VIU’S MARINERS ARE ON THEIR GAME – ATHLETICALLY AND ACADEMICALLY

Following on from the Mariners’ stellar performances at the provincial and national levels, VIU’s student athletes are continuing their winning streak --


this time off the court, pitch and field.

For the second time in Mariner history they’ve been recognized as the most Academic All-Canadian athletes of any school in the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA).

To be selected as an Academic All-Canadian, student athletes must have a B+ average or higher and be selected as a PACWEST League All-star.

“This award shows the caliber of student athletes that the Mariner program is able to attract and the commitment to excellence shown by our coaches and athletes,” says Bruce Hunter, VIU’s Athletic Director.

The student athletes who received the Academic All-athlete distinction are:

Stephen Ewashko, Men’s Soccer; Matt Mehrassa, Men’s Soccer; Samantha Rodgers, Women’s Soccer; Melissa Liew, Badminton; Pat Thompson, Badminton; Shayna Worthington, Women’s Basketball; Leanna Gildersleeve, Women’s Volleyball and Tory Zaytsoff, Men’s Volleyball.

To top it off, for the seventh year in a row the Mariners have won the PACWEST aggregate award, which recognizes the top athletic program in the league.

In other Mariner news, Brandon Jones of the Men’s Basketball team has been selected as the ‘Outstanding Male Athlete Across all Sports’ in the PACWEST for the 2012/13 season. This is a well-deserved honour for Brandon as he was a PACWEST first team all-star, MVP at the Provincial Championships and MVP of the National Championships.