EDMONTON – The University of Victoria Vikes women's rugby team claimed all of the major awards at 2015 Canada West Rugby Championship, recording a historic first for the Vikes rugby program. Winning today's conference final was just icing on the cake following their semifinal win over Alberta day previous to qualify for the CIS Championship for just the second time after 2005.

The Vikes, who earlier in the day won the program's first-ever Canada West title with a 50-17 victory over the Lethbridge Pronghorns, were awarded the MVP, Rookie of the Year, Coach of the Year and Student-Athlete Community Service awards at a post-game ceremony at the Ellerslie Rugby Park. The awards sweep was a first for the Vikes program, after making just their second appearance in the conference gold-medal game in program history. Their previous gold medal game came in 2002 when they lost 19-0 to Alberta.

Sophomore fly half Jess Neilson was named the 2015 Canada West MVP after a season that saw her lead the conference in successful converts (13), and finish second in Canada West scoring with 26 points. Neilson also led all players at the Canada West championship tournament in points, finishing with 26 (9 converts, 1 try and 1 penalty goal) in two games.

Teammate Gabrielle Senft earned the Rookie of the Year honour. The first-year from Regina scored three tries in conference play this season and added a pair of tries in the championship tournament as well.

Second-year Victoria head coach Brittany Waters was named Canada West Coach of the Year, after leading the Vikes to a 2-2 regular season and 2-0 conference playoff record. Waters is also a member of the Canadian national team, having made her debut for Canada in 2008, and most recently representing her country at the 2014 Women's Rugby World Cup.

Fourth-year Victoria centre Shannon Fitzpatrick was named the winner of the Student-Athlete Community Service award on Sunday as well. Fitzpatrick, who is originally from Calgary, is captain of the Vikes and also a member of the Canadian national team. She had the highest GPA among all University of Victoria student-athletes last season, and is extremely active in the community where she coaches rugby, volunteers as a laboratory and research assistant, as well as serving as a youth rugby camp coach.

The 2015 Canada West all-stars were also announced on Sunday, and the Universities of Alberta and Calgary led the way with four winners each. The Vikes were represented with three all-stars, while Lethbridge had a pair and the UBC Thunderbirds earned one all-star nod.
  
2015 CANADA WEST AWARD WINNERS:
MVP - Jess Neilson - Victoria
Rookie of the Year - Gabby Senft - Victoria
Coach of the Year - Brittany Waters - Victoria
Student-Athlete Community Service - Shannon Fitzpatrick - Victoria
 
2015 CANADA WEST ALL-STARS:
Prop - Tarin Arnt  (Calgary)
Prop - DaLeaka Menin (Calgary)
Hooker - Emily Tuttosi (Calgary)
Lock - Sara Haring (Alberta)
Lock - Caitlin Harvey (UVIC)
Back Row - Elizabeth Steele (Alberta)
Back Row - Gillian Boag (UBC)
Back Row - Frederique Tremblay (Lethbridge)
Scrum Half - Amanda Smith (Alberta)
Fly Half - Jess Neilson (UVIC)
Center - Julia Goss (Alberta)
Center - Nakisa Levale (UVIC)
Back Three - Elysa Sandron (Calgary)
Back Three - Nicole Ronsky (Lethbridge)
Back Three - Ciara Malone (UBC)