London, ON - Western Sports & Recreation hosted the 83nd annual Western Mustangs Awards Celebration at Alumni Hall on Wednesday afternoon, where we recognized and honoured the many accomplishments of our 2023-24 student athletes.
"Our Western Mustangs student athletes consistently model the way, both on campus and within the London community. I am very proud of how well they represent Western University, year over year. They show incredible determination, passion, and perseverance." – Christine Stapleton, Director, Sports & Recreation, Western University
"Sports are such an important part of the culture at Western – for athletes yes – but also for those cheering you on. As athletes, you help build the spirit Western is so well known for and create the sense of belonging and connection that many students and alumni feel so deeply." said Alan Shepard, Western President & Vice-Chancellor "As leaders, [student athletes] help cultivate the kind of environment we want to maintain as we continue to grow and expand our impact as a University. And despite challenges – whether on or off the court, field, or ice – your determination and commitment inspire our whole community."
The Western Mustangs thank all our student athletes for their incredible contributions to sport, to our community, and for all you do for Western.
G. Howard Ferguson Award
Congratulations to this year's 2024 recipient of the G. Howard Ferguson Award: Ella Doornaert, Mustangs Wrestling
The G. Howard Ferguson Award was started at Western in 1932 and is presented to a senior student in any faculty of the University who is considered to have attained the highest achievement during a university career encompassing athletics, scholarship and college life.
"Ella is academically one of the absolute top students. Her performance is even more impressive considering her commitment to the Western's Varsity Wrestling team and all her other commitments and engagements." – Dr. Susanne Schmid, Vice Dean, Basic Medical Sciences, Western University
Congratulations Ella!
Athlete of the Year FEMALE
This year's winner of 2024 Female Athlete of the Year is Shona Branton, Mustangs Swimming.
Athlete of the Year is presented annually to a Western Mustangs male and female student athlete who have achieved outstanding success representing Western at the provincial or national level in the season.
"Shona continues her rapid progression both nationally and on the international stage. There is much more to see from her and Olympic trials are right around the corner. Shona comes prepared to every practice and gives 100% to each and every work out. We are hopeful that her continued progression will lead her to great things in the years to come at Western. Shona has broken a barrier [and U SPORTS and Western records] with her swimming and continues to push herself every practice and at every competition." – Paul Midgley, Head Coach, Mustangs Swimming
Congratulations Shona!
Athlete of the Year MALE
This year's winner for 2024 Male Athlete of the Year is Treye Trotman, Mustangs Wrestling.
Athlete of the Year is presented annually to a Western Mustangs male and female student athlete who have achieved outstanding success representing Western at the provincial or national level in the season.
"Treye [Trotman] had an outstanding season. For the second year in a row he went undefeated against all university competitors. Treye won every domestic tournament he entered picking up 5 golds, including defending his OUA and USPORTS championships from last year. Only one of his matches this year went the full time. In my opinion Treye is the best wrestler in USPORTS. He is also a great teammate. He encourages everyone and is often found cheering on his teammates. He is very humble and respectful of his opponents and is a gracious winner and always displays sportsmanship. Currently Treye is the number two ranked senior wrestler in Canada and represented Canada at the 2023 senior world championships." – Scott Proctor, Head Coach, Mustangs Wrestling
Congratulations Treye!
Purple Blanket Award Winners
Purple Blankets were presented today at the Mustangs Awards Celebration to the student athletes who achieved superior distinction at the provincial or national level of competition as representatives of Western. They are awarded based on both academic and athletic achievements. Recipients must have participated in athletics for a minimum of three years and must have earned a minimum of three first colours.
The 2023-24 recipients of the Western Mustangs Purple Blankets are:
- Leslie Kelley – Rowing
- Connor Newell – Rowing
- Alyssa Evans – Figure Skating & Field Hockey
- Rachel Weber – Rowing
- Ella Doornaert – Wrestling
- Robert Panabaker – Football
- Vivian Ogor – Track & Field
- Matt Indome – Track & Field
- Favour Okpali – Track & Field
- Lily Liu – Fencing
- Tyson Dunn – Basketball
- Blythe Hilpert – Softball
- Aimee Leduc – Softball
- Michael Orlando – Lacrosse
- Avarie Thomas – Soccer & Basketball
Congratulations on an incredible 2023-24 season!
F.W.P. Jones Trophy
The winner of this year's F.W.P. Jones Trophy is Blythe Hilpert, Mustangs Softball.
The F.W.P. Jones Trophy is awarded to the female student athlete who made the most outstanding contribution to intercollegiate athletics during their career.
Blythe [Hilpert] is a three-year starter on our Softball team. She is a two-time team Captain, a one-time 1st Team National All-Star, a two-time 1st Team Provincial All-Star, a two-time Mustang Softball MVP, the Best Year 2 Mustang, and a four-time Academic All-Canadian studying in [Western University's] rigorous Kinesiology program." – Pete Lemon, Head Coach, Mustang Softball, Professor & Weider Research Chair, Director, Exercise Nutrition Research Laboratory
Congratulations Blythe!
Dr. Claude Brown Memorial Trophy
The winner of this year's Dr. Claude Brown Memorial Trophy is Matt Indome – Mustangs Track & Field
The Dr. Claude Brown Memorial Trophy is awarded to the male student athlete who made the most outstanding contribution to intercollegiate athletics during their career.
"Throughout his career as a Mustang, Matt [Indome] has competed in long jump, triple jump, 60m and 4 x 200m relay. He has been a finalist in 11 events throughout the course of his career representing Western in 5 OUA and 5 U SPORTS Championships. Matt always finds a way to step up during championship season. His career has featured 6 OUA top 8 finishes in various events, an OUA bronze and 4 USPORTS top 8 finishes."
"Matt is an outstanding leader who exudes a positive energy that inspires everyone around him. He is the ultimate team player who will do anything for this team. He is constantly encouraging his teammates and helping them practice and compete to their full potential, both by offering support ("turn it around, it only takes one jump!") and challenging them ("are you being coachable right now?"). He is the best men's team leader that I have had the pleasure to have in my 30 plus coaching career. He is unselfish and is willing to help in every situation he is asked to help in on and off the track. He is 2-time captain of the Western Mustangs Men's T&F team [and was] also Manitoba's Team Captain at the 2022 Canada Summer Games." – Vickie Croley, Head Coach, Mustangs Track & Field
Congratulations to all our Western Mustangs student athletes who were recognized today at our 83rd annual Mustangs Awards Celebration.
It was an incredible season, with numerous all stars and major awards, an incredible 9 provincial championship banners and 2 national championship titles, and 7 of our coaches - received Coach of the Year Recognition this past year.
Stay tuned through for this year's Mustangs Season of Celebration schedule – coming this Friday - where we will celebrate and individually recognize each of our Mustangs Sports Team MVP winners and major award winners daily across our Mustangs digital platforms (social and web).
