The Western Mustangs are pleased to shine the spotlight today on 2020-21 Purple Blanket Award Winner, Olga Nova of the Mustangs Fencing Team.
Video Interview with Winner Olga Nova
To view a video interview with Olga Nova and Mustangs Fencing Team Head Coach Carol Christie, please click below. For closed captioning options, please view the interview on our YouTube platform https://youtu.be/hDSXnKbmXII
Purple Blanket Awards are granted to students who, often in their graduating year, are nominated by their coaches and chosen by members of the Selection Committee. Nominated individuals must have been a Western Mustangs student athlete for a minimum of three (3) years, have received a minimum of three (3) First Colour Awards throughout their career, and have been an active participant in their respective sport at the time of recommendation.
Olga Nova has been part of the Mustangs Fencing Team since 2017. She has won four (4) First Colour Awards, one for each year she has been on the team, and has been the Team Captain for the past four seasons as well. She was an OUA All Star in the 2017-18 and 2019-20 seasons and helped her team win Silver in the 2017-18, 2018-19 and 2019-20 seasons. Nova has competed for and won multiple medals throughout her career. Individually, she won bronze in the OUA Championships in the 2017-18 and 2018-19 seasons, and came 7th in the OUA in the 2019-20 season.
Fencing Head Coach Carol Christie noted Nova's enthusiasm and leadership. "She is brave, willing to try new things, take calculated risks and challenge herself." remarked Coach Christie. With Nova's final season being cancelled due to COVID-19, Head Coach Christie noted Nova's enthusiasm to continue team building and training. "She is engaged with the team's social events and physical/tactical training both online and in the gym." said Coach Christie. "[Nova] is honest, polite, and respectful. She is reliable and takes her responsibilities seriously." she continued.
Nova is currently finishing her degree in Medical Science from Western. She has engaged in research trips across the world and outside of competing, Nova is the Academic Success Program Representative for the Fencing Team, and has hosted Zoom Meetings with the team's rookies to introduce them to the team. She is also involved in events with Mustangs Athletics and Student Experience.
We want to extend a big congratulations to Olga Nova for winning a 2020-21 Purple Blanket Award.
