Sault College Athletics Celebrates Student-Athletes at Annual Awards Banquet
(Sault Ste. Marie, ON April 4, 2025) – Last night, the Sault College Athletics Department held its annual Awards Banquet to celebrate the academic and athletic success of student-athletes throughout the 2024-2025 season.
Men’s curler Connor Simms and women’s curler Ava Engel were named the 2024-25 Sault College Athletes of the Year. Simms made up one-half of the Cougars Mixed Curling Doubles team that captured gold at the OCAA Provincial championships and was named a second-team tournament all-star. Simms finishes his Cougars career with an OCAA Gold, and a pair of OCAA Bronze medals and national championship appearances. Engel made up the other half of the OCAA Gold Medalist Mixed Doubles Curling team. Engel played a pivotal role throughout the round-robin and playoffs, finishing the tournament with a Gold medal, a second-team All-Star award and a repeat championship for Sault College.
Throughout the evening, many athletes were celebrated for their academic and athletic success throughout the season.
The Male Rookie of the Year award was presented to men's curler, Justin Mackay, and women’s hockey forward, Katelynn Jacques. Mackay helped the men’s curling team to an OCAA bronze medal, was named a second team-Allstar, and earned a spot at the CCAA National tournament. Jacques was a major contributor in all facets of the game in her first season with the Cougars, adding 17 goals and 11 assists, while being named ACHA First Team All-Tournament.
After an outstanding season, finishing third in the men’s OCAA Championships and fourth at CCAA Nationals, paired with a Gold & Silver medal in mixed doubles at the OCAA Championships, the Sault College Curling Team was named team of the year.
Men’s hockey head coach Tanner Burton received the Coach of the Year honours after a 25-8-0 season and a spot at the Regional Tournament.
Women’s hockey player Alyssa Byers and dual-sport athlete (men’s hockey & golf) Jackson Jacques earned the G.R. Hodgson Award, which is presented to a male and female student that displays athletic talent, academic proficiency, leadership and proudly contributes to the athletic program. Byers was named to the All-Athletic first team while leading the Cougars defence in points. Jacques was the top producer on defence for the Cougars, while juggling multiple sports and his class load.
The Cougar Pride award acknowledges athletes who positively represent Sault College and the Varsity Program while showing pride and dedication to their team. The Cougar Pride award recipients were men’s baseball player Bryce Blixt and women’s hockey player Halle MacLachlan.
The Top International Athlete award was presented to Men’s hockey player Trennis Riley from Havre, MT, who has shown outstanding athletic ability and sportsmanship in his second year with the men's hockey team.
Zoltan ‘Toots’ Kovacs received the Gerry McGuire Cougar Contributor Award, which is given to an athletic support staff for their extensive contribution of time and talent toward the operation of the Sault College Athletics program.
2024-25 Team Awards
Men’s Curling
Most Valuable Player – Evan Robert
Women’s Curling
Most Valuable Player – Ava Engel
Men’s Golf
Most Valuable Player – Adrian O’Dell
Men’s Baseball
Most Valuable Player – Carter Gallivan
Men’s Hockey
Most Valuable Player – Nick Jameus
Women’s Hockey
Most Valuable Player – Alyssa Byers