In the five plus decades that Laurentian Voyageurs Athletes of the Year have been named, only three have draw on at least some background in track and field in building their resumés.
And in each of the cases of Leila Angrand (2006-2007), Ray Paulins (1981-1982) and Jo-Anne McKinty (1972-1973), cross-country excellence has also been part of the mix.
All of which makes the accomplishments of L.U. jumper Marvin Zongo that much more impressive, named as both Male Athlete of the Year and Male Rookie of the Year as Laurentian hosted their year-end awards celebration earlier this month.
Earning a silver medal in the triple jump at the OUA Championship, the first Voyageur podium placement at the event since Angrand in 2007, the native of Burkina Faso (Africa)) came ever so close (eights cms - to be exact) from duplicating his top three showing at the national U Sports championships weeks later in New Brunswick.
Zongo was joined was joined in the spotlight, come end of the evening, by rower Abbey Maillet, the Female Athlete of the Year producing a gold medal performance (women's light single race) at provincials and capturing bronze in the same event at the all-Canada regatta.
Other top award winners included Lo-Ellen Park graduate Kristen Mrozewski (Female Rookie of the Year - XC/Track), Paul Sagriff (Voyageur Award - XC/Track), Darren Jermyn (Coach of the Year - XC/Track), with Special Voyageur Awards doled out to Anna Baker, Myriam Bouffard and Cole Giffin.
Following is a complete recap of the Pride & Tradition Award winners for each of the varsity teams:
Men's Golf - Conrad NaponseWomen's Golf - Melanie Kappel
Men's Nordic Skiing - Laydon Bursey
Women's Nordic Skiing - Logan Bach
Women's X-C & Indoor Track - Kristen Mrozewski
Men's Cross-Country Running - Keon Wallingford
Men's Indoor Track - Marvin Zongo
Women's Soccer - Amanda Cuthbert
Men's Soccer - Graeme McLean
Men's Basketball - Haround Mohamed
Women's Basketball - Maria La Rosa
Women's Curling - Julia Deklein
Men's Curling - Mark D'Arcangelo
Baseball - Tyler Gysbers
