London, ON – We are thrilled to announce the winner of the 65th annual Western Mustangs 2020-21 F.W.P. Jones Trophy Award: Kate Current!
The F.W.P. Jones Trophy is awarded annually to the Western Mustangs top female student athlete who, in the opinion of the selection committee, has made the greatest contributions to intercollegiate athletics, academics and community service.
Kate Current was one of three finalists for the F.W.P. Jones Trophy, announced on Thursday April 1. The other two finalists were: Erin Alizadeh and Melissa Langegger.
F.W.P. Jones Trophy 2020-21
Kate Current is a member of both the Western Mustangs Cross Country Team and Western Mustangs Track and Field Team, and is in her fifth year studying Engineering.
She is also a recipient of the 2020-21 Purple Blanket Award (announced yesterday, April 6) and a Westesrn Mustangs Graduating Ring, being announced on Friday, April 9.
Throughout her career as a Western Mustangs, Current has received many different awards and recognitions. She has won two Female Athlete of the Year Awards, has been a 1st and 2nd Team OUA All Star and a U Sports 1st and 2nd Team All Star across the 2018-19 and 2019-20 seasons. In her 2019-20 Track & Field season, Current came 2nd in the 1500m competition in the U Sports Championships. Kate Current has been the Captain of both the Cross Country and Track & Field Teams, and has won multiple First Colour Awards.
Western Mustangs Track & Field Head Coach Vickie Croley noted Current's "exceptional ability and competitiveness" throughout her career at Western. "She has developed into one of the all-time best distance runners at Western. She continued to exceed her expectations during the 2020 season in cross country and track." said Coach Croley. "In 2020 she also made her first National team which I believe is only a stepping stone of what lies ahead for this incredible athlete. Being named the 2019-20 Western's Female Athlete of the Year recognized Kate for an exceptional year in both cross country and on the track. This season I was looking forward to seeing Kate continue to improve, winning multiple medals and achieving All-Canadian performances that she has demonstrated she is capable of." Head Coach Croley remarked.
Cross Country Head Coach Guy Schultz noted Current's progress over her 5 years as a Western Mustang. "She not only improved in the shorter track distances, which were her specialty, she also became one of our top cross country and distance runners in Western's history. During the 5 years that [Current] competed on the track, she showed an incredible range to compete successfully in a wide variety of events." Coach Schultz explained. Current won both the 1500m and 3000m competitions in the 2020 OUA Championships. "[Current] continues to improve and we believe her competitive running career has just begun with many years of strong racing ahead of her." said Coach Schultz.
Current was set to represent the country in the FISU World University Cross Country Championships in Morocco in March 2020, until the event was cancelled due to the emerging pandemic.
Congratulations Kate Current on this outstanding achievement. We are Purple and Proud of your accomplishments and congratulate you on winning the 2020-21 F.W.P. Jones Trophy Award!
