VICTORIA – The University of Victoria Vikes Varsity Council is proud to announce their November 2014 athletes and team of the month, supported by Original Joe's in Tuscany Village. This month's award winners are women's rower Becca Zimmerman, men's field hockey midfielder Brenden Bissett and the Vikes men's cross-country team.
 
Brenden Bissett, Men's Field Hockey
MALE ATHLETE OF THE MONTH
 
November's Male Athlete of the Month has been awarded to men's field hockey player Brenden Bissett. The fourth-year midfielder was critical in the Vikes' draw with West Vancouver, which gave the Vikes their first point of the season. Bissett was also called up to the Canada men's national team roster for a New Zealand Tour in December. The New Westminster, B.C. native is no stranger to the international stage as he was a member of Canada's junior team that competed in the 2013 Junior World Cup but it will be his first senior team appearance since 2011.
 
 
Becca Zimmerman, Women's Rowing
FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE MONTH
 
Third-year women's rower Becca Zimmerman has been awarded November's Female Athlete of the Month. The Toronto native helped contribute two medals to the Vikes' total tally of four at the Canadian University Rowing Championships (CURC) hosted at Elk Lake from Nov. 1-2. Zimmerman raced to a bronze medal with teammates Kirsten McKay, Catherine Slamka, Beth McConnell, Maxine Chapman, Jillian Legare, Erin Moen, Madeline Spangehl, and Becky Wilder in the women's eight and also picked a silver medal in the women's pair with fellow teammate Madeline Spangehl. One week following the CURC, Zimmerman, who is one of the captains with the Vikes, also raced in the women's pair at National Rowing Championship, as a representative of Team BC.
 
 
Men's Cross-Country
TEAM OF THE MONTH
 
The men's cross-country team successfully defended their Canada West banner after a second-place finish at the CIS cross-country championships hosted by Memorial in St. John's N.L.  Fourth-year Ryan Cassidy finished seventh-place overall in CIS but was first among 50 Canada West athletes to cross the line. Cassidy was named Canada West Male Athlete of the Year for his performance and was the lone Vike to named a CIS First Team All- Canadian. Fellow teammates Olivier Collin and Thomas Riva were named Second Team All-Canadians while Jackson Bocksnick and Cole Peterson got Canada West Second Team All-Star nods. For the fifth time at the helm of the cross-country program, head coach Brent Fougner was also named Canada West Men's Coach of the Year.  
 

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The Vikes Varsity Council Athlete and Team of the Month are proudly supported by: