OSHAWA -- A couple of big time contributors captured a couple of big time awards at the UOIT Ridgebacks Athletic Banquet.

At the second annual awards dinner, Kathleen Edwards of the women’s hockey program and Michael Bissonnette of the men’s rowing team skated, and paddled, away with the coveted athlete of the year awards.

Edwards, in her first year of criminology at UOIT, quickly became the anchor of an inexperienced blue-line for the Ridgebacks. The Whitby resident, and former member of the Wolves program, logged a plethora of minutes as the team’s number one defencemen, playing in all situations including power play and penalty kill.

In 27 games with the Ridgebacks, Edwards managed two goals and five assists, and while those offensive numbers cease to amaze, coach Gary Pitcher says her contributions can’t necessarily be measured in statistics.

“She is a tremendous athlete with a strong work ethic,” Pitcher commented in a press release. “Joining a first year team as a first year player, Kathleen played and led like she was a fourth year veteran.”

Even with the high praise of her coach in mind, Edwards still couldn’t hide her surprise at capturing the award.    

“I was pretty much in shock. I couldn’t believe it,” she said of hearing her name beckoned at the ceremony. “I went into the athletic banquet thinking I’ll have a good time and be happy for everyone else who is getting awards. I never thought I would ever win athlete of the year.”

Meanwhile, the graduate of Father Leo J. Austin chooses to look at UOIT’s first season of struggles much the same way coach Pitcher viewed her contributions. Looking past the numbers is the key.

“I think the year went really well, even though it’s tough to play and not win so many games,” she said of the club’s 1-22-2-2 mark. “I’ve been on teams where I have never lost so many games, so that kind of came as a shock. But us girls, we came together as a team, played our hearts out, we all got along and from that stand point, it was a great season.”

Shifting from the ice to the water, where Bissonnette, a native of Sarnia and a third-year forensic science major, was recognized as the male athlete of the year.

He guided the rowing team to several team-highs at various regattas this season.

Bissonnette was also a strong leader on the team while rowing in the primary position. He shattered numerous team records held during time trials at the rowing facility on campus.

His performance certainly wasn’t lost on rowing coach Rob Milikin.

“Michael is a very strong rower who is liked by everyone on the team,” he noted in a press release. “He defiantly pulls his weight in the boat with his powerful strokes combined with his determined effort.”

Edwards and Bissonnette become the first in their respective sports to take home the award. Amy Dawson (women’s rowing) and Ryan Coppola (men’s tennis) earned the honour last year.

Several other awards were presented and are as follows: Dr. Gary Polonsky Leadership Award: Rachelle Krause, (women’s rowing), Richard Power (men’s hockey); UOIT Scholastic Award: Giannetta Savarino (women’s tennis), Eric Andres (men’s rowing); Team of the Year: men’s rowing.

The following team awards were also presented: Men’s Hockey: MVP: Derrick Bagshaw; Leadership: Richard Power; Top Scorer: Nathan Spaling; Top Defensive Player: Dustin Turner; Scholastic Award: Shane Nolan; Women’s Hockey: MVP: Kathleen Edwards; Leadership: Megan Friel; Top Scorer: Rikki Palmateer; Top Defensive Player: Kathleen Edwards; Scholastic Award: Donna Stinson; Men’s Rowing: MVP: Michael Bissonnette; Leadership: Jason Klein-Horsman; Rookie of the Year: Colin Jeffery; Scholastic Award: Eric Andres; Women’s Rowing: MVP: Laurie Moote; Leadership: Rachelle Krause; Rookie of the Year: Melissa Szabo; Scholastic Award: Elysabeth Reavell-Ray; Men’s Tennis: MVP: Christopher King; Rookie of the Year: Lee Cockerham; Scholastic Award: Anirudh Thommandram; Women’s Tennis: MVP: Bianca Savarino-Easter; Leadership Award: Dawn O’Brien; Scholastic Award: Giannetta Savarino.