Seven Windsor Lancers were honoured at the 8
th annual WESPY Awards on Tuesday night at the Caboto Club in Windsor.
The WESPY Awards recognize outstanding local athletes for their success and contribution to their respective sports. The awards were based on the athletes accomplishments during the 2012 calendar year.
Former Lancer track & field star Melissa Bishop was named the overall Female Athlete of the Year, as well as the female track & field athlete of the year.
She became just the third Canadian woman to ever run the 800 metres in under two minutes earning a spot on Canada's Olympic team.
“That was a breakthrough year (in 2012) and a big highlight,” said Bishop, who embraced the local award. “I've been in Windsor six years now and it feels like home more now than ever. Windsor's been very good for me.”
CIS all-Canadian Jordan Brescacin was named the Gino Fracas Football player of the year award. In his final season wearing the Blue & Gold, Jordan led the Lancers back to the playoffs and was named a first team all-Canadian for the second straight year. He finished the season with 68 catches which set a new OUA career mark.
Candace Rapchak from the Lancer women's hockey team was named the Ed Jovanovski Female Hockey player of the year. Candace finished in the top 15 in scoring in the OUA during the 2011-12 season, while helping her Lancer squad reach the Ontario semi-finals. She graduated as the all-time leading scorer in University of Windsor women's hockey scoring, and was named the team MVP that season.
Will Alexander was named the Male Volleyball Player of the Year in his final year with the Lancers. The Windsor native, Will had tremendous senior year for the Lancer Volleyball program. His energy and enthusiasm was infectious amongst his teammates and his “never say die” attitude was embraced by the coaches and players alike.
The Lancers swept the basketball category as Miah-Marie Langlois and Lien Phillip were named the female and male basketball athletes of the year based on their performances in the 2011-12 season.
Miah had a terrific season as she was named the OUA and CIS defensive player of the year en route to helping the Lancers capture their second straight CIS national championship title in Calgary, while Phillip's season was equally as impressive as he lead the CIS in rebounding with 11.9 per game, and was named an OUA all-star.
Lancer Hockey first year Matt Beaudoin was honoured with the prestigious Mickey Renaud Captain's Leadership Award for his outstanding leadership on and off the ice during his final season with the LaSalle Vipers, while the 2011-12 women's basketball team took home the team of the year award.
