Ottawa, ON – The best of the best among university student athletes were recognized this morning as the U SPORTS Top 8 Academic All-Canadians were announced. Kate Current of the Mustangs Cross Country and Track and Field teams was the OUA female honouree.

"To be recognized as one of U SPORTS Top 8 Academic All-Canadians is an incredible honour." said Current "This award is the culmination of six years of hard work and commitment to my athletic and academic endeavours. Balancing a degree in engineering while competing at the national level was not an easy undertaking, but I am grateful to have had the best support-system along the way that allowed me to excel in both areas of my life."

Current just finished her final season with the Mustangs in 2022 as Female Athlete of the Year, She has represented Western at 10 U SPORTS championships during her career, earning six OUA All-Star awards, and four U SPORTS All-Canadian awards. She is the school record holder in both the 3000 meters and 1500 meters, breaking records that both stood for 37 years and achieved a double-gold performance in both events at the U SPORTS championships last March.



"My success as a student-athlete is not just a recognition of my personal achievements, but also a testament to the dedication of those around me. I am honoured to accept this award on behalf of Western, my team, my coaches, my supervisor, my family, and myself." said Current.
 
Academically, Current is in her second year of graduate studies in Civil Engineering. She has achieved Dean's Honour list every year since 2017 and completed her graduate studies courses with an average of 94%. In 2022, Ms. Current was awarded with the Alan G. Davenport Memorial Scholarship based on academic achievement and contribution to the wind engineering community.

Current becomes the eight Mustang to receive this honour. (Nick Vanin – Football (2017-18), Caroline Ehrhardt - Track & Field (2013-14), Steven Takahashi – Wrestling (2012-13), Allison Oosterhuis – Soccer (2004-05), Sagar Desai – Basketball (2003-04), Andrew Kwiatkowski – Basketball (2000-01), Craig Donaldson – Hockey (1993-94). 

"Kate is an exceptional example of what a Mustangs student athlete is and strives to be. As a dual sport athlete and engineering student, she was always keeping her focus on what came next and what was best for her team and teammates," said Christine Stapleton, Western's Director of Sports & Recreation. "Kate is one of very few multi-time athlete of the year winners and if you add in the year she received the F.W.P. Jones Trophy you could argue she is among the most decorated student athletes in our schools history."



Among the 4900+ student-athletes who achieved U SPORTS Academic All-Canadian status in 2021-22, one female and one male student-athlete from each of the four U SPORTS conferences were selected to make up the Top 8.

"Kate has been a strong leader on both the Cross Country and Track and Field teams as a captain, while still excelling in both her academic and athletic pursuits." said Mustangs Cross Country Head Coach Guy Schultz.

U SPORTS student-athletes achieve Academic All-Canadian status for having maintained an average of 80 per cent or better over the academic year while competing for one – or more – of their university's varsity teams.
 
The Governor General's Academic All-Canadian Commendation was founded in 2013 by the Right Honourable David Johnston, former Governor General of Canada, who first honoured Canada's Top 8 student-athletes.

The 2021-22 recipients are:

ATLANTIC UNIVERSITY SPORT (AUS)
Shae Demale – Hockey (Saint Mary's University)
Alex Carson – Basketball (Dalhousie University)

RÉSEAU DU SPORT ÉTUDIANT DU QUÉBEC (RSEQ)
Jade Downie-Landry – Hockey (McGill University)
Jean-Simon Desgagnés – Cross Country (Université Laval)

ONTARIO UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS (OUA)
Kate Current – Cross Country & Track and Field (Western University)
Raphaël Garcia – Soccer. (Carleton University)

CANADA WEST (CW)
Eric Lutz – Cross Country & Track and Field (University of Calgary)
Rebecca Smith – Swimming (University of Calgary)

For full details on all recipients go to: https://usports.ca/en/awards/news/2023/01/2841875999/top-8-2021-22