SASKATOON, Sask. - The University of Saskatchewan (USask) Huskies are proud to announce the nominees for the 2025 Major 7 Awards which will be handed out at the latest edition of Huskie Salute presented by Wireless Age, on Wednesday, April 2 at TCU Place.
The Huskie Major 7 Awards are presented to those athletes and coaches who have had outstanding seasons for the green & white throughout the 2024-25 campaign. They also recognize the accomplishments and contributions made both in the classroom and community over the course of a student-athletes career with the Huskies. The USask Huskies will also recognize and honur Canada West Major Award Winners and All-Stars, U SPORTS Major Award Winners and All-Canadians, and graduating student-athletes
And the nominees are...
Mary Ethel Cartwright Trophy, presented to the Female Athlete of the Year
The Mary Cartwright trophy is dedicated to the founder of the School of Physical Education at the University of Saskatchewan. Mary Cartwright was instrumental in the establishment of the women's recreation board on campus - today known as Campus Recreation.
From Huskie Women's Basketball,
Gage Grassick. Gage experienced one of the most dominant seasons in U SPORTS Basketball history this season, leading her team to both National and Conference Championships while earning accolades at both levels of competition. Averaging 18.4 points per game during the regular season she led the country in assists per game, three-point field goals, and three-point shooting before closing out the season with a 35-point performance in the national championship game.
From Huskie Women's Volleyball,
Taryn Hannah. Taryn produced one of the best statistical seasons the women's volleyball program has seen in over 25 years as she helped the Huskies reach the Canada West Final Four and earn a U SPORTS Championship berth in 2024-25. The third year outside hitter finished third in conference scoring and kills while also earning top 10 rankings in solo blocks and aces on her way to the first Canada West All-Star nod of her career.
From Huskie Women's Track & Field,
Avery Pearson. It was another dominant season on the track for Avery, who earned four national and four conference medals on her way to being named the Canada West Track Athlete of the Year and a two-time All-Canadian. Helping her team to a seventh consecutive conference banner, Pearson scored 25 of 25 possible points at the Canada West Championships before helping her team to U SPORTS Bronze with a 25% share of team scoring on the national stage.
From Huskie Women's Wrestling,
Myah Phillips. It was a near perfect season for Myah in 2024-25 as the third-year arts & science student went undefeated in Canada West competition this year. She then closed out the season with Canada West Gold and first team All-Star recognition before earning U SPORTS Bronze at the 2025 national championships.
E. Kent Phillips Trophy, presented to the Male Athlete of the Year
The E. Kent Phillips trophy is named in honour of Kent Phillips who was both an athlete and coach at the University of Saskatchewan. Phillips excelled in both rugby and hockey. As a coach, he led the Huskies to four consecutive rugby titles in the 1930s.
From Huskie Men's Wrestling,
Judah Arthurs. Judah was fantastic in his third season with the Huskies, earning second team conference All-Star honours and securing silver medals at both the Canada West and U SPORTS Championships. His impressive performance on the national stage also solidified his second consecutive U SPORTS medal and All-Canadian status.
From Huskie Football,
Ryker Frank. Ryker had an incredible 2024 campaign, finishing second in both U SPORTS rushing yards and touchdowns while setting a new program record with his 24th career rushing score. He was named a Canada West All-Star and Second Team All-Canadian for his impressive season before taking home U SPORTS's Russ Jackson Award for his community service and impact off the field.
From Huskie Men's Volleyball,
Emmett Graham. Emmett had an outstanding season on the Huskies' right side, earning National Tournament All-Star honours after leading his team to both Canada West and U SPORTS Bronze Medals. With top rankings in conference points, kills, and hitting percentage, Graham's performance as the conference's most efficient outside hitter also earned him a conference All-Star and All-Canadian selection.
From Huskie Men's Track & Field,
Jake Neufeld. It was a remarkable season for Jake, securing a Canada West Gold Medal in Pole Vault at the conference championships before finishing 5th at Nationals in the heptathlon. Earning First Team conference All-Star honours, the team captain moved into third place in the program record books for the heptathlon and was named team Male Athlete of the Year.
From Huskie Men's Hockey,
Roddy Ross. Roddy had a stellar season in 2024-25, earning Canada West Goaltender of the Year honours and leading his team to a Canada West Championship and University Cup Berth. Posting a conference-best 1.99 goals against average and .928 save percentage Ross was also named a Canada West All-Star and Second Team All-Canadian in a season which saw the Meadow Lake product reach 10 regular season wins for the second time.
Pat Lawson Trophy, presented to the Female Rookie of the Year
Patricia Lawson is considered as one of the greatest female athletes to ever don a Huskie uniform. She competed with track & field, swimming, basketball and tennis. She also held the post of Women's Athletic Director and the coach of the women's basketball team for eight seasons.
From Huskie Women's Track & Field,
Megan Deere. Megan impressed in her rookie year, jumping to fourth in Canada West and sixteenth in the nation in her debut season. In one of her first collegiate events, the Arts & Science Major from Calgary earned a season best of 3.55m, setting up a fantastic first year in green and white.
From Huskie Women's Volleyball,
Gabrielle Flaman. Flaman immediately made an impact on the Huskies, starting all 20 regular season matches before earning spots on the Canada West All-Rookie Team and the U SPORTS All-Rookie Team. The best Huskie passer statistically, she ranked 7th in conference digs as the only rookie Libero in the conference this season.
From Huskie Women's Basketball,
Olivia Harm. Joining the Dogs from Stockholm, Sweden,
Olivia Harm played a key role in the Huskies' Canada West and U SPORTS Championship season. Averaging 5.8 points and 4.3 rebounds per game during the regular season, Harm stepped her game up in the U SPORTS Final 8, averaging 20.7 minutes, 5.0 rebounds, and posting the best assist-to-turnover ratio in the tournament.
Howard Nixon Trophy, presented to the Male Rookie of the Year
Howard Nixon was a longtime faculty member in the College of Physical Education. He was the coach of both the Huskie football and wrestling programs, before being named the first Dean of the College of Physical Education.
From Huskie Football,
Jacob Goldstone. Jacob made an immediate impact as a freshman, starting from week four on and totaling 21 tackles, 1 interception, and 1 pass breakup. His standout performance as a starting linebacker helped the Huskies to the Canada West playoffs and a Hardy Cup berth.
From Huskie Track & Field,
Michael Hussey. On the track, Michael had an outstanding rookie campaign, earning two Canada West bronze medals in the 600m and as a member of 4x800m relay team, while also breaking the U20 National Record in 600m at the Penn State Open. Hussey's performance moved the local Saskatoon product into third in the program record books in just his fifth collegiate event.
From Huskie Men's Hockey,
Trevor Wong. Former Saskatoon Blade,
Trevor Wong played a pivotal role in the Huskies' success this year, contributing 21 points, including 14 in the final 12 games of the regular season, as they secured a Canada West title and University Cup Bronze Medal. Helping run the nation's most efficient powerplay, Wong finished eighth in rookie scoring in Canada West.
From Huskie Men's Wrestling,
Matthew Yong. Kicking off his collegiate career with an impressive season,
Matthew Yong captured bronze in his first Canada West Championship while helping the Huskies to a third-place team finish. Making his national debut in St. Catharines, ON, the education student then reached the U SPORTS podium, earning bronze at the 2025 national championships.
Valerie Girsberger Trophy, presented to the All-Round Female Athlete
Valerie Girsberger was an accomplished student - graduating with a Bachelor's in both Science and Physical Education. She added a Masters in Physical Education. She was a member of the basketball and field hockey teams. Just six weeks after starting a teaching job at the University of Manitoba, she was killed in a car accident. The award is given to an upper year female student-athlete who during her entire career best combines the qualities of leadership, sportsmanship, academic ability and athletic prowess.
From Huskie Women's Basketball,
Andrea Dodig. Andrea's remarkable career is highlighted by five U SPORTS Academic All-Canadian honours and a legacy as one of the program's top defenders, ranking fourth in steals per game. Bookending her career with a pair of National Championships, the four-time conference champion developed a habit of performing when it mattered most, earning a Final 8 Tournament All-Star honour this season and climbing the program's postseason record books.
From Huskie Women's Cross Country and Track & Field,
Kaitlyn Harrison. A distinguished career as a two-sport athlete, Kaitlyn has earned 11 conference All-Star nods and six All-Canadian selections as a member of the cross country and track & field teams. A four time Academic All-Canadian, five time team conference champion, and the most decorated athlete in women's cross country history, Harrison continues to extend her legacy with volunteer work in the community.
From Huskie Women's Soccer,
Anna Oliver. Anna's fantastic career as a fullback is highlighted by her leadership on and off the field as a Canada West Second Team All-Star and two-time team defensive MVP. A four-time U SPORTS Academic All-Canadian and the programs lone national Community Service Award Winner, Oliver's contributions extend beyond the pitch through extensive volunteer and community work as coordinator of the Huskies' Goal-A-Thon.
Rusty MacDonald Cup, presented to the All-Round Male Athlete
The Rusty MacDonald Cup has been given given to male athletes since 1939. Rusty MacDonald played on the Huskie football team as a centre and middle linebacker. He was also a champion diver and involved in student government. The Cup is awarded to an upper year male student-athlete who during his entire career as a Huskie exhibited the highest qualities of sportmanship and citizenship.
From Huskie Men's Wrestling,
Drake Buechler. Fifth-year wrestler, Drake impressive career is marked by his success both on the mat and in the community as a five-time Canada West medalist and two-time U SPORTS Community Service Award Winner. Buechler is also a three-time U SPORTS Academic All-Canadian, national medalist, and in 2019, was a member of the Canada West Championship team.
From Huskie Football,
Ryker Frank. Highlighted by his status as the Huskie record holder for career rushing touchdowns, Ryker has had a remarkable four years in green and white with two Canada West All-Star selections and an All-Canadian selection to his name. Frank is also a two-time conference Community Service Award Winner, a recipient of the Russ Jackson Award, a four-time Academic All-Canadian and ranks among the top three in program history for carries, rushing yards, and all-purpose yards.
From Huskie Men's Hockey,
Dawson Holt. Dawson has experienced a standout career on the ice, which includes a recent Canada West Championship, University Cup All-Star Selection, and 88 regular season games where he has totaled 75 points with 25 goals and 50 assists. Holt in also a four-time Academic All-Canadian and conference community service award winner who has appeared in 15 playoff games, recording 7 points.
From Huskie Men's Track & Field,
Jake Neufeld. From the track, Jake wraps up a sensational career that includes two First-Team All-Star selections, a U SPORTS record in pole vault, Team Rookie of the Year, Team athlete of the Year, and the third-best heptathlon performance in program history. Off the track, Neufeld is just as impressive having been awarded the Canada West Community Service Award twice and recognized on the national stage once.
Colb McEown Trophy, presented to the Coach of the Year
Colb McEown was a graduate of the University of Saskatchewan, who began with athletics on campus as the 1932 men's basketball coach. While in the position, he led the Huskies to eight straight Western Intercollegiate Championships. He was also the driving force behind the building of the on-campus curling rink and in the establishment of the Saskatoon Hilltops football club.
From Huskie Men's Hockey,
Brandin Cote. In his third season, Cote led the Huskies to a 23-5-0 record on their way to the 12th Conference title in program history and first University Cup medal finish since 2016-17. Boasting the best special teams units in the nation, this season marked the first U Cup appearance under Cote's tenure, with the bench boss also surpassing 50 career wins during the regular season.
From Huskie Women's Track & Field,
Jason Reindl. In his seventh season, Reindl led the Huskie Women's Track & Field team to a seventh consecutive Canada West championship, setting new conference and program records as a result. Marking the 8th conference championship under his tenure, the Huskies went on to capture U SPORTS Bronze, the sixth time the program has reached the national podium under Reindl's leadership.
From Huskie Women's Basketball,
Lisa Thomaidis. In a season which saw Thomaidis become Canada West's winningest coach in history with her 345th regular season win, the Huskies, under her guidance, went on to capture the 10th Canada West and 3rd National Championship in program history. Tying last season's record-setting overall record of 30-2, the Huskies went 18-2 during the regular season before earning the 25th U SPORTS Final 8 win of Thomaidis' career in the national championship game.
Student Trainer of the Year
Taevan Athmer - Devoting two seasons with the men's volleyball team, Taevan is known for his stoicism, problem-solving abilities, and leadership in training sessions. His calm demeanor under pressure has been a guiding force for the athletes he supports.
Spencer Dmytruk - Dedicating two seasons with the wrestling team, Spencer is known for his brains, brawn, and 3D printing skills. His innovative approach and dedication have made him an invaluable asset to the team's training and development.
Aisley Haas - Committing two seasons with the women's basketball team, Aisley is known for her exceptional teamwork, mentoring and relentless drive to learn. Her passion for the game and commitment to the team have inspired everyone around her.
