Royals celebrate student-athletes at Annual Awards Ceremony
HAMILTON, ON - The Redeemer University Royals celebrated the 2022-23 season with the Annual Awards Ceremony Thursday night at the Waterfront Convention Centre. The Royals recognized student-athletes, coaches and teams for both their athletic and academic accomplishments throughout the year.
Men's Volleyball's
Brett Jenkins (Peterborough, ON) and Women's Soccer and Basketball's
Talia Vreugdenhil (Frankford, ON) were named the 2022-23 Royals Male and Female Athletes of the Year.
Jenkins had a career season capturing the OCAA West Scoring Title. He was also named an OCAA First Team All-Star and was selected as a CCAA All-Canadian.
In his final season at Redeemer, he finishing in the top 10 in seven OCAA offensive categories including 1st in kills, 1st in service aces, 1st in points, 2nd in points per set, 2nd in service aces per set, 5th in kills per set, 8th in hitting percentage. He also registered 133 digs and 22 blocks. His 301 points and 51 service aces both rank second in the Royals single-season record book and his 229 kills rank third. He registered five double-doubles on the season and had a career-high 24 kills versus Fanshawe. He also added a career-best five aces in three different matches.
Vreugdenhil had an outstanding first season with the Royals, leading both her teams to the postseason, including women's soccer to the NCCAA Midwest Region Finals and women's basketball to the OCAA Championships for the first time in the program's history. In her first season with Royals women's soccer she finished second in team scoring with three goals. She was also a force on defense stopping some of the league's top scorers. On the court, she averaged 11.4 points and 9.9 rebounds per game. She finished 6th overall in OCAA rebounds per game, 5th in free throws made and 7th in total rebounds. She recorded a career-high 30 points and 20 rebounds versus Sheridan.
She received two OCAA honours being named an OCAA West Second Team All-Star in soccer and was named to the OCAA West All-Rookie team in basketball.
The first ever Vertical Purpose Award was presented to Women's Soccer's
Avery Johnston (Pickering, ON). This award is presented annually to one individual who reflects the Christian characteristics of Kingdom Impact, Influence, Servanthood, and Excellence.
Johnston knows what rock bottom feels like. At the age of 10, she was diagnosed with juvenile arthritis and since began a journey of doctors' visits, MRIs, and debilitating health conditions. Growing up with a love of soccer, this news rocked her world. Yet, it was through this she began to form a real and deep relationship with God, reading His Word and talking to Him. For the past three summers she has been involved with Athletes in Action (AIA), whose mission is to find victory beyond competition through integration of faith, life, and sport, by developing the total athlete. She has written devotions for AIA and has helped run multiple soccer camps throughout Ontario. She is now trying to start an AIA campus club at Redeemer, hoping to further establish a Christ-centered purpose for all of Redeemer athletics. Following the example of her coaches, she wants her team to be a place where everyone, no matter skill, ability, or talent, feels incredibly loved and included.
Earning 2022-23 Male and Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year was Men's Soccer's
Brendan Vanderkruk (Hamilton, ON) and Women's Cross Country's
Annika Brink.
Vanderkruk had an outstanding 2022 season with the Redeemer Men's Soccer Team. He was among team leaders in scoring and was one of the top rookie defensive players in the OCAA. In the classroom he excelled and was recognized as an OCAA All-Academic, NCCAA Scholar Athlete and CCAA Academic All-Canadian.
Brink had an outstanding 2022 season with the Redeemer Women's Cross Country Team. She was the Royals leader in each event highlighted by a 16th place finish at the OCAA provincial championships and a trip to the CCAA nationals. In the classroom she excelled and was recognized as an OCAA All-Academic, NCCAA Scholar Athlete and CCCA Academic All-Canadian.
Receiving the 2022-23 Male and Female Rookie of the Year was Men's Volleyball's
Derick Breukelman (Burlington, ON) and Women's Soccer and Basketball's
Talia Vreugdenhil (Frankford, ON).
Breukelman had an outstanding rookie season for the Royals earning him OCAA Rookie of the Year, OCAA West Division Rookie of the Year, OCAA West All-Rookie Team and OCAA Second Team All-Star honours. Breukelman finished 3rd in the OCAA in points, 8th in kills , 10th in points per set, 11th in service aces , 13th in kills per set and 15th in hitting percentage. He also collected 92 digs and 30 blocks. He recorded three double-doubles and had a career-high 20 kills in back-to-back matches versus Fanshawe and Sheridan.
Vreugdenhil had an outstanding first season as a Royal, leading both her teams to the postseason, including women's soccer to the NCCAA Midwest Region Finals and women's basketball to the OCAA Championships for the first time in the program's history. With the Royals women's soccer she finished second in team scoring with three goals, including the game winning goal versus No. 6 ranked Niagara College. She was also a force on defense stopping some of the league's top scorers. On the court, she averaged 11.4 points and 9.9 rebounds per game. She finished 6th overall in OCAA rebounds per game, 5th in free throws made and 7th in total rebounds. She recorded a career-high 30 points and 20 rebounds versus Sheridan. She received two OCAA honours being named an OCAA West Second Team All-Star in soccer and was named to the OCAA West All-Rookie team in basketball.
Women's Volleyball player
Avery Surette (Barrie, ON) received the The Strength and Conditioning Award which is presented annually to an individual who has displayed intensity, consistency of purpose, achievement, and teamwork while exhibiting leadership and an ability to motivate their teammates in strength and conditioning.
Keona Freeman and
Caleb Dicks received the Student Service Award while the Redeemer Maintenance Department was awarded the Impact Award.
The Royals recognized Women's Soccer Head Coach
Meaghan Rudd, Women's Soccer Assistant Coach
Don Corry and Assistant Men's Volleyball Coach
Timon Moolman for 5 Years of Service.
31 fall sports student-athletes received OCAA All-Academic honours highlighting their ability to balance both athletics and academics. The Royals also had 12 student-athletes receive NCCCAA Scholar Athlete Awards.
2022-23 Team Award Winners
Women's Soccer
Emily Walraven (Rookie of the Year)
Ivana Kanisek (MVP)
Avery Johnston (Vertical Purpose)
Men's Soccer
Brendan Vanderkruk (Rookie of the Year)
Matthew Walraven (MVP)
Hunter Packalen (Vertical Purpose)
Women's Volleyball
Avery Surette (Rookie of the Year)
Rachel Annett (MVP)
Avery Surette (Vertical Purpose)
Men's Volleyball
Derick Breukelman (Rookie of the Year)
Brett Jenkins (MVP)
Brett Jenkins (Vertical Purpose)
Women's Basketball
Julia Stayshyn (Rookie of the Year)
Karyn TeBrake (MVP)
Jessica Wattel (Vertical Purpose)
Men's Basketball
Parker Davis (Rookie of the Year)
Kian Durno (MVP)
Jackson Thackwray (Vertical Purpose)
Men's Cross Country
Zach Braam (Rookie of the Year)
Ethan Kruisselbrink (MVP)
Ethan Kruisselbrink (Vertical Purpose)
Women's Cross Country
Teresa Lin (Rookie of the Year)
Annika Brink (MVP)
Leah-Joy Gaensler (Vertical Purpose)
Hockey
Carson Murison (Rookie of the Year)
Isaiah Thornback (MVP)
Isaiah Thornback (Vertical Purpose)
OCAA Fall All-Academic
Annika Brink
Leah-Joy Gaensler
Teresa Lin
William Durie
Gabriel Schilke
Rayan Barbosa
Brendan Vanderkruk
Diego Antunez
Eli Mudde
Avery Johnston
Lilly Brown
Tess Laman
Tia Lee
Talia Vreugdenhill
Ivana Kanisek
Brooklyn Van Rooyen
Carlene Cecchelli
Hannah Berg
Victoria Pancucci
Kate DeJong
Avery Surette
Josiah Siebenga
Murray Greydanus
Patrick Belisle
Andrew VanDyke
Avery Cline
Jessica Wattel
Serena Vitello
Jackson Thackwray
Kian Durno
Neil Wangler
NCCAA Scholar Athletes
Annika Brink
Leah-Joy Gaensler
Gabriel Schilke
Rayan Barbosa
Tess Laman
Avery Johnston
Tia Lee
Victoria Pancucci
William Winkelhorst
Derick Breukelman
Will Dykstra
Serena Vitello
