Apperson, Blinn named Athletes of the Year
- STU
- Apr 2, 2017
- 9 min read
For the second consecutive year, women’s hockey captain Kelty Apperson has been named the Tommies Coastal Graphics Female Athlete of the Year.
“It’s awesome and humbling,” Apperson said after St. Thomas University’s annual athletics banquet on Wednesday night at the Forest Hill Conference Centre.
“I’m really excited about it, but it’s a step forward for our team in future years to come.”
After twin brother Marc Blinn received the honour last year, Stephane Blinn of men’s volleyball was also recognized as Tommies Coastal Graphics Male Athlete of the Year at St. Thomas University’s annual athletics banquet Wednesday night at the Forest Hill Conference Centre.
“I’ve been working hard all year for this,” said Stephane Blinn. “It’s great to see my hard work being recognized by STU, and it’s nice to see everyone who played with us put their hard work in.
“It was a great season for us.”
As well, the Blinn twins were both chosen as Most Valuable Players for men’s volleyball.
Other major award winners were Anisha Romany of women’s track and field, who earned the Cathy Wadden Commitment Award, and men’s rugby player Justin Robar, who received the John Frederick Walls Memorial Award.
Kelty Apperson
The prolific fifth-year forward from Kingston, Ont. was also named Most Valuable Player for women’s hockey after another career season and a trip around the globe.
Not only did Apperson notch 28 points (13 goals, 15 assists) in 21 games during the 2016-17 Atlantic University Sport campaign, but she also recorded seven points (four, three) in five contests with Team Canada at the 2017 Winter Universiade in Almaty, Kazakhstan.
One of those goals was the only marker for Canada in a 4-1 loss to Russia in the gold medal game.
“To go over there and travel and get that experience, with not only hockey but to interact with kids in the community and people there, it was one to remember,” Apperson said about her international hockey experience.
“With STU, what I’ll take away is the connections I’ve made and the person I’ve become. STU gave me an opportunity to get myself out there and learn to become a better leader and adjust to situations.”
Despite the Tommies’ promising regular season and 17-4-3 finish, good for second in the AUS, Apperson and the Tommies earned a first-round bye before falling to the St. Francis Xavier University X-Women in the best-of-three conference semifinals.
“When I reflect on the year, it sucks because we did have an amazing team,” said Apperson.
“The opportunity [to reach the AUS finals] was something we could have grasped, but in saying that, when I leave this year, there are still things I can take away from [the experience] and look back on.”
Overall, Apperson said, it isn’t the regular season or playoff wins and losses she’ll remember most, but she’ll always cherish the bond she and her STU teammates shared.
Apperson, 22, couldn’t say for sure what her future holds, but she hopes to continue her hockey career either in Europe or in the Canadian Women’s Hockey League, which has teams in Ontario, Quebec, Alberta and Boston.
“It’s exciting to always be competitive and play,” said Apperson.
Stephane Blinn
After going 9-6 in the Atlantic Collegiate Athletic Association regular season, Stephane and the Tommies fell 3-0 to the University of New Brunswick Saint John Seawolves in the conference semis.
Although STU came up short in its quest for another ACAA men’s volleyball title, Stephane said this past season was his best as a Tommie.
“I couldn’t do it by myself,” he said. “I’ve got to give props to my brother. He definitely helped me along.”
Aside from the success the Tommies and their distinguished twins enjoyed, Stephane, 22, also said playing with his twin, who is nine minutes younger, made his STU volleyball career enjoyable.
“It’s wonderful to see that, as twins, we’re at the same calibre and level sports wise,” he said. “He helps me build my game, and I help him build his.”
Stephane hails from Nasonworth, a small community outside Fredericton. He and Marc are both currently in the Canadian Reserve Forces, but they hope to join the RCMP in the next year or so.
As for volleyball, Stephane said coaching isn’t out of the question once he establishes his career and perhaps finds a more permanent home.
He also said he wouldn’t mind playing so he can stay in shape.
“[Being an athlete] is definitely something that has helped me thrive in life and in my career so far,” said Stephane.
Anisha Romany
Romany, 21, was acknowledged for her involvement in extra-curricular activities, as well as her success as a Tommies track and field athlete.
Romany has been busy with her commitments to school, the STU Students’ Union, campus ministry, Theatre St. Thomas, the STU Cares Day of Action and the Vanier Hall house committee.
As well, she recently starred in Chicago, the STU musical theatre class’ 2017 production.
“It feels amazing,” Romany said about the recognition. “The community is such an important part of my experience here at St. Thomas.”
The second-year Spanish and Fine Arts student said STU’s atmosphere made it easy for her to get involved and adapt to Canadian life after coming here from Trinidad and Tobago, a dual-nation island Caribbean nation near Venezuela.
Romany said it isn’t always easy to balance all of her priorities, but staying focused and living in the moment has helped.
“It’s important to plan ahead, too,” she said. “But whatever you’re giving your all to, stick with it in that moment and then go ahead with the next activity.”
Romany also reflected on how the Tommies women’s hockey team made her feel like one of their own in her first year at STU. It all started when Paige Jackson and Emily Oleksuk of the hockey squad introduced her to Kraft Dinner during their first week in Vanier Hall before inviting her to their next game.
Romany took in her first live hockey game that fall. She continues to attend all the Tommies’ home games and live-stream their road contests.
“To see their progress and be there as part of the community and as someone who they can count on to support them has been incredible,” said Romany.
Justin Robar
Robar, 22, earned the John Frederick Walls Memorial Award for having good character and actively contributing to Tommies athletics.
The native of Geary, a small community near Fredericton, also was commended for having a good academic standing and representing student-athletes well.
“It means a lot,” said Robar. “When I came to STU, I transferred from [Acadia University in Wolfville, N.S.], so I really developed a lot at St. Thomas and turned into the man I am today, I guess.”
The fourth-year men’s rugby player said he was honoured just to be in the running for the award and meet its criteria.
“Student-athletes hold an important position of privilege,” said Robar. “They do a lot of good in the community, and for me, all over the world.”
In 2015, Robar and recent STU grad Johnny Cullen spent four weeks in Africa to teach children to play rugby through an organization called Bhubesi Pride, a charity based in the United Kingdom that supports change and development in Africa through rugby.
“It gave me a whole different perspective on life in general,” said Robar. “After seeing the kids playing with the rugby ball as happily as they could be, I came back a different person and appreciated life and sports a lot more.”
Next year, Robar plans to pursue a Master’s degree in sport management at Brock University in St. Catharines, Ont. He’ll be starting his research in August in Nicaragua.
“Sport is a vessel for positive change if it’s used correctly,” he said.
Photos: Nathan DeLong/The AQ
Jake Lloy, left, accepts the men’s golf Most Valuable Player award from coach Ed Jeffrey.
Women’s soccer head coach Michelle DeCourcey, left, and Rookie of the Year Phoebe van der Muelen
Women’s soccer head coach Michelle DeCourcey, left, and Most Improved player Mackenzie Cox
Women’s soccer coach Michelle DeCourcey, left, and Unsung Hero award winner Amy Sheppard
Women’s soccer coach Michelle DeCourcey, left, and Most Valuable Player Zoé de Bellefeuille
Men’s soccer Rookie of the Year Alex Soulet, left, and head coach John-Ryan Morrison
Oliver Dussault, left, accepts the men’s soccer Unsung Hero award from head coach John-Ryan Morrison
Eric Prior, left, accepts the men’s soccer Leadership Award from head coach John-Ryan Morrison
Kyle Yearwood, left, accepts the men’s soccer Most Valuable Player award from head coach John-Ryan Morrison
Olivia Ricketts, left, accepts the women’s rugby Rookie of the Year award from head coach Meghan Morrison
Women’s rugby head coach Meghan Morrison, left, and Most Improved player Megan Gullison
Jenna Betts, centre, of women’s rugby accepts the Heather Leonard Memorial Award from Randy, left, and Eleanor Leonard
Women’s rugby head coach Meghan Morrison, left, presents Kiaya Jorden with the Most Valuable Player award
Men’s rugby head coach Jon Wilson, left, presents Cameron Gillis with the Rookie of the Year award
Zach Lakes, left, accepts the Outstanding Backfield award from men’s rugby head coach Jon Wilson
Zach Lakes, left, accepts the Outstanding Forward award from men’s rugby head coach Jon Wilson
Austin Comeau, left, accepts the men’s rugby Most Valuable Player award from head coach Jon Wilson
Demara Pafford, left, accepts the female Coach’s Award from cross-country head coach Mary Rooney
Nathaniel Legere, left, accepts the male Coach’s Award from cross-country head coach Mary Rooney
Chelsey Hall, left, was named Female Most Valuable Athlete for cross-country
Ryan Terry, left, was named Male Most Valuable Athlete for cross-country
Chelsey Hall, left, accepts the Female Rookie of the Year award from track and field head coach Greg Allan
Ryan Terry, left, accepts the Male Rookie of the Year award from track and field head coach Greg Allan
Cowan Donovan, left, accepts the Male Unsung Hero award from track and field head coach Greg Allan
Stephanie Gates, left, accepts the Female Most Valuable Athlete award from track and field head coach Greg Allan
Brandon LeBlanc, left, accepts the Male Most Valuable Athlete award from track and field head coach Greg Allan
Megan Mills, left, and Hannah Millier, right, accept the Rookie of the Year awards from women’s volleyball coaches Lauren Ellis, second from left, and Carys Storey
Véronique McGrath, centre, accepts the women’s volleyball Coach’s Award from coaches Lauren Ellis, left, and Carys Storey
Deidra Jones, left, and Jessica Barna, right, accept the Most Valuable Player awards from women’s volleyball coaches Lauren Ellis, second from left, and Carys Storey
Men’s volleyball head coach Francis Duguay, left, presents Nathan Brown with the Rookie of the Year award
Men’s volleyball head coach Francis Duguay, left, presents Spencer Hay with the Most Improved Player award
Alex Woods, left, accepts the Rookie of the Year award from women’s hockey head coach Peter Murphy
Alisha Gilbert, left, accepts the Most Improved Player award from women’s hockey head coach Peter Murphy
Eliza Snider, left, accepts the Top Defensive Player award from women’s hockey head coach Peter Murphy
Christina Richardson, left, accepts the Rookie of the Year award from women’s basketball head coach Fred Connors
Sara Banks, left, accepts the Unsung Hero award from women’s basketball head coach Fred Connors
Becca MacNeil, left, accepts the Top Defensive Player award from women’s basketball head coach Fred Connors
Carissa McTague, second from right, was named women’s basketball Most Valuable Player
Tariq Thomas, left, accepts the Rookie of the Year award from men’s basketball head coach Scott MacLeod
Mitch Claybourn, left, accepts the Top Defensive Player award from men’s basketball head coach Scott MacLeod
Sam Drummond, left, accepts the Ben Cholody Memorial Most Valuable Player award from men’s basketball coach Scott MacLeod
Myf Thomson, left, accepts the certificate for being STU’s James Bayer Memorial Award nominee from Eric Moffatt, marketing and events co-ordinator for STU Athletics
From left: women’s hockey head coach Peter Murphy, Lauren Henman, Sam Squires, LeRoy Washburn, Kelty Apperson and Eliza Snider
Anisha Romany, left, accepts the Cathy Wadden Commitment award from Cathy Wadden
Award Winners
Men’s Golf
Most Valuable Player: Jake Lloy
Women’s Soccer
Rookie of the Year: Phoebe van der Muelen
Most Improved: Mackenzie Cox
Unsung Hero: Amy Sheppard
Most Valuable Player: Zoé de Bellefeuille
Men’s Soccer
Rookie of the Year: Alex Soulet
Unsung Hero: Oliver Dussault
Leadership Award: Eric Prior
Most Valuable Player: Kyle Yearwood
Women’s Rugby
Rookie of the Year: Olivia Ricketts
Most Improved: Megan Gullison
Heather Leonard Memorial Award: Jenna Betts
Most Valuable Player: Kiaya Jorden
Men’s Rugby
Rookie of the Year: Cameron Gillis
Outstanding Backfield: Zach Lakes
Outstanding Forward: Christian Lakes
Most Valuable Player: Austin Comeau
Cross-Country
Female Coach’s Award: Demara Pafford
Male Coach’s Award: Nathaniel Legere
Female Most Valuable Athlete: Chelsey Hall
Male Most Valuable Athlete: Ryan Terry
Track and Field
Female Rookie of the Year: Chelsey Hall
Male Rookie of the Year: Ryan Terry
Female Unsung Hero: Anisha Romany
Male Unsung Hero: Cowan Donovan
Female Most Valuable Athlete: Stephanie Gates
Male Most Valuable Athlete: Brandon LeBlanc
Women’s Volleyball
Rookies of the Year: Hannah Millier and Megan Mills
Coach’s Award: Véronique McGrath
Most Valuable Players: Deidra Jones and Jessica Barna
Men’s Volleyball
Rookie of the Year: Nathan Brown
Most Improved: Spencer Hay
Most Valuable Players: Stephane and Marc Blinn
Women’s Hockey
Rookie of the Year: Alex Woods
Most Improved: Alisha Gilbert
Top Defensive Player: Eliza Snider
Most Valuable Player: Kelty Apperson
Women’s Basketball
Rookie of the Year: Christina Richardson
Unsung Hero: Sara Banks
Top Defensive Player: Becca MacNeil
Most Valuable Player: Carissa McTague
Men’s Basketball
Outstanding Rookie: Tariq Thomas
Top Defensive Player: Mitch Claybourn
Most Outstanding Rebounder: Jeremy Speller
Unsung Hero: Travis Valanne
Ben Cholody Memorial Trophy (Most Valuable Player): Sam Drummond
STU Nominee – James Bayer Memorial Award (AUS)
Myf Thomson (women’s hockey)
LeRoy Washburn Community Service Award
Tommies women’s hockey team
John Frederick Walls Memorial Award
Justin Robar (men’s rugby)
Cathy Wadden Commitment Award
Anisha Romany (women’s track and field)
Tommies Coastal Graphics Athletes of the Year
Kelty Apperson (women’s hockey)
Stephane Blinn (men’s volleyball)
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