FANSHAWE 2011-12 ATHLETIC AWARDS

D.J. Ronaldson named Fanshawe College 2011-12 Male Athlete of the Year

D.J. Ronaldson is the third curling athlete recipient of the 40 year history of this long standing student award. D.J. curled on the men's team and skipped the team, while participating in the London Highland Curling Club men's league this past year when veteran skip Chris Jay was sidelined with an injury. On Chris's return, D.J. moved to the vice position, was captain of the men's curling team, and was named most valuable player for the team.

Under his leadership, the men's team captured silver medal at the OCAA championships at the Soo Curling Club where he was also named OCAA First-Team All Star. Last year, D.J. also was at the OCAA championships when the men's Falcon team captured the gold medal. D.J.'s hometown is Nipigon, Ont. and he attended Nip-Rock District HS.

The most impressive achievement occurred at the national level when the men's team went undefeated in capturing the CCAA gold medal and D.J. was named CCAA First-Team All-Star, with the highest shooting percentage in his position.

"As a volunteer with the Youth London Boys Home and a student enrolled in the Child and Youth Worker Program, there is no doubt that D.J.'s dedication, commitment and well-rounded skills will take him very far in the future," Mike Lindsay, Fanshawe College Manager of Athletics said.

Jordan Ariss named Fanshawe College 2011-12 Female Athlete of the Year

Jordan Ariss' commitment and dedication to excellence in her sport was fulfilled this year when she was skip for the Falcons mixed curling team that took home a silver medal at the OCAA championships. She then joined the women's curling team as vice and captain, while landing a CCAA national championship team gold medal.

Jordan was named OCAA First-Team All-Star at the provincial championships and later named CCAA First-Team All-Star as vice, and curled the highest shooting percentage in her position at the CCAA Championships in Peterborough.

As a Dean's Honour Roll recipient at Fanshawe College, Jordan also gained scholastic achievement by receiving the OCAA All-Academic Award, the CCAA SIRC All-Canadian Award and a member of the Fanshawe intercollegiate curling team academic challenge winners, with a team average of 3.75 GPA. Special achievements also included women's curling team rookie of the year, most valuable player, as well as the Leadership and Training Award for top performance as a student employee with the Athletics Department.

"Jordan's accomplishments and leadership ability have resulted in her being named the top female athlete at Fanshawe for 2011-12 in her first year as a student athlete." Mike Lindsay, Fanshawe College Manager of Athletics said.

Jordan is a London native, attended Mother Teresa Catholic S.S. and is a member of the London Highland Curling Club. She will be returning next year and is enrolled in the Office Administration - Executive Program.

Nicole Carriere named Fanshawe College 2011-12 Jim Matchett Award Winner
 
Third-year intercollegiate women's soccer player Nicole Carriere is the 2011-2012 winner of the Jim Matchett Memorial Scholarship. She will be the 12th recipient of this annual award.

The award is for a student who has made a noteworthy contribution to the Student Athletics Program at Fanshawe College while achieving a significant academic standing.

Carriere will be graduating from the Fitness and Health Promotion diploma program this year with honours. She will be returning to complete her second program in Recreation and Leisure Studies next year and continue her athletic career.

Nicole has demonstrated what it means to be involved in student life and the community.  As a part-time student employee in Athletics, her leadership with the soccer program and while taking her academic placement, Nicole helped plan, organize and deliver recreational intramurals including the co-ed volleyball league, summer co-ed 3-pitch league, and summer ball hockey league.  While acting in a Customer Service role, she helped facilitate a significant number of students with equipment and facility access.

"Nicole has demonstrated that her abilities are well rounded," Joanne Verbeek, Fanshawe College Athletic Program Officer said. "As a leader and integral part of Fanshawe's athletics program, Nicole's organization, initiative and problem solving have been a great asset to the staff."

Nicole also does exceptionally well in the classroom, which was evident as she was named an OCAA All-Academic, a CCAA national scholar and is on Fanshawe College's honour roll. She was a member of the OCAA provincial bronze medal women's outdoor soccer team, which finished with nine wins and two losses in league play.

Within the Fanshawe College community, she also took initiative to organize a Heart and Stroke dance fundraiser, participate in the United Way stair climb and help organize high school tournaments. Nicole supported her mother, Theresa, with her one-run fundraising campaign for breast cancer.

Source: Fanshawe College