Pronghorn Athletics celebrated the 56th Blue and Gold Awards to recognize the accomplishments of Pronghorn student athletes from the 2022-23 season on April 5. National Gold Medalists Jinaye Shomachuk from Women's Track and Field, and Chris Alexander from Men's Swimming took home the acclaimed Athlete of the Year Awards standing out from the herd with their outstanding athletic performances this season. Along with the Athlete of the Year, Pronghorn Athletics is pleased to honour the outstanding achievements of our student athletes on and off the field.
Male Athlete of the Year
Chris Alexander, Men's Swimming
This year's Pronghorn Male Athlete of the Year, Chris Alexander won USPORTS Gold in 50m backstroke and finished 4th in 100m backstroke. He captured a Canada West silver medal in 50m and 100m backstroke and bronze in 50m freestyle. Alexander broke a Horns records in 50m & 100m backstroke, returning to swimming after an accident and foot reconstruction in 2019.
Female Athlete of the Year
Jinaye Shomachuk, Women's Track and Field
Jinaye Shomachuk was unbeaten in weight throw this season, capturing gold at Golden Bear Classic, Bison Classic, Panda Open, Canada West Championships, and USPORTS Championships. She won Female Performance of the Meet at Canada West Championships and gold at USPORTS Championships to become 1st Team USPORTS All-Star. Shomachuk is etched in the USPORTS record books with the third farthest throw in the history of Women's Weight Throw.
Pronghorn Citizenship Award
Xavier Crosby, Men's Track and Field
Xavier Crosby, Male Pronghorn Citizenship award recipient is an active participant in campus culture, while maintaining a 4.0 GPA. He an executive member of Association of Political Science Students, executive member of the Pre-Law Society, as well as an executive member of U of L disc golf association and completes weekly LSAT tutoring with the Pre-Law Society. He is involved in numerous Pronghorn Initiatives with elementary and Junior High school coaching, ORN, Ultramarathon and Moonlight Run. In his role as the Association of Political Science Students, event coordinator, he was provided with the opportunity to help organize and run events for political science students, advocate for students needs to faculty and administration members, mobilize students to vote in the Federal election, as well as to participate din student government and other one-off initiatives such as meet-the-profs night, student study drop-ins, and social events. He also worked with the Career Bridge as a Co-op ambassador.
Kira Armstrong, Women's Swimming
Kira Armstrong, recipient of the Female Pronghorn Citizenship Award is a 3-time Academic All-Canadian achieving a 4.0 in 6 out of 9 semesters. While maintaining a full course load in her last 3 years of school and swimming full time, she has been able to be a part of various volunteer endeavors. Armstrong spearheaded the return of the free learn to swim program with Lethbridge Family Services. This program runs weekly and teaches newcomers to Canada how to become comfortable and safe in the water. As part of this, she has had the responsibility of coordinating with LFS and the Max Bell Pool to determine dates and times, and other details. Every week she recruits a team of volunteers to help run the lesson. This program has an immense impact on the community by welcoming newcomers to Canada to be able to participate in sport and gain valuable interactions with Pronghorn Athletes. Additionally, Armstrong has volunteered with the swim team at the food bank in December to make Christmas hampers and she partakes in the annual Pronghorn swim team coulee clean-up. She has done various volunteering with the University of Lethbridge Pre-Med Club.
Pronghorn Community Service Award
Tom Denness, Men's Soccer
Tom Denness took home Male Pronghorn Community Service Award. Denness is a recipient is a weekly volunteer for the Lethbridge Food Bank and Sage Clan. He volunteers on an ongoing basis to hand out hampers to low income families and emergency packages to unhoused individuals. In volunteering with Sage Clan, helping those in need with food, water and warm blankets.
Karlee Durfey, Women's Rugby
The recipient of the Female Pronghorn Community Service Award was Karlee Durfey. Durfey started a non-profit organization, Bo Smith and Co. to raise money for childhood cancer and other initiatives. Durfey volunteers at the food bank weekly and helps to pack lunches for public schools in Lethbridge, working closely with the individuals that utilize the food bank to meet and connect with community members. Durfey is also a frequent volunteer with Sage Clan.
Alumni Leadership Award
Alasdair Coyle, Men's Soccer
The recipient of the Male Alumni Leadership award was Alasdair Coyle, Men's Soccer. Coyle embodies sacrifice. Giving considerable time off field to ensure new players in the Pronghorn Men's Soccer program were taken care of, he ensured new athletes easily transitioned into the student-athlete lifestyle and helped to provide information and resources for their studies. Coyle continually gave an extra effort, pushed his limits for others on the team and led by example on/off the field.
Jessica Zarowny, Women's Basketball
Jessica Zarowny was the recipient of the Female Alumni Association Leadership Award. Zarowny is the ultimate leader. She always puts the needs of the team over herself. Despite not being able to play this season due to injury, this athlete helped lead her teammates this season, especially the first-year players, by providing constant feedback in training and competition and by being a mentor.
Mahon Family Sport Awards
David Musk, Men's Soccer
Tory Clements, Women's Soccer
Sofia Hoff, Women's Rugby
Makena Wood, Women's Swim
Chris Alexander, Men's Swim
Jessica Haenni, Women's Basketball
Kevin Ibula, Men's Basketball
Jinaye Shomachuk, Women's Track and Field
Lauchlan Irish, Men's Track and Field
Team MVP Awards
Alasdair Coyle, Men's Soccer
Hailey Slobodian, Women's Soccer
Keegan Brantner, Women's Rugby
Genna Wright, Women's Rugby 7s
Delaney Lehman, Women's Swim
Chris Alexander and Apollo Hess, Men's Swim
Jessica Haenni, Women's Basketball
Kymani Pollard, Men's Basketball
Jinaye Shomachuk, Women's Track and Field
Andreas Troschke, Men's Track and Field
