The Providence Pilots’s annual athletic awards banquet took place on April 12, and this year the organization had a bevy of people to recognize.
The event honoured the coaching careers of three staff members: Kyle Guenther, Cody Quiring, and long-time athletic director Scott Masterson, who has stepped into a larger leadership role at the school.
The banquet also acknowledged the 56 of 95 student athletes who earned a 3.0 or higher grade point average, the graduating seniors, the women’s volleyball team (which achieved the overall highest team GPA), and the women’s soccer team (who won the NCCAA championship).
The Scholar Athlete of the Year award was presented to women’s soccer player Paige Heide.
Heide’s head coach, Tory Walker, praised the athlete.
“Paige goes about life giving her best each and every day,” says Walker. “It is because of her strong character she is being recognized as Providence’s Scholar Athlete of the year. She not only works tremendously hard on the soccer field and futsal court, Paige works just as hard, if not harder, in the classroom. Paige is an elite athlete, as well as an elite student. She is a true example of what a great work-sport-life balance should look like.”
The Female Rookie Pilot of the Year award was given to women’s basketball player Amver Navarro.
Navarro’s head coach, Joel Coursey, says that she exemplifies what Providence looks for in a recruit.
“Amver works harder than anyone every second she is on the court,” says Coursey. “She really understands the concept of giving maximum effort at all times. If you came to one of our games, you could expect to see Amver dive out of bounds to save a ball, fly into the bleachers, or lose a shoe and not give up on the play. She has the heart of a competitor and refuses to quit. Off the court, Amver is one of the kindest players you will come across. She loves each of her teammates and loves Prov! She is a positive contributor to our campus community and has grown to be a leader in our community. I am incredibly proud that she has been recognized tonight as the Female Rookie Pilot of the Year, and I can’t wait to see what comes next!”
The Male Rookie Pilot of the Year award was granted to men’s volleyball player Noah Boschman.
Coach Cody Quiring described Boschman as a player who consistently displays an exceptional level of skill and athleticism.
“Noah has been a dominant force for the program all year, both at the conference level and at the national level and was acknowledged as player of the year for the MCAC and national CCAA all Canadian,” says Quiring. “Noah led the entire conference in six statistical categories and was close to the conference leader in three other categories. He led the entire country in service aces per set and points per set and was second in kills per set. He continues to always grow to be a better version of himself on and off the court. He is a prime example of what it takes to be Rookie Pilot of the Year.”
The Female Pilot of the Year award was given to Paige Heide, taking home her second award of the night.
Quiring gushed about Heide’s character and skill. “Paige’s strong Christian character, leadership on the team, and impact on the Providence community are why she is well-deserving of this award. She is what we call here at Providence a true difference maker. I have no doubt that in her remaining time as a Pilot, and in years to come, she will continue to shine God’s light to those around her.”
The Male Pilot of the Year award went to men’s basketball player Kevin Martinez.
Martinez’s head coach, Pierre Dubreuil, shared his pride and gratitude about his team captain.
“Kevin has been an amazing leader and member of the Providence community for two years now,” says Dubreuil. “I have seen him develop and mature as a young man on and off the court. With the basketball in his hands, Kevin brings control and pace to our team, leading us on both ends of the court with passion and energy. A vocal leader, he always keeps his teammates engaged and ready.”