Dual-Sport Standout and Record-Setting Soccer Player Named Trent University Athletes of the Year

Women’s lacrosse and volleyball standout Natalie Fournier and men’s soccer student athlete John Moncada have been named Trent University’s 2025 to 2026 Female and Male Athletes of the Year, with other student athletes also receiving recognitions at the 57th Annual Trent Athletics Awards Banquet.

(from left to right): Nathan McFadden, Natalie Fournier and John Moncada. phioto courtesy of trent university.

“The Athlete of the Year award recognizes Excalibur student athletes who have made an exceptional impact on their teams through performance, leadership and consistency throughout the season,” said Nathan McFadden, director of Athletics and Recreation. “Natalie and John are outstanding examples of what it means to compete and excel at the highest level, while representing Trent with passion and pride. Natalie's ability to shine in two sports while setting program records speaks to her work ethic, competitiveness and commitment, and John’s first season with the men’s soccer program was nothing short of remarkable in helping lead them to their best season ever. Both student-athletes have left a lasting impact on their teams and on Trent Athletics.” 

Natalie Fournier (from Georgetown, ON) is a dominant dual-sport athlete, competing with women’s volleyball and lacrosse. On the court, she recorded 126 kills, 95 digs, 17 aces and 151 points this season, finishing her career as the program’s all-time leader in both kills (542) and points (646). On the field, Fournier (Gzowski College) continued to excel as a midfielder, helping lead the Excalibur to OUA women’s lacrosse gold while earning OUA All-Star honours. She recorded 31 goals and 9 assists for 40 points in just 11 games, averaging 3.64 points per game. 

John Moncada (from Scarborough, ON), a first-year Business Administration student (Lady Eaton College) with the men’s soccer team, delivered a remarkable first season with the Excalibur. He led both the OUA and U SPORTS in goals with 14, while also tying for the national lead in points with 15. His performance earned him OUA East MVP and U SPORTS First Team All-Canadian honours, while his 14 goals set a new record for the most goals in a single season in Excalibur men’s soccer history. His scoring prowess helped lead the men’s soccer team to their best season in program history. 

The Athletics Awards Banquet brought together student athletes, coaches, staff, alumni, family members and supporters to celebrate a year defined by perseverance, competitive success and strong academic performance.  

“Our student-athletes continue to raise the bar in every sense,” said McFadden. “They compete with integrity, support one another as teammates and represent Trent with pride in the classroom and in the community. The Excalibur spirit is about more than wins and losses. It’s about resilience, leadership, and a relentless commitment to excellence. Tonight was an opportunity to celebrate the remarkable individuals who embody those values every day.” 

In addition to Athlete of the Year, awards were presented across all varsity programs, highlighting individual excellence, leadership and contributions to team culture, culminating in the presentation of the prestigious Arthur Cup to one graduating female and one graduating male student athlete. 

The Arthur Cup recognizes one male and one female athlete who have made exceptional contributions to varsity athletics through ability, sportsmanship, participation, and leadership during their time at Trent. The 2025 to 2026 recipients are Kieran Gerow and Aly Saydam. 

Kieran Gerow (from Brighton, ON) has been a defining leader for the Trent Excalibur women’s lacrosse program throughout her entire career with the Excalibur. A consistent presence and role model for her teammates, Gerow (Traill College) has helped shape the culture of the program through her leadership, commitment and sportsmanship. On the field, she established herself as one of the top goalies in the OUA, earning Excalibur Female Athlete of the Year and OUA Most Valuable Defensive Player honours in 2023 to 2024, followed by Team MVP recognition the next season. This season, Gerow helped lead the Excalibur to an OUA Championship and was named OUA Goalie of the Year. Beyond competition, Gerow is involved in the local sport and volunteer community. She coaches youth lacrosse with Lady Blue Knights Lacrosse across multiple age groups, contributes to Team Ontario as a lacrosse evaluator and regularly supports local sport through roles such as umpiring in a slow-pitch league and scorekeeping hockey games. She also volunteers with several community initiatives, including the Peterborough Petes Teddy Bear Toss in support of the Salvation Army, Porch Pirate and Polar Plunge fundraisers for Kawartha Food Share, and other local outreach efforts. Her dedication to both sport and service has made a meaningful impact on the Excalibur community and the broader Peterborough region.

A cornerstone of the Trent Excalibur men’s volleyball program, Aly Saydam (from Ottawa, ON) leaves behind a legacy defined not only by record-breaking performance, but by leadership, commitment, and community involvement. Saydam (Gzowski College) served as a key member of the team’s leadership group throughout his career, mentoring younger athletes and setting the standard through his work ethic in both the classroom and the gym. Off the court, he played an active role in the broader Trent community through the 1EX Leadership Council, the Kinesiology Society, and Campus Recreation, while helping grow the popularity of Trent volleyball through his positive presence and engagement with fans. On the court, the fourth year setter led the Excalibur through one of the most successful periods in program history, helping the team achieve its best record and start ever, while becoming Trent’s all-time leader in assists and digs and surpassing 1,000 career assists. A three-time U SPORTS Academic All-Canadian, Saydam exemplifies the balance of excellence in athletics, academics and leadership that defines the Arthur Cup. 

The recipients of the 2025 to 2026 Rookie of the Year award are Kymora Chung (women’s soccer) and William Jewell (men’s curling). 

Chung (from Markham, ON), an Honours Science student in the Trent Education Stream, made an immediate impact as goalie for the Excalibur women’s soccer team during her first season. Appearing in 10 games with nine starts, Chung (Gzowski College) posted a .759 save percentage ranking ninth in the OUA and recorded 54 saves, the third-highest total in the league. Her fearlessness, composure, and consistency quickly established her as a key part of the team’s defence. 

Jewell (from Acton, ON) stepped into the role of skip for the Trent men’s curling team in his rookie season and quickly proved himself among the province’s best. One of only two rookie skips at the 16-team OUA Championship, Jewell’s calm leadership and confident shot-making stood out throughout the competition, earning the Conservation Biology student Male OUA Rookie of the Year honours. 

The Gary Wolff Leadership award was presented to Isabelle Pellerine (women’s volleyball) and Aidan Hartley (rowing), in recognition of their courage, determination, and leadership in sport. 

A true leader throughout her five-year career with women’s volleyball, Pellerine (from Halifax, NS) a Kinesiology student, is the program’s all-time assists leader, served as team captain for four seasons and played a central role in shaping the culture of the program. Known for her competitiveness, fearless play and leading by example, she helped establish high standards of accountability and commitment while mentoring younger student-athletes and welcoming recruits to the team. Beyond competition, Pellerine (Gzowski College) is deeply involved in the volleyball community. She contributes to recruiting camps, works closely with Peterborough Thunder through clinics and training sessions, and helps organize events such as the team’s annual high school tournament and community initiatives like food drives and fundraisers. Through her leadership on and off the court, she has made a lasting impact on both the program and the broader volleyball community. 

Hartley (from Ajax, ON) has been a key component of the Trent University Rowing Club throughout his five years with the program. A varsity student-athlete for four seasons, he served on the club’s executive team before stepping into the role of president, where he led the strategic, operational, and financial management of the student-run organization while representing athletes within the broader university community. Hartley has played a key role in organizing major events, such as Head of the Trent and the Rowing Alumni Social, while also spearheading fundraising initiatives, including ‘Movember’ campaigns and rowing marathons. Known for his positivity, dedication and ability to bring people together, Hartley (Traill College) has been a unifying presence within the team, helping guide more than 50 athletes while maintaining strong academic standing in his Psychology program. 

The Community Betterment award is given to individuals who have given back to their community whilst also achieving success in sport and academics. The 2025-26 recipients of the Community Betterment Award are Megan Tapanja (women’s fencing) and Dylan Billes (rowing). 

Tapanja (from Hamilton, ON) is a dedicated leader within both the fencing and Trent campus communities. She has served as Women’s Sabre Captain since 2023 while also taking on leadership roles with the Biology Undergraduate Society and the Biology Department Communications Committee. Beyond Trent, she volunteers with local initiatives such as the North Star Industries Kids Triathlon and the YWCA Peterborough Haliburton’s Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event. Through community outreach initiatives with Trent Fencing and her work as a French tutor, Tapanja (Gzowski College) consistently uses her skills to support and connect with others. 

Billes (from Barrie, ON) has been a key leader within the Trent University Rowing Club throughout his varsity career. Serving as the club’s treasurer for the past three years, he played a pivotal role in strengthening the team’s financial position and supporting equipment upgrades that benefit future student-athletes. The fifth-year Business Administration student-athlete (Gzowski College) has also volunteered extensively within the rowing community, coaching high school athletes, helping run a para-rowing program with the Peterborough Rowing Club and supporting major events such as Head of the Trent. His commitment to both sport and community has had a lasting impact on rowing at Trent and in Peterborough. 

Visit trentexcalibur.ca for the complete list of award recipients. 

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