Algoma University celebrated a standout year of athletic and academic excellence at the 2025-26 Thunderbird Varsity Student-Athlete Awards. Held on March 20, 2026 at Grand Gardens North, the event recognized the yearly achievements of its student-athletes across all varsity programs.
Leading this year's award winners, Becca Gutteridge (Wrestling) was named Female Athlete of the Year, while Brandon Carrillo (Wrestling) earned Male Athlete of the Year honours. Both athletes capped exceptional seasons with top performances at the USPORTS Championship and were also recognized as the Most Valuable Wrestlers for their respective programs.
The distinguished Dr. Lukenda Thunderbird Service Award was presented to Lilah Fraser (Wrestling), recognizing her leadership and commitment to community engagement.
"This celebration is about more than awards," said Dr. Sheila Embleton, Interim President and Vice-Chancellor. "It is about recognizing the impact our student-athletes have as leaders, role models, and ambassadors for Algoma University."
Academic success remained a central focus, with student-athletes across all programs earning Academic Distinction Awards for their achievements in the classroom, balancing high-performance sport with academic excellence. 10 graduating athletes were also recognized with the Thunderbird Award, celebrating their lasting contributions to Algoma University and the Thunderbird legacy.
The evening also honoured Danielle D'Ettorre (Women's Basketball) with the Thunderbird Wall of Fame Award, recognizing her exceptional playing career at Algoma University after earning national and provincial accolades as a Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) All-Canadian and Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) Player of the Year during the 2006-07 season.
"From competition to the classroom to the community, our student-athletes continue to raise the bar," said Rachel Rankin, Director of Student Life and Ancillary Services. "This year's award recipients reflect the dedication, resilience, and excellence that define Thunderbird athletics."
To view photos from the event, click here. To learn more about varsity athletics at Algoma University, click here. A full list of award recipients is outlined below
2025-26 Thunderbirds Varsity Student-Athlete Award Recipients
Major Awards
- Female Athlete of the Year Becca Gutteridge (Wrestling)
- Male Athlete of the Year Brandon Carrillo (Wrestling)
- Dr. Lukenda Thunderbird Service Award Lilah Fraser (Wrestling)
Academic Distinction Awards
- Men's Basketball Tyson Francisco
- Women's Basketball Mercedes Mazzuca van Weerden
- Cross Country Running Becca Gutteridge
- Men's Curling Jonah Santa Maria
- Women's Curling Lisa Brisson
- Nordic Ski Emma Malone
- Men's Soccer Jaden Timmis
- Women's Soccer Samantha Mazzuca
- Men's Wrestling Brandon Carrillo
- Women's Wrestling Emma Walker
Thunderbird Award (Graduating Student-Athletes)
- Patrick Mpoyi Men's Basketball
- Riya Donnelly Women's Basketball
- Brooke Gruhn Women's Basketball
- Mercedes Mazzuca van Weerden Women's Basketball
- Ethan Mendes De Franca Men's Soccer
- Thiery Nsega Men's Soccer
- Lucas Spirkoski Men's Soccer
- Hiroki Wada Men's Soccer
- Madalyn Clement Women's Soccer
- Maddi Rouleau Women's Soccer
Thunderbird Wall of Fame Award
- Danielle D'Ettorre Women's Basketball
Team Awards
Men's Basketball
- Coach's Award Jean-Luc Cubahiro
- Most Improved Shalom Anyikwa
- Best Defensive Player Chance Beaudoin-Skerritt
- Rookies of the Year Chance Beaudoin-Skerritt & Biong Deng
- Most Valuable Player Kal-El Alejo
Women's Basketball
- Most Dedicated Riya Donnelly
- Most Improved Annabelle Lefebvre
- Best Defensive Player Brooke Gruhn
- Rookie of the Year Taylor Randall
- Most Valuable Player Sadie Grawbarger
Cross Country Running
- Coach's Award Dylan Garson
- Most Improved Trysten Kahtava
- Rookie of the Year Carsten Moffatt
- Most Valuable Runner Dylan Garson
Men's Curling
- Rookie of the Year Noah Mercier
- Most Valuable Curler Jonah Santa Maria
Women's Curling
- Coach's Award Olivia Forsyth
- Most Valuable Curler Maggie Grexton
Nordic Ski
- Coach's Award Emma Malone
- Most Valuable Skier Trysten Kahtava
Men's Soccer
- Coach's Award Nicolas Palmeiro
- Captain's Award Theo Hampton
- Best Defensive Players Joshua Bondoc & Anthony Berganza
- Rookie of the Year Evan Hurren
- Most Valuable Player Lucas Spirkoski
Women's Soccer
- Coach's Award Sienna Nimubona
- Most Improved Ayla Mazzuca
- Best Defensive Player Maddi Rouleau
- Rookie of the Year Paisley Pennington
- Most Valuable Player Paisley Pennington
Men's Wrestling
- Coach's Award William Mitchell
- Most Improved William Lewey
- Rookie of the Year Ajay Guitard
- Most Valuable Wrestler Brandon Carrillo
Women's Wrestling
- Coach's Award Rebecca Vann
- Most Improved Felisity McDonald
- Rookie of the Year Elia Ransom
- Most Valuable Wrestler Becca Gutteridge
