Simon Fraser’s Jessica Kaczowka is named recipient of the Nan Copp. The fourth-year forward from Regina led the CIS in field goal percentage, was third in scoring and fourth in rebounding. The criminology major was an integral part of SFU’s amazing 32-0 record, which includes the regular season (20-0), the Canada West playoffs (6-0) and non-conference play (6-0). The Clan were the top seed in the nationals.
Simon Fraser’s Bruce Langford wins the Ennis award. Langford guided the Clan to a perfect 32-0 record this year in his first year as head coach. After 22 years of coaching at various levels of basketball, Bruce took the next step to the university level. Earlier laurels included the 2000 Basketball BC Coach of the
Year after leading Heritage Park to an undefeated season is 2000. He won three provincial high school crowns while at Heritage Park. “I would rather have no one than not have Bruce,” forward Jennifer Van De Walle said simply. “We’re 32-0. What more can you ask for?” Langford’s done such a remarkable job that you hardly hear people mention McNeill any more, even though she was almost an icon in the basketball community for more than a decade. And things also have gone so well that hardly anyone talks about his jumping up from high school.
“I didn’t apply for the job until the very last minute,” explained Langford. “I had it very good at Heritage but one day I looked in the mirror and said, how can I tell kids to go for their dreams if I don’t at least apply for this?”
Waterloo’s Julie Devenny was named recipient of the Kathy Shields award as national rookie of the year. The Waterloo native and kinesiology student was OUA co-rookie of the year, along with Laurier’s Sarah Zagorski. The 6-1 point guard and Waterloo Collegiate Institute product led the Warriors in scoring (16 ppg) and was ranked eighth in the CIS. The kinesiology major and point guard was also seventh in the conference in field goal percentage and 11th in rebounding. Devenny led the Warriors to a 14-7 record and third place in the OUA West.
Simon Fraser’s Teresa Kleindienst and Laurentian’s Clare Beatty shared the defensive player of the year award. Kleindienst, from Mission, was in her fifth year with the Clan and a member of the Canadian national team. Beatty, from Sudbury, finished third in the OUA East in scoring, three-point field goal percentage and free throw shooting.
Joining Kaczowka, Kleindienst and Beatty as 1st team All-Canadians were: Bree Burgess (Regina) and Jenine Browne (Memorial).
The 2nd team All-Canadians were: Jacqueline Lavallee (Saskatchewan); Melissa Lemay (Bishop’s); Christine Shewchuk (Alberta); Leanne Rowthorn (Guelph); and Heather Thompson (Winnipeg).
Honorable Mention was awarded to: Angelia Crealock (Dalhousie); Vanessa Richardson (Toronto); Carrie Rogers (U.B.C.); Anna Bekkering (Calgary); and Marie-Pier Veilleux (Concordia)
Joining Devenny on the all-rookie unit were: Paula Romkey (Toronto); Lara Schmidt (Regina); Kelly Rae Kenyon (McGill); and Taylor Stuart (Trinity Western)