Charlotte Knappe and Ryan Farrell Named UNB Saint John Student - Athletes of the Year
Author: S. Guimond
Posted on Apr 12, 2022
Category: Alumni , Soccer , Volleyball , Varsity Sports , SAAC , Basketball , ACAA
Saint John, New Brunswick- UNB Saint John held its 56th Annual Varsity Athletics Evening on Friday, April 8 to honour its student-athletes. Women’s soccer defender, Charlotte Knappe and men’s volleyball left side hitter, Ryan Farrell were named the Female and Male Athletes of the Year
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Quispamsis native Knappe was crucial to the Seawolves’ push to ACAA playoffs. She faced-off with every striker and attacking midfielder in the league and won every battle. “Charlotte was the main reason our team only conceded 13 goals this season,” says Seawolves women’s soccer head coach PJ Ward. “Her understanding of the game and ease when playing allows her teammates to settle in and focus on what they need to do”. Charlotte is a leader on and off the field who excels academically and volunteers with the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.
In his fourth season with the Seawolves, Fredericton’s Ryan Farrell is one of the league’s leaders in kills, is a top defender and arguably one of the best overall players the Seawolves have ever had. “Whether Ryan is practicing or competing, he plays at 110% of his effort all the time,” says Seawolves men’s volleyball head coach, Dino Karatzios. “As a coach, not only is it important to have a leader like Ryan who can teach others by example, it's also a privilege to coach a student-athlete of his caliber”. Farrell finished third in the ACAA with an impressive 131 kills overall and was named to the ACAA First All-Conference Team.
The Dr. Ann Gorman Condon Academic Athletic Achievement Awards were presented to Kaitlyn Sears of the women’s volleyball team, and Jack Fury-Miller of the men’s basketball team for their outstanding athletic performance and dean’s list status. Fourth-year Olds, Alberta native, Sears, is a perennial academic leader among varsity student-athletes. She was a standout performer on the court, volunteered with Wolfpack volleyball and was a quiet leader amount her teammates. She also volunteered with COVID-19 vaccination Clinics. Saint John native Fury-Miller is the highest achieving Seawolf academically. Athletically, he was one of the best players in the ACAA, setting the bar high for himself and for his teammates. “To achieve excellence in both sport and academics requires tremendous skill, dedication and perseverance,” says Athletics Director David Munro. “These qualities are also the foundation of what great community leaders are made of”.
Individual awards for each varsity team were awarded to student-athletes and presented by each head coach. The winners were as follows:
Women’s Soccer Name
Most Valuable Player Charlotte Knappe
Rookie of the Year Jocephine Splitgerber
Men’s Soccer Name
Most Valuable Player Nick Ellingwood
Rookie of the Year Griffin Cassidy
Women’s Basketball Name
Most Valuable Player Hanna Grossman
Rookie of the Year Bailey Henderson
Men’s Basketball Name
Most Valuable Player Jack Fury-Miller
Rookie of the Year Aiden Connors
Women’s Volleyball Name
Most Valuable Player Kaitlyn Sears
Most Improved Emma Lynch
Men’s Volleyball Name
Most Valuable Player Ryan Farrell
“Mr. Big” Carson Dorcas
The full recipient list can be found here and photos can be found on the UNB Saint John Seawolves Facebook fan page.