Laval University Rouge et Or sprinter Audrey Leduc and University of Montreal Carabins quarterback Jonathan Sénécal are the recipients of the Lois and Doug Mitchell awards, given annually to the male and female athletes par excellence within the Canadian university network.
The winners were revealed this evening during the ceremony in Calgary.
Audrey Leduc’s name is everywhere these days. The Gatineau athlete recently set the new Canadian record for 100m, a distance she covered in 10.96 seconds. At the same time, she achieved the Olympic standard. Just a few weeks later, she added to it with a second national record and a second Olympic qualifying standard, this time in the 200m. She completed the distance in 22.36 seconds.
Other finalists for this prestigious award were Jayda Veinot of the University of New Brunswick, Sara Rohr of Brock University and Katalin Tolnai of the University of British Columbia.
For his part, Jonathan Sénécal was the most dominant football player in the university network in 2023; he also received the Hec Chrigton prize to highlight his exploits. Not only did the Quebecer help the Université de Montréal Carabins win the Vanier Cup in 2023, he was named MVP of the championship game. He also finished at the top of all statistical categories in his position in the Quebec RSEQ conference.
“It’s really crazy,” said Sénécal, visibly moved. There are a lot of great athletes across the country, and to know that my candidacy stood out is very flattering. I am grateful to everyone who helped me during my student-athlete journey. Without them, I would never have been able to be at the level I am today. »
Austen Keating of the University of New Brunswick, Max Davies of the University of Guelph and Isaac Heslinga of the University of Alberta were the other athletes nominated for the men’s title.