aces, plus she was recognized as an ACAC All-Conference athlete, the ACAC Women's Volleyball Player of the Year, a CCAA All-Canadian, and the CCAA Women's Volleyball Player of the Year to top it off.
Other nominees: Sofia Ovcharenko (Soccer), Sidney Cusack (Cross-Country Running & Indoor Track)
Vikings Male Rookie of the Year - Jayven Leslie (Hockey)
In his first year in the red, black and white, Jayven was excellent on the ice for the Viking playing 23 regular season games, scoring 7 goals and helping with 7 assists for a total of 14 points on the season.
Other nominees: Colby Anderson (Basketball), Owen Rasmunson (Volleyball)
Vikings Female Rookie of the Year - Hanna McCarroll (Basketball)
As a welcomed addition to the team, Hannah was required to take on a large role in her rookie season, playing a valuable 229 minutes adding 57 points to the scoreboard, while gathering 24 rebounds.
Other nominees: Randi Cameron (Curling), Kirara Periard-Endel (Soccer), Taryn Watson (Volleyball)
Viking Leadership Award - Owen Lamb (Hockey)
It has been said that with Owen graduating, there will be an enormous hole in the Vikings Hockey program. He has been the team's captain for the last two seasons and played a pivotal role on and off the ice for his team and their success. He is well respected by his teammates and opponents and never shy away from a battle. He was an extension of the team's coaching staff as he strived to make everyone around him better and was a constant leader in the team's community outreach.
Other nominees: Sydnee Dallyn (Soccer), Ryan Degner (Basketball), Emily Peterson (Volleyball), Josie Zimmerman (Curling)
Vikings Assistant Coach of the Year - Robert Renman (Running)
Robert is very passionate about running and seeing Vikings runners achieve their personal best day in and day out. He never misses a race and gives runners everything he can at every practice and he brings the positive energy the team needs. This season cross-country runners saw great results on the trail, while indoor track picked up three bronze medals and one silver at ACAC Championships.
Other nominees: Lauren Cardinal (Women's Basketball), Dan Johnson (Men's Volleyball), Bryan Loskosky (Women's Volleyball)
Vikings Coach of the Year - Steve Enright (Volleyball)
In the words of his student-athletes, "Steve sees potential in everyone and works to help us unlock it. Whether it's refining our technique, honing our skills, or providing much-needed words of encouragement. He teaches us to compete with honour, respect our opponents, and uphold the values of fair play."
Enright led the team to a second-place finish in the ACAC Women's Volleyball North standings with a 16-3 and their highest-ever ranking in the CCAA finishing the regular season ranked 4th.
Vikings Volunteer of the Year - Jon Hironaka (Hockey)
Jon works around the clock to help the men's hockey team, but also hockey in general within the community. He goes above and beyond to help the team, generate ideas, get action items done, and always be ready to lend a helping hand at games.