By Jadon Frank

 

A Briercrest athlete has been chosen as the top male athlete of the year across all sports in the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference.

Gradyn Childerhose received the ACAC male athlete of the year award at Briercrest’s 2012-2013 awards banquet Thursday.

This award is selected by the ACAC executive and is awarded to the student-athlete who not only has accomplished great things individually and in a team context, but also demonstrates leadership, academic achievement, and college and community involvement. Childerhose was a great fit in every one of these categories this season. Athletically, his many accomplishments this season include ACAC and Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association Player of the Year and leading the CCAA in points with 25.05 per game, and being ranked eighth for rebounds, as well as leading Briercrest to 19-1 regular season record, a CCAA number one ranking and Briercrest’s first ACAC medal, a bronze. He concluded his career fourth all-time in the ACAC for points with 1421, tied for tenth in rebounds and third in blocks.

“Gradyn has impressive stats,” says Jeff Harris, CCAA men’s basketball convenor. “His team has been very successful this season, in large part to his performances.”

Childerhose, who used his fourth year of eligibility to play for the University of Regina during the 2011-12 season, was very proficient academically this year, recognized as a 2012-13 SIRC-CCAA Academic All-Canadian with a 3.85 GPA.

Men’s basketball coach Rod Adrian praised Childerhose’s contribution this season.

“He was named Player of the Game seven times this season, and he’s a team leader in many respects; he served as co-captain, challenged himself and his teammates in practice and on game day, and served as a coach during the Clippers’ summer camps. He works well with the youth that attend, and is well liked by all.”

Childerhose was also recognized as the Briercrest Male Athlete of the Year, which is presented to a total champion representative based on athletic ability, team success, community standards and league awards.

Joining Childerhose as the Briercrest Athlete of the Year was Claire Richardson who was recognized as the Briercrest Female Athlete of the Year. The second-year women’s basketball team captain was selected to the ACAC South First Team All-Conference this year and helped lead Briercrest to their best record since 2000-01. She led Briercrest in points per game, steals, rebounds, blocks and assist/turnover ratio. She also ranked third in the ACAC South for rebounds and led the ACAC South in blocks.

Richardson was greatly involved in the community this year, often noted as the hardest worker at volunteering events and also led worship at Athlete’s chapel.

Though there was only one student-athlete who was honoured as a five-year Briercrest athlete this year, men’s hockey goaltender Jesse Chenard (BA Business Administration), six athletes were honoured for graduating from Briercrest this season.

Men’s basketball had three graduating student-athletes, Matt Myers (BA Biblical Studies) and Kendell Boese (AA Biblical Studies) transferred to Briercrest to complete their five years of eligibility and made an incredible contribution to Briercrest Athletics, while Gradyn Childerhose (BA Humanities) began and ended his career at Briercrest. Men’s hockey forward Michael Fischer (BA Global Studies) transferred to Briercrest after beginning his academics at a different bible college. Men’s volleyball libero Pablo Acuna (BA Business Administration) completed his degree in four years.

“Fifth year awards symbolize the student athlete’s commitment to Briercrest , commitment to finishing a degree and a commitment to making sacrifices to be part of our program,” Athletic Director Nigel Mullan said.

“We want to honour Jesse Chenard and the other graduating athletes because we feel that commitment is what allows our teams to develop the culture. Without fourth and fifth year players on your team it is hard to develop that culture that we’re after.”

Other awards presented at the April 4 banquet included:

Community Service Award: Fred Fictorie for his work at Joe’s Place, student government, and on campuses across Western Canada.

Female Rookie of the year – Elly Wendel who was selected to the 2012-13 ACAC women’s volleyball First Team All-Conference, has an ACAC second ranked 247 kills, fifth ranked 46 blocks and ninth ranked 26 aces and was 2012-13 SIRC-CCAA Academic All-Canadian with a 4.00 GPA

Male rookie of the year – Josh Senneker whose steady play on a veteran-laden team allowed him to be one of only five players to appear in every match this season. He peaked at the most-important point of the season, in the ACAC quarter-final, leading Briercrest to victory over Medicine Hat with a personal best 12 kills and five digs, and being honoured with Player of the Game.

Female athlete of the year – Claire Richardson

Male athlete of the year – Gradyn Childerhose

Most Improved Players: volleyball – Josh Senneker and Erin Anderson; basketball – James Wohlgeschaffen and Kennedy Sawatzky; hockey – Daniel Stollery.

Most Valuable players: volleyball – Josh Wendel and Brooke Peterson; basketball – Matt Myers and Claire Richardson; hockey – Jesse Chenard.

Minor Official Award: Jill Peters

ACAC player of the week awards – Gradyn Childerhose, Mikayla Reinhardt, Elly Wendel, Cody Quiring, Matt Myers and Brooke Peterson.

ACAC All-Academic team (based on 2011-12 marks) – Josh Dufresne, Caleb Willems, Aaron Frede, William Cole, Erik Buddingh, Brooke Olmstead, Meghan Carr, Shehana Woodland, Dylana Knelsen, Scott Willms and Steve Klassen.

ACAC all conference: First team Elly Wendel – volleyball, Claire Richardson – basketball, Gradyn Childerhose – basketball, and Matt Myers – basketball; second team – Kendell Boese - basketball, Cody Quiring – volleyball, Josh Wendel - volleyball.

ACAC South Basketball Coach of the Year: Rod Adrian

ACAC Men’s Basketball Player of the Year: Gradyn Childerhose

ACAC Male Athlete of the Year: Gradyn Childerhose

CCAA Academic All-Canadian: Elly Wendel – volleyball, Gradyn Childerhose – basketball

CCAA All-Canadian Team: Gradyn Childerhose

CCAA Men’s Basketball Player of the Year: Gradyn Childerhose

Graduating player awards – Kendell Boese, Matt Myers, Gradyn Childerhose, Jesse Chenard, Michael Fischer, Pablo Acuna.

Fifth year player awards – Jesse Chenard.

For photos of the Awards Banquet like Briercrest Athletics on facebook.