Friday, April 9, 2021, Peterborough

The accomplishments of Trent University student-athletes were celebrated with enthusiasm and virtual cheers at the 52nd annual Athletics Awards, hosted online on April 9, 2021.

The event featured congratulatory video messages from Trent president Dr. Leo Groarke, Board chair Armand La Barge, and Deborah Bright-Brundle, director of Athletics, among others.

“Each year, the Excalibur Awards banquet provides an opportunity to bring together our varsity student-athletes and coaches, and show appreciation for all of your hard work and dedication,” noted President Groarke in his video message to Excalibur athletes. “While you were not able to officially compete with the Trent green and white this year, you found other ways to come together as athletes and as teams, as you fully embodied that OneExcalibur pride.”

Varsity student-athletes Lauryn Bons (Rugby) and Thomas Reid (Soccer) are this year’s recipients of the Arthur Cup, the University’s most prestigious award for graduating students who have demonstrated outstanding contribution, sportsmanship, participation, and leadership in athletic programs.

“As our most prestigious athletics award, the Arthur Cup celebrates student-athletes who excel in sport, contribute to the community, while achieving academic success,” said Deborah Bright-Brundle. “Lauryn and Thomas have been exemplary representatives of Trent Excalibur, who have demonstrated leadership in this very different year. They have demonstrated leadership for their team and for Trent Athletics overall. Both Lauryn and Thomas are also founding members of the 1EX Student-Athlete Council.”

Ms. Bons (Trenton, ON) of the Women’s Rugby team has proven to be a tremendous presence both on and off the field as a versatile player and natural leader. The School of Education student played an instrumental role in the establishment of the 1EX Council – a student-athlete leadership council dedicated to enhancing the overall experience of Excalibur athletes. She was also involved in the development and delivery of the Open, Aware & Engaged Mental Skills program, created to support Excalibur student-athletes in the unique 2020/21 season.

In 2019/20, Ms. Bons was the recipient of the OUA Community Service Award for Women’s Rugby for her outstanding commitment to extracurricular activities, and truly embodies the “One Excalibur” spirit.

Mr. Reid (Orillia, ON) is a student-athlete with a record of high-achievement both academically and on the field. An impact player, he was named rookie of the year in his first year with the Excalibur Men’s Soccer program, before taking the lead in the role of team captain in his upper years.

A leader not only on the field, Mr. Reid has played an active role within the broader Trent community, volunteering his time with Orientation Week, Open Houses and the University Soccer Showcase tournaments, as well as leading initiatives through the Soccer program and the 1EX student-athlete council.

Pursuing a joint-major in Biology and Psychology, Mr. Reid has been an academic all-Canadian and a member of the dean’s honour roll in each of his four years at Trent.

Varsity Women’s Rowing student-athlete Abigail Sibbald (Guelph, ON) was awarded the prestigious Gary Wolff Leadership Award, presented each year to a student-athlete who has demonstrated determination and leadership through balancing sport, community involvement and academic performance. Ms. Sibbald has been a member of the rowing team for the past five years, where she has taken progressive leadership roles with the Trent University Rowing Club, spending the past year as president helping the team navigate the pandemic. Ms. Sibbald is also a high-achieving Teacher Education graduate student with strong ties to the broader community as a literacy tutor, coordinator of the Peterborough Rows initiative, and as a volunteer coach with the Peterborough Rowing Club and Upper Canada College Rowing.

This year, Trent Athletics presented the Men’s and Women’s Rowing teams with the Community Betterment Award. Although Head of the Trent was cancelled in 2020 due to the pandemic, the spirit of Trent rowers could not be stifled. With leadership from Ms. Sibbald, the team hosted a HOTT49.5 merchandise sale, maintaining important relationships with community partners to ensure the success of Head of the Trent in future years, and preserving the legacy of the Excalibur Rowing program for the next generation of Excalibur rowers.

In addition, the following students were honoured with the University Athletic Award, presented to students who have demonstrated a significant contribution to the varsity and campus recreation programs:

• Cam Smeed-Griffiths (Cross Country)
• Rachel Gilham (Fencing)
• Isaiah Hippel (Volleyball)
• Gabe Charlebois (Rugby)
• Aidan Labossiere (Volleyball)
• Megan Black (Cross Country)
• Leah Michel (Lacrosse)
• Haymish McMaster (Rugby)
• Tucker King (Lacrosse)

The following varsity athletes were also honoured for outstanding commitment and dedication to their respective sports: