The 2022-23 St. Mary's University Lightning Athletics Awards Banquet was held earlier this month in M100. Athletes from our four teams came together to celebrate our recent successes, and were joined by their coaches, athletic therapists, and the StMU staff that made this year possible.
Our athletes had quite a season to celebrate! Cross Country running won their first medal in school history - a Silver for the Women's Team. We were the only ACAC school with both basketball teams in the ACAC Final Four. Women's Basketball finished the regular season in first place in the ACAC. Men's Basketball played in their first ACAC Championship Game (earning a Silver Medal) and went to the Nationals Championships for the first time in Lightning History. Indoor Track won their first medals in school history - two Bronze Medals in Women's Relay. To top it off, our athletic teams had a combined GPA over 3.00!
Dr. Sinda Vanderpool, President and Vice-Chancellor of St. Mary's University, started off the evening with a motivating address and recap of her first year as The Lightning's new biggest fan. Followed by an entertaining game of Simon Says' lead by the night's MC, Tim Olynik, our Fitness and Recreation Coordinator.
Three awards were given out for each team. The Most Outstanding Female and Most Outstanding Male for the Cross Country and Indoor Track teams, or MVP for both the Men's and Women's Basketball teams. Also, Most Improved, and the Lightning Award - given to the person who embodies what it most means to be a Lightning Student Athlete.
Cross Country Winners:
- Most Outstanding Male - Dan Quibell
- Most Outstanding Female - Maria Fox
- Most Improved - Cadence Laplante
- Lightning Award - Sarah Foscarini
- Women's Basketball Winners:
- MVP - Maitlynn Wilde
- Most Improved - Jazmyn Kellog
- Lightning Award - Andria Stitt
Men's Basketball Winners:
- MVP - Averie Armbrister
- Most Improved - Johnpaul Okodua
- Lightning Award - Kevin Hammer
Indoor Track Winners:
- Most Outstanding Female - Cherise Carter
- Most Outstanding Male - Dan Quibell
- Most Improved - Nathan Kelba
- Lightning Award - Brianne Dangerfield
Honouring our Seniors is always most emotional part of every Awards Banquet. Very few things build character quite like being a university athlete. The countless hours of practice and work out outside the gym or track. The late night bus rides through snowstorms. Waiting your turn behind the veterans and seizing the moment when it comes. Managing the highs of personal bests and working your way through slumps. Add in a pandemic and shut down season and these seniors have seen just about everything.
The seniors were presented with individual framed posters outlining their achievements and statistics.
From Cross Country and Indoor Track:
- Sydney Lockhart
- Laura Fraser
- Jack Herron
- Sarah Foscarini
- Maria Fox
- Brianne Dangerfield
The Basketball seniors:
- Danya Osterling
- Chayle Clark
- Coal Clark
- Alex Cliche
- Averie Armbrister
The evening finished with our three biggest awards.
The Lightning Award went to Men's Basketball's Alex Cliche and was presented by Thérèse Takacs, Vice-President, Advancement & Campus Services. When Alex arrived at St Mary's he wasn't much of an athlete'. But he grew into a leader, an active citizen of the school, and successful student in the classroom. Now he's leaving us with a great education, lifelong friends, and scared knees.
The Male Athlete Of The Year was Brock Dewsberry and presented by JR Smith from the Calgary Booster Club. The scoring leader of St. Mary's potent offence - the highest scoring team in our league and St Mary's history. A first team All-ACAA selection, an All-Canadian, and huge piece to The Lightning's 2023 success.
Female Athlete Of The Year was Andria Stitt. The Lightning's floor general and energy centre - commanding the game passion, intensity, and focus. An ACAC First Team All Conference selection and an All-Canadian. A genuinely perfect example of what a student athlete should be.
