Louka, Fakunle Named Timberwolves Athletes of the Year

Athletics
April 10, 2017
UNBC athletes of the year winners

Pictured above, from left: Female athlete of the year Vasiliki Louka, KJM Sales Timberwolf Award winner Francesco Bartolillo, male athlete of the year Tofa Fakunle, male rookie of the year Tyrell Laing and female rookie of the year Mara McCleary.

The University of Northern British Columbia’s Athletics department celebrated the year that was at a year-end banquet, Sunday evening.

More than 70 student-athletes were in attendance, as team and department-wide awards were handed out, and graduating players were recognized.

Prince George product Tyrell Laing was named Male Rookie of the Year for his freshman campaign with the men’s basketball team. The Prince George secondary school-bred point guard played 17.3 minutes per game, averaging five points per contest. Both those marks are Timberwolves freshman records in U Sports/Canada West play.

Mara McCleary earned the Female Rookie of the Year honours, following a tremendous first year with the women’s soccer program. The Victoria native played every minute of every game for the Timberwolves, and led the Canada West in tackles. McCleary also picked up the Best Defensive Player award for the women’s soccer team.

Fourth-year Tofa Fakunle was recognized as the Male Athlete of the Year following a record-setting campaign with the men’s soccer team. The midfielder/striker scored five goals and added four assists, and finished top-10 in Canada West scoring. The Calgary native is the Timberwolves’ all-time leader in goals, assists, points, shots and starts.

Vasiliki Louka’s monster season for the women’s basketball team earned her Female Athlete of the Year honours. The six-foot-three native of Athens, Greece was top 10 in Canada West scoring with 15.8 points per game, third in rebounds with 9.3 per contest, and second in minutes, playing over 33 minutes per game. She also earned U Sports athlete of the week distinction in December.

A new honour was introduced at the banquet; the KJM Sales Timberwolf Award, given to the student-athlete who best exemplifies excellence in athletics, in the classroom, and in the community. Men’s soccer player Francesco Bartolillo won the new award after a nine-point season, earning Academic All-Canadian standing, and donating countless hours to charity.

UNBC also recognized Gordon Hall for earning Canada West Second Team All-Star status in men’s soccer, and Maria Mongomo for achieving the same honour in women’s basketball. Each are the first Timberwolves to be named to said teams in their respective sports.

The Timberwolves also welcomed Bev Isaac of the UNBC First Nations Centre, who gifted the graduating athletes with traditional First Nations drums. This year, varsity athletes were trained in the art and customs of creating the drums, and built the drums the graduating seniors received. Receiving custom drums were Rhys Elliott, Elliot Rowe, Sam Zhang, Preety Nijjar, Stacey Graham, Mitch MacFarlane and Ashley Anderson.

Team awards were also handed out, and are as follows.

Women’s Soccer:
MVP - Tianna Pius
Top Offensive Player - Tianna Pius
Top Defensive Player - Mara McCleary
Green and Gold Award - Lianna Toopitsin

Men’s Soccer:
Golden Boot - Tofa Fakunle & Francesco Bartolillo
Defensive Player - Gordon Hall                  
MVP - Tofa Fakunle
Coach's Award - Francesco Bartolillo

Women’s Basketball:
MVP -  Vasiliki Louka
Best Defensive Player -  Maria Mongomo
Rookie of the Year - Madison Landry
Most Improved - Stacey Graham
Most Inspirational - Preety Nijjar

Men’s Basketball:
Rookie of the Year - Tyrell Laing
Best Defensive Player - Austin Chandler
Most Outstanding Player - Rhys Elliott
Zane Robison Award - Marcus MacKay
Most Inspirational - Volodymyr Pluzhnikov