‘Horns Honor Athletic and Academic Achievement

4/12/2013 8:25:00 PM

 
Lethbridge, AB - Pronghorn Athletics hosted their annual Blue and Gold Banquet, Friday night, to honor their outstanding athletes in athletic performance and academic achievement. Over 275 athletes, administrators, and special guests were in attendance for the supper and awards ceremony at the Lethbridge Lodge. The guest speaker for the event was former Pronghorn Dana Mckechnie.
 
A five-year Pronghorn and a member of the programs only University Cup Championship team in 1994, Dana ranks among the best to suit up for the men’s hockey program. Dana is the all-time leader in games played with 139 and assists with 122. He also sits third on the ‘Horns all-time points list.
 
In his first season with the program he was named the Canada West rookie of the year and in 1995 received the CIS TSN-Randy Gregg award for hockey, academics and community service.

Dana graduated from the University of Lethbridge with a management degree and professionally has worked in a variety of management and human resources positions, spending the past five plus years with Suncor working his way up to his current position of Vice President, HR Programs and Operations.

 
The Award winners are:
 
FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
 
In only her first year of eligibility, Kayla Gallagher burst onto the CIS track scene and served notice that she will be a force on the CIS throwing scene for years to come.
 
At the Canada West Championship meet, the Truro, Nova Scotia native earned two medals, earning her first Canada West weight throw title with a throw of 16.85 metres was nearly a metre further than her closest competitor. She also earned a silver medal in the shot put event. With her gold medal in the weight throw, Gallagher was a first-team Canada West All-Star.
 
Heading into the CIS Championship meet in Edmonton, Gallagher was ranked was ranked fifth in the CIS, but a new personal best throw of 18.24 metres earned her the gold medal. The throw was nearly two metres better than her previous personal best and she won the event by almost a metre. The throw was also the furthest ever by a first-year thrower is CIS History. The win also earned her a first-year All-Canadian award.
 
MALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
 
In his final season as a Pronghorn, senior basketball player Derek Waldner capped his career with an exceptional season and will go down in ‘Horns history among the best to ever don the blue and gold.
 
Named a second team Canada West all-star, Waldner led the nation in rebounding and rebounding average with 252 rebounds and an average of 11.5 boards per game. The 252 rebounds also set a new Pronghorn single season record. Waldner was also seventh in Canada West scoring, averaging 16.6 points per game.
 
Waldner finishes his five-year career with the ‘Horns as the school’s all-time leading rebounder with 874 and leader in games played with 108. He also sits fifth in scoring with 1139 points and complied 29 double-doubles in his career.
 
The consummate student-athlete, Waldner has been a four-time Academic All-Canadian and is well on his way to finishing his degree with a fifth Academic All-Canadian Award.
 
Other major award winners included:
 
PRESIDENTS AWARD
 
For the second year in a row a member of the Pronghorn hockey team received the prestigious Presidents award. The President’s Award, which rewards the student athlete with the highest academic standing at the University of Lethbridge, was awarded to Jasmin Teske. Like her former teammate Megan Bach last season, Teske achieved a perfect 4.0GPA, while balancing her large commitment to the team.
 
TEAM ACADEMIC AWARD - Presented to the team with the highest academic standing.
 
The women’s hockey team received the team Academic award with a combined GPA of 3.10

Team MVPs – as voted by team member

Men’s Soccer – Matt Medoruma
Women’s Soccer – Taura Willoughby
Men’s Hockey – Brent Henke
Women’s Hockey – Amy Van Buskirk
Men’s Basketball – Derek Waldner
Women’s Basketball – Ali Cameron
Women’s Rugby – Brandi Van Eeuwen
Men’s Swim – Ryan Thornley
Women’s Swim – Kara Declark
Men’s Track – Peter Millman
Women’s Track –Kayla Gallagher


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FOR MORE INFORMATION
Eoin Colquhoun
Sports Information & Events Coordinator
Ph: (403) 380-1851 Fax: (403) 329-2709
Email: eoin.colquhoun@uleth.ca
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