Louka, Hall cap off UNBC tenures with Athlete of the Year awards

Gordon Hall and Vasiliki Louka couldn’t have performed a better encore for the UNBC Timberwolves.

A year after claiming the top Male and Female Athlete of the Year honors, both athletes defended their crowns successfully on Friday, taking the award for a second consecutive year at UNBC’s Athletic Awards Dinner from the Hart Crown Hall.

Hall is a fifth-year men’s soccer player for the Timberwolves and has been a pillar of strength on the backend being paired up with long-time friend and teammate Conrad Rowlands.

In an interview with My PG Now, Hall said he was blessed to have the opportunity to play alongside so many close friends.

“It’s nice because I grew up with Conrad, Josh McAvoy and a couple of the other guys when I was 12 years old, so to come up and do five years with them is something special.”

Hall stated he never envisioned getting the personal accolades to compliment his play on the field, which is something he will always cherish.

“Honestly no, and that’s why I am glad that I came up here, again, the experience and the friendships that I have developed here is something that I will never forget.”

.@UNBCATHLETICS Male Athlete of the Year winner Gordon Hall speaks with @mypgnow about the accomplishment #CityofPG #sports #ThisIsUNBC pic.twitter.com/hCPGq4WjYW

— My Prince George Now (@mypgnow) April 6, 2019

As for Louka, this is the third consecutive year she has taken Female Athlete of the Year honors at UNBC, which is mainly due to her ability to suck up rebounds and double-double teams to death where she earned numerous accolades from Canada West or U-Sports.

The Athens, Greece product was very humble when discussing her accomplishments.

“I am thrilled and happy to be around all of these people, I don’t know what to say. I am really happy to end my career this way and this award means a lot to me and I wouldn’t have gotten it without my teammates and coaches.”

Like the men’s soccer program, Louka has been around for the rapid transformation of UNBC’s women’s basketball program where they went from a rebuilding project to a yearly playoff team, clinching a berth in the last three seasons.

“Our whole team started pretty slow but the last three years we have done so much growth and I will definitely have Prince George and the Timberwolves in my heart.”

“The nice thing about our university is that it is a small university and you can always have someone to talk and I have made so many friends that I will always remember and keep in touch with. I am really happy I chose to come here.”

.@UNBCATHLETICS Vasiliki Louka claims third straight Female Athlete of the Year honors, chats with @mypgnow on being selected once again #CityofPG #Sports #ThisIsUNBC pic.twitter.com/DWuo99ldER

— My Prince George Now (@mypgnow) April 6, 2019

Louka led the Canada West in rebounds with 12.7 per game and was top ten in points (17.3 per game) and blocks (1.1 per game). Her 17 double-doubles were the second most in a single Canada West season, and she became the UNBC all-time leader in points, rebounds, minutes, and blocks.

Here is a full list of the award winners for UNBC:

Men’s Soccer:

Golden Boot – Francesco Bartolillo
Defensive Player – Gordon Hall
Coach’s Award – Francesco Bartolillo
Most Valuable Player – Gordon Hall

Men’s Basketball:

Rookie of the Year Award – Chris Ross and Spencer Ledoux
Zane Robison Award – Vova Pluzhnikov
Best Defensive Player Award – Austin Chandler
Most Outstanding Player Award – Jovan Leamy
Most Inspirational Player Award – Vaggelis Loukas and James Agyeman
Practice Wins Leader – Vaggelis Loukas

Women’s Basketball:

Best Defensive Player – Maria Mongomo
Most Improved Player – Madison Landry
Rookie of the Year – Lucy Guan and Cevanna Carlson
Leadership Award – Abby Gibb
Most Valuable Player – Vasiliki Louka

Women’s Soccer:

Offensive Player of the Year – Paige Payne
Defensive Player of the Year – Mara McCleary
Green & Gold Award – Robyn Zinkan
Most Valuable Player – Madison Emmond & Paige Payne