VANCOUVER – UBC's 2017 Big Block Banquet and Hall of Fame Dinner presented by Freedom 55 Financial was held Tuesday night at the Vancouver Convention Centre West. And the winners are….
The Du Vivier Team of the Year
Rugby (M) – not only did the UBC men's rugby team sport a perfect 20-0 record, they also won almost every conceivable trophy a rugby team could. The 'Birds won the BC Rugby Championship, the Lower Mainland Championship, defeated the Cal Berkeley Bears in the annual World Cup series and dispatched archrivals UVic to take the Wightman Boot.
"Our alumni have put in a lot of work," said scrum half and team captain
Jorden Sandover-Best. "There's a lot of people we can thank, but honestly this is all because of them."
May Brown Award – Graduating Female Athlete
Hannah Haughn (field hockey) – during her five years at UBC there wasn't an accolade that
Hannah Haughn didn't win. In 2017 she capped her varsity career by captaining her UBC women's field hockey team to their sixth straight national championship during a thrilling shootout win over UVic. It was Hannah's fifth national title in her five years as a Thunderbird to go along with her degree from the UBC School of Kinesiology.
Bobby Gaul Award – Graduating Male Athlete
Alex Webb (baseball) – the prototypical student-athlete, Alex had ten wins and only one loss as the 'Ace' of the Thunderbirds' baseball pitching staff, while earning the status of Academic All-Canadian in the UBC School of Engineering. Alex was selected in the Major League Baseball entry draft in 2016 by the Cincinnati Reds and has since split his time flourishing in professional baseball and continuing his strong work in the classroom en route to graduating from UBC.
"To quote Anthony Rizzo right now 'I'm a glass case of emotions'. I'm happy, humbled and I'll remember this night forever," said Webb.
Marilyn Pomfret Award – Most Outstanding Female Athlete
Danielle Brisebois (volleyball) – Danielle's 2016-17 season for the UBC women's volleyball team had a "storybook ending". She was the relentless leader on and off the court, capturing both Canada West and U SPORTS first team All-star nods. She saved her best work for the national championship tournament, where she lead the 'Birds to their 11th title in school history and was named tournament MVP.
"I'm shaking right now," said Brisebois. "I just want to thank Doug (Reimer), he's amazing and my parents."
Bus Phillips Award – Outstanding Male Athlete
Yuri Kisil (swimming) – Fresh off an appearance at the 2016 Rio Olympics and a bronze medal at the FINA World Short Course Championship,
Yuri Kisil left his competitors in his wake at the U SPORTS national championships. Yuri went on to win an unprecedented six gold medals, all in record times, earning him both the Sprinters Cup and the Male Swimmer of the Meet awards. More importantly, Yuri led the UBC men's swimming team to the 2017 national championship.
Rookie of the Year (W)
Ingrid Wilm (swimming) - in her first year with the UBC women's swim team, Ingrid won more medals than most swimmers would see in their entire varsity careers. She won seven Canada West medals, including six gold, and two more gold and five more silver at the U Sports championships. Her epic backstroke battles with Canadian Olympian Kylie Masse at the national championships earned her the crown of U SPORTS Rookie of the Year.
Rookie of the Year (M)
Markus Thormeyer (swimming) – with a quiet poise and confidence beyond his years, Markus took the U SPORTS swimming scene by storm in 2016-17. Already a Rio Olympian before he had swam his first race as a T-Bird, Markus put on a freshman performance for the ages at the U SPORTS national championship, winning seven medals, including five gold and being name Rookie of the Year.
