Celebrating Ambrose Athletes
While the Ambrose Golden Gala was forced to look a little different this year, taking place entirely online due to COVID-19 and physical distancing guidelines outlined by Alberta Health Services. The 2019-20 seasons were still with filled many team and individual accomplishments, on and off the court that deserves plenty of praise.
Student-athletes thrived in the classroom this year with 10 athletes receiving recognition for outstanding GPAs. This season the Men’s Basketball team and Women’s Volleyball team, made playoffs for the second and fourth times respectively. The men’s basketball team also, for the first time in program history won a medal at the ACAC Playoffs, making it to the final, only to fall to the defending Champion, SAIT Trojans.
As is tradition, all six teams presented a Most Inspirational Player Award, given to the student-athlete who inspires the team in the way they play and/or carry themselves, on or off the field of play, along with a Most Improved Player award and Most Valuable Player Award.
The Mel Sylvester Leadership award was once again awarded to an athlete (male and female) who presented an outstanding Christian charter and exemplary leadership skills. This year, the winner of this award was Bethany Herman for her outstanding leadership on the Women’s Soccer as well as Adrian Strandberg, a member of both the men’s soccer and volleyball teams.
Athlete of the Year recognition was presented to the two athletes who displayed the most impact on their team at Ambrose through their athletic skill and leadership. Willow Lewington of the women’s volleyball team won the Women’s Athlete of the Year for the second year in a row, while Nhial Phillip of the men’s basketball team won the award thanks to leading the team to both their best-ever regular-season record as well as a first-ever medal at the ACAC Playoffs.
While we were very disappointed with not being able to celebrate with all of our amazing athletes, we are so proud of each and everyone, for the work they put in this year both on the field of play but also in the classroom!
Below is a summary of the 2019-20 Athletic Awards along with words of praise from each one of their coaches:
Women’s Volleyball
Most Inspirational: Sarah Janz
Most Improved: McKenna Harkness
Most Valuable: Willow Lewington
Men’s Volleyball
Most Inspirational: Carter McLenahan
Most Improved: Nicholas Jabusch
Most Valuable: Adrian Strandberg
Women’s Basketball
Most Inspirational: Munroe Brothers
Most Improved: Avery Deighton
Most Valuable: Nya Gach
Men’s Basketball
Most Inspirational: Isaac Amsing
Most Improved: Riley Cordwell
Most Valuable: Nhial Phillip
Women’s Soccer / Futsal
Most Inspirational: Amiel Cabayao
Most Improved: Jacob Goossen
Most Valuable: Matthew Siebring
Men’s Soccer / Futsal
Most Inspirational: Meg Buchanan
Most Improved: Janessa Parker
Most Valuable: Bethany Herman
Congratulations to all of our Lions for a great season on and off the court!