Algoma U Athletes

Supplied by Algoma University…
Karissa Kajorinne and Aksel Pollari Named Student-Athletes of the Year

(SAULT STE. MARIE, ON – March 18, 2017): Tonight, Algoma University and the Algoma University Thunderbirds Varsity Athletics Program recognized the hard work, dedication, skill, and academic achievements of their student-athletes at their annual varsity Athletics Banquet.

For the second year in a row, Thunder Bay native women’s basketball player Karissa Kajorinne earned the title of Female Student-Athlete of the Year. Captain of her squad, Kajorinne is the points leader, finishing out the season with 542 points. She averaged 94.1 per cent from the charity stripe, and 35 per cent from both the field and beyond the arc. She is a proven leader and active in supporting youth basketball within the community, coaching in the 705 Basketball League and with the Algoma Thunderbirds summer camps.

Echo Bay rookie Askel Pollari earned the title of Male Student-Athlete of the Year. A duo-sport athlete, Pollari competes in both cross-country running and in wrestling. Pollari earned fourth place in the OUA Championships this season, an incredible feat for a first-year athlete. Outside of sport, Pollari tutors other student-athletes, and demonstrates great respect for his teammates, coaches, faculty, and community.

The Algoma University Students’ Union (AUSU) was inducted into the Thunderbird Wall of Fame in the builder category. In 2015, AUSU made a onetime donation of $50,000 to help support the men’s and women’s soccer program. Their financial support helped cover the cost of travel as well as the lease agreement with Superior Heights. Their donation has also helped the program recruit high-calibre student-athletes from across the province, the nation, and around the globe.

The following awards were also handed out:

Dr. Lukenda Thunderbird Service Award
Carriera Lamoureux (women’s basketball)

Academic Achievement Awards (highest academic achievement for their sport)
Rebecca Wylie (women’s basketball)
Sean Clendinning (men’s basketball)
Aksel Pollari (wrestling)
Danielle Bernardo (women’s soccer)
Caleb Charlebois (men’s soccer)
Lauren Rogers (women’s curling)
Keiko Larocque (women’s curling)
Jonathan Lalonde (men’s curling)
Shawna Small (women’s cross-country running)
Lucas Luciani (men’s cross-country running)
Shawna Small (Nordic skiing)

Women’s Basketball
Coaches Award – Karina Cole
Most Improved- Sydney Resch
Best Defensive Player – Carriera Lamoureux

Rookie of the Year – Karly Fracalanza
MVP – Karissa Kajorinne

Men’s Basketball
Coaches Award – Reng Gum
Coaches Award – Cailum White
Most Improved – Jermaine Lyle
Best Defensive Player – Nathan Riley
Rookie of the Year – Brandon Dwyer
MVP – Sean Clendinning

Women’s Cross-Country Running
Coaches Award – Marissa Ditoro
MVP – Anna Stilin

Men’s Cross-Country Running
Most Improved – Lucas Luciani
Rookie of the Year – Aksel Pollari
MVP – Zach Buchan

Women’s Curling
Coaches Award – Julia Simon
Most Improved – Keiko Larocque
MVP – Shae-Lynn Dupuis

Men’s Curling
Coaches Award – Chas Dalton
Most Improved – Vince Lalande
MVP – Jonathan Lalonde

Nordic Skiing
Coaches Award – Marissa Ditoro
Rookie of the Year – Shawna Small
MVP – Roberto Alex Lake

Women’s Soccer
Coaches Award – Sarah Van Boerdonk
Most Improved – Bailie Malmloff
Best Defensive Player – Olivia Bruni
Rookie of the Year – Alexis Trigiani-Kirkwood
MVP – Alexis Trigiani-Kirkwood

Men’s Soccer
Coaches Award – Daniel Heydrich
Most Improved – Warren Joseph
Best Defensive Player – Alex Fera
Rookie of the Year – Riley Thompson
MVP – Ryan Marchan

Wrestling
Coaches Award – Aksel Pollari
Most Improved – Farhang Nouri
Rookie of the Year – Stephen Kreyenbuhl
MVP – Earl McKinney

Thunderbird Award (to graduating student-athletes)
Karissa Kajorinne (women’s basketball)
Sydney Resch (women’s basketball)
Carriera Lamoureux (women’s basketball)
Sean Clendinning (women’s basketball)
Anna Stilin (women’s cross-country running)
Brody-Allen Evans (wrestling)
Roberto Alex Lake (Nordic skiing)
Nadine Paul (Nordic skiing)
Daniel Heydrich (men’s soccer)
Maher Alharbi (men’s soccer)
Nicholas Palazzi (men’s soccer)
Joseph Iferi (men’s soccer)