SWIFT CURRENT: The Great Plains College 2016-17 SunDogs Athletics’ eleventh season has wrapped up with a celebration of the year’s success. Each of the student athletes were recognized at the Awards Banquet on April 3.
“Last year we had a lot of fun celebrating a Decade of Dogs and hosting two major tournaments throughout the seasons,” said Mona Patterson, Great Plains College athletics coordinator. “It was great to start this season off on a high note as the host of the Prairie Athletic Conference (PAC) Volleyball Provincials and adding another “W” to our Battle of the Southwest tally,” she added.
The volleyball teams competed in five tournaments throughout the season and the women took home the Battle of the Southwest West volleyball trophy. The PAC league coaches selected SunDog Tanner Williams as the league All-Star.
With two years of coaching experience under his belt, the men’s volleyball coach, former SunDogs athlete and Great Plains College alum, Tyler Byers, was voted by his peers as the Prairie Athletic Conference Coach of the Year.
“This year was a very fun and challenging year,” said Byers reflecting on the 2016-17 volleyball season. “The league was extremely tough and teams only got better as the season went on, which meant we had to as well. Our guys stepped up and had an exceptionally strong finish to the season.”
“All in all our varsity teams have a great vibe and are fun be around,” he added. As an active supporter of student athletics Byers outlined all of the benefits to varsity sports including the comradery, stress-busting exercise, great conversations and team bonding. “I managed to meet my wife through the SunDogs’ program, so that is also a great incentive to join,” he chuckled.
The Basketball season wrapped up with Provincials held in Saskatoon on March 10 and 11. The basketball team competed in four tournaments throughout the season. At the close of the season, Matthew Benesh, Third Class Power Engineering student, was also named a PAC league All-Star.
“Basketball is a game I love and it means a lot of me that I am able to keep playing,” he said.
The SunDogs are the only competitive athletics program in Saskatchewan’s regional college system. Visit greatplainscollege.ca/sundogs-athletics for upcoming scouting camps, try-out dates and SunDogs schedules. See you next season.
AWARD WINNERS
2016-17 SunDogs Men’s Volleyball
Most Valuable Player – Tanner Williams
Outstanding Defense – Sawyer Senicar
Coach’s Award – Braden Ward
2016-17 SunDogs Women’s Volleyball
Most Valuable Player – Jordan Jacobson|
Outstanding Defense – Lindsey Zilkie
Coach’s Award – Kaylynn Ziegler
2016-17 SunDogs Men’s Basketball
Most Valuable Player – Matthew Benesh
Outstanding Defense – Tanner Williams
Coach’s Award – Nathan Braun
– 30 –
For more information contact:
Mona Patterson
Great Plains College - SunDogs Athletics & Recreation Coordinator
Phone: (306) 778-5451
Email: monap@greatplainscollege.ca