At a special ceremony held Sunday, January 27, 2013 at Wenjack Theatre, Trent University’s Department of Athletics & Recreation recognized 69 student-athletes as 2011-12 Academic All-Canadians, a distinction that honors students who participate in varsity sport and achieve an academic average of 80 per cent or higher.

“It is important that we support varsity athletes while they are at Trent University. We pride ourselves on recruiting athletes who are not only exceptional in sport but also academically. It is evident through the number of athletes who receive this prestigious honour each year that we are going in the right direction,” said Paul Hunter, varsity coordinator at Trent. “Being a varsity athlete means dedication to sport and study, as well as balancing the social aspect of being student along with other commitments. Our student athletes are evidence that they are setting themselves on a positive career path while enjoying the varsity experience at Trent University.”

In attendance at the special ceremony were Trent University President & Vice-Chancellor Dr. Steven Franklin and Athletics Director Bill Byrick. Special guest speaker was Ashley Brzozowicz, rowing silver medalist from the 2012 Olympic Games in London and the first Scholar-Athlete in Residence at Trent University’s Champlain College. Ms. Brzozowicz spoke to the crowd about the importance of maintaining a balance between academics and athletics.

During the 2011-12 academic year, Trent had 312 varsity athletes and 17 varsity teams competing within the Canadian Interuniversity Sport Organization, Ontario University Athletics, the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association and the Canadian University Field Lacrosse Association.

The award winners are comprised of 35 female and 34 male student-athletes, representing all 11 Trent varsity sports.

A complete list of Trent University’s 2011/12 Academic All-Canadians is as follows:

Cross Country Running

Ian Boyce, Daniel Cain, Monica Farlow, Vincent Minicucci, Broderick Robinson, Hannah Silk, Veronika Wright, Kelsey Yeomans, Melissa Zubrickas

Curling

Jonathan Cassidy, Lorna Orpwood, Lana Shapton, Rebecca Skrebutenas

Fencing

Brad Daniels, Jordan Hardy, Sarah Joy Link, Devon Merkley, Ha Nguyen, Kathleen Ruggles, Grant Stott, Megan Teghtmeyer

Lacrosse

Jeffrey Davis, Charles Flynn, Keith McChesney, Michael Temple

Rowing

Robert Baldwin, Andrew Culham, Owen Kane, Rory Lepage, Hannah Lewis, Maija Robinson, Melanie Rubbini, Adam Sweanor

Rugby

Gabriel Epprecht, Lauren Finney, Erin Hamilton, Erin Hayward, Michael Jorgensen, Cameron Lindsay, Andrea Luke, Emelia Myles-Gonzalez, Joseph Rashotte, Joel Sloggett, John Whelan

Soccer

Sarah Batley, Jacob Byrne, Kayla Dinardo, Nathan Dinnick, Nicole Drumm, Gillian Fraser, Elaine MacPherson, Adam Majid, Shannon O'Brien, Jennifer Powless, Natalie Selkirk, Jamie Wallace, Kelsey White

Swimming

Jennifer Cao, Madison Lubbock, Daniela Sheinin, Anita Vieu-Robson

Track & Field

Chanel Christophe, Cornel Grey, Jaime Payne

Volleyball

Alexander Beatty, Jurgen Gorenca, Emma Schlegl, Rebecca Van Staalduinen, Christian Zimmer