Fanshawe Athletics Honours Intercollegiate Athletes at Awards Banquet

At the 44th annual athletics awards presentation on April 8, 2011, Fanshawe College celebrated the academic and athletic achievements of its intercollegiate athletes. Just as they dominated at the national and provincial level, Fanshawe cross county also came away with some of the biggest accolades and awards.

In addition to athletic awards, Fanshawe students were the recipients of national and provincial academic honors. The College had seven students who received the SIRC (Sports Information Resource Centre) All-Canadian award. This award is given to a student athlete who has been named to their respective provincial athletic conference as either a first or second team all-star in a Canadian College Athletic Association (CCAA) sport. The recipient must achieve a Grade Point Average GPA of 3.9 in the previous term or 4.0 GPA accumulative average.

Forty-one Fanshawe students were also named as recipients of the Ontario College Athletic Association (OCAA) All-Academic Award. To achieve this honour, the student-athlete must first meet their institutions honour standards. They must participate on an intercollegiate team while carrying full-time course load and complete at least one academic semester. Their academic record must also be void of a failed grade.

Additionally, the prestigious Male and Female Athlete of the Year award, Les Zoltai awards and Jim Matchett Memorial Scholarship were presented. Recipients of the Male and Female Athlete of the Year award must be both academically and athletically successful, demonstrate a strong commitment to their sport and exhibit leadership within the discipline. They must also display athleticism in their team role and have achieved a significant level of success while upholding the conduct and standard of behaviour expected.

Clint Smith - Intercollegiate Male Athlete of the Year
After a stellar regular season on the men's cross country team and finishing first in the St. Lawrence College and Fleming College Invitationals, Clint went on to lead the Fanshawe men's cross country team to its first men's national team title.

In his first year at Fanshawe College, he won bronze at the Canadian Colleges Athletic Association (CCAA) cross country running national championships in Fredericton, New Brunswick in November 2010. He completed the 8km course in a time of 25:41, helping make Fanshawe College the first Ontario Colleges Athletics Association (OCAA) school to win the men's national team title.

After finishing first in the St. Lawrence College and Fleming College Invitationals in the regular season, the Pre-Health Science student finished second at the OCAA championship. Clint became the first men's individual medal winner at the CCAA championship for an OCAA student-athlete since 2007.

Liliane Sparkes - Intercollegiate Female Athlete of the Year
As a leader on and off the running course, Liliane has demonstrated her ability to train and compete at the highest level and achieve greatness while contributing to the Cross Country team at Fanshawe College.

She won the individual bronze medal at the Canadian Colleges Athletic Association (CCAA) cross country running national championships in Fredericton, New Brunswick. Finishing the 5km race in a time of only 18:13, she trailed the front runners by only 12 seconds. Liliane also won the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) women's individual cross country title for the second straight year.

She completed her regular season races with two first place finishes at the St. Lawrence College and St. Clair Invitationals as well as two second place finishes at the Fanshawe College and Fleming College Invitationals.

She has been a member of the cross country team for the past two seasons and was the individual champion at the Nationals in 2009. Liliane is enrolled in the Autism and Behavioural Science post-graduate program.

Les Zoltai Award - Safiya Fancy-Lyle
The Les Zoltai Award is presented to an athlete who exemplifies athletic achievement while participating in intercollegiate, student union, and campus recreation activities.

Safiya exemplified what it meant to be involved in athletics at Fanshawe. She was the team manager for the women's varsity basketball team this season and supported the men's basketball team as manager, gatekeeper and scorekeeper. Safiya was also involved in intramural sports as score keeper for basketball, floor hockey and volleyball and assisted at the open recreation nights at Fanshawe. She worked as an intramural volleyball referee, minor official for the girl's high school basketball tournament, and was a front desk clerk at the College's residence.

As a leader and integral part of the Fanshawe athletics team, she was always willing to go the extra mile to assist in any way.

Jim Matchett Memorial Award - Melissa Linker
The Jim Matchett Memorial Scholarship is presented annually to a Fanshawe student who has maintained high academic achievement while making a noteworthy contribution to the athletics program at Fanshawe College.

Enrolled in the competitive Dental Hygiene program, Melissa Linker, a cross country varsity athlete, balanced the demands of her sport with the workload of her program. As the team captain, she led the women's cross country varsity team to its third consecutive national gold medal win. She also received the Jean Fraser Campbell Dental Hygiene program award last year in recognition of the highest marks in her class.

Dedicated to helping the student athletic program, she volunteered as a student ambassador for several open house events recruiting prospective athletes. She also actively participates in Fanshawe Intramurals, playing both 3-pitch and floor hockey. In January, Melissa was chosen to represent Fanshawe College as a guest at the table of honour at the Roger's London Sports Celebrity Dinner and Auction in recognition and celebration of her athletic achievements.

As the first Dental Hygiene student to ever participate in athletics at Fanshawe College, she has exemplified the dedication and balanced needed to succeed both in the classroom and on the running course.

The Athletics banquet followed in Oasis at which time guest speaker Theresa Carriere from "One-Run" addressed the winners, athletes, family and friends on behalf of the Alumni Association.