Ashlee and Deschenes selected UPEI Athletes of the Year

UPEI's Department of Athletics and Recreation celebrated the 2016–17 season at the 48th annual UPEI Athletic Awards Gala on Saturday, April 1, recognizing outstanding student athletes who have excelled in sport, the classroom, and serving the community. The UPEI Alumni Association's Outstanding Athlete of the Year awards went to men's soccer fullback Mark Ashlee and women's hockey goalie Marie-Soleil Deschenes.

The event, held at the Rodd Charlottetown Hotel, included student-athletes, coaches, staff, along with members of the University community, alumni, donors, sponsors, and booster club supporters.

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

Women's volleyball: Karli Aucoin, Alessandra Corno
Men's rugby: James Coyle, Isaac Kirkland
Women's rugby: Holly Jones, Tara Campbell
Field hockey: Sydney Stavert, Karleigh MacEwen
Men's soccer: Mark Ashlee, Mohammad Jaber
Women's soccer: Jen Balderston, Amanda Stanyer
Men's hockey: Cody Payne, Cody Payne
Women's hockey: Marie-Soleil Deschenes, Sydnee Baker
Men's basketball: Tyler Scott, Logan MacDonald
Women's basketball: Kiera Rigby, Jenna Mae Ellsworth
Track and field: (female) Bailey Smith, Kylee Wallace; (male) Damon MacDonald, Darcy Norton
Swimming: (female) Rebekah Nitschmann, (no Rookie of the Year awarded); (male) Matthew Smith, Pieter VanLeeuwen
Cross country: (female) Rebecca Doyle, Emma Moore; (male) Jeremy Thompson, Alex MacFadyen
Junior varsity women's hockey: Jessie Howard, Rebecca Mosher

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 were given in his memory to Rebecca Chapman (women's rugby), MacKenzie Deighan (field hockey), Cullen Mullally (men's soccer), Jerika Gimpel (women's soccer), Ryan MacKinnon (men's hockey), Teagan Pringle (women's hockey), Lorenzo Parker (men's basketball), Kiera Rigby (women's basketball), Angela Sande (track and field) and Kelsie Bolivar (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. Women's rugby student-athlete Holly Jones 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. Nelson Armstrong from men's hockey was the recipient.

All team nominees for the Passion for Life Award, created in memory of former UPEI soccer player Rene Ayangma, were recognized, with the overall award going to women's basketball player Kiera Rigby.

A highlight of the evening was the presentation of the inaugural Barb C. Mullaly Memorial Athletic Award in memory of the late Barb Mullaly, former director of athletics at UPEI. It was presented to third-year science student Kelly Green, a member of the women's soccer team, for her positive attitude, leadership, and mentorship.

About the UPEI Athletes of the Year

Marie-Soleil Deschenes, a goalie on the women's hockey team, is a fifth-year science student from Île-Perrot, Quebec. She was named an AUS 1st Team All-Star.

Mark Ashlee, a fullback on the men's soccer team, is a fifth-year arts student from Victoria, British Columbia. He was named an AUS 1st Team All-Star.