York University Athletics & Recreation hosted its 54th annual Varsity Athletics Banquet at Paradise Banquet Hall in Vaughan. Women's soccer player Jotam Chouhan and men's soccer player Soji Olatoye were named the Lions female and male athletes of the year, respectively.
Chouhan earned the OUA West MVP award in 2022 and was named an OUA first-team. Olatoye also won the OUA West MVP and was an OUA first-team all-star along with being named a U SPORTS first-team all-Canadian.
Major award winners are listed below:
FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Awarded to one female who has exhibited outstanding athletic skill, character and fair play in their sport, and, as a result, contributed to the success of their team.
Winner:
Jotam Chouhan (WSCR)
MALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Awarded to one male who has exhibited outstanding athletic skill, character and fair play in their sport, and, as a result, contributed to the success of their team.
Winner:
Soji Olatoye (MSCR)
FEMALE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
The recipient of this award must be compliant with U SPORTS and OUA rookie of the year sport-specific regulations, and be in their first year of eligibility in university competition. The award is presented to a female member of a York varsity team who exhibited outstanding athletic skill in their rookie season.
Winner:
Nia Fleming-Thompson (WSCR)
MALE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
The recipient of this award must be compliant with U SPORTS and OUA rookie of the year sport-specific regulations, and be in their first year of eligibility in university competition. The award is presented to a male member of a York varsity team who exhibited outstanding athletic skill in their rookie season.
Winner:
Victor Lai (MBDM)
BRYCE M. TAYLOR AWARD:
Presented to a graduating female athlete, who has, throughout their undergraduate years, made outstanding contributions to Varsity Athletics at York University. Leadership, dedication, enthusiasm and participation in all aspects of Varsity Athletics will be considered qualifications for this award.
Winner:
Frankie St. Louis (FH)
OUTSTANDING MALE GRADUATE AWARD
Presented to a graduating male athlete, who has, throughout their undergraduate years, made outstanding contributions to Varsity Athletics at York University. Leadership, dedication, enthusiasm and participation in all aspects of Varsity Athletics will be considered qualifications for this award.
Nominees:
Xavier Pouliot (MHKY)
COACH OF THE YEAR
Presented to a coach who has demonstrated leadership and earned the respect of both athletes and coaches in setting high expectations which have led to significant improvements and/or accomplishments over the past season for their program.
Winner:
Zeeshan Minhas (FH)
MOST VALUABLE PLAYERS
Presented in recognition of individuals who have demonstrated leadership, competitive success, ethics, York spirit, and fair play.
Winners:
Women's Basketball – Lauren Golding
Men's Basketball – Somto Dimanochie
Women's Cross Country – Laura Peters
Men's Cross Country – Abdullahi Abdullahi
Field Hockey – Frankie St. Louis
Football – Matt Dean
Women's Hockey – Brooke Anderson
Men's Hockey – Xavier Pouliot
Women's Rugby – Erin Preston
Women's Soccer – Jotam Chouhan
Men's Soccer – Joe Mac
Women's Tennis – Tamara Janev
Men's Tennis – Max Tokarev
Women's Track & Field – Ella Foster
Men's Track & Field – Jeremy Elliott
Women's Volleyball – Christina Piccinin
Men's Volleyball – Andrew Tauhid
Women's Wrestling – Willow Morton
Men's Wrestling – Sabit Bin Mahir
CHARLES SAUNDERCOOK MEMORIAL TROPHY
Presented to a student-athlete who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, enthusiasm for life and consideration of others. This trophy is open to male and female student-athletes.
Winner:
Prince Kamunga
