Mollenhauer collects multiple awards as Vikes honour top performers

VICTORIA – A field hockey star and a sharp shooting point guard were among the major award winners recognized at the annual Vikes Celebration of Champions on April 5, 2023, at the University of Victoria's Farquhar Auditorium.

Fifth-year women's field hockey captain Anna Mollenhauer took home the evening's top honours, winning both the prestigious President's Cup and the Female Athlete of the Year award. A Victoria product, Mollenhauer made history this season as the first three-time U SPORTS Women's Field Hockey Player of the Year recipient, helping her team win its fourth consecutive U SPORTS championship banner while taking home tournament MVP honours.

On the men's side, third-year men's basketball player and hometown hero Diego Maffia snagged Male Athlete of the Year honours. Maffia had an outstanding 2022-23 season leading the men's basketball program to its 17th Canada West banner, where he was named Canada West Player of the Year. A prolific shooter, Maffia led the country in scoring, garnering him U SPORTS First Team All-Canadian status. 

Amongst an exceptional Vikes rookie class, cross country and track standout Jaxon Kuchar came out on top, winning the Robert T. Wallace Shield Male Rookie of the Year award. Named to the Canada West Cross Country All-Rookie team, Kuchar was later selected to represent Team Canada at the U20 Junior World Cross Country Championships in Bathurst, Australia.  

An all-around athlete, rugby's Carissa Norsten took home the Robert T. Wallace Shield Female Rookie of the Year award following an outstanding first season with the Vikes. A member of the Rugby Canada Maple Leaf's development program, Norsten was named rugby fifteens Canada West Rookie of the Year and U SPORTS Rookie of the Year. She parlayed that same success into the rugby sevens season, getting named a Canada West First Team All-star and Canadian University Championship All-star.

Adam Miller of the men's rowing team was named the winner of the Chancellors Award, which is presented annually to a student-athlete that provides leadership and vision exemplifying the team's goals. Earlier this year, Miller received the Tony Zasada award, which goes to a graduating athlete from the men's rowing program that had made a significant impact on the team. Miller's was key in spearheading a men's rowing fundraising committee, resulting in four new endowments totalling $100,000.00 in value.
 
PRESIDENT'S CUP
The President's Cup is given annually to the outstanding student-athlete in fourth or fifth year who best combines scholastic achievement and athletic ability.



Anna Mollenhauer

Anna Mollenhauer is a generational athlete who truly exemplifies what it means to be a Vike. A five-time Academic All-Canadian, she not only led the way on the field, but in the classroom.

Mollenhauer is a four-time Canada West Player of the Year, five-time Canada West All-star, four-time U SPORTS All-Canadian and a four-time U SPORTS national champion. This season (2022-23) Mollenhauer was named the U SPORTS Player of the Year, becoming the first person in history to win the award three times. She was also named Sport BC's University Athlete of the Year.

A member of Canada's national women's field hockey team, Mollenhauer has represented the Vikes at the Pan Am Games, Pan Am Cup, the World Cup and the Commonwealth Games.

While her list of accolades is impressive, what makes her special is the example she sets for others through her actions as a teammate, volunteer, student, friend, and leader. Mollenhauer's legacy as a Vike is unmatched, leaving her mark for generations to come.