Quest University's athletic teams continue to grow and school officials and students took time to reflect on another big step forward for respect of the Kermodes basketball and soccer teams during the 2011-'12 season.
The school honoured its best on the pitch and the court at the annual athletics banquet on Thursday (April 12).
It was a banner year for the women's soccer and basketball teams as both qualified for the postseason. The soccer team was the first Quest squad to be ranked nationally.
"Our biggest highlight was making the playoffs," said basketball player Delainee Behrns. "But we weren't the first Quest team to do that because the women's soccer team has made it the last two years. Wait a second, both women's teams have now made the playoffs but the guys haven't? Is that right? Shook [men's basketball coach]? Jonas [men's soccer coach]?"
Despite failing to make the playoffs, an emotional men's soccer coach Jonas Worth said it was a memorable season.
"What started out as a wonderful preseason where we went undefeated led into a saga I could only relate back to watching Brazilian soap operas in the '90s," he said. "In the first two weeks of the season, we had a couple funerals and three season-ending injuries. And then a simple clerical error from the college down the road led to the last-place team jumping us for a playoff spot at the end.
"But, at the end of the day, it was very special for me because of what these guys do for me on a daily basis. It's very difficult for me not stand here and be emotional because this is a team I love with all my heart."
Worth gave his coach's award to midfielder Daniel Klein, leadership award to defender Charles Impey and player of the year to graduating player Ben MacGregor.
Women's basketball head coach Mike Woollard said he was proud of all his team accomplished and was pleased to help the squad make its first-ever postseason appearance.
"Everyday I got to walk into a gym full of 12 young ladies that dedicated themselves to the sport, each other and the school," he said. "I'm extremely proud of everything they achieved this year."
Woollard handed out the coach's award to guard Andrea Eidsvik, leadership award to Nicola Hitchcock and player of the year to Katrin Sandbichler.
Men's basketball head coach Sean Shook praised the dedication of graduating seniors John Pankratz and Vlad Smiljkovic.
"When they came here four years ago, we had literally four players on the team," he said. "Those guys have been a joy to work with and I wish them all the best in the future."
Pankratz took home player of the year honours, with Nico Umagat winning the leadership award and four "red shirt" rookies sharing the coach's award.
Women's soccer head coach Martina Franko also honoured her graduating seniors and celebrated a successful season that saw the team qualify for the playoffs for the second consecutive year.
"I'm proud of how well the team bonded this year," she said. "We had the talent this year to finally play the aggressive type of soccer I've wanted to since I got here. It was beautiful to watch."
Franko singled out departing seniors Baylee Wilkinson, Brittany Shalagan, Samadi Bouchard, Shannon Nordling and Lindsay Epp for their contributions to the program.
"It's been a roller coaster ride these last four years," she said. "I truly appreciate that you've stuck with me and the program through thick and thin. A lot of people gave up; there were 20 at the beginning and only five left. It'll be impossible to replace you all and you will be greatly missed."
School officials recognized Nordling and Klein as the male and female athletes with the top grade-point average (GPA) and also pointed out that 38 athletes achieved at least a 3.0 GPA.
The end of the night saw Hitchcock and MacGregor pick up the awards for best female and male athletes of year respectively for their work both on and off the court or pitch.
For more information on Quest athletics, visit www.questkermodes.ca.