Past Olympians, graduating varsity stars and emerging athletes with a promising future were all honoured last month at UVic's annual athletic awards dinner.

The male and female athletes-of- the-year were Jeff Williams of men's rugby and Andrea Rushton from women's field hockey. Williams is a member of the national 7's team and was also selected for the national 15's team which toured Italy earlier this year. Rushton was a CIAU tournament all-star last fall and played on the senior national team and the B.C. provincial team.

Other finalists for athlete-of-the- year honours were: Kevin Light, men's rowing; John Stamhuis, men's swimming; Sarah Hanna, women's rugby; and Stephanie Mills, women's cross country.

Graduating Vikes women's basketball team star Lindsay Brooke received a standing ovation when she was named the winner of this year's President's Cup, presented to the fourth- or fifth-year student athlete who best combines athletic and academic excellence.

A two-time CIAU tournament MVP, Brooke also coaches school basketball teams and works on behalf of community groups such as Rock Solid. She's a four-time Royal Bank Academic All-Canadian and is likely to make the honour roll again with a 7.25 GPA. The other finalists for the President's Cup were cross country team member Wendy Cocksedge and field hockey team member Anna Grimes.

Fine arts student and Vikes women's rowing team member Karen Clark won the Chancellor's Award for outstanding contribution to her team both in and out of the competition venue. Sarah Hanna won the Provost Award for Excellence given to a returning athlete with the highest academic average. Hanna is a member of the national under-23 women's rugby team and maintains at GPA of 8.5 in her science studies.

The men's and women's winners of the University Sport Award for athletic achievements during the present academic year were Chris Craveiro of men's soccer and Anna Grimes of women's field hockey. Craveiro was voted Canada West MVP in only his first year of play at UVic. Grimes was co-winner of the MVP award at the 2000 CIAU championship.

Sandy Zinkowski, a former UVic student currently completing her certification as an athletic therapist, won the Publisher's Award/Community Award for her outstanding contribution to the Vikes program through her volunteer athletic therapy work. Linda Kimoto of the men's basketball team won the Outstanding Manager Award.

Graduate student Albert Burgund won the Martlet Athletic Award for his outstanding supervisory and coaching work with the Vikes swim program. Men's swim team member Jason Hunter won the Robert T. Wallace Shield, presented to athletes in their first year of varsity competition. Hunter won gold, silver and bronze medals at the CIAU championships.