Today we are shining a spotlight on 2020-21 Purple Blanket Award Winner, Sebastian Paulins of the Western Mustangs Swimming Team. Sebastian is also the winner of the Dr. Claude Brown Memorial Trophy for 2020-21.
Video Interview with Winner Sebastian Paulins
To watch the video interview with Sebastian Paulins and Swimming Team Head Coach Paul Midgley, please view below. For closed captioning options, please view the video on YouTube https://youtu.be/DaeovwxwylM
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.
Paulins is part of the Western Mustangs Swimming Team and has been with the team since 2016. Paulins has won five (5) First Colour Awards across his five years with the Mustangs and was part of the OUA All Star 1st Teams in the 2016-17, 2018-19 and 2019-20 seasons. Paulins was recognized as the team's Rookie of the Year in the 2016-17 season and was Male M.V.P. in the 2019-20 season. In 2020, Paulins was also awarded OUA Male Athlete of the Year for Western and the Dr. Jeno Tihanyi IM Excellence Award. Paulins has helped his team place in multiple OUA and U Sports Championships across his seasons with the Mustangs, and had also placed individually throughout his career. In 2020, Paulins placed first in all four of his competitions at the OUA Championships, and at the U Sports Championship, he placed eighth in the 400 free, seventh in the 1500 free, fourth in the 200 fly and fifteenth in the 400 IM competitions.
Swimming Team Head Coach Paul Midgley noted Paulins' determination to his sport. "[Paulins] has unmatched work ethic and dedication." he explained. "Throughout [the COVID-19 pandemic], [Paulins] has been resilient and remained focused on his goals and achievements." Coach Bechard elaborated. "[Paulins] has achieved an amazing body of work while representing the Western Mustangs over his career" he continued. Coach Midgley has noted Paulins progress and growth throughout his career at Western and said "[Paulins'] overall development throughout his years at Western University shows what dedication and true grit look like."
Paulins is finishing his degree in Social Sciences at Western.
We want to extend a big Western Mustangs congratulations to Sebastian Paulins on winning a 2020-21 Purple Blanket Award, as well as the Dr. Claude Brown Memorial Trophy 2020-21.
