The annual athletics banquet gives STU’s athletes a chance to shine after everything is said and done. And shine is what Kelly Vass and Jason Cannon did.
Jason Cannon finished his second year on the men’s volleyball team and was named Male Athlete of the Year for his excellent play. He helped make his team one of the top in the country, as they were ranked nationally for half the season.
“It was a good season, but it was a good season for a lot of teams,” said Cannon. “It means a lot. It just shows that I worked really hard, our team worked really hard. It feels like everything came together really well.”
With Cannon’s help, the Tommies dominated the ACAA conference playoffs, going undefeated and winning the conference championship. They only lost one regular season game.
Kelly Vass won Female Athlete of the Year after having a spectacular season on the basketball court. She led the Lady Tommies to an ACAA conference championship. Vass kept up her strong play at the CCAA national tournament where she was named an All-Canadian.
“My teammates and my coaches helped me get here,” said Vass. “This isn’t all me. I put in a lot of work to get here, but this award is crazy and I have to thank my teammates.”
One of her best games of the year game came in the national semi-final game, where Vass had a triple-double with 14 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists to ensure the team a silver medal.
Her teammate, Ashley Bawn, received the Cathy Wadden Commitment Award. Bawn was a dean’s list student and helped lead the women’s basketball team to four consecutive ACAA conference championships. Bawn has been involved with the community through things like Best Buddies, being a camp counselor, being a school tutor, as well as coaching and refereeing.
“I’ve given a lot to the program so it’s nice to see something in return for that, but it was definitely unexpected,” said the fifth-year guard. “I’m very honored.”
Rodrigo Flores was the recipient of the John Frederick Walls Award for balancing school work, volunteering and sports. Flores was a dean’s list student and the off-campus sports representative. The cross-country runner also coached at a local elementary school, and did so without missing his own practices. He did miss the banquet though, as he was in class.
“I like to give to the community … It’s given a lot to me so I feel like I owe it,” said Flores.
