OLDS — Women’s soccer and futsal player Tiona Paton and men’s volleyball player Matheus Franca are the 2022-23 Olds College Athletes of the Year.
Awards were handed out during the annual Broncos Awards Night April 20.
A second-year business management student from Morinville, Paton was relentless up front in both the Broncos’ outdoor and indoor seasons.
She picked up an Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) South All-Conference nod in soccer after finishing fourth in the ACAC with 16 goals in 12 matches as she led the Broncos to an ACAC South play-in game.
On the futsal court, Paton was just as dominant, with 20 goals, as the Broncos program took significant steps forward.
Franca showed similar dominance on the volleyball court.
The third-year sports management student from Nova Lima, Brazil was a presence on every point, with 158 kills and 114 digs in 17 matches, which he complemented with 25 blocks and 20 service aces.
Franca’s production was good enough for an ACAC South All-Conference selection at outside hitter. He was pivotal in the Broncos returning to the ACAC Men’s Volleyball Championship in February.
Turning to first-year Broncos, rodeo star Maysa Powelson was named Female Rookie of the Year.
The land and water resources student, a native of Welling (near Cardston) qualified for the Canadian College Finals Rodeo in barrel racing, breakaway roping, pole bending, and team roping while also being in contention for High Point Cowgirl honours.
Meanwhile, men’s volleyball player Strahinja Lazarevic was named the Male Rookie of the Year.
The Pozarevac, Serbia product came over and adapted from outside hitter to become a key cog up the middle for the Broncos.
The sports management student played every match for the Broncos this season, finishing with 69 kills and 26 stuff blocks to go with six service aces.
It was also a big night for soccer and futsal player Valentin Kirchner.
The second-year sports management student was named the Male Impact Athlete of the Year for his work with the Broncos’ Tri-Active program and the Holy Trinity soccer Sports Academy.
The Salmunster, Germany native was also named Male Academic Student-Athlete of the Year for the second straight season with a 3.94 grade-point average (GPA), as well as receiving the Konica Minolta Leadership Award, which comes with a $1,000 scholarship.
Women’s hockey captain and agribusiness student Jesse Jack was named the Female Impact Athlete of the Year for the third time in her Broncos career (2018-19 and 2019-20).
Jack was cited for her work on the ice as a mentor for younger teammates and being a strong community volunteer presence.
Women’s volleyball player Madison Macaulay was recognized as the Female Academic Student-Athlete of the Year after posting a 4.0 GPA in the business manageme nt program.
It was also announced that the Broncos earned second prize in the ACAC’s Make Some Noise for Mental Health campaign, which ran from Jan. 13-26.
The Broncos received $1,000 from RBC to go toward on-campus health and wellness services.
Also cited was A Beer For Sam, an initiative created in memory of a student from Olds College’s brewmaster program.
It helps fund programs, initiatives, and student events at Olds College to support students on their personal journeys with mental health and wellbeing.
Geordie Carragher is Olds College sports Information and Esports coordinator.
