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UBCO honours its best

While volleyball players dominated much of the night, it was two less recognized sports that took away top honours at the UBC Okanagan athletic awards banquet.

Cross-country runner Veronika Fagan and soccer goalie Mitch McCaw were named the school's most outstanding athletes at the Capri Hotel banquet room Tuesday night.

It's the first time in the brief history of the school that either sport had an athlete names its most outstanding.

"Just being a part of this, coming from high school knowing this wasn't a cross-country institution, I really wanted to push this program," said Fagan.

"I really wanted to bring it to the potential that it could. My teammates said that's amazing."

Fagan says she was surprised at the honour, but believes this is a springboard to good things ahead.

"I can see this program growing and going a long way.

"I know we have a lot of new coaches that want to come and help out which is amazing. It is a little underappreciated, but I think it's always been that way, so it's good to see it's growing now."

McCaw just completed his first year at UBCO after three years of college soccer in the United States.

He credited, not just his teammates but the Okanagan community with helping him adjust and thrive.

"I couldn't have done it without the community around the Okanagan. I'm a new transfer from the United States, so the first year here has been incredible," he said.

While next season will be his last, McCaw says he sees good things on the horizon for the Heat men's soccer program.

He says they have recruited some good talent, and will even bring in a few goaltenders to push him.

Volleyball players swept most of the rest of the individual awards handed out Tuesday.

Kyle Hinchey and Sara McCreary were both named rookies of the year.

Alex Swaitlowski and Megan Festival were named graduates of the year while Lars Bornemann and Siobhan Fitzpatrick were named the student athletes of the year, combining grade point average and athletic achievement.

Cross-country runner Anna Merino was the schools single semester female Provost winner, while soccer player Cole Kingzett took the male award.

The female two semester award went to basketball player Olivia Johnson while basketball player Buzz Truss won the men's award.

Individual and team accomplishment in both the classroom and on the field were also recognized.

Thirty-four athletes were named CIS academic all-Canadians, while 39 others were awarded with Heat scholar-athlete awards.

In all nine team sports on campus, the combined the grade point average of each of the athletes was better than 70 per cent.



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