Winners and Finalists announced for Gee-Gees Year-End Awards

April 5, 2024

The annual Gee-Gees awards highlighting the outstanding athletic, academic, and community engagement of student-athletes in 2023-2024 will be presented on Saturday, April 6.

UPDATE: The winners of the categories below have been bolded and indicated with *asterisks. A full list of winners can be found on this page.

Of note, all Gee-Gees teams will be together for the awards banquet and will celebrate a most valuable player from all 44 programs. The recipients of the True Sport Awards and Gee-Gees Career Achievement Award will be announced at the banquet.

The finalists for the remaining major awards of the evening are listed below, showcasing the incredible student-athletes across Gee-Gee nation and their highlights of 2023-2024.

Athlete of the Year: Varsity Women's Teams

Jenna Matsukubo – Soccer:

The fourth-year forward was named an OUA East Second Team All-Star, led OUA in assists with 10 which established a Gee-Gees team record, and was second nationally in assists. The medical student from Ottawa contributed to the team's conference championship win two goals in the final.

Audrey Odigie – Volleyball:

The second-year middle earned RSEQ First Team All-Star recognition and led the conference in points and kills per set. With 3.88 kills per set, Odigie ranked fourth in U SPORTS. Odigie is a finance student from Brampton, Ont.

*Natsuki Szczokin – Basketball:

A fourth-year point guard, Szczokin was named an OUA First Team All-Star after leading the conference in assists. Szczokin's 4.6 assists per game ranked third nationally and she added 3.0 steals per game which was fourth best in U SPORTS, helping the Gee-Gees to the OUA semifinals. Szczokin is a criminology student from Barrie, Ont.

Emma Wade – Women's Rugby:

A fourth-year centre, Wade was named to the RSEQ First All-Star Team, marking the third all-star recognition in her Gee-Gees career. The human kinetics student from Burlington, Ont., was a vital player up front for the Gee-Gees as they captured the 2023 RSEQ conference championship.

Athlete of the Year – Varsity Men's Teams:

Max Charbonneau – Football:

A fifth-year linebacker, Charbonneau was selected a U SPORTS Second Team All-Canadian and won the OUA President's Award as the conference's most outstanding stand-up defensive player. The criminology student from Ottawa ranked second in U SPORTS with 62 total tackles in regular season play.

Franky Lapenna – Hockey:

Named the OUA East Goaltender of the Year and the OUA East Rookie of the Year, Lapenna backstopped the Gee-Gees to a 19 wins (of the team's 20 regular season wins) to set a team record. The first-year management student's 1.72 goals against average ranked second in U SPORTS and tied the program record, while his .942 save percentage was first in U SPORTS this season. Lapenna is from Laval, Que.

*Hugo Lemesle – Swimming:

Became the first Gee-Gee swimmer in team history to win three gold medals at a single U SPORTS national championship as he swept the 50m, 100m, and 200m breaststroke events. Lemesle also captured three RSEQ gold medals, part of his six total conference medals in 2024. The finance student from Nice, France, also established multiple new team records this season.

Brock Newton – Basketball:

Named a U SPORTS Second Team All-Canadian, Newton helped lift the Ottawa to a second straight national bronze medal. Scoring 17.0 points per game to lead the Garnet and Grey, he ranked second in OUA East, while his 56.1 per cent field goal shooting was seventh in U SPORTS this season. Newton is a finance student from Fergus, Ont.

Athlete of the Year – Varsity Garnet Women's Teams

Emma Archibald – Nordic Skiing:

Archibald captured two gold medals at the OUA Championship, winning both the para 7.5km classic interval and the para 15km mass start freestyle. The Gee-Gees women's team won the conference team silver medal. The nursing student from Fall River, N.S., also made her debut on the Para Nordic World Cup circuit for Canada, placing third overall.

*Kennedy Burrows – Rowing:

Burrows was named the Canadian University Rower of the Year and the OUA Rower of the Year due to her dominance in the singles events this season. An international development and globalization student from Parry Sound, Ont., Burrows was the first rower in OUA history to win both the lightweight and heavyweight single gold medals, and she followed up with the lightweight class gold medal at the national university rowing championships.

Doyin Ogunremi – Track and Field:

Ogunremi was a member of the Gee-Gees bronze medal winning 4x400m relay team at the OUA Championships and also placed fourth in the 4x200m relay and individually in the 300m events at the conference level. The health sciences student from Ottawa set a new Gee-Gees team record in the 300m this season and competed at the U SPORTS championship.

Athlete of the Year – Varsity Garnet Men's Teams

André Alie-Lamarche – Cross Country:

Alie-Lamarche was the top finisher for the Gee-Gees at both the OUA and U SPORTS championships, recording an eighth-place finish at the conference level and 28^th place nationally. By crossing the line in eighth place, the political science student from Ottawa recorded the Gee-Gees top finish at the OUA Championship since 1996.

Aidan Kirkham – Nordic Skiing:

Kirkham was a national silver medallist in the 10 km free event and won the national bronze medal in the 15 km free. At the OUA Championships he won gold in two individual events and helped the Gee-Gees men's team to a bronze medal in the relay and the overall team standings. Kirkham, a Master's student in epidemiology, made his World Cup debut this season.

*Glenn Roy – Rugby:

Roy was named an RSEQ First Team All-Star and led the conference in points scored with 70 in six regular season games. The mathematics and economics student from Ottawa then recorded the game-winning convert at the final minute of the RSEQ conference championship – the first conference championship in team history. Roy's season points total established a new team record.

Athlete of the Year – Varsity Grey Women's Teams

Megha Bhatia – Squash:

The team's highest ranked player for the past two seasons, Bhatia was recognized with the OUA Jack Fairs Award for hard work and athletic contributions this season. The management student from New Delhi, India, showed outstanding determination throughout the OUA Championship, earning a victory and an OUA All-Star award.

*Jordanna Hartley – Softball:

A runner up for the Ontario University Softball Top Batter Award, Hartley led the team in batting average with a .484 mark. As a pitcher Hartley recorded a 3.32 earned run average over 70 inning pitched, including 63 strikeouts and only 19 walks. The health sciences student from Newmarket, Ont., also competed with her club team at the Softball Canada Women's Canadian Championships.

Rhian Dentelbeck – Ringette:

Dentelbeck had a career-best season with 28 goals and 40 assists over the 39 game season, helping to lift the Gee-Gees to a 30-6-3 overall record. Playing centre, the Master's student in environmental science (environmental geochemistry and ecotoxicology option), helped the Gee-Gees capture the silver medal at the Ontario University Provincial Championship.

Samantha Lang – Equestrian:

Lang had an incredible season of success, placing first in every class she competed in after her second place finish in the season opener. The criminology student from Bobcaygeon, Ont., was the OCEA circuit High Point Rider of the zone, and High Point Rider of her division.

Athlete of the Year – Varsity Grey Men's Teams

Carson Barker - Baseball:

Barker was the Gee-Gees team leader in RBIs, walks, doubles, games played, and tied for second in runs scored. The finance student from Alliston, Ont., contributed to the team winning a record number of games this season.

Eric Dissanayake – Volleyball:

Dissanayake is the libero and team captain and leads the Gee-Gees defence. The health care analytics student from Sudbury, Ont., averages over 3 digs per set and provides excellent out-of-system setting.

Felix Labelle – Water Polo:

Labelle tallied eleven goals during the OUA Championship tournament, helping to lift the team to a conference silver medal. In the team's quarterfinal victory the psychology student from Ottawa scored seven of the team's eleven goals. The silver medal was the team's best result since 1989.

*Sacha Vasiliev – Fencing:

Vasiliev was a member of the bronze medal-winning foil relay team at the OUA Championships. Individually he placed fifth in foil at the conference level after winning gold at the Queen's Open. The nursing student from Ottawa also had a team-high fifth place finish at the RMC Invitational.

President's Award – Varsity Women's Teams

Note: all finalists for the President's Awards must have a minimum annual GPA of 7.5 or be enrolled in graduate studies.

Béatrice Bilodeau – Hockey:

A third-year student in Human Kinetics (Education and Coaching), Bilodeau was third on the Gee-Gees team in goals with five, and was fourth on the team in total points with nine.

*Aurora Bowie – Rugby:

A fourth-year Psychology student, Bowie was third on the RSEQ Championship-winning Gee-Gees in points scored and ranked sixth in the conference. Bowie recorded three converts in the RSEQ postseason, adding to her two tries and eleven converts in regular season play.

Victoria Brideau – Basketball:

A first-year Biomedical Science student, Brideau was named to the OUA All-Rookie team and was third on the Gee-Gees team in rebounds per game with 5.1. Her 18 blocks ranked fifteenth in OUA.

Jenna Matsukubo – Soccer:

A first-year medical student, Matsukubo joined the Gee-Gees this season and made an immediate impact, ranking second in U SPORTS with 10 assists. Matsukubo was an OUA East Second Team All-Star and helped lift the Gee-Gees to a second straight conference championship.

President's Award – Varsity Men's Teams

Jonathan Fournier – Football:

A fourth-year student in International Economics and Development (Co-Op), Fournier was the starting fullback for the garnet and grey this season. In addition to his many contributions blocking for his offensive teammates and on special teams, Fournier recorded six receptions, totalling 41 yards.

*Franky Lapenna – Hockey:

A first-year management student, Lapenna led U SPORTS in save percentage with a .942 mark and ranked second in the nation with 1.72 goals against. He also led U SPORTS in minutes played and set a team record for goaltender wins in a season with 19.

Cole Newton – Basketball:

A fourth-year Health Sciences student, Newton appeared in eleven regular season games, starting four, as the Gee-Gees recorded a 19-3 regular season record. He returned to the lineup following an early-season injury and contributed to the Gee-Gees U SPORTS bronze medal win. Newton was the 2022-2023 President's Award winner.

Brendan Van Herk – Swimming:

A fourth-year Human Kinetics student, Van Herk captured four medals at the RSEQ Championships, including two silver and two bronze. His points helped lift the Gee-Gees to a conference silver medal. He then placed fifth in the 200m individual medley and 8^th in the 200m butterfly at the U SPORTS National Championships.

President's Award – Varsity Garnet Women's Teams

*Anna Sierra Heffernan-Wilker – Nordic Skiing:

A third-year Environmental Science student, Heffernan-Wilker was an OUA silver medallist in the relay event as well as in the overall team standings. Individually, she raced to an eleventh place finish.

Doyin Ogunremi – Track and Field:

A fourth-year Health Sciences student, Ogunremi won OUA bronze with the 4x400m relay team and set a team record in the 300m. Ogunremi was fourth in the 300m at the OUA Championship and also ran the 4x200m relay, finishing fourth.

Nicole Wernham - Rowing:

A fourth-year Human Kinetics student, Wernham competed as a member of the Gee-Gees women's eight at both the OUA Championships and the Canadian University Rowing Championship.

President's Award – Varsity Garnet Men's Teams

Zach Auger – Rugby:

In his first year of a Juris Doctor, Auger played in six regular season matches and scored one try. He was the starting number two for the Garnet and Grey in both RSEQ playoff matches, including the team's first ever conference Championship win.

Riley de Gans – Nordic Skiing:

A fourth-year student in Integrated Computing Technology, de Gans placed 15^th and 20^th in his individual races at the OUA Championships, contributing points to the team's bronze medal finish. He also raced to a third place finish in the under 30 challenge at the Gatineau Loppet.

*Pascal Morimanno – Rowing:

A fourth-year Economics and Political Science student, Morimanno was an OUA bronze medallist with the men's heavyweight coxed four. Morimanno also competed with the four at the Canadian University Rowing National Championships.

President's Award – Varsity Grey Women's Teams

*Elyssa Caron – Artistic Swimming:

A fourth-year student in Biopharmaceutical Science and Medicinal Chemistry, Caron won the NSERC undergraduate research scholarship in 2023. Her research focusses on gold catalysis and developing new gold catalysed reactions. Caron was also awarded the MITACS Global Link award from the French and Canadian Governments, allowing her to conduct research on creating environmentally green Nickel catalysts at a prestigious university in Paris. In the pool, Caron competed at the McGill Invitation and Eastern Canadians, helping the team achieve fourth place finishes.

Reese Handley – Cheerleading:

A fourth-year Social Work student, Handley has made a huge impact on the cheerleading team. She was a true leader that was well respected by both her teammates and coaches. She kept a positive attitude throughout the entire season, and worked hard to keep everyone engaged and having fun.

Serena Solari – Dance:

A fourth-year Translational and Molecular Medicine student, Solari is an assistant captain with the dance team, contributing administratively and via choreography. Solari is conducting her honours project with the Rayner Lab at the Heart Institute, researching the molecular mechanisms of vascular cognitive impairment.

Celine Wan Min Kee – Tennis:

A fourth-year Computer Science student, Wan Min Kee contributed to the development of the uOWellness application, which aims to simplify and enhance the wellness journey of uOttawa students. Athletically, she is a key member of the tennis team and competed at the OUA Championships.

President's Award – Varsity Grey Men's Teams

Eric Dissanayake – Volleyball:

A fourth-year Commerce student (Healthcare and Analytics, Co-Op), Dissanayake is the volleyball team captain and was elected the Co-President of the Student-Athlete Council for 2024-2025.

Dan Glikstein – Alpine Skiing:

A second-year Civil Law (Co-Op) student, Glikstein was awarded the Gérald A. Beaudoin Prize for the top grades in Constitutional Law. His research areas include a dissertation on AI-assisted crimes and how to prove criminal intent when an AI helps commit the offense, co-writing a paper on bait-pricing, and leading a published study on the contractual relationship between Doordash and its delivery drivers. Glikstein competed with the Gee-Gees at Sutton this season.

Thomas Pilkington – Baseball:

A second-year Sociology (Co-Op) student, Pilkington was a strong on-field contributor both offensively and defensively. He tied for the team lead in home runs, was first in slugging percentage and was second in on-base percentage and OPS and provided great defence at catcher.

*Mathis Turgeon-Roy – Badminton and Ultimate:

A fourth-year Mechanical and Engineering (Co-Op) student, Turgeon-Roy has been a member of both the ultimate and badminton teams for the past three years. He was a Winner of 2023 uOttawa Co-Op Student of the Year Award as Engineering Faculty Rep and has recorded the highest grades in the entire mechanical engineering program. As part of his co-op placement, he led a full study of the cooling system at the Parliament Buildings.

Rookie of the Year – Women's Varsity Teams

Victoria Brideau – Basketball:

A biomedical science student from Quebec City, Brideau was named to the OUA All-Rookie team and was third on the Gee-Gees team in rebounds per game with 5.1. Her 18 blocks ranked fifteenth in OUA.

Gabrielle Ferland – Soccer:

Ferland was named to the U SPORTS All-Rookie Team after a being a major part of the Gee-Gees strong defensive season which saw the team rank third in U SPORTS in goals against per game. The international development and globalization student from Ottawa started all but one match at centre back.

*Isabel Langridge – Swimming:

A human kinetics student from Ottawa, Langridge was named the RSEQ Rookie of the Year thanks to her points scored at the conference championship. Langridge captured the bronze medal in the 400m freestyle as well as in the 4x100 and 4x200m freestyle relays at the RSEQ championship, and qualified for two C finals at nationals.

Maëlle Laplante – Hockey:

A biomedical science student from Lévis, Que., Laplante was named to the RSEQ All-Rookie team and led the Gee-Gees in plus-minus. Her four goals and four assists tied for the team lead in scoring among defence.

Rookie of the Year – Varsity Men's Teams

Josh Janssen – Football:

An English student from Chilliwack, B.C., Janssen stepped into the starting role at quarterback for five regular season games and one playoff game, including two wins. His completion percentage was 66 per cent in the regular season, totalling 1199 yards and five touchdowns.

Alym Kurji – Swimming:

A marketing student from Ajax, Ont., Kurji captured gold medals at the RSEQ championships in the 50m and 100m backstroke, took the bronze medal in the 100m freestyle, and earned three silver medals in relay events for a total of six medals. He made the U SPORTS A final in the 50m backstroke and also established a team record in that event.

*Franky Lapenna – Hockey:

Cid Ruhamyandekwe – Basketball:

An economics student from Ottawa, Ruhamyandekwe averaged 12.2 minutes per game off the bench for the U SPORTS bronze medallists. He recorded 3.2 points and 2.8 rebounds per game and shot 50 per cent from the field.

Rookie of the Year – Women's Varsity Garnet Teams

Maya Mooers – Nordic Skiing:

A biology student from Fredericton, N. B., Mooers was a member of the women's team that achieved a silver medal result at the OUA Championships and a historic bronze medal team finish at the national championships.

*Kathryn Moreland – Track and Field:

A biomedical science student from Fulford, Que., Moreland established multiple personal bests en route to a fourth place finish in pentathlon at the OUA Championships. Moreland also won an OUA bronze medal as part of the 4x400m relay team and then competed in high jump and the 4x400m relay at the U SPORTS National Championships.

Rookie of the Year – Men's Varsity Garnet Teams

Ben Holahan – Rugby:

A health sciences student from Ottawa, Holahan started two matches and recorded one try in regular season play. The centre appeared in every RSEQ match except one, helping to lift the team to its first conference championship. He also scored a try at the CURMC National Championship.

*Tyler Allan – Nordic Skiing:

A member of the bronze-medal winning relay team at the OUA Championships, Allan scored points which contributed to the team's overall third place finish in the team standings. He then raced at nationals, contributing to the team's fifth place finish. Allan is a Juris Doctor student from Ottawa.

Rookie of the Year – Women's Varsity Grey Teams

Kate Clement – Ultimate

Clement was voted Rookie of the Year for the 2023 Canadian University Ultimate Series. As a starting 7 player the history student from Ottawa was a key player in the Gee-Gees' bronze medal win at the National Championships and also contributed to a first place finish at the national qualifier tournament. Clement has been selected to the U20 roster for Team Canada at the upcoming 2024 World Junior Ultimate Championships.

*Ela Day-Bédard – Softball

The Gee-Gees' starting shortstop, Day-Bedard was also impressive at bat with a .339 batting average, four triples, and three home runs. The mathematics student from Gatineau memorably stole third base and then scored in extra innings to propel Ottawa to the gold medal game at the Ontario University Softball Championship. Day-Bedard is a member of Canada's Senior National Baseball Team and will play at the 2024 World Championships.

Jenna Mason – Ringette

A great defender, Mason helped the Gee-Gees achieve a silver medal at the Provincial University Championship. The human kinetics student from Ottawa led the team in plus-minus at plus 65 over 39 games played, scoring three goals and nine assists along the way. Ottawa allowed just 2.36 goals against this season in part thanks to her defensive tenacity.

Chloé McAllister – Artistic Swimming

A biochemistry student from Ottawa, McAllister placed second in the the solo category at both the McGill Invitational and Eastern Canada Championship. These performances contributed to the team's overall fourth place finish at both events.

Rookie of the Year – Men's Varsity Grey Teams

Noah Bérubé – Ultimate:

A high-usage offensive player, Berube helped Ottawa to a division one bronze medal at the Canadian University Ultimate Championships. The finance student from Navan, Ont., was also named to the U20 roster for Team Canada at the upcoming 2024 World Junior Ultimate Championships.

Alex Gerard – Baseball:

A finance student from Ajax, Ont., Gerard led the Gee-Gees in saves and appearances, and was second on the team in strikeouts and third in innings pitched. Notable performances included a five-inning win over an American Junior College, and a save over Carleton to open the season.

*Felix Labelle – Water Polo:

Daniel Oroszlan: Fencing:

A mechanical engineering student from Oakville, Ont., Oroszlan contributed to Ottawa's bronze medal in foil relay at the OUA Championships. Individually he placed tenth at the OUA Championship in foil. Earlier in the season he contributed to a first place finish at the Carleton Invitational and a fifth place at the RMC Invitational. At the Senior Canada Cup, he ranked 21^st.

Garnet and Grey Community Engagement Award

Kwabena Gyimah – Football:

An executive member of the Black Student-Athlete Advocacy Council since 2022, Gyimah was co-president for 2023-24. The third-year marketing student was part of Peace in the Streets, V2V Jam Basketball Tournament, and Level Up, and was one of uOttawa's emerging leaders who attended the OUA Diversity in Sport Conference.

*Ketsia Kamba – Rugby:

A fourth-year communications and sociology student, Kamba has been a member of the Black Student-Athlete Advocacy Council since 2021 and was co-president for 2023-24. In 2023-24 Kamba was part of Courageous Conversations, Sport Day the Girls Way, Level Up, Peace in the Streets, V2V Jam Basketball Tournament, and the Gee-Gee Rugby Academy and LEAD Program.

Mikaila Kraczynski – Hockey:

Captain of the women's hockey team for two seasons, Kraczynski was part of Girls on the Run and Sports Day the Girls Way this season and has multiple volunteer coaching experiences including hockey, volleyball, and basketball teams at Ottawa high schools. Kraczynski, who hails from Mississauga, is completing her Bachelor's of Education degree.

Francesca Nitica – Tennis:

Serving as a PennyDrops Mentor, Nitica volunteers her time teaching financial literacy topics to high school students, empowering them with crucial life skills. A business technology management student from Ottawa, Nitica also provides academic support by tutoring math to elementary and middle school students, is a member of the Student-Athlete Council and coaches at City View Tennis Club.

Leadership and Initiative Award

Note this award is open to nominees from Varsity Garnet Teams and Varsity Grey Teams

Yacine Amalou – Men's Volleyball

Now in his fourth year as head coach, Amalou is committed to continually improving the program, always looking at ways to grow the program, competition and giving the team members different experiences. Last year, he organized entry into an official US Collegiate League. This year, on top of the league the team visited Michigan State and played in a 50 team tournament.

Kate Berry – Artistic Swimming:

In the 2023-2024 season, Berry's leadership truly shone as she navigated challenges, including the Montpetit pool closure, as Club President. Berry's proactive efforts to secure practice facilities, align schedules, and advocate for the club's needs were pivotal in ensuring the continuity of training for all athletes. Her tireless dedication to finding solutions exemplifies true leadership and initiative. Additionally, Kate's unwavering support for her clubmates is remarkable. Spending full competition days on the pool deck to cheer on her club mates, celebrating their achievements, and serving as a role model both in and out of the pool, she embodies the spirit of camaraderie and support within the club.

*Vinit Kudva – Squash

Head coach of the Gee-Gees, Kudva has been the key builder for the squash team since 2018. Kudva demonstrates extensive knowledge and support of squash through his involvement representing Ottawa on the Squash Ontario Board and the prestigious Jesters Club. Last year, Kudva was named Coach of the Year during uOttawa's first ever showing at the OUA Squash Championships.

Jackson Pallandi – Baseball:

As the team's president, Jackson has been a key part of the team's recent growth and success, organizing a New York trip where the team went 3-1, reaching a program best in wins, and partnering with an elite training facility in Gatineau. A member of the Student-Athlete Council, Pallandi is the team's shortstop and is someone the team looks to for leadership.