Varsity Athletics | 10/15/2025 2:42:00 PM

York University Lions women's rugby player Alanna Mrkobrada and football player Nicholas Adair are the latest Lions to be crowned York athletes of the week, for the period ending Oct. 12.

Mrkobrada, a third-year social work student from Newmarket, Ont., capped off a breakout season by scoring one of the Lions three tries in a hard-fought 27-21 loss to the Laurier Golden Hawks in the OUA quarter-finals last weekend. The Sacred Heart C.H.S. alumna got her side on the board early to tie the match after the Golden Hawks registered the game's opening try. She finishes her third season in red and white with six tries (regular and postseason), third most on the team behind only Mistura Are (11) and Jahlesha Roye (8).

Mrkobrada and the Lions will look to build off the tremendous successes achieved in 2025 – namely making the playoffs for the first time in six years – as they look ahead to 2026 and aim to take another step forward under head coach Spencer Robinson.

Adair, a fourth-year management practice graduate student from Kingston, Ont., led the way for the Lions offensively in their senior night setback against the Western Mustangs last Friday. He caught a season-high 11 passes for 156 yards and three touchdowns – also career bests – solidifying the connection between he and Keagan Hall, both graduate transfers from the McMaster Marauders. It comes on the heels of a seven-catch, 133-yard performance against the Waterloo Warriors in Week 7, which included a highlight-reel touchdown grab.

Adair and the Lions will travel to Guelph for their final game of the season, needing a win, plus victories by Carleton (over McMaster) and Ottawa (over Toronto) to earn the final OUA playoff spot. Kickoff is set for 1:00 pm.