Chargers honour top athletes and coach

The first awards presented were the team awards. The Team Rookie went to women’s basketball Jordan Prete (Royal Bay Secondary/Victoria, B.C.), men’s basketball Ty Bunn (Mount Boucherie Secondary/West Kelowna, B.C.), women’s volleyball Olivia Trionfi (Langley Christian School/Langley, B.C.), and men’s volleyball Gabriel Spinelli (Colegio Nossa Senhora de Carmo/Juiz de Fora, BR).

The Team Leadership Awards (respectively) are Taya Karsten (Medicine Hat High School/Medicine Hat, AB), Jaime Palamos-Molins (Oak Bay High/Meliana, Valencia), Paige Roslinsky (Hunting Hills High/Red Deer, AB), and Liam Conlin (Master’s Academy and College/Calgary, AB).

The Team Most Valuable Players (MVP) are Kanda Diop (Cycle de Budé/Geneva, CH), David Finch (Argyle Secondary/North Vancouver, B.C.), Erica Bolink (Pacific Christian Secondary/Victoria, B.C.), and Kris La Guardia (Vancouver College/Vancouver, B.C.).

Later in the evening, Lachlan Scherger (Mildura Senior College/Mildura, AZ) was presented with the Derek Twomey Scholarship for Sport. The award is presented annually to honour the late Chargers setter, Derek Twomey. It recognizes a men’s volleyball student-athlete who reflects the qualities that Derek brought to the Chargers program.

The final award of the night was the President’s Award, which recognizes the student-athlete who best demonstrates a combined achievement in athletics and academics. The President’s Award was presented to men’s basketball fifth-year graduating athlete, Eric Lees (Charles Hayes Secondary/Prince Rupert, B.C.) who had a perfect grade point average (GPA) in the Massage Therapy program.

“Congratulations to all of the student-athletes for representing the college on and off the court,” says Lane Trotter, President of Camosun College. “You’ve demonstrated what it truly means to balance academic rigour with athletic achievement. You’ve shown us the power of teamwork, leadership, and resilience, teaching us valuable lessons both in competition and in life. On behalf of the college community, we are proud of your achievements and look forward to the continued success of the Chargers.”

Izzy Helman (Claremont Secondary/Victoria, B.C.), along with Bolink, Finch, La Guardia and Schergerwere recognized as Pacific Western Athletic Association (PACWEST) Athletes of the Week. Finch, Bolink and La Guardia also picked up Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) nods.

PACWEST All-Stars were also acknowledged. First Team All-Stars Finch, Bolink and La Guardia; Second Team All-Stars Palamos-Molins, Diop and Scherger; All Rookie Spinelli; and Top Libero La Guardia.

Palamos-Molins, La Guardia, Bolink and Roslinsky were named PACWEST Championship All-Stars.

Men’s Basketball Head Coach, Geoff Pippus, was named PACWEST Coach of the Year.

“The success of Camosun Men’s Basketball on the court is merely a reflection of Geoff’s broader impact on the student-athletes he leads, he has been an exemplary program leader from the outset. He is highly regarded by his athletes, respected by his peers, and is a cornerstone of the local basketball community,” said Scot Cuachon, Manager, Athletics and Student Life. “Notably, Geoff has excelled in program development, consistently maximizing its potential each season while nurturing a student-centred transformative environment. His commitment to ethical standards fosters a positive culture, and as a coach, he consistently demonstrates his dedication to the development of outstanding individuals as people and as student-athletes. The Chargers stand proud of Geoff and the entire men’s basketball coaching staff.”

Not presented were several scholarships, including the Passion Sports Legacy Awards which recognized and honoured athletes who demonstrate a dedication to their program and positively enhance the collegiate sport for others and the Dr. Lou Dryden Award for work ethic, commitment and performance.