BAGSHAW, REAVELL-ROY NAMED 2008-09 UOIT ATHLETES OF THE YEAR

OSHAWA, Ont. - Men's hockey captain Derrick Bagshaw (Oshawa, Ont.) and women's varsity rower Elysabeth Reavell-Roy (Bowmanville, Ont.) were named the 2008-09 University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) Athletes of the Year on Friday night at the 3rd Annual UOIT Ridgebacks Awards Banquet held at Trillium Trails in Oshawa. It was a great night of celebration as UOIT student-athletes, coaches and contibuters were all honoured for their outstanding accomplishments throughout the 2008-09 varsity season.

Bagshaw, a second-year Bachelor of Commerce student, was named the UOIT Male Athlete of the Year. Following his career in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) with the Erie Otters, Bagshaw has continued to show his leadership on and off the ice for the men's hockey program, assuming the captaincy position halfway through the 2008-09 campaign.

Bagshaw logged a significant amount of ice time for the Ridgebacks, while averaging over a point per game registering 21 points in 19 games. Every time Bagshaw stepped on the ice, OUA opponents had to look out as he was a scoring threat, while maintaining defensively responsibility in Ridgebacks zone. This season, Bagshaw definitely elevated his game to new heights. As the team continues to build as a franchise and aim for a championship, Bagshaw has the talent and character to help the program meet its goals. For the second straight year, he also won the men's hockey MVP award.

"Derrick leads by example on and off the ice," commented UOIT head coach Marlin Muylaert, who picked up his 200th career CIS win this season. "He is a dedicated student-athlete who plays an active role in the community. He is a power forward on the ice, and a power human being off the ice."

Other male Team MVP's included men's tennis player Lee Cockerham (Whitby, Ont.) and men's rower Jason Klein-Horsman (Linwood, Ont.).

Reavell-Roy, a fourth-year Concurrent Education major, was recognized as the UOIT Female Athlete of the Year. The Bowmanville native directed the third-year varsity rowing team to several team-highs at regattas this season. Displaying a high level of dedication and focus, she set personal and team bests on the water and in the gym throughout the season.

Strength is one of Reavell-Roy's top attributes as a rower. At the Woodstock Strongman Competition, she placed second overall. She displayed consistent dominance throughout the season, ensuring her boat was always a competitive threat during races. Reavell-Roy was also presented with the women's varsity rowing MVP award for the 2008-09 season.

"Elysabeth played an important role on the team as she was the stroke on the varsity 8, in addition to sculling this season," said Rob Millikin, UOIT rowing head coach. "She is determined, goal oriented and supports the leadership of the crew in anyway she can. She is a great athlete and very deserving of this recognition."

Other female Team MVP's included women's tennis player Dawn O'Brien (Pickering, Ont.) and women's hockey player Rikki Palmateer (Cobourg, Ont.).

The evening capped off a season of hard-work for everyone involved with the Ridgebacks.

It was a big night for the men's hockey team as they swept the major awards on the men's side. Josh Vatri (Barrie, Ont.) was named the Male Freshman Athlete of the Year while assistant captain Brent Varty (Oshawa, Ont.) won the Dr. Gary Polonsky Leadership award. Nathan Spaling (Drayton, Ont.) was awarded with the UOIT Scholastic Award, being recognized as the varsity athlete with the highest GPA.

The men's hockey team also took home top honours winning the Team of the Year award.

On the women's side, UOIT's first multi-sport athlete Vanessa Johnstone (Niagara Falls, Ont.) won the Freshman Athlete of the Year Award. Johnstone was a standout on both the tennis and hockey teams this year. Christine Pyatt (Bowmanville, Ont.) of the women's rowing team won the Dr. Gary Polonsky Leadership award while Chrissy Tereshyn (Scarborough, Ont.) of the women's hockey team won the UOIT Scholastic award.

UOIT RIDGEBACKS AWARD WINNERS

Male Athlete of the Year
Derrick Bagshaw, Men's Hockey

Female Athlete of the Year
Elysabeth Reavell-Roy, Women's Rowing

Male Freshman Athlete of the Year
Josh Vatri, Men's Hockey

Female Freshman Athlete of the Year
Vanessa Johnstone, Women's Tennis & Hockey

Team of the Year
Men's Hockey

Dr. Gary Polonsky Leadership Award
Christine Pyatt, Women's Rowing
Brent Varty, Men's Hockey

UOIT Scholastic Award (Top GPA)
Chrissy Tereshyn, Women's Hockey
Nathan Spaling, Men's Hockey

OUA Recognition Awards

OUA Women of Influence: Jessica Bosse, Women's Rowing
OUA West Rookie of the Year & All-Rookie Team: Josh Vatri, Men's Hockey
OUA West All-Rookie Team: Mike Noyes Men's Hockey

Team Awards

Men's Hockey Team Awards
MVP: Derrick Bagshaw
Top Scorer: Brent Varty
Top Scorer: Josh Vatri
Top Defensive Player: TJ Legge
Scholastic Award: Nathan Spaling
Rookie of the Year: Josh Vatri

Women's Hockey Team Awards
MVP: Rikki Palmateer
Top Scorer: Katie Grant
Top Scorer: Rikki Palmateer
Top Defensive Player: Megan Friel
Scholastic Award: Chrissy Tereshyn
Rookie of the Year: Emma Thompson

Men's Rowing Team Awards
MVP: Jason Klein-Horsman
Top Scorer: Charles Elliott
Rookie of the Year: Justin Vanden Bosch
Scholastic Award: Ian Ngaira

Women's Rowing Team Awards
MVP: Elysabeth Reavell-Roy
Top Scorer: Christine Pyatt
Rookie of the Year: Lauren Dares
Scholastic Award: Jessica Bosse

Men's Tennis Team Awards
MVP: Lee Cockerham
Leadership Award: Anirudh Thommandram
Rookie of the Year: Andrew Brown
Scholastic Award: Andrew Brown

Women's Tennis Team Awards
MVP: Dawn O'Brien
Leadership Award: Katie Procter
Rookie of the Year: Vanessa Johnstone
Scholastic Award: Stephanie Collings

Source: UOIT Ridgebacks Athletics