Andrew McWilliam and Kyla Myre were named Douglas College athletes of the year at the Royals’ year end award banquet on Thursday.
McWilliam, a fourth-year student with the PacWest playoff champion Royals, led the third-place-finishing Douglas squad to the Canadian Colleges’ championships, garnering first team all-star and MVP honours at the provincial championships.
The gold medal at the PacWest championships, including upset wins over league runner-up Vancouver Island University in the semifinal and No. 1-ranked Columbia Bible College in the finals, was not a surprise for the young Douglas team, said McWilliam.
“I think there was a combination of things going on,” he said. “We just went for points, nothing came easy. It just felt that it was right.”
The 6-5 outside hitter was also named a CCAA All-Canadian and second team all-star at the nationals.
He placed second in the PacWest in total offense, including third overall in kills and service aces.
Myre led the Royals women’s softball on a Cinderella run to the Northwest community colleges championship finals, earning a spot on the all-tournament team and a team silver medal.
Myre was also named a regional all-star, while placing second overall with 160 strikeouts in the regular season. She also contributed at the plate with a .351 batting average, two home runs and 23 runs batted in for Douglas.
“It’s very surprising almost. You don’t go out to win awards, you go out to play with your team,” said Myre, who graduated at the end of last season. “I miss it a lot.”
Graduating fifth-year senior Mia Rushton of women’s soccer and basketball player Tom Ghag were named the college’s academic athlete of the year winners.
Men’s volleyball coach Brad Hudson was named coach of the year.
Moe Ali of men’s soccer, Andrew Robson of volleyball and Burnaby volleyball player Kalena Connors also graduated as fifth-year seniors. Connors finished the PacWest season in the top-15 with 54 blocks and 29 aces.
St. Thomas More grad Sean Velasco was the recipient of the service excellence award.
Douglas also handed out its team awards at the banquet.
MVPs for the cross-country team were Paul Kwiatowski and Charlotte Phillips. Jordan Quitzau was named most improved.
Top incoming freshman for the men’s baseball team was Jeff Bouchard. Colby Rossi won for leadership, while Tanner Robertson was most inspirational.
In women’s softball, Hillary Strelau was named top offensive player and Niki Boyd top defensive player. Marina Deangelis earned the coaches award.
Chloe Kennedy was named MVP for the women’s basketball team. Sarah Jorgenson was most improved and Shanice Fuoco-Guy most inspirational.
The MVP for men’s basketball was Andrew Bacon. Ethan Mckean took home the coaches award and Kristian Hildebrant was most improved.
Stephanie Laflamme, Stephan Hayes and Tyler Roope were the MVPs for the golf team.
Ashley Melvin was named the MVP for women’s soccer. Defensive player went to Miyoko McEwan, while Nicole Fraser was named best attacking player.
Javid Khan was the MVP for the men’s soccer team. Devin Phelan was top defender and Sahil Sandhu was best attacker.
Maddy Burt was named the women’s volleyball rookie of the year. Courtney Wilson was most improved and Connors earned the program’s MVP award.
In men’s volleyball, McWilliam received the impact player award and Drew Ruby best exemplified the team’s core values with the pride award. Nick Lightfoot won the set the bar award for volleyball.
