Carter, Salhia & Jones Pick Up Major Hardware at LU Banquet

Media Release
Lakehead University Athletics Department
www.thunderwolves.ca

Thunderwolf Awards Presented With Pride and Fanfare

April 10, 2013 — Thunder Bay, ON

The Annual Athletics' Awards were presented yesterday in the Agora to best and bravest Thunderwolves of the 2012-13 season.

Athlete of the Year honors were given to Andrea Lee (Nordic Skiing) and Greg Carter (Basketball).

Lee skied to much success both at the Provincial (OUA) and National (CCUNC) levels, on top of representing Canada at the U23 Championships internationally.

Carter concludes his historic Lakehead career as the best defensive player of his era, having repeated this year as the CIS Defensive MVP, and achieving his 4th straight OUA Defensive MVP award. He is also the winningest Thunderwolf in Lakehead Basketball history, with 100 career wins.

Dylan Brown (Cross Country Running) took Male Rookie of the Year honors, having been the CIS Rookie of the Year and being an All-Canadian to boot.

Emma Horner (Wrestling) was named Female Rookie of the Year after a successful season, nabbing an OUA Bronze medal.

Joseph Jones (Basketball) finishes his illustrious career winning the Hank Akervall Award for his service to both to Lakehead University and the community of Thunder Bay.

Yoosrie Salhia (Basketball) was honored with the Argus Award for his career accomplishments, most notably being the rock upon which the current Lakehead Men's Basketball powerhouse was built. The current era (led by 6 graduating seniors) concluded with a CIS Silver medal.

All individual team awards are listed below.

VARSITY AWARDS 2012-13 
     
Men's Basketball    
Rookie of the Year    Joe Hart (South Essex, Eng.)
Most Improved Player    Joseph Nitychoruk (Winnipeg, Man.)
Best Defensive Player    Greg Carter (Ottawa, Ont.)
Most Valuable Player    Ryan Thomson (Oakville, Ont.)
Most Valuable Player    Yoosrie Salhia (Toronto, Ont.)
        
Major Award Winners

Hank Akervall Award    Joseph Jones (Washington, DC)
Argus Award    Yoosrie Salhia (Toronto, Ont.)
     
Female Freshman of the Year    Emma Horner (St Joseph Island, Ont.)
Male Freshman of the Year    Dylan Brown (Newmarket, Ont.

Female Athlete of the Year    Andrea Lee (Black Creek, BC)
Male Athlete of the Year    Greg Carter (Ottawa, Ont.)

MEDIA:  For more information, or to request an interview, please contact Lakehead Sports Information Director, Hugh Mullally, at (807) 766-7157, or spinfo@lakeheadu.ca.

Thunderwolves Officially Announce Recent Recruiting Committments

Media Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 5, 2013
Thunderwolves Count Four New Studs in Mackenzie, Bell, Hearn and LebovTHUNDER BAY, ON -

Lakehead University Athletics is pleased to announce the commitment of four highly touted players to the men’s basketball program for the 2013-14 season. Coach Scott Morrison has confirmed the commitment of:

Nolan Mackenzie (Oakville, Ont.)5’11” Point Guard

Josh Bell (Mississauga, Ont.)6’2” Shooting Guard

Mitchell Hearn (Mount Carmel, Nfld.)5’10” Shooting Guard

Igor Lebov (Toronto, Ont.)6’5” Forward

“I can’t say enough about our recruiting class to this point,” remarks Coach Morrison. “Following a plan for several seasons now, we have sought out players who have a high ceiling, strong work ethic and outstanding character,” said Coach Scott Morrison, who adds, “All of these young men are sound academically and even stronger as people, and we are proud to welcome them to our basketball family here in Thunder Bay.”

After earning a CIS silver medal in March, the Thunderwolves look to reload after losing 6 seniors to graduation following their record-setting season. Mackenzie, Bell, Hearn and Lebov will join previously committed class members Henry Tan and Jamar Coke on the 2013-14 roster. Coach Morrison and his staff expect to announce additional frontcourt commitments over the coming weeks.

Nolan Mackenzie led his Holy Trinity Titans to a 4^th place finish in the current ‘AAAA’ OFSAA season, including several tournament titles and all-star recognitions along the way.  Renowned for his deceptive athleticism, consistent shooting and being a student of the game, MacKenzie recently ranked #8 among Canadian HS point guards.

Josh Bellis a 6’2” wing player out of Father Henry Carr HS, where he helped the Crusaders to a ‘AAAA’ OFSAA Silver medal in the 2013, and is a former Team Ontario member. Bell is a strong guard with potential as a scorer and defender at the CIS level. Bell was ranked in the top 20 of all Canadian HS shooting guards by HoopStars Canada.

Mitchell Hearnis a 5’10” guard from the St Catherine’s Academy Eagles in Mount Carmel Nfld.  He has starred for his provincial team and has helped lead his small school in Mount Carmel to the Nfld provincial championships.  HoopStarsCanada.com ranked Hearn in the Top 40 guards in Canada.

Igor Lebov, a 6’5” swingman, rounds out the spring commitments to the Thunderwolves. Lebov arrives at Lakehead after playing 2 years of NCAA ball with Franklin Pierce University in New Hampshire. Lebov is a strong, athletic wing who played his high school basketball with the famed Maine Central Institute in Pittsfield, ME.