UWindsor Names Lancer Athletes Of The Year

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Lancer standouts Stefanie Smith and Corey Bellemore walked away with tonight’s top two prizes as they were awarded the Banner and Olympic Shields as the University of Windsor Athletes of the Year. The duo were multiple winners as part of the Evening of Excellence, highlighting the accomplishments of the Windsor Lancers, held at the St. Clair Centre of the Arts Wednesday evening.

Bellemore established himself as one of the elite university runners in Canada this year posting incredible results in both cross country and on the track.

During the cross country season, the Windsor native helped the men’s cross country team to a silver medal at the OUA championships, finishing seventh overall at the event to earn OUA all-conference honours. He also finished in the top ten individually at the CIS national championships while guiding Windsor to a CIS silver medal team finish.

Inside on the track, Corey was sensational, bringing home four medals at the OUA championships while being named the overall OUA Track MVP and helping the Blue & Gold re-capture the OUA championship title. At nationals, Corey came up huge again, coming from behind in two races to bring home the gold in the men’s 600m and 4x800m relay. He added a third medal in the 1000m and was named the CIS outstanding performer of the meet to help the Lancers bring home their second straight CIS national championship title.

During the cross country season, Stefanie cruised through the conference season posting impressive results as she prepared for both the OUA and CIS championship meets.

The third year would go on to earn a bronze medal at the OUA championships which was followed by another impressive individual bronze medal at the CIS Championships. Her CIS All-Canadian status in Cross Country also earned her a spot on the Canadian FISU World cross country team that competed this past March in Italy.

Moving into the track and field season, Smith continued to gain momentum and turned in one of the most impressive three week performances in school history.

Over a three-week span in January/February, Smith would go on to break three separate long-time school records in the 3000 metres, the mile and 1500 metres. It was a feat never before accomplished by a Lancer and one that included her breaking two of Lancer legend Missy McCleary’s all-time school records in the process.

Smith capped of her incredible year at the OUA provincial championships where she earned another bronze medal in the women’s 3000 metres just prior to leaving for Italy.

The DeMarco Awards, presented annually to the top female and male students that best combine academic achievement with athletic prowess, went to Akball Gill from men’s soccer and to Shannon Dean from the women’s volleyball team on the women’s side.

The University of Windsor Gino Fracas Coach of the Year Award was presented to Brett Lumley from the men’s track & field team.

Coach Lumley led the track and field team to an astounding 21st CIS Track & Field team title. As a result, Coach Lumley was awarded the Bob Boucher CIS Men’s Track & Field Coach of the Year Award for the first time in his career.

The Captain’s Trophy, awarded to a male and female captain who demonstrate outstanding leadership both on and off the field while also making a significant contribution to the overall success of their team, went to Mike Rocca from men’s basketball and Laura Lecce from women’s soccer.

The female rookie of the year award went to Kaylee Anagnostopoulos from women’s basketball, while Isiah Osborne won the male rookie of the year. Both recipients had outstanding rookie campaigns.

The Super Sophomore awards were presented to women’s basketball standout Carly Steer, and to Chris Al-Youseff from men’s soccer.

“A” Awards, marking major contributions to Lancer Athletics, went to Richard Mallat and Kathy Harvie. Mallat is retiring from the department of athletics after 43 years as the Lead Equipment Technician, while Harvie is retiring after 26 years as a Lancer athletic therapist.