CIS announces 2010-2011 Top Eight Academic All-Canadians

OTTAWA – Canadian Interuniversity Sport proudly announced Tuesday September 27^th, the student-athletes honored as Top Eight Academic All-Canadians for the 2010-2011 season.

Every year, a growing number of CIS student-athletes are recognized as Academic All-Canadians, having maintained an average of 80 per cent or better over the academic year while competing for one – or more – of their university’s varsity teams.

In 2010-2011, a record 2,398 students achieved the prestigious status, eclipsing the previous mark of 2,299 set a year ago.

Four universities had over 100 CIS Academic All-Canadians last year includingLaval(127),Alberta(124),Western Ontario(110) and Queen’s (108). Rounding out the national top 10 were McGill (98),Waterloo(98), Dalhousie (95), Calgary(85), Acadia (85) and Manitoba(80).

Among these outstanding individuals, one female and one male student-athlete from each of the four CIS regional associations are selected annually as Top Eight Academic All-Canadians.

The 2010-2011 recipients from Atlantic University Sport (AUS) are Heather Ambery of Ottawa, a soccer player and kinesiology student at UNB, as well as Daniel You of Calgary, a volleyball player and biology student at Dalhousie.

Representing the Réseau du sport étudiant du Québec (RSEQ) are Alexandra Lojen of Montreal, a volleyball player and masters student (law) at Montreal, and Marc-André Dorion of St-Hubert, Que., an ice hockey player and education student at McGill.

The winners from Ontario University Athletics (OUA) are Erika Reiser of Windsor, Ont., a pole vaulter and kinesiology student at Windsor, as well as Shujon Mazumder of Toronto, a wrestler and education student at the U of T.

From the Canada West Universities Athletic Association (CWUAA), this year’s recipients are Hayley Wickenheiser of Shaunavon, Sask., an ice hockey player and kinesiology student at Calgary, along with Darren Mazzei of Regina, a cross country and track and field athlete and education student atVictoria.

“The high number of student-athletes who achieved 80 per cent is something all universities across Canada can be proud of. It reflects the commitment of coaches and athletics departments to ensure success in the classroom and playing field”, said CIS chief executive officer, Marg McGregor. “This year’s Top Eight recipients symbolize the many outstanding student-athletes across Canada. I look forward to hearing great things about them in the years to come as they graduate and become leaders in our communities.”

(Source: Michel Belanger, CIS Manager Media & Communications)