VANCOUVER – The 2020 Big Block awards gala took place virtually for the first time in its long and proud history as the best and brightest UBC Thunderbirds were honoured Wednesday night in a special online presentation.
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Thunderbird athletes, coaches, staff, and supporters instead gathered together, yet apart, digitally, to celebrate the many outstanding team and individual achievements over the past 12 months.
Du Vivier Team of the Year
Winner: Women's Golf
With an NAIA record 10 tournament victories in the 2019 season, the women's golf team went on to capture their fifth NAIA banner in record setting fashion, setting a new 72-hole championship record in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The 'Birds followed up with their fourth straight Golf Canada Canadian University Golf Championship winning in thrilling fashion in a playoff. The T-Birds also took home the inaugural Canada West championship at the Okanagan Golf Club in October.
May Brown Trophy (graduating female athlete)
Winner: Julia Lindsay (women's rowing)
Lindsay graduates as the most successful lightweight women's rower in UBC history. She led the Thunderbirds to two national championships and four western titles. Over the course of five national championships, Lindsay also won nine individual medals including five gold. Just as outstanding in the classroom, Lindsay leaves UBC as a four-time Academic All-Canadian.
Bobby Gaul Memorial Trophy (graduating male athlete)
Winner: Michael Smith (rugby)
Smith is a two-time Canadian University men's rugby champion, a two-time Wightman Boot winner and three-time World Cup series champion over the University of California Golden Bears. Smith captained the Thunderbirds in his final season and served as President of the Thunderbird Athletes Council.
Marilyn Pomfret Trophy (female athlete of the year)
Winner: Keylyn Filewich (basketball)
Filewich was named 2020 Canada West Player of the Year and earned U SPORTS first team All-Canadian honours. The two-time Canada West first-team All-Star averaged a double-double last season and led the nation in field goal percentage while also leading the Canada West in blocks.
Bus Phillips Memorial Trophy (male athlete of the year)
Winner: Kieran Lumb (track & field, cross country)
Lumb earned NAIA champion status with a first place finish in the 5000 metre final at the 2019 outdoor track and field championship along with a third place finish in the 1500 metre, helping the T-Birds clinch the team championship banner. Lumb followed up with a first place finish at the 2019 U SPORTS Cross Country national championship, earning men's Athlete of the Year.
Female Rookie of the Year
Winner: Esther Lee (golf)
Lee helped lead the T-Birds to two national championships with UBC winning both the NAIA banner and the Golf Canada Canadian University title. Lee was a first team All-American in the NAIA and Player of the Year in the Cascade Collegiate Conference. Her four individual tournament wins last season was just one off the school record.
Male Rookie of the Year
Winner: Jake Kryski (hockey)
Kryski led all Thunderbird rookies with 18 points in 24 games, finishing the regular season third in team scoring. Saving his best for when it mattered most, Kryski led the entire Canada West playoffs with four goals and seven points, helping the 'Birds to their first National Championship appearance in 43 years.
Arthur Delamont Service Award
Winner: Bruce and Patricia Kiloh
The Kilohs attend all major festival events and as many home games as they can. Bruce is a valued member of the UBC Sports Hall of Fame Committee and has a long history with Athletics across many sports. Patty graduated from UBC in 1973 (Elementary Education) and earned a diploma in Education in 1999. Bruce played both soccer and football at UBC, graduating with a bachelor of Physical Education in 1973.
Kay Brearley Service Award
Winner: Mikayla Ogrodniczuk (women's hockey)
Serving as an alternate captain in her fifth and final season as a Thunderbird, Ogrodniczuk has had a tremendous impact with the women's hockey program and the entire UBC community. She was instrumental in the development and implementation of UBC Athletes Hub, the first student-athlete specific mental health resource in Canada. Mikayla has also been a big part of the team's annual mental health awareness game among many other initiatives.
Carolyn Dobie-Smith Award
Winner: Luisa Ribeiro (women's hockey)
Luisa has become an invaluable member of the women's hockey program over the past three seasons. Since joining the team in August of 2017, Luisa has demonstrated a relentless approach to further her knowledge of her craft and of the sport of hockey.
TAC Buzz Moore Leadership Award
Winners: Laura Worsley (women's volleyball) / Mikayla Ogrodniczuk (women's hockey)
Jama Mahlalela Award
Winner: Michael Smith (men's rugby)
Michael is a consummate professional. His work ethic in his social, academic, and sporting endeavours are exceptional and not limited to rugby. A well-rounded individual, Michael exemplifies what it truly means to be a UBC Thunderbird.
For details and a complete history of all these prestigious awards,
please visit our Awards page.
