2026 Athletic Banquet Recap
On Friday, April 10th, the Thunder Annual Blue and Gold Athletic Awards Banquet was held to celebrate the 2025-2026 season. Following an incredible year, Thunder athletes delivered record-setting results, capturing five ACAC Championship banners, the most in program history, along with two ACAC team silver medals and four ACAC team bronze medals.
Individually, Thunder athletes earned an impressive 17 ACAC medals, including five gold, six silver, and six bronze. On the national stage, the program also secured a CCAA bronze medal in men's doubles badminton.
The season's success extended beyond podium finishes. The Thunder produced 23 ACAC All-Conference athletes, the second-most in program history, along with two CCAA All-Canadians. The program also celebrated two ACAC Rookie of the Year recipients, six ACAC Players of the Year, once again the second-most in Concordia history and one ACAC Coach of the Year.
Overall, the evening recognized a historic season defined by exceptional performance, depth across programs, and continued excellence from Thunder student-athletes and coaches.
Coaches Remarks;
Badminton
Emma Tran - Leadership
Emma Tran has been an incredible leader for our team this season. She leads by example every day through her work ethic, attitude, and commitment to getting better. Whether it's at practice, in competition, or around the team, Emma brings a level of focus and positivity that others naturally follow. She is always there to support her teammates, offering encouragement and helping create a strong, positive team environment. Emma holds herself to a high standard and pushes those around her to do the same, all while showing great sportsmanship and respect for the game.
Lauryn Pstuka - All Heart
Lauryn is the kind of teammate every program hopes to have. She consistently puts the team first and leads through her actions every day. Lauryn works hard, supports her teammates, and brings a positive attitude to everything she does. She never complains and is always willing to step up for the good of the group. Her teammates respect her for her loyalty, effort, and the energy she brings to the team. Lauryn truly represents the heart and spirit of Thunder Athletics, making her a very deserving recipient of the Thunder Athletics All Heart Award.
Jonathan Su - MVP
Jonathan Su was the driving force behind our team's success this season and a true example of what it means to be a Thunder athlete. Competing in every tournament this year, Jonny consistently delivered outstanding results, reaching the finals in each tournament he played. His ability to perform under pressure and compete at a high level made him someone the team could always rely on when it mattered most. What makes Jonny especially deserving of this recognition is the dedication he showed throughout the season. He committed himself to improving every part of his game, training relentlessly and constantly pushing himself to get better. His work ethic, focus, and competitive mindset set the standard for the rest of the team. While Jonny fell just short of his goal of winning a national title this season, the impact he has had on the program goes far beyond results. His leadership, commitment, and drive to improve have helped elevate the level of the entire team. Jonny's influence will leave a lasting mark on the program for years to come, making him a very deserving recipient of our team's MVP and a strong candidate for Thunder Athlete of the Year.
Curling
Joel MacDonald - Leadership
Joel is a quiet leader among the Curling teams. He leads by example, and is often found helping his team mates during practice. He is early to practice, and never misses one. He shakes the time- keepers hands and asks the umpires their names at every game (CCAA). He is quick to acknowledge great shots made by both team mates and opponents alike. He controls his emotions during games and works to support his teammates to get the best out of every shot.
Hannah Miller - All Heart
Hannah continues to work hard at her own skill development, and be the best team mate she can be. She truly was the glue that held the mixed team together this season. As the player with the most experience she needed to support both the back end and the front end of the team, and gave up the opportunity to skip the team to play as third in order to help everyone. She kept a positive attitude, worked hard at team communication and helped manage team dynamics during even the most stressful games. She loves her curling club, and CUE, and is proud to represent them.
Tori Hartwell - MVP
Tori stepped into the role of skip partway through the season. She led the team to great results at our second regional, securing a spot at the ACAC Championship. They won Gold at the Championship and narrowly lost the Bronze medal game at the CCAA Championship.
Men's Soccer
Carlos Echeveirria - Leadership
Carlos has been an outstanding leader for our program this season. He consistently embodied our team's core values, the ABC's: Accountability, Bravery, and Community, through his actions both on and off the field. Carlos recently completed his student teaching placement, demonstrating his commitment to growth, responsibility, and service to others. Within our team environment, he leads through servant leadership, often working quietly behind the scenes to ensure his teammates are supported, connected, and in the right mindset to succeed. He is the type of leader who puts the needs of the group before himself, regularly checking in with teammates and helping create a culture where everyone feels valued and accountable. His example in training, competition, and daily team life has had a meaningful impact on our program. Carlos represents what it means to be a Thunder student-athlete committed to excellence, leadership, and community.
Rostyslav Leha - All Heart
Rosty is the definition of an All Heart student-athlete. As our only healthy goalkeeper for the entire season, he carried a huge responsibility and never once put himself ahead of the team. He started and played every game, finishing the year with four shutouts while delivering the best season of his five years in the program. What makes Rosty especially deserving of this award is not just his performance, but the way he served the team through every circumstance. He was selfless, played through knocks, and consistently gave everything he had for the group. He never complained, embraced the demands placed on him, and showed unwavering loyalty to the program. Over five years, Rosty has earned the respect and admiration of his teammates through his work ethic, toughness, and commitment to team unity. He has been a steady presence, a leader through action, and a player who truly put the success of the team ahead of himself. Rosty embodies the spirit of blue and gold and is fully deserving of the Thunder Athletics All Heart Award.
Elisha Nyathi - MVP
Elisha Nyathi was a central figure in Concordia's success this season through both his performance and leadership on the field. As the team's top scorer, he consistently delivered in key moments and provided the attacking production that drove the team forward throughout the ACAC season. Beyond his offensive contributions, Elisha demonstrated strong leadership through his actions. During the season, the team faced significant adversity with injuries to all of our starting center backs. Elisha stepped up in those moments to help guide and support new players transitioning into those defensive roles, ensuring the team remained organized and competitive. His work rate, commitment to the team, and ability to influence games made him an invaluable part of the program this season. Elisha's impact extended beyond statistics, as he set the standard through his effort, professionalism, and willingness to do whatever the team needed in difficult circumstances. Because of his performance, leadership through example, and influence on the team's success, Elisha Nyathi is a deserving nominee for the Thunder Athletics Most Valuable Player Award.
Men's Futsal
Duke Naylor - Leadership
Duke Naylor exemplifies what it means to be a true leader within the Concordia Thunder futsal program. He consistently demonstrates a deep commitment to the team and the people around him, both on and off the court. Within the team environment, Duke has taken on a unique leadership role by organizing and overseeing the team's financial responsibilities. He leads our internal finance group, helping coordinate fundraisers and manage aspects of the team budget to support the program. His willingness to take ownership of these responsibilities shows a level of maturity and commitment that greatly benefits the team. On the court, Duke's leadership is equally evident. He has a strong understanding of our tactical system and consistently helps guide teammates, encouraging them to stay connected within the structure and holding the
group to a higher standard. He communicates well, supports teammates, and helps create accountability within the team. Most importantly, Duke leads by example. Through his work ethic, attitude, and commitment to improving both himself and those around him, he has become a positive role model within the program. His leadership in training, competition, and team responsibilities makes him a deserving nominee for the Thunder Athletics Leadership Award.
Gabe Perrea - All Heart
Gabe Perrea embodies what it means to be an All Heart student-athlete within the Concordia Thunder futsal program. Over five years with the team, Gabe has consistently demonstrated unwavering commitment, loyalty, and dedication to the program. Throughout his career, Gabe has been known for his tireless work ethic and willingness to do whatever the team requires. He works relentlessly on both sides of the ball, contributing defensively and offensively while always prioritizing the success of the team over individual recognition. This season, he elevated his game even further by adding measurable offensive production to the already strong performances he has consistently delivered for the team. Gabe's leadership is quiet but powerful. He leads with wisdom, experience, and consistency, earning the admiration and respect of his teammates through his actions rather than words. His humility, commitment to the group, and steady presence make him a unifying figure within the team. Through five years of dedication to the program, Gabe has shown what it means to truly represent Concordia Thunder athletics. His loyalty, work ethic, and selfless approach make him a deserving recipient of the Thunder Athletics All Heart Award.
Sam Vieira - MVP
Sam Vieira has been a transformative presence for the Concordia Thunder futsal program this season. Bringing experience from Grant MacEwan University along with time playing in Germany, Sam added a level of maturity and high-level understanding of the game that immediately raised the standard of the team. On the court, Sam's style of play is both dynamic and entertaining. His ability in 1v1 situations, combined with creativity and flair, made him one of the most dangerous attacking players in the league. His Brazilian-style technical ability and confidence on the ball brought energy and excitement to the team's attack, often unlocking defenses through skill and quick decision-making. Beyond individual moments of brilliance, Sam's experience helped elevate the entire group. His presence pushed teammates to higher standards and added an attacking dimension that helped the team reach new heights during the season. Through his impact, experience, and ability to influence matches, Sam Vieira proved to be one of the most valuable players in the program and is a deserving nominee for the Thunder Athletics Most Valuable Player Award.
Women's Futsal
Emma Ward - Leadership
Emma is the kind of teammate every team hopes to have. She brings hard work, commitment, and dedication to everything she does, always giving 110% effort from start to finish. Emma's positive attitude, kindness, and passion for the game make her a joy to have on the team. She is knowledgeable, dependable, and never quits—no matter the situation. Emma consistently puts the team's success ahead of her own and supports her teammates in every way she can. Her work ethic, heart, and team-first mindset truly make her a special part of this team. I'm going to miss her immensely! This kid is the definition of bleeding BLUE & GOLD
Vanessa Pietramala - All Heart
Vanessa Pietramala is truly the mastermind on the court. She understands the game on another level, with a vision and awareness that are incredibly difficult to match. Her touch on the ball is something you almost have to see to believe—it's that special. Vanessa can play in any position and excel, always finding ways to impact the game. Whether it's setting up plays, controlling the tempo, or unleashing a shot that could put a hole through the wall, she has been a huge reason for our success. It's bittersweet seeing Vanessa finish her final season—after what feels like her thousandth year of school—but players with her talent, intelligence, and passion for the game are not easy to replace. She has left a lasting mark on this team.
Taytum Busch - MVP
Taytum is a true leader on and off the court. She leads by example through her hard work, commitment, and dedication to the team. Responsible, confident, and knowledgeable, Taytum brings a strong presence that her teammates trust and respect. I've had the pleasure of coaching this kid for two years now and I've already seen her development this far. As the best goalie in the futsal league, she consistently steps up in big moments and keeps the team organized from the back. She also knows the rules inside and out—which is exactly why we call her "Taytum Hand Busch." Taytum's work ethic, confidence, and ability to lead her teammates make her a well-deserving recipient of the Leadership Award. Looking forward to seeing what Taytum has in store for us in the fall!!
Golf
Hayden Prins - Leadership
Hayden placed in the top 2 in all of our ACAC events this year which included one win, a tie for 1st and the silver medal at provincials. He sets a great example for the other teammates and that's why he's such a great leader for our team. He's always positive and eager to practice and compete in tournaments. He's fun to be around which is a tremendous asset especially when times get tough. I can always count on him for his opinion in painting a great picture from the athlete's perspective. Through his experience from previous years, he gave further insight to the team on what to expect and how to prepare for each competition. He's recently turned professional and will continue to have a positive impact on the sport.
Ava Stach - All Heart
Ava is an athlete that gave a significant contribution to our team. She's always full of positive energy and is very helpful when needed. She also brings a nice level of intensity when on the course which inspires her teammates to up their own performance. After her event, She's very excited to head back out and cheer on her teammates. Ava is graduating this year and we'll certainly miss her enthusiasm, focus, and great work ethic!
Lauryn Pstuka - MVP
Lauryn had a tremendous year! She competed for Concordia for 4 years and every year got better! This year she won our provincial championship and was the #1 ranked player in the ACAC! The last few years, the women's team has had so much fun and success. Lauryn played an important role in this and contributed significantly to the team's unity. She also will be graduating this year and we're confident she'll be most valuable to any organisation she decides to work for.
Men's Basketball
Noah Julien - Leadership
Noah is an exceptional leader. His leadership was demonstrated as a team captain. When faced with adversity this year, he did not let his team down and continued to show up for them for the whole semester. He is responsible, has strong communication skills and everyone looks up to him.
Roka Baker - All Heart
Roka was always the hardest working on the floor and ready to compete. He was a captain and led his team into battle every weekend. His strong leadership skills and strong work ethic was contagious to his teammates.
Keellaa Gatwech - MVP
Keellaa was awarded All-Conference Men's North Second Team. He led the entire ACAC in rebounds and blocks. He is an incredible athlete, with great leadership skills. He has a strong work ethic and was always prepared to compete. He came this year for an opportunity to play more, showcase his skills and be a leader – which he accomplished. He is always kind to those around him and polite to everyone around him, making them feel seen and heard.
Women's Basketball
Hayley Cleland - Leadership
Haley exemplifies what it means to be a leader. She is dedicated to this team and its success as much as any athlete we've ever coached. She leads by example on and off the court throughout the year. She is among the most conditioned players we have demonstrating her work ethic away from practice. She is one of vocal leaders, providing valuable feedback on the court, during timeouts and through team meetings.Haley's best leadership attributes are her willingness to improve and be coached. Many high level athletes reach their stage of excellence by taking feedback and applying it to their game. Haley consistently does this at a high level. Throughout the season, Haley responded to feedback throughout games and practices and saw improvement soon afterwards. This type of leadership provides an example for her teammates to follow while being coached throughout the season. If our team captain is willing to accept criticism then the rest of the team is prepared to respond just as positively.
Elisa Hummel - All Heart
Elisa attended our open tryout in September as an international student from Germany. We added her to the roster with the knowledge she was going to be eligible for the fall semester as she would be heading home over the break. Elisa fit in with our team immediately and excelled on the court. We quickly became dependent on her and she filled a vital role for our team. Elisa then began to contact her company and school in Germany about the possibility of remaining in Canada and a student at Concordia for the winter semester as well. She patiently waited through an unknown number of phone calls and emails before everything went through and she was able to stay with us til the end of the season. During the warmup of our first playoff game, Elisa rolled her ankle significantly and needed treatment immediately. She still managed to play in all 3 games and contributed in each of those games. She averaged 20 minutes, 10 points and 8 rebounds per game during our playoff run. All while wearing a boot between games and receiving constant treatment in order to play.
Chloe Sutherland - MVP
Chloe was the North Division MVP, Defensive Player of the Year and First Team All-Conference. She led the league in scoring at 21.9 points per game, first in steals with 105 (2nd had 75 steals), 2nd in free throw percentage, 5th in assists, 9th in blocks. Chloe is a natural scorer and tenacious defender who led our team in scoring, free throws made & percentage, assists, 3 pointers made & percentage. Chloe has the ability to find a seam to get to the rim where very few can. She reliably broke down defenses to score at the basket or find her teammates for an open shot. Her anticipation while playing defense led to leading the league in steals and disrupting an untold amount of offensive possessions for the opposition. Her rebounding ability allowed us to transition easily into our offense and give us multiple chances to score. Chloe was regularly targeted by opposing defenses and still found ways to score and win us games.Her effort on both ends of the floor and desire to win keeps us competitive each night.
Men's Indoor Track/ Cross Country
Markus Boland - Leadership
Markus is our team captain and was instrumental in helping our XC team get back to the CCAA XCchampionships this year with the team finishing 3 rd at the ACAC championships. On the indoor track, Markus led by example and ran PB's in every distance from the 600m up to the 1500m. He picked up medals at the ACAC championships in the 600m and 1k and scored points for us in the 1500m (4 th place), 4x200m relay (4 th place) and 4x400m relay (6 th place). The men's team finished 2 nd in 2 nd place on the track. Markus has been a great teammate the past 3 years and we are hoping he'll return next year to help lead us to an ACAC championship.
Jason Kwong - All Heart
This is Jason's 2nd year with the team and he was a big part of our XC team finishing 3 rd at the ACAC XC championships and going to the CCAA XC championships. Jason doesn't miss practices and has to be held back at times from working harder. On the track, Jason competed in the 1500m and 3000m despite never having run a 3000m before. There was a chance he could score points for us and when asked to run the 3k, he never hesitated and went for it. Last year he was injured for the track season so didn't get to compete but I know next year he'll be scoring points for us.
Owen Stewart - MVP
Owen transferred from Lethbridge to finish out his collegiate career with the Thunder this season. He has been a leader since arriving and helped us get back as a team to the CCAA XC champs with a strong 9 th place finish at the ACAC XC championships. He was our top finisher at the CCAA National XC champs in PEI, finishing in 45 th place and helping the team to a 13 th place overall finish. On the indoor track, Owen helped lead the team to a solid 2 nd place finish. He won the 1000m, finished 2 nd in the 600m, 6 th in the 1500m and helped the 4x400m team finish in 6 th place. Owen works hard at practice and leads by example. His calm and mature demeanor at races has helped a young team go from not scoring at the 2024 ACAC XC champs to medalling at the 2025 championships. Owen is a kind and encouraging person, treating his teammates and competitors with respect. I look forward to watching him have another excellent year next year as he closes out his collegiate career with us.
Women's Indoor Track/ Cross Country
Page Milmine- Leadership
Page came over from the soccer team this year and helped the women 7th place at the XC champs, this was a race where she threw up several times and still managed to finish and help the team. At the ACAC indoor track champs, Page ran a great leg on the 4x200m relay team to help our women pick up the silver medal and set a new school record (they also broke the ACAC record but unfortunately Lethbridge did the same and beat us to the line). Page then ran a personal best in both the heats of the finals in the 50m to finish in 10 th place at the ACAC indoor champs. Page brings a great attitude and fun attitude to practices and competitions. She created an athlete based award to give out after each competition and is just an overall fantastic person to have on the team. I look forward to watching her run faster next year!
Ashley Schmaltz - All Heart
Ashley has had a great first season with the Thunder. She had a strong XC season but really came into her own on the indoor track where she scored points for us in the 1000m and improved her times over the 300m and 600m. Ashley works hard and rarely misses practice. I am really looking forward to watching Ashley continue to improve over the next few years!
Ashlee Walker - MVP
Ashlee has completed her 2nd year at Concordia with an even bigger medal haul than her rookie year. This year she won gold at the ACAC XC championships and then at the ACAC indoor track championships she won gold in the 600m, gold in the 1000m, gold in the 1500m, silver in the 4x200m relay and silver in the 4x400m relay. Apart from the relays, Ashlee did not lose an indoor track race to an ACAC competitor this season. Ashlee led the women's indoor team to a 3 rd place finish at the ACAC indoor champs and was both the ACAC women's indoor track MVP and ACAC XC MVP. The women's 4x200m also set a new school record and beat the old ACAC record however the Lethbridge team did the same and beat us to the line. At the CCAA national XC championships in PEI, she finished in 11th place. This was a big improvement over her 29th place finish at the CCAA champs in her rookie season. Ashlee also set school records in the 300m, 600m and 1000m this year on the track. Ashlee is our women's team captain but she is also a leader for both the men's and women's teams. She doesn't miss practices, shows up with a great attitude and is both kind and courteous to her teammates and opponents alike. She works hard in the offseason and even harder during the regular season. Ashlee is an incredible talent and a truly fantastic young lady. Ashlee is approaching all time Thunder legend status in terms of medals won and records set in only her 2 nd year of representing us.
Men's Hockey
Lukas Konashuk - Leadership
Lukas has spent 4 years with the team and has represented both his teammates and school with class and humility. His actions speak louder than words and his personality make him and easy leader to follow. He has served his teammates in a leadership role since day one and as our captain for the last two years, he has gained the utmost respect from his teammates and coaching staff as well.
Carson Kurylo - All-Heart
My guess is that Carson will be surprised by this because he knows nothing different than giving every ounce of effort he has on every shift on the ice. The standards that he holds for himself are sometimes hard to uphold as he is his own harshest critic, but call his number and he will step up to give whatever he can again for his team.
Dylan Handel - Most Valuable Player
Dylan is only in his season year with the Thunder and he has won or tied for the league lead in scoring both years, even with missing out on three of our games this year. He has been selected not once but twice as a ACAC first team All-Conference player both years. He is always fun to watch and thinks the game incredibly well, with 11 goals and 27 assists in only 21 games is the exact reason why Dylan Handel is being named our MVP.
Men's Volleyball
Alexi Dufour - Leadership
Alexi is no stranger to captaincy. It comes with responsibilities other athletes think they want but do not yet see the tough questions asked of them. With the weight of being the teammate everyone must look to for all answers and guidance on and off the court, Alexi performs this with grace each year. But to live up to the expectations uninjured is one thing. Alexi did it while sitting out over half his competitive season. Very few can lead on the court, even fewer from the sidelines. Alexi has done both.
Liam Frost - All-Heart
Liam came back into the fold after hanging up his shoes for some years as he focused on school. Liam's actions were not just for today, but his ambitions stretched beyond the time he knew he would be spending here. He wanted to pull the best out of his teammates each week by entering their world to connect what was important to them. Beyond his teammates, Liam was building for not just the volleyball program, but for the student body. Something his classmates would be proud of and support.
Brodie Wight - Most Valuable Player
When you go down in history for accolades that have been longstanding over a decade, you may be considered special. Brodie's development is steady and fast. He dominates the program from the endline. He dominated at the net. He dominated from more than one position. Brodie takes his dedication off the court and applies it to helping his teammates grow and learn through the trials he has experienced. We notice when Brodie is not in our presence. He is valued today, and does the work to be valued tomorrow.
Women's Soccer
Amy Fayant - Leadership
Amy's season was defined by resilience, leadership, and determination. After battling through a difficult period, she returned with an incredible comeback season that inspired her teammates. and her coaches. Amy is the kind of leader every team hopes for—someone who leads by example, works relentlessly, and brings out the best in those around her. Her strong defensive and offensive play and deep understanding of the game earned her the All-Conference Defensive Player of the Year award. More than anything, Amy's ability to lead and unite the team made her a teammate everyone wanted to play and work hard for. I decided to take a chance on Amy Fayant last year and keep her around through her injury .... and boy am I ever glad I did. What a kid! I know she's going to go on to do wonderful things in the teaching community and soccer coaching community as well.
Isabella Amico - All Heart
Izzy Amico is the definition of a true team player. Always putting the team's success ahead of her own, she brings an unselfish attitude and unmatched team spirit every time she steps on the field. Izzy is the heart and soul of the group—the player who sets the tone with her effort, toughness, and commitment. A relentless competitor and a coach's dream, Izzy plays with strength and determination. Her presence on the field was a driving force behind the team's success, and it's hard to imagine the season going as far as it did without her leadership and heart. Not to mention her dancing skills and goal celebrations are a joy to watch!
Madison Kempster - MVP
Madison is one of the most exceptional goalkeepers I've ever seen—whether coaching, playing with, or competing against them. A tremendous athlete, Maddy combines elite shot-stopping ability with great vision, quick distribution, and impressive speed. She even has the strangest ability to score goals when called upon!! Hardly a game goes by without other coaches complimenting her play. Maddy brings a level of confidence and security to the back line that every team dreams of. Truly a gem in goal, she has saved us more times than we can count. It sometimes gets taken for granted because it's just second nature for us to be calm and say "Maddy's got it" but that is extremely rare to find at this level. Maddy only conceded 9 goals in 12 regular season games with 2 shutouts in our Provincial Championships to get us the GOLD !! Her performance earned her recognition as a Tournament All-Star at the Provincial Championship. Maddy didn't get the recognition she truly deserved this year - but we all know what value she brings to our team.