Providence announces athletics year end award winners

With the Manitoba College Athletic Conference season at an end, the Providence Pilots recognized their top athletes of the season.

Cole Doell and Faith Larocque were named the male and female athletes of the year respectively.

Larocque is from Niverville, but played AAAA high school basketball with Dakota in Winnipeg. She was named the MCAC women’s basketball player of the year, thriving even as she gets less minutes than other top players thanks to Providence’s system basketball more evenly distributing playing time across the team.

“Faith has demonstrated above average academic success, consistently improving her grades and her game over the past three years,” head women’s basketball coach Kendall Perpall said.

“That growth is a true testament to her discipline, focus, and commitment to excellence. On the court, Faith has competed at a high level, consistently performing with excellence and making a significant impact for her team throughout the season.”

Perpall emphasized Larocque’s work in increasing her three-point percentage from 18 to 27 per cent this season, going 5/10 in the team’s first nationals win.

“Faith represents everything it means to be a Providence Pilot, committed to excellence, grounded in character, and continuously growing in faith,” Perpall added.

Doell was also named conference player of the year for his respective sport, as he’s grown from a red shirt freshman into an all-Canadian.

“He is a huge reason for our success on court this year, and its been done through modelling one of our main focuses; get 1 % Better every day,” head coach Paul Armbruster said, noting the Lowe Farm product was a top player in defensive and offensive stats this season, leading the team in plus/minus.

“Even more importantly, Cole has been a great ambassador for our team and department through his striving to have high character and being a man of integrity. He loves Jesus deeply, and we are deeply proud of him.”

Senior and one of the first players at Providence to suit up for five seasons, Kade Lepp, was given the program’s difference maker award. Lepp, who is from Mitchell, not only plays as the volleyball team’s starting Libero, he also serves on Providence’s student council, is the head coach of the program’s junior Pilots 14U team and will deliver the valedictorian address at this year’s graduation ceremony.

“Kade has exceptional people skills, and has probably recruited more players to the program than his coach with his engaging and welcoming personality,” Armbruster quipped.

“He is one of the funniest to ever walk our halls, and “Mr Post Game, Player of the Game Towel” has so many stories and memories made that will have campfires laughing for years… Kade is one of the best leaders I have ever coached. He has cared deeply for each teammate’s well-being and about our program excellence, and passionately given servant leadership to achieving both”

Emily Eskiw was recognized as the scholar athlete of the year. The Edmonton product maintained a 4.0 GPA across four years of school and soccer.

“(Eskiw) is dedicated and committed to growth and learning not just in academics, but in her walk with Jesus, her many talents and interests as well as her growth on the soccer pitch,” head coach Tory Walker said.

“She has been making an impact in the classroom and here on campus and we know she will continue to make an impact as a difference maker as she heads into the health care world.”

The rookies of the year were Hannah Degueldre (women’s soccer) and Jesse Vanden Berg (men’s volleyball)

Walker noted Degueldre was heavily recruited by USports teams, but chose to attend the Otterburne school, just down the road from her hometown of Niverville. She led the conference in goals scored with 18, with Walker emphasizing she was still working hard in the off-season to add more depth to her game.

“Hannah is reliable, friendly and has been a great addition to the Providence community,” Walker said.

“She has been to all the blue crew events this year and also makes regular appearances as an athletic student worker for many of the court sport home games. She will often be found hanging out in the sports lounge connecting with people and the team.”

Vanden Berg was chosen to serve on his team’s leadership group, despite the fact he is a freshman.

“They have been vital to our team’s emotional energy and an important voice in both challenging and encouraging the team, and developed their mental game into one of the strongest in our program,” Armbruster said.

“It’s been a joy to see how much they have grown and improved on the court… in all areas but especially in their passing, offensive shots, game IQ, and help and triple blocking.”

Next year will be a banner year for Providence athletics, as the school will be adding three new sports in cross country, curling and rugby sevens.