Lethbridge –Wrapping up the 53^rd athletic season with a virtual Blue and Gold Banquet, Pronghorns Athletics is pleased to honour the outstanding achievements of our student athletes on and off their respective playing fields.

The department's major award winners are:
 
Male Athlete of the Year
 

Entering his third year as a Pronghorn, Andreas Troschke had medalled at the national meet the previous two years but a conference medal had eluded him. Opening the indoor season on the right foot, the Olds, Alberta product won the weight throw in the first three tune up meets heading into the Canada West Championships.
 
At the Canada West Championship, Troschke finished off the task, standing atop the podium in Saskatoon with a meet furthest throw of 17.47 metres.
 
Looking to medal for a third consecutive year at the U SPORTS Championships, Troschke had to dig deep late in the competition to achieve that goal. Sitting outside the medal picture heading into his final throw, Troschke came up clutch with a throw of 17.64 metres to vault up to a bronze medal at the U SPORTS Championships in Edmonton.


Female Athlete of the Year

Putting a stamp on an impressive student-athlete career, Chinook High School product Hailey Driscoll excelled on and off the field. Driscoll used a relentless work ethic to improve her physical skills and fitness.

One of the fittest players that the program has ever seen, Driscoll used her blinding speed to score a combined 15 tries this season in both 15's and 7's competition. On defence she was often asked to mark the other teams fastest players and was able to shut them down.

This past summer she was also named to the Canadian team that played in the World Universiade in Naples Italy and this season was named a Canada West All-Star and U SPORTS Second Team All-Canadian. She will be remembered as one of the most prolific try scorers in Pronghorn history.
 
Off the field, Driscoll was named a 2018-19 Academic All-Canadian and will graduate this spring with a Bachelor of Arts and Science, majoring in Kinesiology.

  
President's Award
 
The President's Award is given to the Pronghorn student-athlete with the highest academic standing at the University of Lethbridge, while competing full time with a varsity sport and taking a minimum academic load of 18 credit hours. In the event of two athletes having the same GPA, the tie breaker for the award is the total credit hours accumulated during this academic year.  This year's recipient posted a 4.0 GPA with 30 credit hours accumulated to break a tie with three other Pronghorns athletes who also achieved a perfect GPA. The 2019-20 President's award winner is David Awosoga from the men's track team.

 
Team Academic Award – Presented to the team with the highest academic standing
 
The Men's hockey team laid claim to the Team Academic Award for the first time. The men's hockey team combined for a team GPA of 3.27.

Community Service and Citizenship award
 
Three years ago, Pronghorn Athletics created four community service awards given to two female and two male Pronghorn Athletes that have demonstrated outstanding community involvement in volunteering and providing community service within the most recent academic year. Sponsored by Fire Safety Services and Lethbridge Fasteners each recipient will receive a scholarship of $1,250.
 

Since launching the Community Serve and Citizenship award, Madeline Szabo has been a fixture with this award and continues to define what being a Pronghorn student-athlete means to be. Continuing with her consistent growth in her sport, she is a multiple time Academic All-Canadian and is the benchmark when it comes to community service among Pronghorn Athletes. Madeline volunteers with multiple local organizations, including Alberta Health Services, Big Brothers and Big Sisters and All Saints Parrish to name only a few.
 

Completing her fourth year of eligibility with the women's soccer team, Mackenzie Salmon has been a strong community advocate since transferring from Medicine Hat College. On the pitch, Salmon appeared in 10 games this season and will graduate with a Bachelor of Arts and Science this spring, with the hopes of entering dental school. Within her team, Mackenzie has consistently been the most vocal and enthusiastic student with volunteering. She has participated in four Honduras Medical Missions and has intention of volunteering again this summer. Mackenzie also volunteers with Canadian Blood Service Life Savers Club and was scheduled to volunteer on the Midway Atoll Seabird Conservation project this year from April to May.


A repeat receipt of the Community Serivce and Citizenship Award, graduating men's hockey player Torrin White added to his Pronghorn legacy this year. Torrin conceived, structured and delivered the "Pronghorns Against Bullying" program, an immensely popular and impactful grade school program with St. Martha middle school. He has structured the curriculum so it can continue as part of Pronghorn Athletics community services into the future. In addition to the bullying program, Torrin donates his time with Lethbridge Special Olympics and Hockey Alberta. Torrin has recently been accepted into Carleton University of pursue a Masters in Philanthropy and Not-for-profit Leadership.
 

In addition to being the 2019-20 recipient of the President's Award as the top academic Pronghorn Athlete, David Awosoga of the men's track team is also entrenched in giving back to the community. While achieving a perfect 4.0 GPA and training and competing on the track, David spends countless hours giving back to various organizations. He works with Big Brothers Big Sitters of Lethbridge, Love Lethbridge Youth, Lethbridge Bible Quizzing and Lethbridge Public Library to only name a few.
  
Alumni Leadership Award


One of the natural leaders on the women's rugby team, Keegan Brantner balances empathy with action. Within the women's rugby team, players look to Keegan to lead not only on the field but off as well. Leading the team in competition, she also organizes team activities and community initiatives. Over her four years as a Pronghorn student-athlete, Keegan has grown into being one of the lead voices on the Pronghorn Student Athlete Council and has also taken a lead role in the Pronghorn Leadership Academy that was launched two seasons ago.


A co-captain to start the season and despite suffering a season ending injury early in the season, men's soccer player Marcus Menzies has been a tremendous leader on and off the field for the program this year. Marcus has been an active supporter, role model while providing feedback and insight during the teams training session. Off the field he has been instrumental to the team's success away from soccer. He serves as a mentor for first-year players, providing guidance on academics and life skills. He meets one on one with players to assist them with their study skills, time management and strategies to assist with the stresses of being a student-athlete.
 
 
Team MVPs
Women's Track – Sandra Latrace
Men's Track – Andreas Troschke
Women's Swim – Tricia Fair
Men's Swim – Raine Arden
Women's Soccer – Jesse Dueck & Ellie Kabayama
Men's Soccer – Matt Vandervoort
Women's Rugby – Hailey Driscoll
Women's Hockey – Kyra Greig
Men's Hockey – Luke Coleman
Women's Basketball – Kacie Bosch
Men's Basketball –Kyle Peterson