Athletic Banquet
Kwantlen Polytechnic University Athletic Banquet Celebrates a Successful 2011-2012 Season
METRO VANCOUVER—(March 23, 2012) – The Kwantlen Polytechnic University’s varsity athletes and coaches took some time out from their tracksuits and uniforms last night to join Athletic Department administrators, sponsors and donors at the 2011-2012 Kwantlen Eagles Athletic Awards Banquet at the Coast Hotel and Convention Centre in Langley.
Hosted by Kwantlen students, Kelsi Their (Delta) and Jason Racanelli (White Rock), this annual event celebrates the outstanding athletic accomplishments of Kwantlen’s student-athletes, as well as their academic achievements, leadership and community involvement throughout the varsity competitive season. After a warm welcome by President Dr. John McKendry, the 125 guests were addressed by key note speakers, Stephanie Tait and Matt Hill, founders of the “Run For One Planet” environmental action foundation (www.runforoneplanet.com) who delivered the message that setting intentions and goals and always bringing your best to all that you do is of paramount importance because you may not know who you will inspire and influence along the way.
Highlights from the Banquet included third-year forward and Business Administration – Human Resources student, Shanay Sangha (Richmond), who was named the 2011-2012 President’s Outstanding Female Athlete and Most Valuable Player for women’s soccer. Shanay completed the 2011 PACWEST league season on top of the league’s leaderboard with 11 goals scored in 12 games; most of which were either opening or game-winning goals for the Kwantlen Eagles. She was also named the PACWEST Women’s Soccer Player of the Year and 1st Team All-Star, as well as being named a Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) All-Canadian and CCAA Athlete of the Month.
Fourth-year badminton athlete and Business Management student, Willis Kwee (Richmond), took top honours and was named the President’s Outstanding Male Athlete for the 2011-2012 varsity season. Willis completed the 2011-2012 season with a PACWEST Provincial silver medal and a CCAA National bronze medal; both in men’s doubles.
The event also honoured two graduating Eagles athletes; fifth-year Marissa Dionne (Delta) and fourth-year Thomas Johnston (Surrey). Both decorated soccer athletes, Marissa [2007-2011] competed in 4 provincial championships; winning two back-to-back Provincial titles (2009 and 2010), competed in two National championships (2009, 2010); won a CCAA National bronze (2009), and was named a 2nd Team All-Star in 2009. Thomas [2008-2011] has been awarded the BCCAA/PACWEST Academic Excellence Award 3 consecutive times (2009, 2010 and 2011) as well as the CCAA National Scholar Award twice (2009, 2010); both achievements which require honors standing.
For more information about the Kwantlen Eagles, or to view the full list of award recipients, visit www.kwantlen.ca/eagles.
For more information about this story or the Eagles Athletics Program, contact:
Elise Le Brun
Director, Athletics & Recreation
Tel: 604.599.2980
athletics@kwantlen.ca
2011-2012 Athletic Banquet Award Winners
President's Outstanding Athlete Award
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| President's Outstanding Athlete Award Willis Kwee (Badminton) & Shanay Sangha (Women's Soccer), Presented by President & Vice Chancellor, Dr. John McKendry |
PACWEST Academic Excellence Award
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| PACWEST Academic Excellence Award Brittany McNeill (Women's Soccer) |
PACWEST Academic Excellence Award Thomas Johnston (Men's Soccer) |
PACWEST All-Stars & Awards
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| PACWEST Athlete of the Year Shanay Sangha (Women's Soccer) |
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| PACWEST 1st Team All-Star Shanay Sangha Women's Soccer |
PACWEST 1st Team All-Star Hussein Abu Men's Soccer |
PACWEST 2nd Team All-Star Brittany McNeill Women's Soccer |
PACWEST 2nd Team All-Star Yvamara Rodriguez Women's Soccer |
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| PACWEST All-Rookie Team Jessica Villadigeo Women's Basketball |
PACWEST Athlete of the Week Ali Bosir Men’s Basketball |
PACWEST Athlete of the Week Samantha McPhail Women’s Basketball |
PACWEST Athlete of the Week AJ Adusei Men’s Basketball |

Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association Awards
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| CCAA Athlete of the Month & All-Canadian Shanay Sangha (Women's Soccer) |
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| SIRC-CCAA Academic All Canadian Brittany McNeill, Women's Soccer |
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| CCAA National Scholar Brittany McNeill Women's Soccer |
CCAA National Scholar Thomas Johnston Men's Soccer |
Jeff Norris Golf Award
Jeff Norris Golf Award
Jeff Norris Golf Award
Jeff Norris Golf Award
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| Jeff Norris Golf Award Jesse Reichelt |
Mary & Pius McEachern Memorial Award
Mary & Pius McEachern Memorial Award
| Mary & Pius McEachern Memorial Award Meghan Nilsson Women's Soccer |
Pacificwest Orthodontics Award for Athletics
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| Pacificwest Orthodontics Award for Athletics Marissa Dionne Women's Soccer |
The Patrick Dooley Memorial Award
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| Pat Dooley Memorial Leadership Award Varinder Singh Men's Basketball |
Charter Bus Lines Varsity Academic Award
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| Charter Buslines Varsity Academic Award Kathleen Ehman Women's Soccer |
Charter Buslines Varsity Academic Award Sukhpaul Sandhu Men's Basketball |
Most Valuable Player Awards
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| Men's Basketball Ali Bosir |
Women's Basketball Jessica Villadiego |
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| Men's Soccer Lucas Rimmer |
Women's Soccer Shanay Sangha |
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| Golf Jesse Reichelt |
Badminton Michelle Simard |
Team Academic Award
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| Team Academic Award Women's Basketball |
Graduating Players
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| Thomas Johnston Men's Soccer |
Marissa Dionne Women's Soccer |

















