VANCOUVER – It was a sea of blue and gold at the Vancouver Convention Centre Tuesday night as the UBC Thunderbirds' best of the best were honoured at the 2019 Big Block awards banquet.
Du Vivier Team of the Year
Winner: Women's Volleyball
The 2018-19 season was a tale of two halves, culminating in the program's record twelfth national championship just last month at the University of Alberta. The cohesive unit showed itself in the form of a seven-game winning streak down the backstretch of the season ahead of peaking at exactly the right time. The 'Birds qualified for the 2019 U SPORTS national championship as the number eight seed and quickly announced their presence with a thrilling 3-2 quarter-final upset victory over the number one seed Trinity Western Spartans. The T-Birds followed that up by dispatching the Dalhousie Tigers to set up a dramatic and resilient come from behind five-set win over the defending champion Ryerson Rams to clinch their second banner in the last three seasons.
May Brown Trophy (graduating female athlete)
Winner: Maia Brundage (swimming)
Brundage is a five-time Canada West champion and four-time U SPORTS national champion who ranks 38th all-time among U SPORTS medal winners including all UBC varsity swimmers.
Bobby Gaul Memorial Trophy (graduating male athlete)
Winner: Michael O'Connor (football)
O'Connor is the program record-holder for most career touchdown passes, passing yards, pass completions, passing attempts, individual yards and individual plays. O'Connor burst on the scene as a rookie quarterback leading the 'Birds to a 2016 Vanier Cup victory. An Academic All-Canadian multiple times over, O'Connor is generating serious professional interest on both sides of the border.
Marilyn Pomfret Trophy (female athlete of the year)
Co-Winners: Emily Overholt (swimming), Kiera Van Ryk (volleyball)
Overholt had a standout season while being recognized as a Canada West first team All-Star and a U SPORTS first team All-Canadian. Overholt also set U SPORTS records in the 200 free, 400 free, 400 IM and 800 free en route to helping the UBC women's swim team claim the 2019 U SPORTS swimming championships. It was third straight national title for the program.
Van Ryk had a season for the ages in 2018-19, capped off with her first national championship title. Van Ryk was named Canada West and U SPORTS Player of the Year while also earning national championship tournament MVP honours. The second-year from Surrey topped the conference in kills with 398 and points with 489, while also ranking eighth in hitting percentage at .263. Her 68 service aces stands as the second highest single-season total in Canada West history.
Bus Phillips Memorial Trophy (male athlete of the year)
Winner: Markus Thormeyer (swimming)
Thormeyer had a standout season named both the Canada West and U SPORTS Swimmer of the Year as well as a first team All-Canadian. Thormeyer set U SPORTS records in the 100 and 200 free, 100 and 200 backstroke, the 4x100 medley relay and 4x200 free relay at the national championships hosted by UBC in February
Female Rookie of the Year
Winner: Rori Wood (rugby)
Wood was a difference maker in her inaugural T-Birds season earning both Canada West and U SPORTS Rookie of the Year while also being selected to attend the national senior women's top 40 training camp and Canada U20 camp.
Male Rookie of the Year
Winner: Thomas Gardner (soccer)
Gardner's impressive debut season earned him a sweep in claiming Canada West first team All-Star, All-Rookie team member, Rookie of the Year and Player of the Year. Gardner wasn't done there as he went on to secure the U SPORTS rookie of the year and first team All-Canadian as well.
Arthur Delamont Service Award
Winner: Leo Iizuka (men's soccer)
From statistician to assistant coach, Leo has been a true champion for the Thunderbirds, continuously showing an appetite for increased responsibility, always with the success of the team in mind. His initiative and passion towards strength and conditioning is truly outstanding and led him to become a leader for student-trainers and student-athletes.
Kay Brearley Service Award
Winner: Shiayli Toni (women's hockey)
Ahead of the 2018-19 women's hockey season, Toni sustained a season-ending injury. But she remained resilient and redirected her energy and passion towards helping others. Past her support of her team, Shiayli has focused countless hours and efforts on bringing awareness to sexual assault issues on campus.
Carolyn Dobie-Smith Award
Winners: Christian Mustapich (men's hockey), Walee Malik (women's hockey)
Christian's work ethic is unparalleled and his responsibilities vast with duties ranging from injury management to equipment and game prep. His reliability and dedication to the team is extensive as evidenced by the regular 14 to 16 hour work days he puts in before games on the road, all before he meets with the team at the hotel.
Walee completes his third and final campaign as head student trainer with women's hockey this season. Through his time with the program he has consistently provided a professional experience both through his therapy and in his time tending to the equipment and prep needs of his team.
TAC Buzz Moore Leadership Award
Winner: Arielle Sadaka (women's track and field)
TAC Performance Award
Winner: Keylyn Filewich (women's basketball)
