VICTORIA - The University of Victoria is proud to unveil the finalists for the 2024-25 varsity athletics major awards, with winners set to be announced at the annual Celebration of Champions on March 26 at UVic's Farquhar Auditorium.

The Vikes added to their legacy this season, raising their championship tally to 91 national titles and 129 Canada West conference crowns. Among the highlights, the women's field hockey team extended its dominance with a sixth consecutive U SPORTS championship, while the women's rowing and men's basketball teams also brought home national titles. 

The Celebration of Champions athletics awards banquet is a chance to acknowledge and recognize the past season's outstanding team and individual accomplishments both on and off the field of play.

The Robert T. Wallace Shield Award is presented annually to one male and one female outstanding student-athlete in their first year of varsity competition. This year's nominees on the women's side include Kate Watson of women's rowing, Marisha Thompson of women's cross country and track, and Sadie Lee of women's field hockey. Men's nominees include Owen Croft of men's golf and Adam Doane of men's rugby.

This year's Athlete of the Year nominees on the men's and women's sides exhibit exceptional athletic achievement over the past season. The men's nominees are Keir Ogilvie of men's swimming, Giancarlo DiPompeo of men's rowing and Sam Maillet of men's basketball. The women's nominees are Anni Kleinschmidt  of women's field hockey, Ruby Nicholas of women's soccer, and Sai Sai Faubert of women's rowing. 

The Chancellor's Award honours leadership and contribution from a student-athlete towards their team, and this year's nominees include Meike Boerstra of women's basketball, Olivia Roschat of women's swimming, and Aaron Tesfagiorgis of men's basketball.  

The night's most prestigious award, the President's Cup, is awarded to an outstanding fourth or fifth-year student-athlete who demonstrates high scholastic and athletic ability. This year includes three nominees – Libby Hogg of women's field hockey, Erin Epp of women's swimming, and Elissa Frielink of women's cross country and track. 

The Times Colonist Publisher's Award for Community Contributions is presented to individual(s) who has(ve) made an outstanding voluntary contribution to a varsity program. This award will be presented on March 26, at the Celebration of Champions. 

For a list of previous Vikes athletics award winners, please click here.

2024-25 ATHLETIC AWARD FINALISTS: Nominees listed below in no particular order. 
 
Robert T. Wallace Shield Rookie of the Year – Female Nominees

1. Sadie Lee (women's field hockey)
2. Marisha Thompson (women's cross country and track) 
3. Kate Watson (women's rowing)

Robert T. Wallace Shield Rookie of the Year – Male Nominees

1. Owen Croft (men's golf)
2. Adam Doane (men's rugby)

Athlete of the Year – Female Nominees

1. Sai Sai Faubert (women's rowing)
2. Anni Kleinschmidt (women's field hockey) 
3. Ruby Nicholas (women's soccer) 

Athlete of the Year – Male Nominees

1. Giancarlo DiPompeo (men's rowing) 
2. Sam Maillet (men's basketball) 
3. Keir Ogilvie (men's swimming) 

Chancellor's Award

1. Meike Boerstra (women's basketball) 
2. Olivia Roschat (women's swimming) 
3. Aaron Tesfagiorgis (men's basketball) 

President's Cup Nominees

1. Erin Epp (women's swimming) 
2. Libby Hogg (women's field hockey) 
3. Elissa Frielink (women's cross country and track)