Basketball players CJ Buckley, Harriette Mackenzie and Kiayra Hohlweg from the 2023 national championship team were recognized at the VIU Mariners annual awards ceremony. Mackenzie (second from right) was named Female Athlete of the Year. (Matt Carter)

By Dan Marshall

Celebrating Excellence

VIU Mariners wrap up successful 2022-23 season with awards ceremony

Apr 10, 2023 | 10:19 AM

NANAIMO — The VIU Mariners put the finishing touches on an impressive 2022-23 season with an awards banquet April 6.

Six Mariners teams made the CCAA nationals highlighted by a national gold medal for the women’s basketball squad.

Athletic director Danielle Hyde said it was a historic season for the Mariners.

“This year was one for the records. With all six of our varsity teams qualifying for national championships and three of those six medaling that’s pretty incredible and something that hasn’t happened in VIU history.”

Hyde noted Mariner athletes weren’t just recognized in house but on the national stage as well.

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“We had CCAA All Canadians on almost every team. A couple rookies of the year, a couple CCAA players of the year and a CCAA coach of the year for Matt Kuzminski in basketball. The caliber of the athletes and all of the major accolades they earned over the season in each of our sports is impressive.”

Basketball players took the major VIU awards with Harriette Mackenzie named Female Athlete of the Year and Tori Odom earning Male Athlete of the Year.

Hyde said picking winners was not an easy choice.

“The nominees in our athlete of the year category for both men and women were all so deserving, each taking their teams to their respective national championships, but we couldn’t deny the year that both Harriette and Tori had. From coaches to VIU senior leadership and of course to our student-athletes we have a great team. We are all Mariners and we can’t wait to do it all again next year.”

Below is a complete list of the 2022-23 VIU Mariners award winners.

Female Athlete of the Year:
Harriette Mackenzie, Women’s Basketball

Male Athlete of the Year:
Tori Odom, Men’s Basketball

Female Rookie of the Year:
Jade Dillabough, Women’s Soccer

Male Rookie of the Year:
Lucas Torres, Men’s Volleyball

Mariners Academic Excellence Awards (Top GPA over the past 3 semesters)
Female: Jane Lytvynenko (4.22 GPA)
Male: Emerson Cooke (4.33 GPA)

Top Team GPA (Fall 2022 Semester)
Women’s Volleyball (3.45 GPA – B+ average)

Unsung Hero Awards
Women’s Soccer: Shea Battie
Women’s Basketball: Kayla Gregory
Women’s Volleyball: Megan Duffy
Men’s Soccer: Jonathan McKenzie
Men’s Basketball: Noah Lehto
Men’s Volleyball: Emerson Cooke

Golden Boot (Top Soccer Goal Scorers)

Women: Shea Battie and Jade Dillabough (tie, 6 goals each)
Men: Vasilis Bagiopoulos (8)

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