Vancouver Island University Mariners athletes scored a lot of wins on the field and the court this season, and also a lot of A-plus marks in their classes.
The Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association announced its Academic All-Canadian awards for 2024-25, and 12 VIU student-athletes made the list, the most in B.C. and the most in the institution's history. The award goes to student-athletes who maintain an honours-level grade-point average while also earning an all-star or MVP award.
“We're so proud to see the Mariners excelling and ranking among the top student-athletes in the country and demonstrating the twin benefits of athletics and academics," said Danielle Hyde, VIU's athletics director, in a press release.
Winners include basketball players Harriette Mackenzie and Kai Leighton; volleyball players Aimee Skinner, Grace Brisebois, Owen Dyck and Rylan Van Kooten; and soccer players Tori Hauptman, Mya Creed, Olivia Guild, Kaiden Thorpe, Jade Dillabough and Michael Heppelle.
VIU's athletics department previously announced Creed and Dyck as this year's Academic Excellence Award winners.
Creed said in the release that attending university while playing the sport she loves has kept her motivated and offered an outlet during stressful times.
"Being a college athlete has taught me many skills that support me in classroom, such as discipline, time management, and a strong work ethic," she said.
Dyck added that while sports and classwork are very different, both are challenging pursuits.
"I find that although these two things are dissimilar, success in the classroom can be found by applying the same focus and energy needed to achieve success on the court," he said.
