History on Home Turf as Trent Men’s Soccer Get Set For First-Ever Home Playoff Game

By Scott Arnold

For the first time in program history, Trent Excalibur men’s soccer will play an OUA playoff game in front of its home fans, with a chance to make even more history on Wednesday night.

the excalibur are hoping for a packed justin chiu stadium when they host Toronto for their first home playoff game in school history.(photo courtesy of trent excalibur, via david pickering)

The Excalibur welcome the University of Toronto Varsity Blues to Justin Chiu Stadium on October 21st for a first-round Ontario University Athletics (OUA) East Division playoff matchup, with kickoff set for 6pm.

The home playoff game is another milestone in a season that has seen Trent reach new heights. The team finished third in the OUA East with a 7-5 record, collecting 21 points to establish program records for both wins and points in a single regular season.

Those numbers surpass the previous program bests of six wins and 19 points, both set last year. Trent has now also reached the postseason in back-to-back seasons for the first time.

The Excalibur will face a familiar opponent in Toronto, which finished sixth in the division with a 5-3-4 record. The Varsity Blues won both regular-season meetings between the teams, setting up a challenge for Trent as it looks to extend its historic campaign.

Last season, the Excalibur's playoff run ended in the opening round with a 3-1 loss to the nationally ranked Carleton Ravens. Wednesday offers another opportunity to take a step forward, this time with home-field advantage.

Admission is $15 at the gate. Trent students with valid student ID and children 12 and under accompanied by an adult receive free admission. Season passes are not valid for postseason games.

Those unable to attend can watch the game live at OUA.tv or follow Trent Excalibur on social media for live updates.

Scott Arnold is a Journalist and Content Creator at PTBOCanada Media Inc

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Back-to-Back OUA Titles for Trent Excalibur Women's Lacrosse Team After Gold Medal Win Over Laurier

By Scott Arnold

The Trent Excalibur women's lacrosse team are Ontario University Athletics (OUA) champions for the second consecutive year after defeating Wilfrid Laurier 16-3 in Sunday's gold medal game at Justin Chiu Stadium.

The Trent Excalibur women’s lacrosse team repeated as oua champions after beating wilfred laurier at justin chiu stadium on on sunday afternoon. The championship-winning roster includes Carsyn Bartlett, Savannah Mark, Anna Marie Lajoie, Ezra Zanini, Olivia Grosjean, Halle Lubiniecki, Meg Hiltz, Abby Hiltz, Victoria Palmer, Kylea Dobson, Aimee Evans, Madison Miletich, Tyler McDonald, Brooke Stubbert, Natalie Fournier, Alyssa Gemmiti, Rebekah Ladouceur, Abby Drinkwalter, Sofia Reynolds, Payton Curtis, Maddy Baxter, Maggie Cuddy, Savannah Musto and Addison Hunter. The coaching staff includes head coach Jocelyne Lemay, assistant coaches Kieran Gerow and Lexie Kinmond, trainer Isabelle Urie, social media & fundraising coordinator Juliana Gemmiti, varsity strength & conditioning coach reid miller and director of athletics and recreation nathan mcfadden .(photo courtesy of trent excalibur, via david pickering)

Trent dominated from the opening whistle, scoring six unanswered goals in the first quarter to take a 6-0 lead. The Excalibur added four more in the second quarter before scoring five in the third to build a commanding 15-1 advantage heading into the final frame.

Laurier scored twice in the fourth quarter, but Trent added another goal to secure the 13-goal victory and defend its provincial title on home turf.

Kylea Dobson led the way with five goals, while Maddy Baxter scored three times. Abby Hiltz contributed two goals and three assists, and Tyler McDonald also scored twice. Meg Hiltz added a goal and two assists, while Olivia Grosjean, Abby Drinkwalter and Natalie Fournier each found the back of the net.

Goaltender Sav Musto made 15 saves as Trent outshot Laurier 28-18.

After the game the OUA handed out their awards, which included Trent’s Maddy Cuddy as Most Valuable Defender. Cuddy was also named an All-Star, along with Excalibur teammates Maddy Baxter (midfielder) and Kylea Dobson (attacker).

The last time a school won back-to-back OUA women's lacrosse championships was Trent, who captured consecutive titles in 2019 and 2021, with no championship held in 2020 due to COVID-19.

Scott Arnold is a Journalist and Content Creator at PTBOCanada Media Inc

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A Repeat Within Reach as Trent Advances to OUA Women's Lacrosse Final

By Scott Arnold

The Trent Excalibur women's lacrosse team is one win away from defending its provincial title after defeating the Guelph Gryphons 20-13 in Saturday's OUA semifinal at Justin Chiu Stadium.

The Trent Excalibur are off to the oua women’s lacrosse final on sunday as they look to defend their title and repeat as champs. (photo via instagram @trentexcalibur)

Trent took a 5-2 lead after the opening quarter before Guelph battled back in the second, outscoring the Excalibur 5-4 to make it a 9-7 game at halftime. Trent then took control in the third quarter, scoring seven unanswered goals to build a 16-7 advantage heading into the final frame.

The Gryphons scored six goals in the fourth quarter, but Trent added four of its own to secure the seven-goal victory.

Maddy Baxter led the Excalibur with eight goals and an assist for nine points. Kylea Dobson recorded three goals and three assists, while Meg Hiltz also scored three times. Natalie Fournier added two goals, with Abby Hiltz, Tyler McDonald, Olivia Grosjean and Abby Drinkwalter each finding the back of the net.

Goaltender Sav Musto made seven saves as Trent outshot Guelph 23-20.

The defending champion Excalibur will play for gold on Sunday, October 18th at 2pm, at Justin Chiu Stadium, against Wilfred Laurier who beat Queen’s in the other semifinal by a score of 11-7.

Championship Schedule

Sunday, October 18th

• 12pm: Bronze medal game — Queen’s vs Guelph

• 2pm: Gold medal game —Wilfred Laurier vs Trent

If you didn’t purchase a weekend pass, Sunday's championship day pass $15. Trent students with valid Trent ID and children under 12 accompanied by a paying adult receive free admission.

Both medal games will take place at Trent University’s Justin Chiu Stadium, located at 1650 West Bank Drive. Pay-and-display parking is available at the Trent Athletics Centre and Lady Eaton College. All games will be livestreamed on OUA.tv.

Scott Arnold is a Journalist and Content Creator at PTBOCanada Media Inc

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Trent Excalibur Advance to OUA Women’s Lacrosse Semifinal With Dominant Win Over Toronto

By Scott Arnold

The Trent Excalibur women’s lacrosse team is one step closer to defending its provincial title after a dominant 25-4 victory over the University of Toronto on Friday night at Justin Chiu Stadium.

The Trent Excalibur have advanced to the oua women’s lacrosse semifinal, set to take place on Saturday at Justin Chiu Stadium (Photo courtesy of Trent Excalibur, via David Pickering)

The Excalibur scored 10 goals in the opening quarter and added eight more in the second to take an 18-2 lead into halftime. Trent continued to control the game in the second half, outscoring Toronto 7-2 over the final two quarters.

Meg Hiltz led the way with seven goals and two assists for nine points, while Maddy Baxter added five goals and an assist. Kylea Dobson scored four goals and added an assist, and Abby Hiltz finished with three goals and three assists.

Rounding out the scoring for Trent were Sofia Reynolds and Tyler McDonald, who both had a pair, while Natalie Fournier and Maggie Cuddy each had a goal.

Goalie Sav Musto picked up the win in net as the Excalibur outshot Toronto 37-9.

The defending champions will face the Guelph Gryphons in the OUA semifinal on Saturday, October 17, at 3:15 p.m. at Justin Chiu Stadium, with a spot in Sunday’s gold-medal game on the line.

Semifinal Schedule

Saturday, October 17th

• 3:15pm — Guelph vs Trent

• 5:00pm — Wilfrid Laurier vs Queen’s

Sunday, October 18th

• 12pm: Bronze medal game

• 2pm: Gold medal game

Tickets are available for purchase on site, with weekend passes costing $25, Saturday day passes $10 and Sunday's championship day pass $15. Trent students with valid Trent ID and children under 12 accompanied by a paying adult receive free admission.

All games take place at Trent University’s Justin Chiu Stadium, located at 1650 West Bank Drive. Pay-and-display parking is available at the Trent Athletics Centre and Lady Eaton College. All games will be livestreamed on OUA.tv.

Scott Arnold is a Journalist and Content Creator at PTBOCanada Media Inc

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Trent University Set to Host OUA Women's Lacrosse Championship This Weekend as Excalibur Look to Defend Their Title

By Scott Arnold

Trent University will welcome the best university women's lacrosse teams in Ontario to Peterborough this weekend as Justin Chiu Stadium hosts the 2026 OUA Women's Lacrosse Championship from Friday, October 16th to Sunday, October 18th.

The Trent Excalibur will look to defend their OUA women’s lacrosse title as they host the provincial championship at Justin Chiu Stadium from October 16th to 18th. Pictured is natalie fournier (Photo courtesy of Trent Excalibur, via David Pickering)

The Trent Excalibur enter the championship as the top seed after a perfect 8-0 regular season, finishing first in the standings with 16 points. They'll look to defend their provincial title after winning gold in 2025, with their first game scheduled for Friday at 7pm against the winner of the opening matchup between the University of Toronto and Ontario Tech.

Nine teams will compete for the championship, with the gold medal game scheduled for Sunday at 2pm. All games will be livestreamed on OUA.tv.

Championship Schedule

Friday, October 16th

• 12pm: University of Toronto vs. Ontario Tech

• 1:45pm: Queen's vs. McMaster

• 3:30pm: Western vs. Laurier

• 5:15pm: Guelph vs. Brock

• 7pm: Trent vs. winner of University of Toronto and Ontario Tech

Saturday, October 17th

• 9:30am: Loser of Game 3 vs. loser of Game 4

• 11:15am: Loser of Game 2 vs. loser of Game 5

• 1:30pm: Loser of Game 1 vs. loser of Game 6

• 3:15pm: Semifinal 1

• 5pm: Semifinal 2

Sunday, October 18th

• 10am: Fifth-place game

• 12pm: Bronze medal game

• 2pm: Gold medal game

Tickets are available for purchase on site, with weekend passes costing $25, Friday and Saturday day passes $10 and Sunday's championship day pass $15. Trent students with valid Trent ID and children under 12 accompanied by a paying adult receive free admission.

The championship takes place at Justin Chiu Stadium at Trent University, located at 1650 West Bank Drive. Pay-and-display parking is available at the Trent Athletics Centre and Lady Eaton College.

Scott Arnold is a Journalist and Content Creator at PTBOCanada Media Inc

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Trent Men's Soccer Makes Program History With Back-to-Back Playoff Berths

By Scott Arnold

For the first time in program history, Trent Excalibur men's soccer has qualified for the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) playoffs in consecutive seasons.

Trent Excalibur men's soccer has qualified for the OUA playoffs for the second consecutive season, marking a first in program history. (photo courtesy of trent university, via david pickering)

The Excalibur secured their postseason spot while continuing a strong 2026 campaign, which has seen the team match its program record for wins in a single season.

Trent earned its sixth victory of the season on Saturday with a 2-1 win over the Royal Military College (RMC) Paladins. The victory tied the program record of six wins, set during the 2025 season.

The Excalibur currently sit fifth in the OUA East Division standings with one regular season game remaining.

Last season, Trent also reached the playoffs before its season ended with a 3-1 loss to the nationally ranked Carleton Ravens in the opening round.

The Excalibur will close out their regular season on Saturday, October 17th, when they travel to face the Nipissing Lakers at 2:15pm.

The 2026 OUA men's soccer playoffs begin Wednesday, October 21st. Trent's playoff opponent, game time and location will be announced as details become available.

Scott Arnold is a Journalist and Content Creator at PTBOCanada Media Inc

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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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Trent Athletics and Under Armour Engage In New Multi-Year Partnership

Trent University Athletics & Recreation has entered into a multi-year partnership with sports brand Under Armour, with the latter becoming the official exclusive supplier of apparel for the Trent Excalibur varsity teams.

Isabelle Pellerine, Fourth-Year Kinesiology Trent Student and Excalibur Volleyball player demonstrates a barbell row to showcase the newly-upgraded Fitness Centre at the Trent Athletics Centre. Photo by David Tuan bui.

Excalibur athletes will wear the apparel starting with the upcoming 2025-26 season, as Under Armour will start outfitting Excalibur teams with custom uniforms. 

As part of the partnership, Trent Athletics & Recreation will launch an Excalibur supporter online store to offere everyone to purchase Excalibur-branded Under Armour clothing and gear. The store will be launched later this month on the Excalibur website.

“Partnering with an innovative global leader like Under Armour reflects our commitment to excellence, a premium student-athlete experience and providing our Excalibur teams with high-performance apparel to help them succeed,” said Nathan McFadden, rent Athletics & Recreation director. “We’re excited to see our teams and supporters wearing Under Armour branded Excalibur gear and representing our program with pride.” 

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Trent University's President’s Excalibur Golf Tournament Raises a Record-Breaking $92,000 For Student-Athlete Scholarships

The 19th annual Trent University President’s Excalibur Golf Tournament showed its support for student-athletes, raising a record $92,000 for the Excalibur Green and White Scholarships, held at the Peterborough Golf and Country Club on Thursday afternoon.

Dr. Cathy Bruce, Trent president and vice-chancellor, tees off at the second hold at the Peterborough Golf and Country Club. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

“Today marks the highest fundraising total in the 19-year history of this tournament, and we couldn’t have done it without our generous sponsors and participants,” said Nathan McFadden, Trent Athletics & Recreation director. “The Green and White Scholarship Fund is a lifeline for many of our athletes. It eases financial burdens, but more importantly, it sends a powerful message: we believe in you. That belief fuels their drive, their discipline and their dreams.”

@ptbo_canada The 19th annual @trentuniversity President’s Excalibur Golf Tournament showed its support for student-athletes, raising a record $92,000 for the Excalibur Green and White Scholarships. #ptbocanada #ptbo #peterborough #journalism #journalist #news #fyp #trentuniversity ♬ Mario like action game 2 - Jun Takahashi

The $92,000 raised brings the cumulative amount raised to over $792,000. To date, the Green and White Scholarship Fund has benefited more than 400 student-athletes.

For the 2024/25 season, 34 student-athletes were awarded a Green and White Scholarship for their academic achievement and athletic talent. Students receiving this scholarship may be eligible for subsequent years if they maintain a minimum academic average, accumulating significant support over their studies at Trent.

“The Green and White Scholarships have made an incredible difference for me and so many other student-athletes,” said Isabelle Pellerine, student-athlete. “Not every athlete gets the chance to compete at the varsity level, but today shows there’s a community that believes in us. At Trent, we’re more than just athletes, we’re supported to succeed in every part of our lives. I’m so proud to be part of a university that invests in us and our future.”

This year, 20 teams of four participated in the scramble tournament and George Ripoll – BMO Nesbitt Burns, captured first place. 

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Trent University Celebrates Its Student-Athletes In 55th Annual Athletics Awards

In celebration of Trent University student-athletes, the campus celebrated the 55th annual Athletics Awards to recognize Excalibur student-athletes for their hard work and sportsmanship throughout the year at the Trent Athletics Centre on Thursday night.

Photo courtesy of Trent University.

The event held a special tribute to outgoing Trent president and vice-chancellor Dr. Leo Groarke.

“Throughout his tenure, President Groarke has been a champion for Excalibur student-athletes,” said Nathan Mcfadden, Trent director of athletics and recreation. “His vision and dedication have been instrumental in fostering a culture of excellence, sportsmanship, and inclusivity that defines our Trent Excalibur community.”

McFadden also mentioned Trent Board chair Debra Cooper Burger's donation to the Excalibur Fund to support varsity athletics. President Groarke and Dr. Cathy Bruce, president-designate and current vice president of Research & Innovation at Trent, matched the gift.

 “This collaborative effort between the university’s top leadership members exemplifies their dedication and commitment to enriching the student-athlete experience and fostering a culture of success and excellence,” said McFadden. “Excalibur student-athletes aren’t just competitors; they are ambassadors of our character and values here at Trent University and the embodiment of the Excalibur spirit. This funding will allow them to continue to foster the Excalibur culture of excellence and we are so appreciative of this significant donation and the support that we receive from these three exceptional leaders.”

Recipients of Trent’s 2023/24 Athletics Awards, including the inaugural Rookie of the Year and Athlete of the Year awards, are as follows:

Arthur Cup

Varsity student-athletes Jocelyn Whent (women’s lacrosse) and Grayson Tucker (men’s rugby) were honoured as the recipients of the Arthur Cup, the University’s most prestigious award for students in the final undergraduate year who have made significant contributions, sportsmanship, participation, and leadership in athletics programs.

Jocelyn Whent (Gzowski), a Kinesiology student with the women’s lacrosse team, has had an outstanding career as an Excalibur. During her four seasons with women’s lacrosse, Jocelyn earned two OUA gold medals, a silver and a bronze medal. As a key part of the team’s strong offence, she contributed significantly to their success in the OUA Championships. As a senior on the team, Jocelyn acts as a mentor for incoming members of the team, demonstrating leadership and grit on the field. Off the field, she has been a member of the 1EX Council for two years, helping organize varsity events for fellow athletes. Jocelyn has been a dedicated staff member with the Athletics Department during her time as an Excalibur. Holding positions like varsity event staff, game day lead, Excalibur Camp counsellor, and most recently varsity student administrator.

Grayson Tucker (Champlain), an Environmental & Resource Science Studies student on the men’s rugby team, has been an integral member of the Excalibur varsity program since his first season. Grayson was voted onto the team's leadership in his second season with a positive presence on the pitch that was made obvious early in his career as an Excalibur. In the following years, he was named the team’s most valuable forward for three consecutive years and received the coach’s and men’s rugby Garth Vader awards. Grayson was named team captain in his fourth and fifth seasons and OUA second-team all-star in 2022. As both a teammate and a captain, he demonstrated heart, commitment and passion on and off the pitch. Grayson also volunteers as a coach for the U18 Pagans boy’s rugby team and volunteers at Excalibur recruitment days and open houses for the men’s rugby team. A strong advocate for men’s health, Grayson has raised over $4,000 for the Movember Fund Charity over his five years at Trent. He is actively involved as a volunteer at Thomas A. Stewart Secondary School with their suicide prevention awareness events.

Gary Wolff Leadership Award

The Gary Wolff Leadership Award was presented to Jacey Mabee (women’s rowing) and Daniel Austin (men’s volleyball), recognizing their courage, determination, and leadership in sport.

Jacey Mabee (Champlain), a biomedical sciences student, is a respected leader in the rowing program. Jacey’s teammates note that she can always be trusted to give her all during practice and race time. She carries her dedication and commitment off the water, acting as president of the Trent University Rowing Club and overseeing all the club's inner workings. Jacey was an integral part of organizing fundraisers for the team, like the Head of the Trent Regatta beer garden, as well as fundraisers for local charities, including a car wash for the Alzheimer Society, a Firetruck Pull for the Alzheimer Society, and a Movember fundraiser.

Daniel Austin (Gzowski) has been an active leader on and off the court during his five years as an Excalibur. As the men’s volleyball team captain for the past three seasons, Daniel helped introduce a new culture to the team, giving Trent a very positive reputation of respect and decorum in the league. He works in Admissions at Trent, providing tours and helping incoming students with inquiries about Trent. As a member of the 1EX Council, Daniel has taken the lead on outreach programs, engaging local schools often running elementary and high school tournaments. 

Community Betterment Award

Rianna Rogers (women’s rugby) and Holden Lowes (men’s lacrosse) are the 2023-24 Community Betterment Award recipients.

Rianna Rogers (Otonabee) has been deeply involved in multiple initiatives at Trent and in the Peterborough Community during her time as an Excalibur student-athlete. Rogers is passionate about rugby and has been serving as an assistant coach at Crestwood Secondary School and with the U18 Peterborough Pagans. She dedicates significant time to teaching youth through rugby, notably with the 'Play Like a Girl' program. Additionally, she actively engages in various community service projects, including volunteering at the YES Shelter and the Lakefield Animal Welfare Society, organizing clothing drives, and contributing to the 1EX Council's efforts to organize events for varsity student-athletes.

Holden Lowes (Lady Eaton) is a fifth-year Master’s student who has impacted the men’s lacrosse program and the Peterborough community during his time at Trent. Holden is studying cardiopulmonary exercise testing in heart failure patients to determine its predictive value for patient prognosis and eligibility for advanced therapies such as heart transplants. In his spare time, Holden maximizes his community involvement by working for Community Care, volunteering at the Peterborough Regional Health Centre and sitting on the board at the Kawartha Sexual Assault Centre. At Trent, Holden is a Trent Graduate Student Association member and sits on the Trent University Research Ethics Boards.

Rookie of the Year

The inaugural recipients of the Rookie of the Year award are Tyler McDonald (women’s lacrosse) and Leo Frans (men’s soccer).

Tyler McDonald (Gzowski) had an exceptional rookie season with the Women’s Lacrosse program. The midfielder lead the team with an astounding seven goals in the OUA bronze medal game. She was named an OUA All-Star and was the OUA Rookie of the Year.

Leo Frans (Champlain) was an instant offensive threat in his first season with the Excalibur. Frans was second in the OUA for rookie scoring with seven team-leading goals, earning him OUA Second Team All-Star in his first season with the Excalibur. Leo’s offensive mindset and ability to find the back of the net has been a massive asset to the Excalibur and their success this season.

Athlete of the Year

The inaugural Athlete of the Year recipients are Kieran Gerow (women’s lacrosse) and Curtis Conley (men’s lacrosse).

Kieran Gerow (Trail), women’s lacrosse goalie, is the last line of defence, and the team has complete confidence in her. She is a calming and confident presence in the net, making big saves in big moments. She is a strong leader on the field and helps elevate the players around here on the defensive end of the field. Kieran’s solid defensive efforts in the net helped lead her team to an OUA bronze medal this season. Kieran was also named OUA Defensive Player of the Year and an OUA All-Star.

Curtis Conley (Champlain) is a four-time Canadian University Field Lacrosse Association (CUFLA) Defender of the Year, four-time CUFLA All-Canadian, four-year team captain, Baggataway Cup National Champion and All-Baggataway Cup team. He has a 40-6 record during his time at Trent.

This past season, Curtis played through a chronic injury but was the cornerstone of Trent’s defense earning them a tying spot on top of the East Division during regular season play. Unfortunately, he suffered a season-ending injury towards the end of the season and could not play at the Baggataway Cup. Throughout his time with the Excalibur, Curtis has solidified himself with one of the most successful athletic careers at Trent University.

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