VICTORIA - The University of Victoria has announced the finalists for its 2025–26 varsity athletics major awards, with the winners to be revealed at the annual Celebration of Champions on March 31 at UVic's Farquhar Auditorium.

Vikes teams added to the program's storied history this season, pushing the university's all-time total to 92 national championships and 133 Canada West conference titles. A major highlight came from the women's cross country team, which captured its first U SPORTS gold medal since 2001, after both the men's and women's squads claimed Canada West banners on home soil earlier in the fall. Leading the individual honours, Giancarlo DiPompeo of men's rowing and Madelyn Eybergen of women's cross country each claimed national gold medals.

The Celebration of Champions banquet brings the Vikes community together each year to recognize the season's most outstanding individual and team achievements, while also celebrating excellence beyond 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 Avery Geddes of women's basketball, Scarlett McNeely of women's soccer, and Isabel Harold of women's rowing. Men's nominees include Peyton Pearse of men's swimming, Henry Bristol of men's cross country and track, and Michael Oughtred of the men's rugby team.

This year's Athlete of the Year nominees on the men's and women's sides have achieved exceptional athletic success over the past season. The men's nominees are Ethan Boag of men's basketball, Giancarlo DiPompeo of men's rowing and Keir Ogilvie of men's swimming. The women's nominees are Madelyn Eybergen of women's cross country and track, Libby Hogg of cross country, and Carissa Norsten of women's rugby.

The Chancellor's Award honours leadership and contributions from a student-athlete to their team, and this year's nominees include Olivia Roschat of women's swimming, Ryan Murphy of men's swimming, and Taiya Scorey of women's soccer.  

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, Sai Sai Faubert of the women's rowing team, and Alex Gamage of men's rugby.  

The Times Colonist Publisher's Award for Community Contributions is presented to individual(s) who have made an outstanding voluntary contribution to a varsity program. This award will be presented on March 31 at the Celebration of Champions.

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

2025-26 ATHLETIC AWARD FINALISTS: Nominees listed below in no particular order. 
 
Robert T. Wallace Shield Rookie of the Year – Female Nominees

1. Avery Geddes (women's basketball)
2. Scarlett McNeely (women's soccer)
3. Isabel Harold (women's rowing) 

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

1. Peyton Pearse (men's swimming)
2. Henry Bristol (men's rugby)
3. Michael Oughtred

Athlete of the Year – Female Nominees

1. Madelyn Eybergen (women's cross country and track)
2. Libby Hogg (women's field hockey) 
3. Carissa Norsten (women's rugby) 

Athlete of the Year – Male Nominees

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

Chancellor's Award

1. Olivia Roschat (women's swimming) 
2. Ryan Murphy (men's swimming) 
3. Taiya Scorey (women's soccer) 

President's Cup Nominees

1. Libby Hogg (women's field hockey) 
2. Sai Sai Faubert (women's rowing) 
3. Alex Gamage (men's rugby)