Krystin Lawrence and Natalie BarretteLancers Krystin Lawrence and Natalie Barrette are all-star women’s hockey players.

Ontario University Athletics taps Lancer as women’s hockey player of the year

Third-year forward Krystin Lawrence of the Lancer women’s hockey team is Ontario University Athletics player of the year in her sport.

Following a season that saw her lead the league in scoring with 23 goals and 32 points, Lawrence also received a nod as a first-team all-star. She was named to the second-team a year ago and a member of the all-rookie team in 2015.

Teammate Natalie Barrette, a fifth-year defenceman, will represent Windsor as a second-team all-star for a second straight season. Read the full story at goLancers.ca.

Local sports awards recognize university athletes

Lawrence received another honour earlier this week, a Windsor Essex County Sports Persons of the Year (WESPY) award as female athlete of the year. The awards, conferred Monday, recognize local athletes based on their during the 2016 calendar year.

Her citation reflected her participation in two varsity sports — in addition to playing hockey, Lawrence is an all-star goalkeeper for Lancer women’s soccer.

She was one of 10 Lancers honoured at the WESPY banquet:

  • Coach of the year Brett Lumley, who led the men’s track team to its second straight national championship;
  • Track and field athletes of the year Stefanie Smith and Corey Bellemore;
  • Volleyball athletes of the year Brad Gyemi and Shannon Dean;
  • Football athlete of the year running back Tarrence Crawford;
  • Female soccer player of the year Abby Hunt, an all-Canadian and OUA MVP;
  • Parasport athlete of the year Virginia McLachlan, the fifth time for the alumna;
  • Male basketball athlete of the year Alex Campbell.

Read the full story, “Ten Lancers capture WESPY awards.”

Chantal ValleeCoach and alumna named among influential women in Canadian sport

The Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women and Sport and Physical Activity (CAAWS) has named Chantal Vallée, head coach of Lancer women’s basketball, and Olympian runner Melissa Bishop (BHK 2010, B.Ed 2011) to its Most Influential Women List for 2016.

The association’s chief executive officer, Allison Sandmeyer-Graves, said the list shines a spotlight on the leadership that women bring to sport and physical activity in Canada.

“From the national and international stage to the local level, we are proud to celebrate women who take impressive action, spearhead change and inspire us all,” she said.

It is the 17th iteration of the annual honour. Find the full list and more information at goLancers.ca.