Nikki Cabuco, Women’s Basketball. Community Athlete of the Year:
“Going into my last year, after completing a season of having a bronze medal, the Sylvia Sweeney award, and still getting to compete at [a] highly competitive level with some of my best friends, I didn’t how I was going to step into another season with making sure I could leave the legacy I wanted behind as I transitioned into this next chapter of my life. Being able to be recognized again for my community work at my last banquet after five years was really exciting for me. It felt like a perfect closing of that chapter of my life.”
Mateo Brazinha, Men’s Soccer. Male Athlete of the Year:
“It’s an honour to receive an award like this. The recognition means a lot but it’s all because of the work of my teammates and coaches that I was able to achieve this. The work put in [in] the off season, done by myself and the whole team, is shown by not the award, but the successful season as a whole!”
Lauren Attieh, Women’s Volleyball. Female Athlete of the Year:
“Being named this year’s female athlete of the year is a true honour and privilege. This award is not mine alone; it reflects the dedication of my teammates and coaches, whose hard work and support have helped me grow and thrive within this program. I’m proud to be recognized alongside the incredible athletes who have received this award before me, including my sister Gabby [Gabrielle] Attieh, and those who will follow. I am especially grateful to my family and friends, whose constant support and inspiration encourage me to strive for excellence and seek joy in every moment of life. Above all, I thank God for blessing me with the opportunity to play the sport I love.”
Maya Drisner, Rowing. Jen Simpson Memorial Leadership Award
“I’d love to say thank you to my incredible coaches, Alicia [Borsoi] and Lisa [Roman]. They’ve built a program that develops athletes and supports any university student in discovering their potential. The environment they’ve created is inclusive, encouraging, and has truly transformed my university experience. I also want to thank every one of my teammates. They’re the ones who show up in the early mornings, row in crew boats, and constantly motivate, challenge, and sometimes beat you, pushing you to work even harder. And of course, a huge thank you to my parents for their endless patience and support …”
“ … It’s also meaningful because of the legacy behind it — Jen [Simpson] impacted UFV Rowing, and I’m incredibly moved that our coaches and the Cascades continue to honour her through this award. It celebrates not just athletic and academic achievement, but also leadership and community impact.”
Dante Colebourne, Men’s Soccer. Male Rookie of the Year:
“ … I remember back in the day when I was only seven I’d come out to exhibition park in Chilliwack to watch the UFV men’s soccer team play, and now to be on it and named rookie of the year, it feels surreal. All the athletes here at UFV work incredibly hard, whether that’s athletically or academically, to perform at their best; when awards like this come you just hope you’ve done that little bit extra to even have a chance at it, so winning was definitely a big achievement for myself … Throughout the season you push yourself to your limits to help your team succeed, without these awards really in mind. With that being said, it’s still always a great feeling when you are recognized for how much you’ve put in …
“ … If you really want to succeed at something, you gotta enjoy it. Then everything else comes easier — training, playing, studying, whatever it is. So if you’re feeling lost in life, find what you genuinely enjoy doing, and run with that.”
Emerson Toop, Women’s Soccer. Female Rookie of the Year:
“ … I want to thank my teammates, coaches, and everyone who’s supported me this season, as I wouldn’t have been able to be as successful as I was this season without them. The supportive environment and strong sense of family within the women’s soccer team made my transition into the program incredibly welcoming. The older girls have helped me grow not just as a player, but as someone who knows their voice matters — that what I think and have to say is always respected and worth sharing.”
