CANADA WEST HONORS THREE WOMEN BASKETBALL TEAM MEMBERS
Wednesday, February 27, 2008 - The University of Winnipeg would like to announce that three members of the women’s basketball team have been honored with individual Canada West Awards.
First year Winnipeg Wesmen guard Amy Ogidan is the Canada West Conference Rookie of the Year. The 6’0” guard out of Oak Park High School in Winnipeg, Manitoba helped lead a young Wesmen team to an 8-14 regular season record and second place in the Great Plains Division. Ogidan finished in the top twenty in several Canada West categories including, 19th in scoring (11.6 ppg), 19th in rebounding (5.5 rpg) and 12th in block shots per game. Amy accomplished all this as a full time starter in her first season of University level basketball. She was named the University of Winnipeg Female Athlete of the Week on four occasions during the 2007-08 season and was honored as the University of Winnipeg’s Female Athlete of the Month during the month of November 2007 “Amy had a wonderful season as a 'rookie'. She led our team in most statistical categories. A natural athlete and leader, coachable, driven and a great person. A well deserved honor. She was clearly the Best Rookie in Canada West.”, said University of Winnipeg Women’s Basketball Coach Tanya McKay.
Jessica Stromberg is the Canada West Conference nominee for the Tracy MacLeod award as the player who best demonstrates exceptional courage in overcoming adversity. Stromberg played solid basketball in limited minutes during her first year and took a step up last season in her second year until last fall Jessica was diagnosed with Fibre Myalgia (visit: http://www.arthritis-treatment-and-relief.com/fibre-myalgia.html), considered a form of arthritis and is characterized by fatigue and pain. In May Jessica suffered a second degree sprain in her ankle which prevented her from properly training for the upcoming 2007-08 season. Early in October during a preseason game against RMC, Jessica suffered a broken finger which kept her out of the lineup until early January. Jessica is the team’s energy source. Since her return in January, Stromberg has played every game and playing in excess of 27 minutes per game. Her setbacks have not affected her work in the classroom as she was named an Academic All-Canadian last season with a GPA of She is relentless and determined to make sure Fibre Myalgia does not interfere with her opportunity to play the sport she loves the most… basketball. “One of the hardest working athletes I have coached. Would go through the wall for her team. For her to fight through everything, she has fought the odds and pushed through the 2nd half of our season. An 'energizer bunny' in practice and games, Academic All-Canadian and a leader on and off the floor - a wonderful ambassador of the University of Winnipeg”, said Wesmen head coach Tanya McKay.
Named to the Canada West Second All-Star Team is Catie Gooch. A second year guard out of Glenlawn Collegiate was a sparkplug for the Wesmen, despite missing five games due to injuries during the regular season. In 17 regular season games, Gooch finished in the Canada West Conference top ten in several categories including: 7th in scoring (13.2 ppg), 1st in free throw percentage (53-of-57 93%), 5th in steals (2.29 spg), 6th in three point shots made (30) and 3rd in minutes played per game (32.7). Gooch scored a season high 28 points against Brandon (January 29, 2007). Catie was named the University of Winnipeg Female Athlete of the Month (December, 2007) and was named the University of Winnipeg’s Female Athlete of the Week four times during the 2007-08 season.”Caity is coming off a great season. She did suffer some minor injuries missing a few games. Caity finished strong down the stretch guiding us past Manitoba and into the Great Plains final vs. Regina”, said Head Coach Tanya McKay.