North Bay, Ontario – Nipissing Lakers Athletics proudly celebrated the achievements, resilience, and excellence of its student athletes at the 33rd Annual Athletics Awards Banquet, held Thursday, March 26 at the Robert J. Surtees Athletic Centre. The evening brought together student athletes, coaches, staff, and Lakers supporters to recognize an outstanding 2025–26 season marked by competitive success, leadership, and community impact.
The banquet highlighted the Lakers' commitment to excellence on the field of play, in the classroom, and in the community, celebrating individual achievement, leadership, and team success across all varsity programs.
Jack and Mary Ann Jones Female Athlete of the Year
Oceane Raymond-Leduc – Women's Volleyball
Raymond-Leduc delivered one of the most dominant seasons in program history, leading the OUA and U SPORTS in total kills (331) and finishing first in the OUA and second nationally in kills per set (4.30). She also ranked among conference and national leaders in points per set, service aces, and digs. Highlighted by a school record 30.5point performance against TMU, RaymondLeduc's season exemplified consistency, competitiveness, and elite performance at the national level. She was named an OUA FirstTeam AllStar, earned OUA Player of the Year honours (first in program history), and received U SPORTS FirstTeam All-Canadian recognition (first in program history).
Al Carfagnini Male Athlete of the Year
Jason Knox – Lacrosse
A driving force behind the Lakers' lacrosse program, Knox recorded 74 points (40 goals, 34 assists) in 13 games, finishing tied for second in league scoring and averaging 5.69 points per game. His offensive production included seven powerplay goals, four game winning goals, and nine hat tricks. Knox's impact and leadership were central to the Lakers' success and earned him this prestigious honour. He was also recognized nationally as a CUFLA AllCanadian, named CUFLA Outstanding Attackman of the Year, and selected to the CUFLA AllBaggataway Cup Team following his performances at the national championship. Knox was a key contributor to the most successful season in program history, helping lead the Lakers to their first-ever appearance in the Baggataway Cup Championship game.
Rookies of the Year
Cassie Robinson – Women's Volleyball
Robinson made an immediate impact in her first season with the Lakers, earning OUA AllRookie Team recognition after a strong debut campaign in the middle. The first year student athlete quickly established herself as a reliable presence at the net, contributing offensively while providing consistent blocking and court awareness. Robinson's composure, adaptability, and ability to contribute in key moments underscored a promising start to her U SPORTS career and signaled a strong future for the Lakers' program.
Danny Akkouche – Men's Hockey
Akkouche capped off an impressive rookie season by being named to the OUA AllRookie Team, finishing his first year with 17 points (five goals, 12 assists) in 21 games. Despite missing time due to injury, the Montreal native produced at nearly a point per game pace and emerged as one of the Lakers' most dynamic offensive forwards. His speed, hockey sense, and ability to contribute in all situations made him a key addition to the lineup and one of the conference's top first year players.
Individual Awards:
NoahStrong Athletic Awards
Nolan Nukkala, Men's Basketball
Taylor Yeo, Women's Hockey
M.E. Follis University Founders Athletics Award
Jordan Sladics, Women's Hockey
Joshua and Shirley Carfagnini Awards
Chantal Piche, Women's Basketball
Jeziyah Excell-Johnson, Men's Basketball
Retired Badge Consulting Athletic Award
Kassandra Pavlic, Women's Volleyball
Nipissing University Lakers Mental Health Award
Alexander Domingos, Men's Soccer
Leckie Award
Chase Lacombe, Men's Hockey
Ledger Family Scholarship
Kiara Van Steekelenburg & Elisabeth Spence, Women's Volleyball
The Kessler Scholarship
Oceane Raymond-Leduc, Women's Volleyball
Shelby Dickey Memorial Scholarship
Alieya Pires, Women's Nordic Skiing, Women's Soccer
Lakers Spirit Award
Madison Heeley, Women's Soccer
Constable Andrew Keating Memorial
Xavier Legace, Men's Volleyball
Brian 'Doc' Duval Student Trainer of the Year Award
Tehya Fleming
Team Award Winners:
Women's Basketball
Men's Basketball
Women's Cross Country
Men's Cross Country
Women's Hockey
Men's Hockey
Men's Lacrosse
Women's Nordic Skiing
Men's Nordic Skiing
Women's Rowing
Men's Rowing
Women's Soccer
Men's Soccer
Women's Volleyball
Men's Volleyball
Conference & National Honours
OUA All-Stars
- Annika Nolte, Women's Soccer
- Cassidy Brooks, Women's Soccer
- Emily Tierney, Women's Soccer
- Alicia McMurren, Women's Soccer
- Chris-Evrard Malonga, Men's Basketball
- Oceane Raymond-Leduc, Women's Volleyball
- Cassie Robinson, Women's Volleyball
- Marc Marchand, Men's Volleyball
- Brooke Ailey, Women's Nordic Skiing
- Mia Smith, Women's Nordic Skiing
- Jill Hennessy, Women's Hockey
- Tessa Kosec, Women's Hockey
- Zach Roy, Men's Hockey
- Danny Akkouche, Men's Hockey
- Alexis Beaulac, Men's Hockey
OUA Award Winners
USports All-Stars
CUFLA Award Winners (Men's Lacrosse)
- Jason Knox, CUFLA Attackman of the Year
- Zach Tarr, CUFLA Midfielder of the Year
- Callum Jeffery, CUFLA Defensive Midfielder of the Year
- CUFLA Coaching Staff of the Year
CUFLA All-Canadians
Nipissing Lakers Athletics congratulates all award recipients on an exceptional 2025–26 season and thanks the coaches, staff, families, and supporters who continue to make Lakers Athletics a source of pride for the university and community.
#GoLakers
