Gonzalez, Salmon named Top Trojans
CALGARY, ALTA., (March 31, 2022) – The SAIT Trojans men's and women's soccer and futsal programs had tremendous seasons, and they were rewarded for it.
In fact, it was a pair of footballers - Nico Gonzalez and Jasmin Salmon - who were named the 2021-22 SAIT Trojans Male and Female Athletes of the Year at the Department's Year End Banquet held at SAIT Thursday night.
"It's obviously a compliment, but a lot of it goes to how well my teams performed," said Salmon, who also won the Zahavich Family Medal of Excellence and the indoor track team's Trojan of the Year nod. "As much as track is an individual sport, it's also a team sport like soccer and futsal. And just coming to a new institution and being recognized is beyond words and so exciting."
"It's amazing. What an honour," Gonzalez echoed. "It was such a privilege and such a good year with all the guys. Couldn't ask for a better group, top to bottom. . . It was a great year."
Gonzalez's story is an impressive one, as the fourth-year midfielder will turn 36 years of age in July – just slightly older than 31-year drought for the men's soccer program when it comes to the award. The last player from the team to win Male Athlete of the Year was Brad Parno back in 1991.
"It's not easy getting up every day and training at my age," he said with a laugh. "But there is just a desire to keep playing. It's fun for me and it helps me stay fit. . . I couldn't have asked for a better year. It was amazing."
Despite last playing for the Trojans more than a decade ago (2009-10), the young-at-heart Gonzalez returned to school and led the Trojans men's soccer and futsal teams to gold medals this season – all while being enrolled in SAIT's Geomatics Engineering Technology program.
He also earned numerous individual honours, including being named a Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) All-Canadian, an Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) All-Conference selection and an ACAC Futsal Championship Tournament All-Star.
Salmon's first year at SAIT will be one to remember for a while.
The Lethbridge College Kodiaks transfer came to SAIT this season to take the Primary Care Paramedic program and immediately shined on the defensive side of the ball for the women's soccer team.
The fourth-year's veteran leadership helped her Trojans win the ACAC Soccer Championship and earn a bronze medal at the CCAA National Championship Tournament in Toronto – their first national medal in 20 years.
In the winter semester, Salmon's athleticism was on full display as she took on both indoor track and futsal with great success. She capped off 2021-22 season bouncing back and forth between the two championship tournaments - picking up gold medal wins at the ACAC Indoor Track Championships in the 1,000m and 600m events and a gold medal win at the Futsal Championships.
"I was really fortunate that this last weekend the futsal games and track race times fit my schedule," Salmon said. "A lot of emotional support from my team got me through it."
She was also named an ACAC All-Conference selection in soccer – the second such nod for her.
The wait for an Athlete of the Year was not as dramatic for the women's soccer side, as Deanna Kuan took the award at the end of the 2018-19 season.
Men's basketball player Charlie Conner joined Salmon on stage as the Zahavich Family Medal of Excellence winner. The medal is presented to male and female Trojan athlete who has represented SAIT with class and dignity while also excelling on the playing surface, in the classroom and in the SAIT community.
Filip Florek and Meaghan Wiebe were named the 2021-22 SAIT Trojans Freshman of the Year. Florek starred for the men's volleyball team this year, earning All-Conference honours for his play at middle.
Wiebe was a stud all year, earning league Rookie and Player of the Year honours in soccer, while also winning futsal gold and running indoor track – earning team bronze and a silver medal in the 4x200m relay.
Also winning major awards were:
Karl Olsen Minor Official Awards
Jungmin Ham
Ben Hames
EFW and Vereburn Medical Supplies Athletic Therapy Student of the Year
Kylie Cunningham
Courage, Determination and Spirit Awards
Brooke Litwinski – women's volleyball
Gemie Muya – men's basketball
Trojans Pillar Awards
Zach Michaud – men's soccer
Jaime McPherson – women's soccer
Ken Tidsbury Leadership Awards
Ryan Zachary – men's volleyball
Kaleigh Sellars – women's basketball
Al Buttle Red and White Awards
Rock Ruschkowski – men's hockey
Brittany MacDonald – women's hockey