Sault College hands out athletic awards

The Sault College Cougars officially put an end to the 2004/05 Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) season over the weekend with their Annual Athletic Awards Night at The Outback.

Jean Louis Ouattara of the Cougars men's basketball team and Kerri Senko of the women's volleyball squad received top honours as the school's male and female Athletes of the Year. The award is presented to the athlete who best displays outstanding ability, leadership, sportsmanship and efficient academic standing.

Ouattara led the Cougars to the west division championship during the regular season and into the OCAA playoff tournament as the province's number one seed. On a personal level, Ouattara led the league in scoring, captured OCAA Rookie of the Year honours and was a first team all-star.

Senko, a leader on the floor, completed her career with the volleyball and helped lead the team to a strong finish down the stretch after a tough start to the season.

Ouattara and Senko also shared the G.R. Hodgson Award, which is presented annually to the male and female student displaying athletic talent, academic proficiency, leadership and for an outstanding contribution to the athletic program at Sault College.

The night wasn't done for the pair as they were both named as the Most Valuable Players for their respective teams.

*** The following is a complete look at the award winners:

COUGAR ATHLETES OF THE YEAR AWARD: (Presented to the Athlete who best displays outstanding ability, leadership, sportsmanship and efficient academic standing.) 2004/05 Winners – Kerri Senko (female), Jean Louis Ouattara (male)

G.R. HODGSON: (Presented annually to the male and female student displaying Athletic talent, academic proficiency, leadership and for an outstanding contribution to the Athletic Program at Sault College.) 2004/05 Winners – Kerri Senko (female), Jean Louis Ouattara (male)

COUGAR PRIDE AWARD: (Presented to the male and female varsity athlete who best represents Sault College and the Varsity Program, while showing pride and dedication to their team.) 2004/05 Winners – Nicole Beauchamp (female), Paul Soucy (male)

TOM WHITE AWARD: (Presented to the Varsity Basketball Player who shows the most commitment and dedication to the team.) 2004/05 Winner - Mike Bouchard

COACH OF THE YEAR: (Awarded to the Sault College Varsity Coach whose dedication and contribution to player advancement and team success has been outstanding.) 2004/05 Winner – Thomas Cory

GERRY MCGUIRE COUGAR CONTRIBUTOR AWARD: (Presented to a male and female for their extensive contribution of time and talent toward the operation of the Sault College Athletic Program.) 2004/05 Winners – Julie LaForce (female), Garnet Cory (male)

REFEREE'S AWARD: (This award is presented to the athlete who best represents the game of basketball/volleyball, fair play, and sportsmanship. Selected by local officials.) 2004/05 Winners – Ryan NamesPetra (male) - Basketball

TEAM MOST VALUABLE PLAYERS: 2004/05 Winners – Jean Louis Ouattara ( MBBall ), Kerri Senko ( WVBall)

RON BRIDGE TROPHY: (For the Sault College Intramural Male and Female Athlete best displaying both a high degree of skill and outstanding sportsmanship.) 2004/05 Winners – Melanie Albo (female), Thomas Sulley (male)

INTRAMURAL PARTICIPANT OF THE YEAR: (This award is presented to a male and female who has participated in the majority of the intramural events throughout the school year.) 2004/05 Winners – Jamie Black (female), Bruce Smeltzer (male)

OCAA AWARDS:

OCAA WEST REGION CHAMPIONS: 2004/05 Sault College

OCAA ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS: (Presented to all OCAA Athletes who have earned ACADEMIC HONOUR'S recognition at their respective institutions.) 2004/05 Winners - Rob Martel (MBBall), Neil Joy (MBBall), Ryan Namespetra (MBBall) OCAA LEAGUE ALL STARS: 2004/05 Winners – Jean Louis Ouattara ( MBBall) 1st Team – West Division, Sean Seivwright (MBBall) 2nd Team – West Division

OCAA LEADING SCORER: 2004/05 Jean Louis Ouattara (24.2 ppg)

OCAA ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: 2004/05 Jean Louis Ouattara

OCAA WEST REGION COACH OF THE YEAR: 2004/05 Thomas Cory

OCAA MEDIA AWARD: 2004/05 Sault Star