2025/26 - Condors Athletic Banquet Recap

The 58th Annual Conestoga Condors Varsity Athletics Banquet brought together student-athletes, coaches, staff, and supporters for an evening of celebration, recognition, and reflection on a remarkable 2025–2026 season. Held on April 9 at the Conestoga Skilled Trades Campus in Cambridge, the event highlighted not only athletic success, but also the academic achievements, leadership, and community impact that define Condors Athletics.

Hosted by Lucas Furfaro, the evening opened by recognizing a year of outstanding accomplishments across all programs. Every varsity team qualified for the playoffs, while the Condors continued to make their mark provincially and nationally. Women’s Rugby hosted the OCAA Championships and earned bronze, Men’s Soccer captured another provincial gold medal, and Cross Country reached new heights with a provincial gold and national silver on the women’s side and a provincial bronze on the men's. Off the field, nearly half of all student-athletes achieved OCAA All-Academic status, reinforcing the program’s commitment to excellence in the classroom.

Academic Award Winners

The evening began by celebrating academic excellence, recognizing student-athletes who continue to succeed at the highest level both in competition and in the classroom.

OCAA Academic and Athletic Excellence Award

Kelly Tikel – Women’s Softball
Daniela Ernst – Women’s Softball
Michelle Schneider – Women’s Rugby
Brooklyn Butchart – Women’s Rugby
Abbey Anderson – Women’s Rugby
Aidan Vachon – Men’s Rugby

CCAA Academic All-Canadian Award

Marko Lesic – Men’s Soccer
Hayley Mackie – Women’s Soccer
Evan Antolcic – Men’s Soccer
Matteo Grant – Men’s Soccer
Ricardo Alvarado – Men’s Soccer
Ben Mollink – Men’s Volleyball
Tyrell Belgrove – Men’s Volleyball
Nathan Paul – Cross Country

Team Awards

Each varsity program recognized two key contributors: a Coaches Award recipient for leadership and commitment, and a Team MVP for outstanding performance.

Women’s Basketball

Coaches Award – Adri Kellerman
MVP – Jamila Beckford

Women’s Soccer

Outdoor Coaches Award – Abby White
Outdoor MVP – Claire Di Benedetto
Indoor Coaches Award – Kaity Brezina
Indoor MVP – Abby White

Men’s Basketball

Coaches Award – Ozay Davis
MVP – Emanuel Liyaw

Women’s Rugby 7s

Coaches Award – Brooklyn Butchart
MVP – Abbey Anderson

Men’s Soccer

Outdoor Coaches Award – Andreas Florescu
Outdoor MVP – Marko Lesic
Indoor Coaches Award – Matteo Grant
Indoor MVP – Luca Romano

Women’s Volleyball

Coaches Award – Amanda Lago
MVP – Bianca Marchetti

Men’s Volleyball

Coaches Award – Evan Kritz
MVP – Tyrell Belgrove

Badminton

Coaches Award – Max Barnes
MVP – Ryan Tu

Women’s Softball

Coaches Award – Sarah Bateman
MVP – Daniela Ernst

Cross Country

Coaches Award – Nathan Paul
MVP – Dianne DeBoer

Men’s Rugby

Coaches Award – Jair Samuel
MVP – Aidan Vachon

Scholastic Team of the Year

Recognizing team-wide academic excellence:

One Semester – Women’s Soccer 
Two Semesters – Badminton 

Soar as Condors Community Scholarship

Awarded to student-athletes who demonstrate leadership and impact beyond their sport:

Alexis Volckmar – Women’s Softball
Adam Eichholz – Men’s Basketball

Dean Oberle Scholarship Recipients

Honouring individuals who embody a passion for volleyball and leadership within the sport:

Amanda Lago – Women’s Volleyball
Yannick Krauss – Men’s Volleyball

Athlete Scholars of the Year

One Semester - Michelle Schneider – Women’s Rugby
Two Semesters - Tyrell Belgrove – Men’s Volleyball

Coaching Excellence

Assistant Coach of the Year

Emily Glendinning – Women’s Softball

A driving force behind the continued growth of the women’s softball program, Emily Glendinning has made a lasting impact through her leadership, knowledge, and unwavering support of her athletes. Known as both a mentor and role model, she has played a key role in fostering a positive and competitive team environment. Her dedication to athlete development and genuine care for her players have helped elevate the program to new heights.

Head Coach of the Year

Stuart Mackie – Men’s Soccer

Following another championship-calibre season, Stuart Mackie was recognized for his outstanding leadership of the men’s soccer program. Guiding the team to a second OCAA gold medal in three year and a strong national showing, Mackie’s ability to inspire, adapt, and bring out the best in his athletes was evident throughout the season. His emphasis on mindset and accountability helped transform the team’s performance and solidify their place among the top programs in the province. Coach Mackie was also recognized as the OCAA Coach of the Year. 

Rookies of the Year

Recognizing first-year student-athletes who made an immediate impact:

Blake Wilson – Men’s Rugby

Blake Wilson delivered an impressive rookie campaign, consistently stepping up in key moments and embracing the physical demands of varsity rugby. His versatility, work ethic, and team-first mentality made him a reliable contributor throughout the season. Wilson’s determination and resilience set the tone for a promising future within the Condors program.

Michelle Schneider – Women’s Rugby

Michelle Schneider made an immediate impact in her first season, quickly establishing herself as both a leader and a difference-maker on the field. Her relentless effort, strong communication, and commitment to continuous improvement stood out from day one. Whether in competition or supporting her teammates, Schneider demonstrated a maturity and presence beyond her years.

Athletes of the Year

The top individual honours of the night celebrated two exceptional performers:

Female Athlete of the Year – Dianne DeBoer (Cross Country)

Dianne DeBoer capped off a historic season with one of the most dominant performances in program history. Known for her consistency, composure, and elite preparation, she delivered when it mattered most, capturing OCAA gold and earning a national silver medal at the CCAA Championships, the Condors' first national cross country medal is program history. Her ability to rise to the occasion and compete against the best in the country has set a new standard for excellence in Condors cross country.

Male Athlete of the Year – Evan Antolcic (Men’s Soccer)

Evan Antolcic’s season was nothing short of exceptional, combining elite performance with strong leadership on and off the field. After overcoming early adversity, he emerged as one of the top players in the conference, earning recognition as a CCAA All-Canadian and the OCAA West Player of the year. As a key contributor to the Condors’ championship run, his impact was felt in every match, making him a deserving recipient of this year’s honour.

Athletes of Distinction

The most prestigious award of the evening, recognizing career-long excellence and impact:

Marko Lesic – Men’s Soccer

A cornerstone of the men’s soccer program, Marko Lesic leaves behind a legacy defined by performance and leadership. Known for his ability to deliver in big moments, including winning two OCAA Championships, he consistently elevated the level of play around him. His contributions both on and off the field have made a lasting impact on the program. A defining on field moment for Marko was in this year's OCAA semi final where he scored all 3 goals in a 3-2 win to send the Condors to the championship match. 

Bianca Marchetti – Women’s Volleyball

Bianca Marchetti’s career has been marked by excellence, consistency, and competitive drive. A dominant presence on the court, she leaves the program among as the career leader in multiple statistical categories. Beyond her performance, her leadership and commitment to her team helped shape the culture of Condors volleyball. Bianca's 197 aces ranks 5th all time in OCAA history.

Walker Kalin – Men’s Volleyball

Walker Kalin has been a defining figure within the men’s volleyball program, known for his skill, work ethic, and leadership. Throughout his career, he has consistently performed at a high level while setting the standard for his teammates. In his final match on home court, Walker passed the 1000 point mark, ending his career with 1007 points. His dedication to the program has left a lasting impression on both players and coaches.

Dianne DeBoer – Cross Country

Adding to an already remarkable season, Dianne DeBoer was also recognized as an Athlete of Distinction for her outstanding career as a Condor. Her sustained excellence, leadership, and commitment to her sport have helped elevate the cross country program. Her legacy will be remembered as one of the most accomplished in program history.

A Night to Remember

From championship performances to academic milestones, the 58th Annual Condors Varsity Athletics Banquet showcased the full scope of what it means to be a Condor. The evening celebrated not only individual and team success, but also the culture of dedication, resilience, and community that continues to drive the program forward.

As another memorable season comes to a close, the future of Condors Athletics remains bright, powered by the achievements and leadership of its student-athletes.