HAMILTON, Ont. — On Wednesday evening, the Marauder Athletic community came together to celebrate the 2024–2025 sports season, hosting the 101st Marauder Student-Athlete Awards Show at Liuna Station in downtown Hamilton.

Held off-campus for the second consecutive year, the event welcomed approximately 500 McMaster student-athletes, coaches, staff, and special guests for an evening of celebration and recognition following a successful competitive season. The gala highlighted the achievements and contributions of McMaster's student-athletes across a wide range of varsity sports. 

Leading the ceremony with poise and a touch of humour was men's soccer athlete Evan Mitchell, who assisted in presenting nine prestigious major awards to recipients who demonstrated exceptional leadership, athletic excellence, and community engagement throughout the year.

The Ivor Wynne Award for Male Athlete of the Year was awarded to cross country and track standout Alec Purnell. In the 2024–25 season, Purnell delivered his best performances to date—placing 6th at the OUA Cross Country Championships and leading the men's team to a bronze medal, then placing 18th at the U SPORTS Cross Country Championships. On the track, he earned OUA gold in the 3000m, silver in the 1500m, and went on to claim U SPORTS gold in the 3000m and bronze in the 1500m. He also set three new McMaster indoor track records in the 3000m, 1500m, and mile events.

The Thérèse Quigley Award for Female Athlete of the Year was presented to wrestler Olivia Lichti following her extraordinary 2024–2025 season. Lichti went undefeated with an 18-0 record against U SPORTS and varsity competitors, winning every match by pin or technical superiority. Her dominance earned her an OUA Gold Medal and All-Star honours, as well as a U SPORTS Gold Medal and All-Canadian recognition.

The Joyce Wignall Award, recognizing the team with extensive community involvement and a strong sense of civic responsibility, went to the Women's Rugby team. Throughout the year, they participated in food and clothing drives, organized fundraisers, and volunteered at local schools to teach kids how to play rugby. In addition to their community work, they played vital roles within the McMaster sports community through leadership in Mac Athletes Care (MAC) and the Women's Athletic Leadership Committee (WALC).

Women's rowing team captain and Vice President of Events for McMaster's LGBTQ2SIA+ Athletic Advocacy Group (LAAG), Sarah Cushnie, received the Les Prince Award. This award honours a student-athlete who demonstrates exceptional leadership and community service through outreach. Sarah earned an OUA silver medal this season and has been a passionate advocate for inclusion and equity in STEM and athletics. Through her role in LAAG and as a mentor for women in engineering she exemplifies the spirit of McMaster by fostering a safe, inclusive environment for all.

Nicole Jaswal was recognized with the Bruce Cochrane Award for her tireless work as a Student Field Therapist (SFT) supporting the swimming and men's soccer teams. Known as the heartbeat of McMaster's sports community, Nicole dedicated over 500 hours to supporting her fellow student-athletes, while also helping train and interview new SFTs.

The Mel & Marilyn Hawrigg Rookie of the Year Awards were presented to Nicole Astaiza and Matthew Paiva. Astaiza was named an OUA Second Team All-Star, made the OUA All-Rookie Team, and earned national recognition as a U SPORTS All-Rookie Team member. Paiva also received U SPORTS All-Rookie Team honours, was named an OUA First Team All-Star, and was selected third overall in the CPL Draft after a remarkable debut season.

Two graduating athletes, Amy Stinson and Alistair Lam, were honoured for their outstanding careers. Stinson became McMaster Women's Basketball's 9th all-time leading scorer and rebounder. She also served as President of WALC and volunteered in numerous youth basketball clinics. Lam had an incredible final year, earning two OUA silver medals and one gold while maintaining an undefeated record in the Open Men's Freeskate throughout his OUA career. Off the ice, Lam gave back through coaching, strength training, and mentoring the next generation of skaters.

Black Student Athlete Council President, Haben Yohannes accepted the Directors Award which recognizes an individual who has displayed a heightened level of respect for their sport, teammates, coaches, and support staff throughout their time at McMaster and have greatly contributed to the McMaster Athletics family in a variety of ways.

'The Silhouette Awards,' presented by McMaster's student newspaper, were also added to the awards list this year. Voted on by the sports writing staff, these awards celebrated categories such as Underrated Team of the Year, Individual Performance of the Year, and Breakout Student-Athlete of the Year. The awards were presented by MSU President Jovan Popovic.

The McMaster Athletic community also took the time to honour coaches who have hit a 5-year milestone mark working at McMaster. The honorees this year were Adam Strongman (Men's Baseball) achieving 15 years, Ryan Dwuyn (Fencing) achieving 20 years, and Dr. Rudy Dosen (Fencing) achieving 30 years.

In addition to major award accolades, teams and individuals who clinched OUA and U SPORTS medals were recognized, as well as U SPORTS All-Canadians, and team MVPs.

After all the effort and countless hours dedicated to perfecting their sport, and supporting varsity athletes, an evening of celebration was well deserved by the entire McMaster Athletics community. 

Major Award Winners

Thérèse Quigley Award (Female Athlete of the Year) - Olivia Lichti

Ivor Wynne Award (Male Athlete of the Year) - Alec Purnell

Outstanding Female Graduate Award - Amy Stinson

Dr. Ray Johnson Award (Outstanding Male Graduate) - Alistair Lam

Mel & Marilyn Hawkrigg Award (Female Rookie of the Year) - Nicole Astaiza

Mel & Marilyn Hawkrigg Award (Male Rookie of the Year) - Matthew Paiva

Bruce Cochrane Award (Student Impact) - Nicole Jaswal

Les Prince Award (Community Service) - Sarah Cushnie

Joyce Wignall Award (Team Community Service) - Women's Rugby

The Silhouette Awards

Breakout Student-Athlete of the Year - Michelle Wang

Individual Performance of the Year - Sullie Sundara

Underrated Team of the Year - Women's Swimming

Team MVPs

Men's Badminton - Aaryan Walia

Women's Badminton - Jeslyn Chow

Baseball - Nicolas Velocci

Men's Basketball - Brendan Amoyaw

Women's Basketball - Deanna Mataseje

Men's Cross Country - Alec Purnell

Women's Cross Country - Ana Morariu

Men's Curling - Tyler Smith

Women's Curling - Evelyn Robert

Men's Distance Track - Alec Purnell

Women's Distance Track - Ana Morariu

Fast Pitch - Paige Allen

Men's Fencing - Callum Williams

Women's Fencing - Kate Jordan

Field Hockey - Darcie Brohman

Figure Skating - Catalina Costiuc

Football (Offence) - Keagan Hall

Football (Defence) - Drake Bodi

Men's Golf - Kavith Rachagoda

Women's Golf - Kaylee Jeon

Men's Lacrosse - Nick Pospisil

Women's Lacrosse - Julia Di Natale

Men's Nordic Skiing - Christian Dizon

Women's Nordic Skiing - Olivia Rowan

Men's Rowing - Jonathan Diakopoulos

Women's Rowing - Sarah Cushnie, Nathalie Hilbert

Men's Rugby - Thomas Dunlop

Women's Rugby - Mckinna Colley

Men's Soccer - Amir Shirazi

Women's Soccer - Jade Abreo

Men's Squash - Matthew Olejarz

Women's Squash - Sofia Quon

Men's Swimming - Hayden Yeung

Women's Swimming - Michelle Wang

Men's Tennis - Noah Kindler

Women's Tennis - Eva Feddema

Men's Volleyball - Maxime Gratton

Women's Volleyball - Sullie Sundara

Men's Water Polo - Jack Sardo

Women's Water Polo - Kinsley Bozzo

Men's Wrestling - Blayne Helou

Women's Wrestling - Olivia Lichti