CW Announces Players of the Week
Seven student-athletes recognized across four sports
Sept. 12, 2023 – Following a terrific weekend of action, the Canada West Universities Athletic Association is proud to announce its Players of the Week.
Football Offensive Player of the Week – QB Anton Amundrud (SSK)
It isn’t easy to step into the starting role of a program coming off two straight Hardy Cup wins, but Anton Amundrud is doing his best to prove that he belongs.
The new Huskie starter was simply dominant in a 40-6 rout of rival Regina last Friday night, throwing for four touchdowns and 391 yards in front of over 10,000 fans at Griffiths Stadium.
Amundrud came out of the gates firing on all cylinders, completing his first nine passes and connecting for all four of his touchdowns in the first half. Three of those TD connections were to third-year receiver Rhett Vavra.
It’s early, but Amundrud has already announced his arrival in Canada West as the Huskies focus on getting back to the Vanier Cup this season. Through two games he leads Canada West in passing (352 yards) and touchdowns (8). The Huskies now prepare for a home showdown with the Alberta Golden Bears next Friday in a battle of two undefeated teams.
Football Defensive Player of the Week – LB Ryan Baker (UBC)
UBC’s defence has been rock solid through two games so far this season, making life uncomfortable for opposing offences. Third-year North Vancouver product Ryan Baker has played a huge part in that success, delivering another strong game against Calgary on Saturday.
Baker recorded an interception as well as a fumble recovery in a big 45-15 win over the Dinos, while also adding two solo tackles and one assisted tackle.
After the Dinos tried to claw back into the game by striking for a TD just as the first half ended, Baker started the second half with an interception at the Calgary 37 to swing the game’s momentum back in UBC’s favor.
It was one of two turnovers the 2022 All-Canadian was involved in after he also picked up a Ben Sangmuah forced fumble.
UBC head coach Blake Nill was complimentary of Baker’s performance after the game, stating "Baker's success at free safety shows he's the best defensive player in the league if not the whole country."
"He was an all-Canadian middle line backer, we moved him back to free safety and all he does is make plays. I want him to be a leader on that team and he's responded very well."
The nationally ranked T-Birds are 2-0 and will battle winless Manitoba next Saturday at Thunderbird Stadium.
Football Special Teams Player of the Week – K Jonathan Giustini (ALB)
Kicker Jonathan Giustini knocked in three field goals while helping the Golden Bears to a critical 37-16 win over Manitoba last Friday.
Alberta, who has started their season 2-0 for the first time since 2015, has shown a balanced offensive attack through the season’s opening two games as they look to return to the CW playoffs.
Giustini, a fourth-year student-athlete from Calgary, has played his part. His three field goals on Friday all came in the third quarter and included drives from 25, 33 and 49 yards out. He was also 4/4 on extra points, improving to a perfect 7/7 on the season.
Alberta now prepares for a big test next Friday as they travel to face Saskatchewan in a battle of undefeated teams.
Women’s Soccer Player of the Week – Stefanie Young (UBCO)
It was a record-breaking weekend to remember for hometown star Stefanie Young and the UBCO Heat.
Young scored four goals over two games, including recording the first hat trick in UBCO program history in an 8-1 win over UNBC on Saturday, setting multiple records in the process.
The third-year Kelowna product started the weekend by scoring once on Friday as the Heat went toe-to-toe with division leader UBC, narrowly falling 3-2.
She proceeded to make history the next day against the Timberwolves. Young scored her eighth career goal just two minutes into the match, tying UBCO's career scoring record. She then took sole possession of the record with a tally in the 28th minute and added another highlight reel marker in the 75th.
Her six goals on the season place her second in conference scoring, one behind MacEwan’s Grace Mwasalla. That figure has also set a new school record for most goals in a single season, breaking her own record from two years ago, with plenty of time to add to that tally.
Powered by Young and a dynamic offence, the Heat have enjoyed a hot 3-1-1 start and are tied for second place in the tough Pacific Division.
Men’s Soccer Player of the Week – Michael Henmen (UNBC)
It was only a matter of time before the reigning Canada West player of the year opened his account.
Michael Henman paced the UNBC attack all weekend against defending national champion TRU, scoring a brace in a Timberwolves win on Friday and following it up with another goal in a tight 2-1 defeat on Sunday.
On Friday, Henman recorded the first UNBC goal of the season off a low re-direct from the middle of the box in the 18th minute. He doubled that lead in the 55th, nailing home a header off a superb left-footed high cross feed from Isaac Tate. The T-Wolves would hold on for a 3-1 win, their first of the season.
Henmen added another marker on Sunday, scoring in the 90th minute to start a spirited comeback effort that fell just short.
UNBC will look to build on their momentum next weekend as travel to Calgary to clash with the Dinos on Sept. 17.
Rugby Player of the Week – Charli Helland (LET)
Helland’s two second half tries helped the Lethbridge Pronghorns open their season with a 26-7 takedown of the Calgary Dinos.
With the game tied 7-7 at half, Helland lifted the visiting Horns to victory. The first-year backrow from Vulcan, Alta. put Lethbridge ahead with her first try in the 54th minute, then put the game away with another in the 79th.
Lethbridge will look to sweep the season series as they host a rematch with the Dinos next Saturday.
Field Hockey Player of the Week – Hannah Rumble (UBC)
Rumble and her Thunderbird teammates got their season started on a strong note with a pair of road wins at Calgary.
The reigning Canada West Goalkeeper of the Year was integral to the victories, recording two clean sheets. She shutout the Dinos through regulation time in Saturday’s season opener, making key stops in lifting the T-Birds to a 4-3 shootout win.
She then blanked Calgary once more on Sunday, stopping all shots in a 1-0 UBC victory.
UBC is off next weekend and returns home to host Victoria Sept. 23 and 24.
