17吃瓜

17吃瓜鈥檚 Department of Athletics and Recreation celebrated the 2024鈥�25 season at the annual 17吃瓜 Panther Celebration 鈥� Athletic Awards Gala on Friday, March 28, recognizing outstanding student-athletes who have excelled in sport, the classroom, and the community.

This year, the 17吃瓜 Alumni Association鈥檚 Outstanding Female Athlete of the Year award went to Lauren Rainford, 17吃瓜 Women鈥檚 Basketball. The Male Athlete of the Year winner was Kamari Scott, 17吃瓜 Men鈥檚 Basketball.

The event, held at the Rodd Charlottetown Hotel, included student-athletes, coaches, and team staff from both varsity and club sport programs along with members of the University community. 17吃瓜鈥檚 varsity program includes Women鈥檚 Field Hockey, Men鈥檚 Soccer, Women鈥檚 Soccer, Women鈥檚 Rugby, Men鈥檚 Hockey, Women鈥檚 Hockey, Men鈥檚 Basketball, Women鈥檚 Basketball, Men鈥檚 Cross Country, Women鈥檚 Cross Country, Men鈥檚 Track and Field, and Women鈥檚 Track and Field. 17吃瓜 club sport teams include Men鈥檚 Rugby, Men鈥檚 Lacrosse, Ringette, Ultimate, Equestrian, Cricket, and Cheer.

鈥淲e take great pride in the achievements of our student-athletes this season, and we are excited to watch them continue to develop and realize their full potential at 17吃瓜,鈥� said Jane Vessey Director of 17吃瓜 Athletics and Recreation. 鈥淎s our senior student-athletes move on to new chapters, we wish them the best in all their future endeavours and look forward to seeing the impact they will make beyond university.鈥�

The W.A. Ledwell Award is presented annually to a student who has demonstrated outstanding athletic ability in the intercollegiate program, academic excellence, and the qualities of leadership, sportsmanship, and citizenship. This year鈥檚 recipient was Kamari Scott, 17吃瓜 Men鈥檚 Basketball.

The Gordon and Muriel Bennett Award is presented to a male or female student athlete who, over four years, has best combined athletic achievement and academic excellence. This year鈥檚 winner was Bianca Boutilier, 17吃瓜 Women鈥檚 Track and Field.

The James Bayer Memorial Scholarship Award was established in 1985 and is awarded annually to an outstanding student-athlete in Atlantic University Sport for excellence in academics, athletics, leadership, sportsmanship, and citizenship. The recipient is selected from nominees submitted by each AUS-member university. This year鈥檚 nominee from 17吃瓜 was Kamari Scott, 17吃瓜 Men鈥檚 Basketball.

In addition to the overall awards, varsity and competitive club team awards were also presented. These included the Most Valuable Player (MVP), Rookie of the Year, J.T. 鈥淢ickey鈥� Place, and Principles of Panther Pride awards.

The J.T. 鈥淢ickey鈥� Place Awards are presented by the 17吃瓜 Student Union to varsity team student-athletes who contributed to student leadership on their team and on campus. Each coach presents the Principles of Panther Pride Coaches Award to the student-athlete on their team, who best exemplifies purpose, preparation, respect for people, positivity, professionalism, presence, passion, and perseverance.

Team Award Winners for 2024鈥�2025

Varsity

Women鈥檚 Field Hockey: Livi Lawlor (MVP), Katie-Grace Noye (Rookie of the Year), Maria McLane (J.T. 鈥淢ickey鈥� Place Award), and Julie Hall (Principles of Panther Pride Coach鈥檚 Award)

Men鈥檚 Soccer: Riad Jaha (MVP), Jahmal Boursiquot (Rookie of the Year), Isaac Wolters (J.T. 鈥淢ickey鈥� Place Award), and Will Campbell (Principles of Panther Pride Coach鈥檚 Award)

Women鈥檚 Soccer: Claudia Mazzei (MVP), Juliette Bader (Rookie of the Year), Lydia Hamill (J.T. 鈥淢ickey鈥� Place Award), and Madi Fisher (Principles of Panther Pride Coach鈥檚 Award)

Women鈥檚 Rugby: Emma MacLean (MVP), Rowan Gallagher (Rookie of the Year), Mia Fradsham (J.T. 鈥淢ickey鈥� Place Award), and Abbey Morice (Principles of Panther Pride Coach鈥檚 Award)

Men鈥檚 Hockey: Kaleb Pearson (MVP), Bobby Orr (Rookie of the Year), Cade Kowalski (J.T. 鈥淢ickey鈥� Place Award), and Ben McFarlane (Principles of Panther Pride Coach鈥檚 Award)

Women鈥檚 Hockey: Chloe McCabe (MVP), Ren茅e Chapman (Rookie of the Year), Sarah Forsythe (J.T. 鈥淢ickey鈥� Place Award), and Kaiya Maracle (Principles of Panther Pride Coach鈥檚 Award)

Men鈥檚 Basketball: Kamari Scott (MVP and J.T. 鈥淢ickey鈥� Place Award), Hugo Bermejo (Rookie of the Year), and Sam Chisholm (Principles of Panther Pride Coach鈥檚 Award)

Women鈥檚 Basketball: Lauren Rainford (MVP), Naki Alonzo (Rookie of the Year), Karla Benitez (J.T. 鈥淢ickey鈥� Place Award), and Devon Lawlor (Principles of Panther Pride Coach鈥檚 Award)

Cross Country (men): Jack Roberts (MVP)

Cross Country (women): Katie Richard (MVP), Stefania Angona (J.T. 鈥淢ickey鈥� Place Award), and Grace Richard (Principles of Panther Pride Coach鈥檚 Award)

Track and Field (men): Daniel Onunwor (MVP), Avery Baker (Rookie of the Year), and Colin Blanchard (J.T. 鈥淢ickey鈥� Place Award)

Track and Field (women): Helena Ikpotokin (MVP), Sophie Crabbe (Rookie of the Year), and Bianca Boutilier (Principles of Panther Pride Coach鈥檚 Award)

Club

Men鈥檚 Rugby: Noah Poirier (MVP and J.T. 鈥淢ickey鈥� Place Award), William Kent (Rookie of the Year), and Ben Bassett (Warhorse Award)

Men鈥檚 Lacrosse: Top Senior 鈥� Conor McInnis (MVP), Top Freshman 鈥� Ethan Reeves (Rookie of the Year), Reece Packman (J.T. 鈥淢ickey鈥� Place Award), and Kelton Trainor (James Thomson Memorial Award).

Ultimate: Brian MacDonald and Sophie Hayes (MVPs), Tyson Laybolt and Sinead Riordon (Rookies of the Year), Maddy Cronin (J.T. 鈥淢ickey鈥� Place Award), and Hicham Barouti and Kenzie Schwartz (Spirit of the Game Players)

Equestrian: Jordyn Jackson (MVP), Gabriel Bruce (Rookie of the Year), Lacey White (Sportsmanship and J.T. 鈥淢ickey鈥� Place Awards), and Avea Stiles (Principles of Panther Pride Coach鈥檚 Award)

Cricket: Muhammad Mudassar Maqsood (MVP), Muhammad Saifullah (Best Bowler), and Muhammad Maaz (Best All-Rounder)

Cheer: Callum Machum (MVP), Karolina Jaeger (Rookie of the Year), Chloe Betts (J.T. 鈥淢ickey鈥� Place Award), and Alex Zakem (Principles of Panther Pride Coach鈥檚 Award)

About the 17吃瓜 Athletes of the Year

LAUREN RAINFORD
Lauren Rainford鈥檚 stellar career with 17吃瓜 Women鈥檚 Basketball culminated in being named 17吃瓜鈥檚 Female Athlete of the Year. In 2024鈥�25, she led the Panthers in scoring (18.6 points per game, seventh in U SPORTS), assists (2.2), steals (1.7), and blocks (0.8), earning her fourth AUS all-star selection and third first-team nod.

She guided 17吃瓜 to a 14-6 regular season record (third in the conference) and an AUS final appearance. On February 15 against the Memorial Sea-Hawks, Rainford etched her name into the program's history books, becoming the Panthers' all-time leading regular season scorer. She surpassed the legendary Jenna Mae Ellsworth's record of 1,380 points on a free throw with 3:52 remaining in the third quarter of that evening's contest, cementing her status as one of 17吃瓜's all-time greats. She finished her career with 1,422 points.

KAMARI SCOTT
For the second consecutive year, Kamari Scott has been named 17吃瓜鈥檚 Male Athlete of the Year, capping off a legendary career with the Panthers. In his final season, Scott led 17吃瓜 to its first Atlantic University Sport (AUS) championship in 22 years, delivering a heroic 24-point performance in a stunning comeback win over the St. FX X-Men. His clutch play earned him tournament MVP honours and secured the Panthers a spot at the U SPORTS Final 8, where they upset host UBC Thunderbirds and finished fourth鈥攎arking a new program best.

Scott was a force throughout the season, averaging 14.1 points, 6.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.6 steals per game. His leadership and impact on both ends of the court defined his tenure, leaving an indelible mark on 17吃瓜 basketball history.

Beyond his on-court success, Scott was recognized nationally as the U SPORTS Ken Shields Award winner鈥攁 testament to his leadership, humility, and unwavering commitment to giving back. Over six years, he proudly represented 17吃瓜 at the highest level, inspiring those around him and becoming a fan favorite. His impact on and off the court has touched countless lives across PEI, solidifying his legacy as one of the greatest to wear a Panthers jersey.

Go Panthers Go!