Co-Female Athletes of the Year headlined the Niagara College Athletic Banquet this year as Montanna Taylor and Janee Harrison, two St. Catharines natives, were honoured with the top award this season. Joined by Ajax native Khayden Stewart as Male Athlete of the Year to round out the top athletic awards for the 2024-2025 season. Student athletes and staff celebrated this year's accomplishments at the Stone Mill Ballroom on Tuesday, April 1st.
The banquet is held to recognize top student athletes for their performance on the court and field of play, and more importantly in the classroom. The night was also an opportunity to highlight the teams' success and recognize individual accomplishments from the 2024/2025 season.
Harrison, a forward on the Knights women's basketball team, Taylor, a setter on the Knights women's volleyball team, and Stewart, a guard on the Knights men's basketball team were honoured as the Niagara College Knights Co-Female and Male Athletes of the Year. Harrison was named an OCAA 1st Team All-Star, as well as to the OCAA West Division Championship team and the OCAA West Division Best Defensive team. She also won a CCAA All-Canadian award, a CCAA Academic All-Canadian award, and an OCAA All-Academic award. Taylor was named an OCAA West Division 2nd Team All-Star, was an OCAA Semi-Finalist player of the game, an OCAA Championship All-Star, an OCAA All-Academic, a CCAA Academic All-Canadian, and won a bronze medal with her team this year. Stewart led his team to a fantastic comeback in the second half of the season and was recognized with an OCAA West Division 2nd Team All-Star award, an OCAA All-Academic award, and a CCAA Academic All-Canadian award.
Noah LeBrun (Simcoe, Ontario), a first-year student-athlete and member of the Niagara College curling team, was selected as this year's Niagara College Knights Male Tournament Sport Player of the Year. His mixed doubles partner Julia Markle (St. George, ON), also a first-year student-athlete and member of the Niagara College curling team, was selected as this year's Niagara College Knights Female Tournament Sport Player of the Year.
Rowan Redekop (Surrey, British Columbia), and Cienna Toromoreno (Vaughan, Ontario), were honoured as the Niagara College Knights Male and Female Rookie Athletes of the Year across all sports. Redekop is a middle blocker on the Knights Men's volleyball team, and Toromoreno is a midfielder on the Knights women's soccer team.
Jamira Rousseau (Welland, Ontario), a key piece of the Knights' women's basketball team and Mitch Churipuy (Peterborough, Ontario), an outside hitter on the Knights men's volleyball team were named Female and Male Leadership Award recipients across all sports.
Gerrit Oldejans (Dundas, Ontario), a forward on the Knights men's soccer team was recognized for academic excellence as the top Male Scholastic Award recipient. While Griffin Lack-Shane (Waterloo, Ontario) a guard on the Knights women's basketball team is the recipient of the top Female Scholastic Award in recognition of the top Academic GPA across all sports for a Niagara College student-athlete.
Major Award-Winning Athletes Bios Included at bottom of Media Release.
A total of 94 individual awards were presented at this year's banquet.
Steve Stone, head coach of the bronze medalist women's volleyball team was the recipient of the Ralph Nero Memorial Award – for coaching excellence and outstanding contributions to student recruitment and retention.
Tyler Lamb, Niagara College gameday crew member, was the recipient of the Luciano Berardocco Memorial Award. This award recognizes his outstanding contribution to intercollegiate athletics in the 2024 – 2025 season.
Peter "Dutch" VandenBerg, Broadcasting, Radio, Television and Film Program Coordinator, was the recipient of the Ray Sarkis Award. This award is given to individuals who exude passion, commitment and community-mindedness.
Janee Harrison, a 4th year forward on the Knights women's basketball team was recognized as this year's only CCAA All-Canadian. This award is presented to an individual who has displayed exceptional athletic performance and is being recognized as one of the best players in their sport within the OCAA.
The recipients of the CCAA Academic All-Canadian Awards are:
Women's Basketball Janee Harrison
Men's Basketball Khayden Stewart
Women's Volleyball Montanna Taylor
Women's Volleyball Samantha Cormier
Women's Soccer Cienna Toromoreno
Women's Soccer Sarah Haist
The recipients of the OCAA All-Academic Awards are:
Men's Basketball Kadin Moore, Khayden Stewart, Riley Bleich and Mark Taylor
Women's Basketball Janee Harrison, Aisja Strachan, Lexxus Bell, Taryn Mitchell, Griffin Lack-Shane, Megan Louws and Alia Omar-Bujak
Men's Golf Ethan Siebert
Men's Soccer Gerrit Oldejans, Cole Smith, Jacob Lambert, Juan Plata, Noah Vogel,
Michael DiMaurizio and William Mitchell
Women's Soccer Cienna Toromoreno, Hannah Truant, Siera Warkentin, Sarah Haist, Cora Meloche, Tessa Vahrmeyer, Ashley Phillips, Josee Severin, Sara Vogel, Taylor Hynes, Olivia Collevecchio, Jayda Rodrigue and Aneisha Gobbels
Men's Volleyball RJ Martin, Sam Pynn, Jack Drummond, Noah Trembly, Rowan Redekop and Micah Nieuwets
Women's Volleyball Emilie Dlouhy, Samantha Cormier, Kyleigh Baxter, Aja Zambiasi, Montanna Taylor, Natalie Little, Jenna Main, Charlize Trudell, Teegan Hyndman, Milayna Mulder and Laryssa Schipper
The Niagara College 4th Year Recognition Award. Recognizing athletes who have given four years of dedication to their respective sport:
Men's Basketball Mark Taylor
Women's Basketball Janee Harrison and Taryn Mitchell
Men's Volleyball Ashton Nieuwets and Micah Nieuwets
Women's Volleyball Abbey Gooder
The Niagara College 5th Year Recognition Award. Recognizing athletes who have given five years of dedication to their respective sport:
Women's Volleyball Montanna Taylor
Team-by-Team Leadership Award. This award is in recognition of outstanding commitment, dedication, and leadership on and off the court/field/ice of play:
Men's Basketball Mark Taylor
Women's Basketball Jamira Rousseau
Golf Matthew Palumbi
Men's Soccer Juan Plata
Women's Soccer Sara Vogel
Men's Volleyball Mitch Churipuy
Women Volleyball Natalie Little
Curling Julia Reichelt
Team-by-Team Scholastic Award. This Award is in recognition of the top Academic GPA for a Niagara College Student Athlete.
Men's Basketball Mark Taylor
Women's Basketball Griffin Lack-Shane
Men's Golf Ethan Siebert
Men's Soccer Gerrit Oldejans
Women's Soccer Josee Severin
Men's Volleyball Noah Trembly
Women's Volleyball Jenna Main
Curling Paige Taylor
Team-by-Team Rookie Athlete of the Year
Men's Basketball Isiah Panom
Women's Basketball Alyah Pereira
Golf Avery Cheeseman
Men's Soccer Nolan Freel
Women's Soccer Cienna Toromoreno
Men's Volleyball Rowan Redekop
Women's Volleyball Emilie Dlouhy
Curling William Mitchell
Team-by-Team Most Valuable Player
Men's Basketball Khayden Stewart
Women's Basketball Janee Harrison
Golf Ethan Siebert
Men's Soccer Gerrit Oldejans
Women's Soccer Mia DiPasquale
Men's Volleyball Micah Nieuwets
Women's Volleyball Montanna Taylor
Male and Female Athletes of the Year
Female Athlete of the Year
Janee Harrison (St. Catharines, Ontario) and Montanna Taylor (St. Catharines, Ontario) were honoured as Co-Female Athletes of the Year for the 2024-2025 season. Both having phenomenal seasons in their respective sports, sharing this prestigious award was the only decision that made sense to be able to honour both student-athletes.
Taylor, a 5th year setter, has dedicated countless hours to the Niagara College women's volleyball program during her time as a Knight. Her final season as a Knight was arguably her best as she led the team to a 3rd place finish in the OCAA West Division and then a bronze medal at the OCAA Provincial Championship. Taylor finished the season in 3rd place in the OCAA in blocks and 7th in assists while also holding the Niagara College total assists record (for both men and women!) with over 1500. She wraps up her career as a Knight with a long list of recognition from this year including: a CCAA Academic All-Canadian award, an OCAA All-Academic award, an OCAA West Division 2nd Team All-Star award, an OCAA Semi-Finals player of the game award, an OCAA Championship All-Star award, and an OCAA Bronze Medal.
Harrison, a 4th year forward has had an incredible career with the Knights, culminating with back-to-back Female Athlete of the Year awards. She started in all 16 of her team's games this season and averaged just shy of 30 minutes per game. Finishing 7th in the OCAA in points per game, she caps off her season with a CCAA All-Canadian award, a CCAA Academic All-Canadian award, an OCAA All-Academic award, and an OCAA West Division 1st Team All-Star award.
Male Athlete of the Year
Khayden Stewart (Ajax, Ontario) is a 4th year guard who brought his wide array of playing experience and deep level of commitment to the Niagara College men's basketball program the last few years. This year he was recognized as on OCAA 2nd Team All-Star after being a part of the OCAA's top defensive team last season. His passion for the game and drive to continually improve himself and everyone around him does not go unnoticed. Stewart finished 6th in the OCAA in steals per game and 2nd in the OCAA in assists per game, showing his true team-first mentality. With a strong defensive background, Stewart was a large part of his team allowing only 75.3 points per game, which places them in 2nd place in the OCAA for points against. Stewart was also recognized for his efforts in the classroom, receiving an OCAA All-Academic award as well as a CCAA Academic All-Canadian award.
Male and Female Rookie Athlete of the Year – Across All Sports
Female Rookie Athlete of the Year
Cienna Toromoreno (Vaughan, Ontario) displayed great skill and acted as more of a veteran presence on the team instead of a rookie. Being a dominant force and able to get the ball to where her teammates needed it at the most important of times, she proved to be a challenge for all opposing teams as they game planned against her. Toromoreno finished her first season as a Knight with 8 points, 3 goals and 2 assists - scoring her first goal as a Knight in the season opener against the Humber Hawks, helping to seal the victory. Toromoreno's play throughout the year earned her multiple recognitions from the OCAA – a West Division 2nd Team All-Star award, a West Division All-Rookie Team award and a Rookie of the Year award.
Male Rookie Athlete of the Year
Rowan Redekop (Surrey, British Columbia) has a calm demeanor but is the complete opposite once he steps onto the court. Providing highlight reel plays in key moments of every game he was in, his high IQ and athleticism proved difficult for opposing teams as they had trouble containing him. Redekop had a phenomenal rookie campaign and finished the season as the OCAA leader in stuff blocks with 53. Accumulating 142 points, 78 kills and 11 service aces over the year, Redekop finishes with a .262 hitting percentage and averages 1.32 kills per set. Playing in his first playoff game against the Durham Lords, and contributing to the Knights' sweep, Redekop capped the night off with 9 points on 6 kills, 2 blocks, 2 digs and 1 service ace.
Male and Female Top Leadership Award – Across All Sports
Female Top Leadership Award
Jamira Rousseau (Welland, Ontario) showed tremendous leadership and commitment towards the team this past season. Setting a standard of dedication, competitiveness and consistency that is unmatched, she put the team on her shoulders and wasn't afraid to lead by example. Rousseau's leadership skills are second to none and is a prime example of what every coach looks for in a player. Adopting a new head coach into the team just before the start of the season, the women's basketball team had a steep hill to climb to be ready for their home opener. Rousseau spent countless hours helping to make that a seamless transition for the team and was continually found reviewing game footage and planning for opponents with her coach. A large part of the team's success this season, Rousseau is the epitome of being a strong leader.
Male Top Leadership Award
Mitch Churipuy (Peterborough, Ontario) has a selfless attitude that is always on full display, constantly showcasing a "team first" mentality. Leading by example, both on and off the playing surface, his desire for team success and helping to coach his teammates is apparent in making everyone feel supported as a Knight. Not only is Mitch's positive attitude contagious as he always greets individuals with a smile, but his work ethic is unparalleled as he pushes himself and his teammates to get better – holding everyone accountable for their actions.
Male and Female Top Scholastic Award – Across All Sports
Female Top Scholastic Award
Griffin Lack-Shane (Waterloo, ON), a guard for the Knights' basketball team showed extreme dedication to her studies this year, while also performing on the court. Finishing with a 96% GPA, Lack-Shane was the recipient of the Female Top Scholastic Award.
Male Top Scholastic Award
Gerrit Oldejans (Dundas, ON), a forward for the Knights' soccer team showed extreme dedication to his studies this year, while also performing on the pitch. Finishing with a 94% GPA, Oldejans was the recipient of the Male Top Scholastic Award.
Male Tournament Sport Player of the Year
Noah Lebrun (Simcoe, Ontario), a member of the mixed doubles curling team, played a pivotal role in his team's success with his incredible athleticism and shot-making abilities. Consistently outdrawing his competition and making clutch shots at the most important of times, this rookie earned an OCAA bronze medal in his debut season. Working seamlessly with a new teammate and staying composed on the ice, this athlete showed his true dedication and love for his sport time and time again.
Female Tournament Sport Player of the Year
Julia Markle (St. George, Ontario), a member of the mixed doubles curling team, was a late recruit but was an all-important player on her team as she brought an extensive competitive resume with her, continuing her success through her first season as a Knight. A leader on and off the ice, she made the toughest shots in the right moments and showed consistency and poise throughout the entire season. Partnering with a brand-new teammate at the beginning of the season and having limited practice time together, this pair peaked at the right time as they went on to capture an OCAA bronze medal.
