Paton, Franca named Broncos Athletes of the Year
Olds College Sports Information
April 20, 2023
OLDS, Alta. - The Olds College Broncos ended their 2022-23 season in style as they hosted their annual Broncos Awards Night on Thursday, with women's soccer and futsal player Tiona Paton and men's volleyball player Matheus Franca being named the 2022-23 Athletes of the Year.
A second-year Business Management student from Morinville, Paton was relentless up front in both the Broncos' outdoor and indoor seasons, picking up an ACAC South All-Conference nod in soccer after finishing fourth in the ACAC with 16 goals in 12 matches as she led the Broncos to an ACAC South play-in game. On the futsal court, Paton was just as dominant with 20 goals as the Broncos program took significant steps forward.
Franca showed similar dominance on the volleyball court, as the third-year Sports Management student from Nova Lima, Brazil was a presence on every point with 158 kills and 114 digs in 17 matches, which he complemented with 25 blocks and 20 service aces. Franca's production was good enough for an ACAC South All-Conference selection at outside hitter, and he was pivotal in the Broncos returning to the ACAC Men's Volleyball Championship in February.
Turning to first-year Broncos, rodeo star Maysa Powelson was named Female Rookie of the Year after the Welling native and Ag Management Production student qualified for the Canadian College Finals Rodeo in barrel racing, breakaway roping, pole bending, and team roping while also being in contention for High Point Cowgirl honours.
Meanwhile, men's volleyball player Strahinja Lazarevic was named the Male Rookie of the Year as the Pozarevac, Serbia product came over and adapted from outside hitter to become a key cog up the middle for the Broncos. The Sports Management student played every match for the Broncos this season, finishing with 69 kills and 26 stuff blocks to go with six service aces.
It was also a big night for soccer and futsal player Valentin Kirchner, as the second-year Sports Management student was named the Male Impact Athlete of the Year for his work with the Broncos' Tri-Active program and the Holy Trinity soccer Sports Academy. The Salmunster, Germany native was also named Male Academic Student-Athlete of the Year for the second straight season with a 3.94 GPA, as well as receiving the Konica Minolta Leadership Award, which comes with a $1,000 scholarship.
Women's hockey captain and Agribusiness student Jesse Jack was named the Female Impact Athlete of the Year for the third time in her Broncos career (2018-19 and 2019-20) for her work on the ice as a mentor for younger teammates and being a strong community volunteer presence, while women's volleyball player Madison Macaulay was recognized as the Female Academic Student-Athlete of the Year after posting a 4.0 GPA in the Business Management program.
Finally, it was also announced that the Broncos earned second prize in the ACAC's Make Some Noise for Mental Health campaign, which ran from January 13-26. The Broncos received $1,000 from RBC to go toward on-campus health and wellness services as well as A Beer For Sam, an initiative created in memory of a student from Olds College's Brewmaster Program that helps fund programs, initiatives, and student events at Olds College to support students on their personal journeys with mental health and wellbeing.
For more information on the Olds College Broncos, please visit gobroncos.ca, and follow the Broncos across social media @OldsBroncos.
Women's Basketball
Rookie of the Year - Noa Jessen
Impact Athlete of the Year - Caitlin Paul
Athlete of the Year - Blu Rose
Men's Basketball
Rookie of the Year - Gurech Gurech
Impact Athlete of the Year - Artemus Rapada
Athlete of the Year - Austin Nzige-Nyambok
Women's Soccer
Rookie of the Year - Mirtalem Vriend
Impact Athlete of the Year - Kami Tams
Athlete of the Year - Tiona Paton
Men's Soccer
Rookie of the Year - Pedro Noschang
Impact Athlete of the Year - Emmanuel Mukolo
Athlete of the Year - Valentin Kirchner
Women's Futsal
Rookie of the Year - Alex Fortney
Impact Athlete of the Year - Jane Morris
Athlete of the Year - Kassidy Kelly
Men's Futsal
Rookie of the Year - Dilan Vargas
Impact Athlete of the Year - Valentin Kirchner
Athlete of the Year - Diego Forno
Women's Hockey
Rookie of the Year - Avery Kendall
Impact Athlete of the Year - Jesse Jack
Athlete of the Year - Sydney Jack
Rodeo
Rookie of the Year (Female) - Maysa Powelson
Impact Athlete of the Year (Female) - Charlotte Fisher
Cowgirl of the Year - Becky Bradley
Rookie and Cowboy of the Year (Male) - Rhett Tattrie
Impact Athlete of the Year (Male) - Brayden Byrne
Women's Volleyball
Rookie of the Year - Kalyna Bahler
Impact Athlete of the Year - Lexi Lafreniere
Athlete of the Year - Tabitha Martin
Men's Volleyball
Rookie of the Year - Strahinja Lazarevic
Impact Athletes of the Year - Jesse Stoddart and Phillip Sutherland
Athlete of the Year - Matheus Franca
Major Awards
Female Academic Student-Athlete of the Year - Madison Macaulay (4.0 GPA)
Male Academic Student-Athlete of the Year - Valentin Kirchner (3.94 GPA)
Female Rookie of the Year - Maysa Powelson
Male Rookie of the Year - Strahinja Lazarevic
Female Impact Athlete of the Year - Jesse Jack
Male Impact Athlete of the Year - Valentin Kirchner
Female Athlete of the Year - Tiona Paton
Male Athlete of the Year - Matheus Franca