Keough / Pritchard Named Athlete of the Year

Sydney, N.S. – Cape Breton University's Department of Athletics is proud to announce this year's Major and Team Award winners at the 43^rd Annual Athletic Awards Banquet as selected by the coaches and athletic department.

This year's Male Athlete of the Year is awarded to 2^nd year soccer CAPER Daniel Pritchard. The Nuneaton, UK. native anchored the CAPERS defence and led them to a 9-2-1 regular season record, a second-place finish in the AUS standings.

Along with being named CAPERS men's soccer MVP, he was named an AUS first team all-star. Pritchard was also named a U SPORTS first team All-Canadian.

"His work engine is relentless and his desire to support the attack and provide width continually stretches the opposition. When you are looking for a top class full back in today's game you seek a player who can transition from a solid defender with a great sense of positioning into an explosive attacking threat in an instant." said Head Coach Deano Morley. "He is among the hardest working in every practice; he is reliable and committed and is growing into a real leader."

From Marion Bridge, Nova Scotia Alison Keough was named the Female Athlete of the Year. The leading rebounder and second leading scorer in the AUS, Keough was also named Most Valuable Player in women's basketball. She was also named the AUS Most Valuable Player, AUS 1^st Team All-star, USports 1^st Team All-Canadian and an Academic All-Canadian.

 "Alison is very tough to match up against. She is a very good athlete at 6'1 and can play around the basket as well as on the perimeter. Her agility helps her score and rebound around the rim very well. She competes very hard as well which makes her tough to stop says CAPERS head coach Fabian McKenzie". "Alison has grown in all areas of the game on and off the court. On court she has become a better ball-handler, better defender and a more consistent scorer. Off the court she has developed into a fantastic leader within our team and the community." 

The President's Award was introduced to recognize the top academic performance among our student-athletes. Criteria for the award were developed with thanks to our academic advisor, Allan Fraser. This year's recipient is being recognized for their effort during the 2016-17 academic years where she accumulated an overall average of 98% while working towards her BSc degree. Recognized as an AUS All-Star and U Sports Academic All-Canadian, from Richmond Hill, ON. The President's Award was awarded to  Robyn Novorolsky.

The Kathy Reid Memorial Award to given to the student-athlete who was able to overcome mental and physical challenges to compete at a high level. This year's receiptient from Howie Centre, NS is Becky Hanna.

The Cape Breton Credit Unions Most Outstanding Performance of the year award went to Halifax, NS native, Jalynn Skeir. In the quarter-final matchup against Memorial University Jalynn Skier had her best game of the season and perhaps the best of her career. With several players having offensive troubles it was Skeir who came alive in her hometown of Halifax with 24 points, including 6 for 9 from 3pt territory and some excellent runners in 38 minutes.

 Team Awards below:

Men's Soccer

Receiving 4^th year award:

Andrej Rajic

Team Awards:

MOST IMPROVED PLAYER: Cory Bent

OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO TEAM AWARD: Robson Doolan

CAPER AWARD: Joel Eckert-Ayensa

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: Peter Schaale

MOST VALUABLE PLAYER: Daniel Pritchard 

Women's Soccer

Receiving 4^th year award:

Alyssa Armstrong, Tamara Brown, Robyn Novorolsky, Lysianne Trottier

Receiving 5^th year award:

Chelsea Currie

Team Awards:

MOST IMPROVED PLAYER: Becky Hanna

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR:  Kennedy Currie

MOST VALUABLE PLAYER: Alyssa Armstrong

OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO TEAM: Chelsea Currie

CAPER AWARD:  Robyn Novorolsky

Men's Basketball

Receiving 4^th year award:

Christian Affolter, Seth Amoah

Team Awards:

MOST IMPROVED PLAYER: Kyle Hankins

OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO TEAM: Jack MacAulay

CAPER AWARD: Liam MacDonald-Stapleton

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: Aaron Hayles

MOST VALUABLE PLAYER: Kenny Jean-Louis

Women's Basketball

Receiving 4^th year award:

Rasheeka Gunn, Alison Keough, Valentina Primossi

Receiving 5^th year award:

Colleen Keane

Natasha Roach

Jalynn Skeir

Team Awards:

MOST IMPROVED PLAYER: Hannah Brown

OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO TEAM: Tasha Roach

CAPER AWARD: Colleen Keane

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: Toni Bianchini

MOST VALUABLE PLAYER: Alison Keough