Annual celebration highlights varsity student‑athletes

At the 62nd Annual Black and Gold Athletic Awards Banquet Wednesday evening, Dalhousie University’s Department of Athletics and Recreational Services recognized inspirational athletes, committed coaches and incredible volunteers.

This season, Dalhousie celebrated seven AUS championship titles, seven CIS all-Canadian awards, 39 major AUS and CIS awards, 64 AUS all-stars, five CIS medals and volunteered over 2,000 hours of community service.

Ritchie Kanza Mata, of the men’s basketball team, earned his first Climo (male athlete of the year) award and swimmer Phoebe Lenderyou was named the Class of ’55 winner (female athlete of the year) in just her second year with the Tigers.

A fourth-year guard with the men’s basketball team, Ritchie Kanza Mata had a remarkable season with the Tigers, leading them to their second consecutive AUS championship title and a fourth place finish at the CIS championship. He led the AUS with 6.9 assists per game and averaged 12 points per game during the regular season. Kanza Mata was an AUS first team all-star and he was named to the AUS championship all-star team.

Phoebe Lenderyou had an outstanding year in the pool, leading the Tigers to a fifth place finish at the CIS championships. In just her second season with the Tigers, Lenderyou had six top eight finishes at the CIS championships including bronze in the 50m backstroke. The AUS female swimmer of the year, she set or re-set 13 AUS, Dalhousie and Nova Scotia senior records this year and won seven gold medals at the AUS championships.

Complete list of major award winners

Team Most Valuable Player Awards:

Basketball
(M) Ritchie Kanza Mata
(W) Tessa Stammberger

Cross Country
(M) Matthew McNeil
(W) Colleen Wilson

Hockey
(M) Corbin Boes
(W) Sarah Robichaud

Soccer
(M) Bezick Evraire
(W) Kristy McGregor-Bales

Swimming
(M) Gavin Dyke
(W) Phoebe Lenderyou

Track and Field
(M) Matthew Coolen
(W) Shannay Beals

Volleyball
(M) Jonathan Macdonald
(W) Anna Dunn-Suen and Marisa Mota

Manager of the Year Award: Andrea Plato, Men’s Basketball

Volunteer Awards: Bette El-Hawary, Swimming and Alex Henry, Men’s Hockey

Trainer of the Year: Samantha Horner, Men’s Basketball

Rookie of the Year Awards:
(M) Phil Gadoury, Hockey and Jordan Aquino-Serjue, Basketball
(W) Courtney Baker, Volleyball

Coach of the Year Award: Rick Plato, Men’s Basketball

President’s Award for academics, athletics, leadership and community service:
(M) Jeremy Ryant, Swimming
(W) Tessa Stammberger, Basketball

Class of ’55 Award - Female Athlete of the Year: Phoebe Lenderyou, Swimming

Climo Award - Male Athlete of the Year: Ritchie Kanza Mata, Basketball