Ooks cap off season with awards night
April 8, 2009
The annual NAIT Athletic Awards was hosted Tuesday, April 7, 2009 at the NAIT Shaw Theatre to recognize outstanding achievements in athletics for 2008-09. The following major awards were presented:
PRESIDENT'S AWARD
This award represents leadership, sportsmanship and academic success coupled with outstanding achievement in an intercollegiate sport.
President's Award Female Intercollegiate Athlete of the Year
Katie Seys - Volleyball
In her first season with the NAIT Ooks volleyball program, Katie Seys lived up to her billing as one of the top female collegiate volleyball players in the country, earning her second consecutive Canadian Colleges Athletic Conference All-Canadian award.
Katie led the entire Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference in kills (5.3 per game), and was second in stuff blocks (0.8 per game), and seventh in service aces (0.37 per game). Her statistical dominance garnered her ACAC All-Conference selection.
She was instrumental in the development of the Ooks women's volleyball program this season. As team captain, Katie guided the Ooks to their first win over Grande Prairie Regional College in 18 years. NAIT also pushed the Medicine Hat College to five sets in both the teams' qualification series matches, with the Ooks narrowly missing out on a postseason berth.
Katie's dynamic ability on the court, selfless dedication and resolute leadership led her to be named as the team's Silver Torch winner, as MVP.
"It's nice to see Katie achieve this award in an environment as competitive as the ACAC," said women's volleyball head coach Keith Lundgren. "The whole team is very proud of her.
"She has been able, along with the rest of the team, to develop the culture of competitiveness that will be required to compete at the national level."
President's Award Male Intercollegiate Athlete of the Year
Dan Kai - Badminton
For the second year in a row, Dan Kai captured the Canadian Colleges Athletic Association national men's singles title, establishing himself as arguably the top male collegiate badminton player in the country.
At the CCAA national championship in Toronto, Ontario, Dan posted a perfect 7-0 record in round robin and medal round play to take home the gold medal. He was also named a CCAA All-Canadian.
Dan also added a second Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference men's singles title to his list of accomplishments after going undefeated in conference play with a 22-0 record, earning him his second ACAC First Team All-Conference selection.
A two-time ACAC Athlete of the Week and three-time NAIT Ooks Athlete of the Week, Dan's strong play on the court led the NAIT badminton team to their first ACAC team championship in 16 years. As a result, he was the team's unanimous selection as their Silver Torch winner for team MVP.
"Having a player of Dan's caliber has elevated the awareness of NAIT badminton," said badminton head coach Jordan Richey. "Good players want to come to NAIT to play with an athlete of his level.
"He's the best badminton player to ever play at NAIT, and I wouldn't be surprised to see him compete in the Olympics one day."
SILVER TORCH AWARD
The Silver Torch award is the highest recognized individual athletic team award. It is awarded to the athlete on each team that has contributed the most to the overall success of the team.
Badminton - Dan Kai
Basketball (Men's) - Dennis Ashworth and Jonathan Honey
Basketball (Women's) - Dale-Marie Cumberbatch
Curling - Colin Hodgson
Cross Country Running - Jamey Olson
Golf - Coogan Mitchell
Hockey (Men's) - Nick Stermer
Hockey (Women's) - Kendel Jurista
Soccer (Men's) - Joe Asarfo-Adjei
Soccer (women's) - Claire McWilliam and Alexandria Mah
Volleyball (Men's) - Scott Lefebvre
Volleyball (Women's) - Katie Seys