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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Trent Athletics Centre Temporarily Closed to Update Vaccine Passport Screening Measures

Following the Ontario government’s announcement of the enhanced Provincial COVID-19 vaccine certificate system, the Trent Athletics Centre will require all visitors and staff to provide proof of vaccination and identification to enter the facility.

Photo courtesy of Trent University.

The Athletics Centre will be closed on Wednesday to allow updates to their booking system to support these new screening measures to e made.

The centre will open again on Thursday.

Students who are fully vaccinated and have updated their Vaccine Profile through myTrent will be permitted to book workout times online. Data from the secure myTrent site will be integrated with the Athletics Centre’s online booking system to allow for a seamless transition to the new screening requirements for students.

Trent staff, faculty and community members with memberships will be required to show proof of vaccination and identification during the screening process at the door before entering the facility. This screening will be required each visit.

All students, staff and faculty must also complete, and pass, Trent’s mandatory screening each day before coming to campus.

Individuals wishing to visit the Planet Café will not be required to show proof of vaccination to gain access.

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Trent Athletics Launches Esports Allowing Students To Compete & Connect

Trent Athletics has been focusing on new and innovative ways to support Trent students and provide sport, fitness and recreation opportunities both in-person and by remote delivery this Fall.

As Trent’s campus recreation coordinator, Matt Melo is tasked with ensuring students in both Peterborough and Durham have safe access to recreation opportunities in person (such as beach volleyball and badminton) as well as through remote delivery (online wellness programs, online fitness classes, online trivia nights) in the midst of unprecedented circumstances created by the pandemic.

Photo via Ontario Post-Secondary Esports (OPSE) League website.

One new virtual opportunity Melo has identified is Esports, through which Trent students connect to the Ontario Post-Secondary Esports (OPSE) League, competing both recreationally and competitively against teams from other Ontario universities in the games League of Legends, a strategy-based game, and Rocket League, a fast-paced take on soccer that sees cars substituted for players.

“The program promotes both competitive and recreational Esports and gaming opportunities in the Trent community,” says Melo. “This is the most accessible landscape we have worked with. We are able to provide a new recreational opportunity directly to our students without the need for them to leave their homes. During this time of evolving public health restrictions, recreation of this type is a safe and secure way for students to still interact with one another.”

Graphic via Trent University website

Tryouts and team selection took place earlier this fall and competitive play is underway with games broadcast on the OPSE website. According to the OPSE, up to $24,000 in scholarship money is available to be won based on playoff success.

Students interested in becoming part of the growing Esports community with Trent Athletics can contact campusrec@trentu.ca. 

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