Algoma University celebrated a standout year of athletic and academic excellence at the 2025–26 Thunderbird Varsity Student-Athlete Awards. Held on March 20, 2026 at Grand Gardens North, the event recognized the yearly achievements of its student-athletes across all varsity programs.
Leading this year’s award winners, Becca Gutteridge (Wrestling) was named Female Athlete of the Year, while Brandon Carrillo (Wrestling) earned Male Athlete of the Year honours. Both athletes capped exceptional seasons with top performances at the USPORTS Championship and were also recognized as the Most Valuable Wrestlers for their respective programs.
The distinguished Dr. Lukenda Thunderbird Service Award was presented to Lilah Fraser (Wrestling), recognizing her leadership and commitment to community engagement.
“This celebration is about more than awards,” said Dr. Sheila Embleton, Interim President and Vice-Chancellor. “It is about recognizing the impact our student-athletes have as leaders, role models, and ambassadors for Algoma University.”
Academic success remained a central focus, with student-athletes across all programs earning Academic Distinction Awards for their achievements in the classroom, balancing high-performance sport with academic excellence. 10 graduating athletes were also recognized with the Thunderbird Award, celebrating their lasting contributions to Algoma University and the Thunderbird legacy.
The evening also honoured Danielle D’Ettorre (Women’s Basketball) with the Thunderbird Wall of Fame Award, recognizing her exceptional playing career at Algoma University after earning national and provincial accolades as a Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) All-Canadian and Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) Player of the Year during the 2006-07 season.
“From competition to the classroom to the community, our student-athletes continue to raise the bar,” said Rachel Rankin, Director of Student Life and Ancillary Services. “This year’s award recipients reflect the dedication, resilience, and excellence that define Thunderbird athletics.”
To view photos from the event, click here. To learn more about varsity athletics at Algoma University, click here. A full list of award recipients is outlined below
2025–26 Thunderbirds Varsity Student-Athlete Award Recipients
Major Awards
Female Athlete of the Year — Becca Gutteridge (Wrestling)
Male Athlete of the Year — Brandon Carrillo (Wrestling)
Dr. Lukenda Thunderbird Service Award — Lilah Fraser (Wrestling)
Academic Distinction Awards
Men’s Basketball — Tyson Francisco
Women’s Basketball — Mercedes Mazzuca van Weerden
Cross Country Running — Becca Gutteridge
Men’s Curling — Jonah Santa Maria
Women’s Curling — Lisa Brisson
Nordic Ski — Emma Malone
Men’s Soccer — Jaden Timmis
Women’s Soccer — Samantha Mazzuca
Men’s Wrestling — Brandon Carrillo
Women’s Wrestling — Emma Walker
Thunderbird Award (Graduating Student-Athletes)
Patrick Mpoyi — Men’s Basketball
Riya Donnelly — Women’s Basketball
Brooke Gruhn — Women’s Basketball
Mercedes Mazzuca van Weerden — Women’s Basketball
Ethan Mendes De Franca — Men’s Soccer
Thiery Nsega — Men’s Soccer
Lucas Spirkoski — Men’s Soccer
Hiroki Wada — Men’s Soccer
Madalyn Clement — Women’s Soccer
Maddi Rouleau — Women’s Soccer
Thunderbird Wall of Fame Award
Danielle D’Ettorre — Women’s Basketball
Team Awards
Men’s Basketball
Coach’s Award — Jean-Luc Cubahiro
Most Improved — Shalom Anyikwa
Best Defensive Player — Chance Beaudoin-Skerritt
Rookies of the Year — Chance Beaudoin-Skerritt & Biong Deng
Most Valuable Player — Kal-El Alejo
Women’s Basketball
Most Dedicated — Riya Donnelly
Most Improved — Annabelle Lefebvre
Best Defensive Player — Brooke Gruhn
Rookie of the Year — Taylor Randall
Most Valuable Player — Sadie Grawbarger
Cross Country Running
Coach’s Award — Dylan Garson
Most Improved — Trysten Kahtava
Rookie of the Year — Carsten Moffatt
Most Valuable Runner — Dylan Garson
Men’s Curling
Rookie of the Year — Noah Mercier
Most Valuable Curler — Jonah Santa Maria
Women’s Curling
Coach’s Award — Olivia Forsyth
Most Valuable Curler — Maggie Grexton
Nordic Ski
Coach’s Award — Emma Malone
Most Valuable Skier — Trysten Kahtava
Men’s Soccer
Coach’s Award — Nicolas Palmeiro
Captain’s Award — Theo Hampton
Best Defensive Players — Joshua Bondoc & Anthony Berganza
Rookie of the Year — Evan Hurren
Most Valuable Player — Lucas Spirkoski
Women’s Soccer
Coach’s Award — Sienna Nimubona
Most Improved — Ayla Mazzuca
Best Defensive Player — Maddi Rouleau
Rookie of the Year — Paisley Pennington
Most Valuable Player — Paisley Pennington
Men’s Wrestling
Coach’s Award — William Mitchell
Most Improved — William Lewey
Rookie of the Year — Ajay Guitard
Most Valuable Wrestler — Brandon Carrillo
Women’s Wrestling
Coach’s Award — Rebecca Vann
Most Improved — Felisity McDonald
Rookie of the Year — Elia Ransom
Most Valuable Wrestler — Becca Gutteridge
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