Red Deer Polytechnic celebrates academics, athletic achievement, and community engagement at 2021/2022 Athletics Awards Night
Domoney, Greves and Szymanek receive special recognition
Red Deer, AB - After an absence of more than a year from Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) competition due to COVID-19, there was an abundance of energy and excitement as 14 Red Deer Polytechnic teams participated in, and excelled throughout, the 2021/2022 season.
"I am very grateful that Red Deer Polytechnic student-athletes were able to pursue their passions and safely compete this season," says Kylie Thomas, Red Deer Polytechnic Vice President Academic and Provost.
"They brought a lot of pride to Red Deer Polytechnic with a memorable list of achievements in the classroom, during competition, and through volunteering in the community. The Polytechnic's coaches and Athletics staff should also be commended as they contributed immensely to these vast accomplishments through their expertise, dedication, and mentorship."
The Polytechnic's student-athletes continued to excel academically. Thirty-nine student-athletes attained Academic Honours at Red Deer Polytechnic, achieving a GPA of 3.5 or higher during Fall 2021 Term. In addition, 41 student-athletes earned Red Deer Polytechnic Academic Excellence Awards with a GPA between 3.0 and 3.49 last term.
Queens Volleyball's Emma Letkeman and McKenna Olson have qualified for Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Academic All-Canadian status by achieving at least a 3.5 GPA in Fall 2021 Term and being nominated to an ACAC All-Conference team.
Letkeman (18) Olson (15)
This season, Red Deer Polytechnic teams and individual student-athletes won 10 ACAC gold, eight silver and six bronze, along with two CCAA national bronze medals.
Twenty-one RDP student-athletes were selected to ACAC All-Conference teams. Ten members of the Kings and Queens received special conference recognition, which included ACAC Top Scholastic Achiever, Rookie of the Year, and Player of the Year. Red Deer Polytechnic student-athletes were also named the ACAC Athlete of the Week on 15 occasions and CCAA Athlete of the Week four times.
Anna Carlson (Queens Volleyball), Tyronn King (Kings Basketball), and Maddux Greves (Kings Volleyball) were selected as CCAA All-Canadians. Six members of Kings and Queens Volleyball were named CCAA Championship All-Stars.
Carlson (11) King (5) Greves (4)
RDP Curling's Brad Hamilton and Indoor Track's Kari Elliott were recognized as ACAC Coach of the Year in their respective sports.
Hamilton Elliott
Red Deer's Kaylee Domoney, of Queens Volleyball, was chosen as the Red Deer Bottling 2021/2022 Outstanding Female Athlete of the Year. Kings Volleyball's Greves was selected as this year's Red Deer Bottling Outstanding Male Athlete of the Year. Kevin Szymanek, a fourth-year forward on the Kings Basketball team, received the Al Ferchuk Leadership Scholarship.
Over 16 matches, Domoney, a 2021/2022 All-Conference libero, recorded 148 digs (2.90 digs per set), 23 assists and one kill, helping to lead the Queens Volleyball team (16-0) to first place in the south. The Red Deer Polytechnic Queens eventually won ACAC gold, the 20th in the program's history, and CCAA bronze in Charlottetown. The Queens had a remarkable 22-1 regular season and playoff record.
"Kaylee is one of the best liberos in the country and has been the bedrock of Queens Volleyball," says Chris Wandler, Red Deer Polytechnic Queens Volleyball Interim Head Coach. "Her first contact was the catalyst for the league's leading offence."
Domoney (3)
The RDP Queens led ACAC Women's Volleyball with 12 kills per set during the regular season.
"Kaylee leaves Queens Volleyball as the program's leading libero in digs," explains Wandler of the graduating fifth-year who also won the 2019/2020 Red Deer Bottling Outstanding Female Athlete of the Year. "She is one of RDP's leading athletes of all time and is most deserving of this accolade."
Domoney, a Kinesiology General student, finished her ACAC Women's Volleyball career with 1,153 digs, ranking first on the Queens and fifth in league history.
"I'm just honoured to get this award," says Domoney. "So much work has been put into it."
While Domoney is leaving RDP Queens Volleyball with a lengthy list of team and individual honours, she will treasure the journey and relationships created at Red Deer Polytechnic.
"All the teammates that I met – forever friends, the coaches, and the experience," she says.
The three-time ACAC South All-Conference team selection played extremely well at nationals and was named to the CCAA Second All-Tournament team, including recognition as a CCAA Player of the Game.
Greves made a huge impact on the Kings Volleyball team as a premier setter, server, and leader. He was instrumental in leading the Polytechnic Kings (12-4) to first place in the south, along with the program's 20th ACAC gold medal, and CCAA bronze.
"I feel like we have talked about Maddux a lot this season, and deservedly so," says Aaron Schulha, Red Deer Polytechnic Kings Volleyball Head Coach. "His impact on the game cannot be understated and the proof is in the Kings undefeated ACAC record with him on the floor."
Greves (4)
With Greves in the lineup, the RDP Kings went 12-0 during the regular season and 3-0 at the ACAC Championships. The Business Administration General student contributed 353 assists, 55 digs, 40 aces, 20 kills and four blocks over 12 regular season matches.
"There are [other Polytechnic] guys who've had incredible seasons and it was really fun watching them compete. To be recognized, I really appreciate it," says Greves, who completed his first season with the Kings. "The biggest thing I loved is getting to know the guys. This is a team sport. I couldn't do what I did without my team."
The All-Conference selection from Calgary also broke a 20-year old league service ace record, accumulating 14 in one match. Greves led ACAC Men's Volleyball with 1.05 aces per set. He ranked second with 9.29 assists per set.
"Maddux impacts the game in every facet, and he constantly brings out the best in his teammates," says Schulha of the fourth-year student-athlete, who previously played at SAIT.
At nationals in Quebec, the RDP Kings finished 3-1 and Greves was a difference maker in the bronze medal run. Along with being named a CCAA All-Canadian, Greves was a First All-Tournament team selection, and a CCAA Player of the Game.
"His volleyball IQ is second to none in the CCAA and we are extremely lucky to have him in our program," adds Schulha. "Maddux is beyond deserving of this award."
Szymanek provided leadership on and off the court for the Kings Basketball team (9-7), which placed third in the south during the regular season. The Bachelor of Business Administration General student started 14 contests, averaging 5.7 points and six rebounds per game.
In the playoffs, the RDP Kings defeated the Briercrest College Clippers 88-82 in double-overtime and the second seed Lethbridge College Kodiaks 86-76. The Kings eventually finished fourth among 15 teams.
Szymanek is Co-Chair of the Red Deer Polytechnic Student-Athletes Advisory Council, which helped to organize several initiatives in the community throughout the year.
Szymanek (11)
"Kevin models exemplary citizenship to his peers at Red Deer Polytechnic on how to freely give back his gifts and talents," says Darren Graham, Red Deer Polytechnic Kings Basketball Head Coach.
The Council organized a Drive-Thru Food Drive, Bleed Green Challenge (Blood Drive), and a variety of opportunities to mentor youth. While Szymanek was involved in the Polytechnic's initiatives, the well-respected student-athlete extended his personal community outreach by coaching at Eastview Middle School and running basketball camps.
"Kevin has traveled throughout central Alberta communities, meeting with aspiring athletes individually, in small groups and full-scale camps," says Graham. "With individually programmed sessions and a magnetic personality, Kevin left attendees and their families thoroughly impressed."
Over the past two seasons, the Red Deer Polytechnic Athletics Awards were celebrated through social media and video channels, so the 2021/2022 event was memorable with the ability to come together as a Polytechnic community.
"I am very pleased that we were able to gather and celebrate our student-athletes' profound accomplishments in person," says Thomas. "Some of our student-athletes will be graduating at the end of the year and I thank them not only for their commitment, but also for being outstanding representatives of Red Deer Polytechnic. On behalf of the Red Deer Polytechnic community, I wish them all the best in their future endeavours."
Additional Awards
Red Deer Bottling High GPA Scholarship - Alex Black (Queens Hockey)
Red Deer Bottling High GPA Scholarship - Kyle Rix (Kings Volleyball)
ACAC Hockey Academic All-Canadians – ACAC All-Conference selections who achieved Honours
Alex Black (Queens), Mary Hirsch (Queens), Jacob Kendall (Kings)
Team Awards
Kings Basketball
Coach's Award - Payton Baltzer
Most Improved Player - Kirklan Hall
Most Valuable Player - Tyronn King
Rookie of the Year - Eduardo Crespo
Queens Basketball
Coach's Award - Sophie Melin
Most Improved Player - Keanna Richards
Most Valuable Player - Amy Szymanek
Rookie of the Year - Sadie Jeffries
Cross Country/Indoor Track
Coach's Award - Axsivier Lawrence
Most Improved Player - Halle Reid
Most Valuable Player - Ethan Duret, Justine Larson
Rookie of the Year - Ethan Duret
Curling
Coach's Award - Jaycee Bourke
Most Improved Player - Reece Brigley
Most Valuable Player - Hollie Vincent
Rookie of the Year - Daniel Humbke
Kings Hockey
Coach's Award - Tyler Podgorenko
Most Improved Player - Sean Michalevich
Most Valuable Player - Jacob Kendall
Rookie of the Year - Jacob Kendall
Queens Hockey
Coach's Award - Camryn Wallan
Most Improved Player - Alex Black
Most Valuable Player - Mary Hirsch
Rookie of the Year - Brenna Reid
Kings Soccer
Coach's Award - Hayden Jacobs
Most Improved Player - Kaidri Bornyi
Most Valuable Player - Pedro Humberto Neto
Rookie of the Year - Wataru Oguchi
Queens Soccer
Coach's Award - Paige Kalbfleisch
Most Improved Player - Kayla Yeo
Most Valuable Player - Sofia Quinteros
Rookie of the Year - Estel Quinteros
Kings Volleyball
Coach's Award - Cody Boulding
Most Improved Player - Nicholas Possingham
Most Valuable Player - Maddux Greves
Rookie of the Year - Brett Lower
Queens Volleyball
Coach's Award - Anna Carlson
Most Improved Player - Randi Gill
Most Valuable Player - Kaylee Domoney
Rookie of the Year - Morgan Boisvert
Team Service Awards
Kings Basketball - Hakim Sewaya
Queens Basketball - Jessica Hennelly
Cross Country Running - Michael Schnare
Curling - Eldon Raab
Kings Hockey - Tyana Gall
Queens Hockey - Amy Friestadt
Kings Soccer - Dr. Stephen Kelly
Queens Soccer - Dr. Elton Clemence
Kings Volleyball - Blake Henwood
Queens Volleyball - Bronwyn McIntyre
Minor Officials Awards - Jessica Harrison and Kurt Jensen
Collegiate Sports Medicine Queens Hockey Trainer Scholarship - Lina Koller
Tim Hamilton Kings Hockey Trainer Scholarship - Tyana Gall
Stride Queens Basketball Student Trainer Scholarship - Heather Dial
Red Deer Bottling Queens Pit Crew Award - Kerragan Jarvie-Selman (Queens Volleyball)
Red Deer Bottling Kings Pit Crew Award - Zoie Kachor (Kings Volleyball)
Jon Walsh Memorial Kings Volleyball Student Trainer Scholarship - Mark Guillen
Red Deer Polytechnic Student Trainer Award - Kenzie Noble
While this season had a reduced number of games, it is expected that the ACAC will return to a more typical schedule in 2022/2023.
Stay connected to RDP Athletics social media and rdpolytechathletics.ca for information about the 2022/2023 schedule and other athletics news.