VanKoughnett takes athlete of the year honours for second year in a row

Prince George, BC - VanKoughnett repeats as Female Athlete of the Year for the UNBC Timberwolves while Charles Barton took away the men's honours. The duo were recognized along with other awards winners at the Timberwolves athletic banquet held at the Hart Crown Banquet Hall, Tuesday April 8.

With two years under their belt competing in the Canada West the UNBC Timberwolves are starting to stake their claim. This year the women's soccer team managed to grab their first Canada West win, along with their first regular season win in four years. The leaps the women's team have made in two years is widely respected across the Canada West. On the same token the men's soccer team tripled their number of wins and continues to build a strong and developing program through high level recruiting. The Timberwolves 2014-15 men's soccer team will house two of Alberta's arguable best recruits from the last two years, Tofa Fakunle (currently a rookie with the Timberwolves) and Francesco Bartolillo.

The athletics department has also seen a change in personnel this year, as long-time women's basketball coach Loralyn Murdoch moved into the Athletic Director position and Sergey Shchepotkin took over as the women's basketball coach. As the dust clears and everyone has settled into their positions it is clear that amongst the growth and change within the department the student-athletes have continued to perform both competition and in the classroom.

For the second year in a row Mercedes VanKoughnett (Prince George, BC) was awarded the Female Athlete of the Year award. As a player VanKoughnett has continued to develop and her skill throughout her five years at UNBC. Although this season will be the last for VanKoughnett she leaves behind a legacy with her teammates and at the University. The fifth year guard finished her time with the Timberwolves as the top overall scorer for the women's team with 1258 points. She also ranks second in defensive rebounds and assist, while making an appearance win the top 10 throughout the Canada West in numerous statistics categories.

Male Athlete of the Year honours went to fifth year forward Charles Barton (Vernon, BC). The high flying power forward was most notably recognized above the rim during his time with the Timberwolves. Barton's athleticism made him an instant crowd favourite at the Northern Sport Centre. After only three years playing in green and gold, Barton tops the list for rebounds per game, with a 7.2 average during both his 2011-12 and 2013-14 seasons. He also sits second as the leading rebounder in Timberwolves history with 452 career rebounds, and sixth in overall scoring with 784 points over three years.

While basketball took over the athlete of the year honours soccer dominated during the Rookie of the Year portion. Fiona Raymond (Prince George, BC) took home the Female Rookie of the Year award for her tenacious play in the backline for the women's soccer team. Raymond caqme on in her first year and instantly showed she deserved to be here. The first year defender not only played but started every regular season game for the Timberwolves this year. Tofa Fakunle received the Male Rookie of the Year award and for many soccer fans it was easy to see why. The first year striker from Calgary, AB led his team in points (goals and assists) during the regular season and has carried that trend into the Timberwolves off-season games.

Below is a complete list of award winners:

Men's Soccer:
Best Defensive Player - Ty Venhola
Golden Boot - Tofa Fakunle
MVP - Tyson Hunter
Coach's award - Connor Noftle

Women's Soccer:
Best Defensive Player - Tanya Grob
Best Offensive Player - Sydney Hall
MVP - Sydney Wilson
Green and Gold Award - Tianna Rossi

Men's Basketball:
Rookie of the Year - Marcus MacKay
Bets Defensive Player - Daniel Stark
Most Outstanding Player - Charles Barton
Zane Robison Award - Jeff Chu
Most Inspirational Player - Devin McMurtry

Women's Basketball:
Best Defensive Player - Emily Kaehn
MVP - Mercedes VanKoughnett
Most Improved - Sarah Robin
Rookie of the Year - Mavia Nijjer

UNCB Timberwolves Awards (all athletes are eligible for these awards, not team specific)
Female Rookie of the Year - Fiona Raymond, women's soccer
Male Rookie of the Year - Tofa Fakunle, men's soccer
Female Athlete of the Year - Mercedes VanKoughnett,  women's basketball
Male Athlete of the Year - Charles Barton, men's basketball

Contact Information

Jesse Olynyk
Sports Information Officer
250-960-6009