Ardron and Edgecombe named Athletes of the Year

Nipissing University recognized its student athletes at the 20th Annual Varsity Awards Banquet last week. Brittany Ardron was named the Jack and Mary Ann Jones Female Athlete of the Year, while Frankie Edgecombe was named the Al Carfagnini Male Athlete of the Year.Ardron a 6’1” second year right side player from Lakefield, ON lead the Lakers volleyball team to a silver medal finish at the Ontario Colleges Athletics Association (OCAA) provincial championships. Ardron led the team in scoring, averaging 3.3 points per game and was tied for eighth in OCAA league scoring. Ardron capped off an impressive season after making the switch from left side to right side, while also playing middle in the championship final. She was named an OCAA first team All Star, an OCAA championship All Star and represented Nipissing at the OCAA All Star game. Edgecombe completed a magical, golden season in which the co-captain led his Lakers volleyball team in aces and a 3.3 points per game average during the regular season. He was named OCAA overall athlete of the week twice, OCAA volleyball player of the week, a Canadian Colleges Athletics Association (CCAA) All-Canadian, an OCAA Championship MVP and MVP at the 2013 Ironwood Wealth Management Group CCAA Men’s Volleyball National Championship. Edgecombe was also named the recipient of the 2013 CCAA Male Athlete of the Year Across All Sports. Edgecombe and his teammates captured gold at both the provincial and national championships. 2012/13 was indeed a special year for the Lakers with several milestones achieved including: The return to the playoffs for the first time in four years by the Men`s Soccer Team, A first round win by the men’s hockey team over the defending nation champion McGill Redmen. The women volleyball team captured an OCAA silver medal which was the programs eight consecutive provincial medal. The men’s volleyball captured the programs first OCAA gold medal and topped it off with a convincing performance to sweep to National gold. The end of the year also signals the end of an era as the volleyball programs will begin OUA play in September 2013. Congratulations to all the award winners. A detailed list of all recipients can be found below.Cross CountryWomen Captain’s Award: Melissa McKiel MVP: Stephanie Leggat Tim Uuksulainen Coaches Award: Felicia SaundersMen Captain’s Award: Kevin Durkee MVP: Terry Doiron Tim Uuksulainen Coaches Award: Jordan Scott Rookie of the Year: Matt ChalmersSoccerWomen Captain’s Award: Braelyn MacMaster MVP: Ashley Poirier Coaches Award: Natasha Struthers Rookie of the Year: Katie KoenjerMen Captain’s Award: Shayn Karn MVP: Tylor Doell and Andrew Richard Coaches Award: Jordi Ortepi Rookie of the Year: Jean-Michel Paulin & Graham DufortVolleyballWomen Captain’s Award: Jade DeCoste MVP: Brittany Ardron Coaches Award: Rebecca Ramsay Rookie of the Year: Christina CarusoMen Captain’s Award: Tyler Phillipson MVP: Frankie Edgecombe Coaches Award: Scott Coulthard Rookie of the Year: Michael BallaghNordic Captain’s Award: Lynsey Bialkowski MVP: Matt Chalmers Coaches Award: Kevin Durkee  Rookie of the Year: Matt ChalmersHockey Captain’s Award: Sam Hopewell MVP (Dennis Mock Award): Dan Spence and Conor O’Donnell Coaches Award: Matt Paton Rookie of the Year: Vern Cooper Leckie Award: Jason Gray John Follis Award: Jordan Scott (Cross-Country)