Victoria - The University of Victoria, Department of Athletics and Recreation, honoured 102 outstanding varsity student-athletes at the 20th Annual Vikes Honour Roll luncheon held on Nov. 20, 2024, in the Sngequ House.
The event recognizes student-athletes who achieve a minimum of an 80 per cent grade point average (GPA)Â while training and competing at the highest level of sport. All student-athletes who compete on teams recognized by U SPORTS also received an Academic All-Canadian certificate and a letter signed by Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada.
"Being named to the Vikes Honour Roll is a testament to the incredible dedication of our varsity student-athletes, who excel not only in their sports but also in the classroom. This achievement reflects their hard work and the unwavering support of teammates, coaches, faculty, and staff who help make their success possible. Their commitment to excellence embodies the very spirit of what it means to be a Vike," said Julianne Zussman, acting director of varsity performance sport.Â
The Provost Award is given out to the student(s) with the highest overall GPA. This year, there was a record-setting four-way tie for top academic honours. Sharing the award are
Alex Gamage from the men's rugby team,
Rhys Patterson from the men's rugby team,
Hailey Abbott from the women's cross country and track team, and
Ben Seshadri from the men's cross country and track team. All four student-athletes earned an incredible 9.0 GPA while balancing their extremely demanding course loads and training for their respective sports.Â
Since 2007, 1417 student-athletes have been acknowledged for achieving the 80 per cent or higher milestone, and many have achieved the standard multiple times. In 2007-08, the inaugural group honoured had just 44 recipients, which has risen dramatically each year up to 102 in 2023-24. The increase is a testament to the bar that the Vikes continue to set for being top students and athletes.
Provost Award recipients
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Provost Award winners: Alex Gamage, Ben Seshadri and Hailey Abbott with UVic Provost Elizabeth Croft
Missing: Rhys Patterson
Alex Gamage, third-year, Faculty of Science
For the second year in a row,
Alex Gamage has proven himself among UVic's best, both in the classroom and on the rugby field. As a leader on the men's rugby team, he brings that same drive to his academic pursuits. With a perfect 9.0 GPA, while studying biochemistry, Gamage is a true embodiment of dedication, balancing an intense academic field of study with the physical demands of his sport. Gamage's commitment to excellence is inspiring, demonstrating what it means to pursue greatness in every aspect of student-athlete life.
Ben Seshadri, fourth-year, men's cross country and track
The 2023 President's Cup winner,
Ben Seshadri's name, has become synonymous with precision and professionalism in academics and athletics. Seshadri approaches his studies and sport with a rare level of foresight and discipline. Known for his organized and proactive nature, he is a planner through and through, tackling challenges with a practical, cerebral mindset that has allowed him to thrive.
Hailey Abbott, third-year, women's cross country and track
Hailey is known for her quiet dedication and tireless work ethic. A standout both in the classroom and on the track, she keeps a low profile, but her achievements speak volumes. With exceptional organizational skills, Hailey's thoughtful approach to her work exemplifies the diligence and focus that have earned her a perfect GPA and a well-deserved place among UVic's top academic achievers.
Rhys Patterson, fourth-year, Faculty of Education
Rhys Patterson is a fourth-year men's rugby player from the faculty of education, studying kinesiology. Patterson's passion for kinesiology shines through in his studies and work as a varsity strength and condition coach. Known for his work ethic and dedication, Patterson has overcome significant injuries and maintained his academic excellence while working through intense rehab. His achievements, including a perfect GPA, are a testament to his drive to excel in all his undertakings
2023-24 HONOUR ROLL RECIPIENTS
ENGINEERING & COMPUTER SCIENCE
MARJAÂ WAHL, WOMEN'S
SARAH STORMONT, WONEN'S ROWING
KATIE BENTLEY, WOMEN'S FIELD HOCKEY
NICOLE GAMM, WOMEN'S RUGBY
GRAEME NORRIS, MEN'S RUGBY
MERLIN MCLOUD, MEN'S RUGBY
MATTHEUS ACHANDINHA, MEN'S SOCCER
ALEX MOODY, MEN'S SOCCER
MATTHEW PEARSE, MEN'S SOCCER
SHANNA TIERNEY, WOMEN'S SWIMMING
MACKENZIE WARRINGTON, WOMEN'S SWIMMING
EVAN STEBNER, MEN'S SWIMMING
ANTON KUIPERS, MEN'S CROSS COUNTRY AND TRACK
EDUCATION
TEGAN MACKINNON, WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
SIERRA REISIG, WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
BENJAMIN SESHADRI, MEN'S CROSS COUNTRY AND TRACK
AIDEN CRAIG-STEELE, MEN'S GOLF
MAGUIRE LINES, MEN'S GOLF
MELANIE ROBERTSON, WOMEN'S FIELD HOCKEY
BROOKE FURTADO, WOMEN'S FIELD HOCKEY
JULIA BORASTON, WOMEN'S FIELD HOCKEY
CHLOE LANGKAMMER, WOMEN'S FIELD HOCKEY
JADEN DAWSON, WOMEN'S FIELD HOCKEY
BRONTE THURBIDE, WOMEN'S FIELD HOCKEY
LIBBY HOGG, WOMEN'S FIELD HOCKEY
DANICA ARIANO, WOMEN'S ROWING
PAIGE LETHAM, WOMEN'S ROWING
ANNIKA VAN VLIET, WOMEN'S ROWING
MICHAEL CARYK, MEN'S ROWING
MAGGIE MACKINNON, WOMEN'S RUGBY
OLIVIA NEWSOME, WOMEN'S RUGBY
MAELLE REED, WOMEN'S RUGBYÂ
RHYS PATTERSON, MEN'S RUGBY
ETHAN SMITH, MEN'S RUGBY
TANNIS MCKAY, WOMEN'S SOCCER
ABBY MACDONALD, WOMEN'S SOCCERÂ
BRIANNE MCLEISH, WOMEN'S SOCCERÂ
KARA SKIRZYK, WOMEN'S SOCCER
HEATHER DEL PERO, WOMEN'S SOCCERÂ
LAUREN CRISP, WOMEN'S SWIMMING
CAMERON LATURNUS, MEN'S SWIMMING Â
FINE ARTS
TALIA PIKE, WOMEN'S FIELD HOCKEY
HUMANITIES
AYIANA GANGE, WOMEN'S SWIMMING
ELISSA FREILINK, WOMEN'S CROSS COUNTRY AND TRACK
MONIKA ARCADI, WOMEN'S CROSS COUNTRY AND TRACK
HUMAN AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
TAIYA SCOREY, WOMEN'S SOCCERÂ
 TANA PANKRATZ, WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
MARINA SKAKUN, WOMEN'S RUGBYÂ
SAMUEL ROSS, MEN'S ROWING
SCIENCEÂ
MEIKE BOERSTRA, WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
JOALEAH TUPAS-SINGH, WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
NORA STRUCHTRUP, WOMEN'S FIELD HOCKEY
MAYA ROWEN, WOMEN'S GOLF
LANA RUMMEL, WOMEN'S GOLF
DOMINIK CRNJAK, MEN'S ROWING
NATALYA SOCHAN, MEN'S ROWING Â
QUINN STOREY, MEN'S ROWING
SIMON WHITTAKER, MEN'S ROWING
BELEN REED, WOMEN'S ROWING Â
HELEN ROSS, WOMEN'S ROWING Â Â
ALEX GAMAGE, MEN'S RUGBY
LARAH WRIGHT, WOMEN'S RUGBY
MARCHAND VIRK, MEN'S SOCCER
ALICE KOPP, WOMEN'S SOCCER
ERIN EPP, WOMEN'S SWIMMING
KATE MACLEAN, WOMEN'S SWIMMING Â
OSCAR GRAINGER, MEN'S CROSS COUNTRY AND TRACK
MACKENZIE LASCELLE, MEN'S CROSS COUNTRY AND TRACK
HAILEY ABBOTT, WOMEN'S CROSS COUNTRY AND TRACK
MACKENZIE CUMMING, WOMEN'S CROSS COUNTRY AND TRACK
ANJA KRUEGER, WOMEN'S CROSS COUNTRY AND TRACK
SOFIE OHRLING, WOMEN'S CROSS COUNTRY AND TRACK
ERIN OWENS, WOMEN'S CROSS COUNTRY AND TRACK
SOCIAL SCIENCES
GABRIEL VAN HEZEWIJK, MEN'S CROSS COUNTRY AND TRACK
JAXON KUCHAR, MEN'S CROSS COUNTRY AND TRACK
ANNI KLEINSCHMIDT, WOMEN'S FIELD HOCKEY
MOLLY HARRIS, WOMEN'S FIELD HOCKEY
BRYNNE DAVIES, WOMEN'S GOLF
CHASE BASANTA, MEN'S GOLFÂ
JESSE HAROLD, MEN'S ROWINGÂ
CONNOR ATTRIDGE, MEN'S ROWING
KALIYA JAVRA, WOMEN'S ROWINGÂ
SAI SAI FAUBERT, WOMEN'S ROWING
RUBY NICHOLAS, WOMEN'S SOCCER
SARAH VOS, WOMEN'S SOCCERÂ
MCKENNA JANE, WOMEN'S SOCCERÂ
JAYDEN BILOUS, MEN'S SWIMMING
AMANDA MCCALLUM, WOMEN'S SWIMMINGÂ
GEORGIA ROMSTEAD, WOMEN'S SWIMMINGÂ
MADISON JUMEAU, WOMEN'S RUGBYÂ
ELLA O'REGAN, WOMEN'S RUGBYÂ
FAITH TILLEY, WOMEN'S RUGBYÂ
MORGAN WARNER, WOMEN'S RUGBYÂ
LUCAS OKANO, MEN'S RUGBYÂ
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