Wesmen Athletics
Duff, Gooch Named Athletes of The Year
Men's Volleyball Player Justin Duff and Women's Basketball Player Catie Gooch Were Named The University of Winnipeg's Athletes of The Year..
The University of Winnipeg is pleased to announce that men’s volleyball player Justin Duff and women’s basketball player Catie Gooch have been chosen as the 2009-2010 University of Winnipeg Wesmen Male and Female Athletes of the Year. The announcement was made this evening at the annual Wesmen Athletics Award Banquet held at the Radisson Hotel.Male Athlete of the Year
Justin Duff, men’s volleyball - Named a First Team All-Canadian and Canada West All-Star. The 6’7” middle completed his fourth season, finishing in the top ten in several Canada West categories including, 2nd in hitting percentage (.448), 4th in points (4.32 ppg), and 5th in kills (3.43 kpg). During the season he led the team in kills (279), blocks (73) and points (345). Duff had a regular season high 23 kills against Trinity Western on Jan 22. He was honoured as the Canada West Male Athlete of the Week (November 30, 2009). Duff was named the University of Winnipeg’s Duckworth Challenge Player of the match in October. As well Justin was the University of Winnipeg Male Athlete of the Month four times (October, November, December 2009 and January 2010) and the Male Player of the Week three times during the 2009-2010 season.
Female Athlete of the Year
Catie Gooch, women’s basketball - Fourth year guard was named to the Canada West Second All-Star Team for a third consecutive season. Gooch was a sparkplug for the Wesmen, despite missing five regular season games due to injuries. In the regular season, Gooch finished in the Canada West Conference top ten in several categories including: 3rd in scoring (16.1 ppg), 3rd in three-point fg made (2.5 per game), 6th in free throw percentage (60-of-73 80%), 7th in three point fg % (38%) and 2nd in minutes played (33.3 mpg). Catie was named the University of Winnipeg Female Athlete of the Month (December, 2009) and the Female Athlete of the Week three times during the 2009-2010 season.
Complete List of Award Winners:
University of Winnipeg Male and Female Athletes of the Year:
Justin Duff (Men’s Volleyball) - Male Athlete of the Year
Catie Gooch (Women’s Basketball) - Female Athlete of the Year
Keith Cooper Memorial Award: (Excellence in Community Services):
Alicia Perry (Women’s Volleyball)
Dave Anderson Award: (Outstanding Service in the Advancement of Athletics):
Naoki Miyashita (University of Winnipeg’s Women’s Volleyball Assistant Coach, Jr. Wesmen Volleyball Club Mentor Coach)
Bill Wedlake Most Improved Players Award:
Marc Ross (Men’s Volleyball)
Lauren Sears (Women’s Volleyball)
Radisson Rookies of the Year:
Matt Schriemer (Men’s Volleyball)
Sonia Rossy (Women’s Volleyball)
Academic All-Canadians:
20 student athletes were recognized as Academic All-Canadian for the 2008-09 Academic year. In order to gain this status a student athlete must finish the academic year with an overall average of 80% or better. The Wesmen athletic department is proud of the fact that 40% of their student athletes earned Academic All-Canadian status which is double the national average of 20%.
“I am pleased that such a high percentage of our Wesmen athletes were able to achieve Academic All-Canadian status. As a student athlete there are incredible demands for your time on the court, in the classroom and on the road during the season. I not only congratulate the players but the coaches and the support staff that believe in our Wesmen tradition of academic importance”, added Athletic Director Doran Reid.
