Soccer players scored the top prizes at the annual Douglas College Royals awards banquet.
All-Canadian Spencer DeBoice and Canadian Colleges’ Association women’s player of the year finalist Marni McMillan were named this year’s athletes of the year winners at the Anvil Centre last Thursday.
DeBoice finished runner-up in league scoring and the tournament MVP for the PacWest provincial champions. He was also named a PacWest first team all-star.
DeBoice beat out All-Canadian volleyball player George Thompson, a second-year player who was the only player to finish in the top eight in all four major offensive categories in the PacWest this season.
The PacWest player of the year was third in the league in total offence, fourth in kills, fifth in blocks and sixth in service aces.
Also shortlisted was soccer goalkeeper Marc Mincieli, who over the last three seasons has crafted a stingy 1.2 goals against average in the PacWest.
Mincieli was named the top goalkeeper at the provincial championships.
McMillan earned the women’s athlete of the year award over softball’s Hilary Strelau and Nanaya Miki from women’s basketball.
McMillan earned the PacWest player of the year award and All-Canadian honours. She led the Royals in scoring and was named the player of the game in both matches at the PacWest provincials, helping Douglas win its first provincial medal in women’s soccer in 15 years.
Strelau was a big reason for Douglas winning its first-ever Northwest regional softball title last season.
Strelau was named the North Region player of the year and a Northwest conference All-American.
She led the conference in stolen bases and hitting percentage, while the team placed third in average runs per game.
Miki was a PacWest first team all-star, finishing the regular season 12th overall in league scoring and 11th in rebounding. At the provincials, Miki was named to the all-tournament team.
Men’s volleyball coach Brad Hudson, who was recently named the Canadian Colleges’ coach of the year, was also named coach of the year at the Douglas College awards.
Hudson, who led the men’s volleyball team to a 21-3 league record and No. 1 in the nation, earned the award over women’s basketball coach Courtney Gerwing and men’s soccer coaches Robby Toor and Paul Bahia.
Gerwing led the basketball team to back-to-back silver medals at the PacWest provincials, while Toor and Bahia upset No. 1 seed Vancouver Island University in the PacWest provincial final.
Academic athlete of the year awards went to men’s volleyball player Lucas DeCoste of New Westminster and soccer’s Ashley Melvin.
Team awards:
Thompson earned the men’s volleyball team’s impact player award, while Angus Ireland took the pride award and Matt Santema received the set-the-bar award.
Julianna Penner was named the MVP for women’s volleyball.
Lynnea Carr was the most improved and Georgia Hurry was the team’s rookie of the year.
In soccer, DeBoice was the men’s most outstanding player. Devin Phelan was named the unsung player and Mincieli best defensive player.
McMillan was the women’s soccer MVP, while Nicole Fraser was named the best all-around player. Melvin was the Royals’ most consistent player.
Steven Hayes and Danielle Dewar were selected as golf’s respective MVPs. Christine Con was the most improved player.
Andrew Baron was the MVP on the men’s basketball team. Bradyn Norris was named the most improved and Dustin Popoff earned the coach’s award.
Chloe Kennedy was the women’s basketball MVP. Ellen Fallis was the most improved and Garaline Tom most inspirational player.
Strelau was the winner of the rising star award in women’s softball. Jenna Holm took home the purple heart award and Sydney Brown was the team’s golden glove winner.
In baseball, Jeff Bouchard was the Northwest league’s all-conference hitter. Taylor Lawrence won the dedication and leadership award, while Cory Duggan was the top sophomore pitcher.
Julianna Hodanic was the top female on the Douglas College running club.
Diego Arellano was named best junior athlete and Chris Raeside top achieving senior athlete.
