A pair of fifth-year seniors came away with the Wesmen Athletics athletes of the year awards Thursday at the department's annual banquet honouring the season's top performers.

Anna Kernaghan from women's basketball and Isaiah Olfert from men's volleyball were named the department's athletes of the year at the Radisson Hotel. 

Both student-athletes were also named their respective team MVPs. 

On a young squad, Kernaghan took the leadership role without question and guided her team in her role as a trusted and steady point guard. 

In 2024-25, she set career-highs for assists per game and rebounds per game, and tied her career-high for blocks.

In addition, Kernaghan wrapped her career in the top 10 in Wesmen history in three-pointers made, assists, steals and blocks. 

Olfert was the catalyst in a memorable season that earned the Wesmen their first Canada West banner and a 17-3 conference record. The Wesmen finished fifth at nationals and Olfert was named a first-team all-Canadian and first-team all-conference, his second such honour. 

Olfert led the team and was second in the country in kills.

Olfert's teammate, Easton Dick, was named the Wesmen rookie of the year after winning the conference and national rookie of the year honours in the last month. 

Kennedy Shymko, of women's soccer, won the other rookie of the year after averaging more than 70 minutes per match as a freshman.

Emily Lavallee, of women's volleyball, and Ryan Luke of men's basketball, were named the most improved athletes. Lavallee set career-highs in nearly every category and became a full-time starter, while Luke upped his points per game by nearly seven and hit more than 34 per cent from three.

For the third year in a row, Taylor Cangemi was named the Tom Kendall Award winner for the department's highest GPA, with a 4.5. 

Her teammate, Grace Vallis, was named the Keith and Dianne Cooper Award winner for excellence in academics and community service. 

And longtime athletic trainer Ben Trunzo was honoured for his more than 30 years of service to the Wesmen with the Dr. David Anderson Award as the "friend of the Wesmen", the award that recognizes service behind the scenes.