On Friday, April 4th, the Centennial Colts family gathered for one of their most cherished traditions—the 57th Annual Colts Athletics Awards Show. Though the event took place under the shadow of recent challenges, including a pause on three varsity teams and heartfelt goodbyes to long-serving staff, the evening was a glowing celebration of resilience, unity, and athletic excellence.

The night kicked off with the ever-charismatic Jack Middleton—Colts alumnus and the familiar voice behind the Colts Network—returning as host. His energy set the tone for a night brimming with school spirit. Following the warm welcome, Centennial College President and CEO Dr. Craig Stephenson took the stage. He shared a message of solidarity and optimism, recognizing the hurdles ahead but focusing on the strength of the community to rise above them.

No Colts celebration is complete without a dose of nostalgia and hype, and the Colts Media Team delivered once again. A stunning recap video played to thunderous applause, capturing the highlights, hustle, and heart of the season. (You can watch it here.)

The celebration continued with heartfelt messages from CCSAI Vice President Kushbir Singh, who spoke on the balance between sports, studies, and family, and Alumni Association President Justin Lim. A long-time supporter of Colts Athletics, Justin's contributions were instrumental in making this year's event possible. His call to build strong alumni ties resonated deeply, reminding everyone of the power of staying connected.

Then came the awards—the heartbeat of the evening. Applause filled the room as each athlete's name was announced, recognizing their hard work and dedication throughout the season.

Team Awards: Most Improved & Most Valuable Players

Badminton

• Most Improved Player: Lheidelle Santos

• Most Valuable Player: Jonathan Ma

Baseball

• Most Improved Player: Riley Briggs

• Most Valuable Player: Liam Oates

Men's Basketball

• Most Improved Player: Joseph Onema

• Most Valuable Player: Tavonn Mars-Buckley

Women's Basketball

• Most Improved Player: Daneika Walker

• Most Valuable Player: Mikayla Simon-Tucker

Cross Country

• Most Improved Player: Ilix Machado

• Most Valuable Player: Skye Pinto

Men's Soccer

• Most Improved Player: Luca Ferrari

• Most Valuable Player: Luc Ihama

Men's Indoor Soccer

• Most Improved Player: Vlasis Papaefthimiou

• Most Valuable Player: Diego Farias

Women's Soccer

• Most Improved Player: Simone Christie

• Most Valuable Player: Vanessa Lima

Women's Indoor Soccer

• Most Improved Player: Lily Cullaton

• Most Valuable Player: Emily Cullen

Men's Volleyball

• Most Improved Player: Kayden Delorme

• Most Valuable Player: Pedro Casellatto

Women's Volleyball

• Most Improved Player: Krystyn Dawn Ruiz

• Most Valuable Player: CL Viloria

Next came a touching tribute to the coaches—those behind-the-scenes heroes whose tireless dedication empowers student-athletes to shine. A special video honored their guidance, patience, and the countless hours they put into developing not just athletes but people.

Then, it was time to recognize a truly special group—the graduating student-athletes who dedicated two or more years to the Colts program. These athletes gave their time, passion, and heart to their teams, and they now leave behind a lasting legacy.

Athletic Therapy & Strength and Conditioning Awards 

Strength and Conditioning Team of the year - Women's Basketball

Student Athletic Therapist of the Year – Vikram Deol
Vikram Deol has consistently gone above and beyond the expectations of his role as a placement student, offering invaluable support to both the Women's Soccer and Men's Volleyball teams. With a proactive and positive attitude, Vik was always ready to step up, whether it was for immediate injury care or long-term recovery plans. His dedication and attention to detail in understanding the unique needs of each athlete made him an exceptional part of the Colts Athletics team. Vik's professionalism, compassion, and commitment to excellence not only ensured athletes received top-tier care but also exemplified the heart and spirit of being a Colt. His contributions and passion for the profession make him a deserving recipient of this year's Student Athletic Therapist of the Year Award.

Congratulations to our Graduating Colts:
Adam Wilson, Aethan Ballen, AJ Thuraisingham, Aliana Dominguez, Aziz Traore, Berk (Ben) Yalin, CL Viloria, Daneika Walker, Jaque Ronquillo, Luis Pignatari, Mathew Dimichele, Mikaela Hawkins, Mylie Decoff, Nitharshan Anuradha, Odessa Peyton, Oluwasunmibola Oye, Quinton McCarthy, Riley Briggs, Rini Chiu, Sarah Campbell, Skye Pinto, Takehito Mori, Vanessa Lima, Zander Wilson, Zhane Michael

Academic Excellence
28 student-athletes were named OCAA All-Academic, each boasting a GPA of 3.9 or higher.
Congratulations to: Adam Wilson, Alyssia Devellis, Aman Kumar, Elizabeth Maione, Emily Cullen, Ferdrehc Torrilla, Jaque Ronquillo, Jonathan Ma, Josephine Darkoh, Jovina Serenna, Krystn Dawn Ruiz, Kristian Don Ruiz, Mary Anne Fernando, Michael Corapi, Mikaela Hawkins, Nailah Rowe, Olivia Raimondi, Pedro Casellatto, Rayhan Khan, Rini Chiu, Sarah Campbell, Serena Mcdonald, Skye Pinto, Sydney Fraser, Sze Chan, Vlasis Papaefthimiou, Zakariyah Aziz Traore

Top Academic Teams:
1. Badminton – 4.25 GPA
2. Women's Soccer – 4.21 GPA
3. Women's Basketball – 3.48 GPA

Congratulations to our Academic Team of the Year - Badminton! 

Major Awards

As the evening rolled on, the room buzzed with excitement as the major awards were revealed, spotlighting a few standout individuals who went above and beyond throughout the season.

• Coach of the Year: Rich Hirst

• Female Rookie of the Year: Sydney Fraser

• Male Rookie of the Year: Michael Corapi

• Women's Athlete of the Year: Vanessa Lima

• Men's Athlete of the Year: Tavonn Mars-Buckley
  

The night closed on a high note with a final message from the Manager of Athletics and Recreation, Kareem Rodney. His words echoed a shared sentiment: that in the face of change, the spirit of the Colts—rooted in community, passion, and perseverance—will carry forward stronger than ever.

Through cheers, laughter, and a few tears, the 57th Annual Colts Awards Show was a joyful reminder of what makes this community special. Here's to the athletes, the staff, the alumni, and the fans who make it all possible.

Until next year—Go Colts!

Written By: Ryan Miller - Sports Information Officer

Photo C/O: Ryan Miller - Sports Information Officer