KINGSTON, Ont. (U SPORTS) – Montréal Carabins quarterback Jonathan Sénécal was named the winner of the Hec Crighton Trophy as probably the most excellent participant in U SPORTS soccer on the annual Vanier Cup awards gala, held Thursday evening in Kingston.

Other main award winners embrace Montreal linebacker Harold Miessan, who received the Presidents’ Trophy (most excellent standup defensive participant); UBC sort out Theo Benedet, who took dwelling the J.P. Metras Trophy (most excellent down lineman); Laval linebacker Justin Cloutier, who received the Peter Gorman Trophy for rookie of the yr; Chris Morris of Alberta, who received the Frank Tindall Trophy as Coach of the Year and Mark Rauhaus of Manitoba, who received the Russ Jackson Award for his excellence in soccer, lecturers and group service.

Hec Crighton Trophy (Player of the yr) – Jonathan Sénécal, Montréal

Jonathan Sénécal had the most effective season of his college profession in 2023. The Carabins quarterback completed on the high of all statistical classes at his place within the Quebec convention. Sénécal concluded the common season with 15 landing passes, a excessive within the RSEQ and a brand new program file. Sénécal amassed 2,215 passing yards, the second-best whole in crew historical past, accomplished almost 70% of his passes, and solely threw 4 interceptions, the bottom whole amongst RSEQ beginning quarterbacks this season. The former 2018 Cégep Division I MVP additionally had 394 dashing yards, the fourth-highest whole amongst all RSEQ rushers, a excessive amongst QBs in 2023, and a brand new Carabins crew file. The enterprise administration pupil at HEC Montreal added six majors on the bottom, and none of them got here on a quarterback sneak. For the second time in three seasons, the previous Collège André-Grasset Phénix led his crew to a file of seven wins and one loss to complete first within the convention.

He is the primary Carabin to win the award, and the second straight RSEQ participant, following Kevin Mital final yr.

• Other nominees: Silas Fagnan (StFX), Taylor Elgersma (Laurier), Matthew Peterson (Alberta).

J.P. Metras Trophy (Lineman of the yr) – Theo Benedet, UBC

Winning the J.P. Metras Trophy for a second consecutive season, Theo Benedet enters some really elite firm within the long-standing historical past of the award whereas additionally charting new territory as the primary offensive lineman to win greater than as soon as. Selected as a unanimous Canada West offensive All-Star for the second straight yr, Benedet additionally earned his second consecutive Canada West Outstanding Lineman Award main the entrance line for the convention’s most potent offence.

Starting each sport for the Thunderbirds since his rookie season in 2019, the North Vancouver native burst onto the nationwide scene final yr whereas turning into the primary Thunderbird to win the award since 1999 and the primary offensive lineman to take action since McGill’s Laurent Duvernay-Tardif in 2013. Benedet’s skills have grown extra nonetheless over the previous season, thanks partly to working intently with veteran offensive line coach Dan Dorazio.

Last February, the 6-foot-7, 305 pound proper sort out was the lone Canadian invited to take part within the prestigious East-West Shrine Bowl, North America’s premiere school all-star showcase, held at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. Benedet entered the 2023 season as the highest rated U SPORTS CFL draft eligible prospect, ranked third general.

While a lot credit score for UBC’s excessive flying offence rightly goes to quarterback Garrett Rooker and an impressive receiving and working again corps, the efforts of Benedet as a frontrunner on the entrance line can’t be discounted, offering vital safety for the highest offence within the convention whereas serving to lead the Thunderbirds to their first Vanier Cup look since 2015.

Benedet is the third individual to win the J.P. Metras Trophy in consecutive years, following Laval gamers Arnaud Gascon-Nadon (2010-11) and Mathieu Betts (2016-18).

• Other nominees: Alex Fedchun (StFX), Christopher Fontenard (Montréal), Tyson Hergott (Waterloo).

Presidents’ Trophy (Standup defensive participant of the yr) – Harold Miessan, Montréal

In his third season with the Carabins, linebacker Harold Miessan has established himself as a pillar throughout the defensive unit. His haul of 36 tackles makes him the Carabins chief on this regard. The former Cégep du Vieux-Montréal Spartiate additionally made two interceptions which he returned for a complete of 20 yards and recorded a quarterback sack. The RSEQ’s excellent defensive rookie in 2021 added a fumble to his wonderful resume this season.

Miessan is the second straight Carabin to take dwelling the Presidents’ Trophy, following Nicky Farinaccio, and the third straight linebacker to take action.

• Other nominees: Daniel Bell (Mount Allison), Max Charbonneau (Ottawa), Nick Wiebe (Saskatchewan).

Peter Gorman Trophy (Rookie of the Year) – Justin Cloutier, Laval

A defensive participant for the final two campaigns on the school degree, Justin Cloutier had an instantaneous influence on the Rouge et Or’s protection this season. In seven common season video games, Cloutier made 28.5 tackles, together with 22 solo, the ninth highest whole amongst all defensive gamers within the RSEQ and the second among the many Rouge et Or. Among these tackles, he notably made a quarterback sack.

Cloutier continued his wonderful work in two playoff video games by accumulating seven tackles, together with six particular person tackles. During the semi-final in opposition to Concordia, the Business Administration pupil made his first profession interception, which he returned 12 yards. His turnover allowed the Rouge et Or offense to attain the primary landing of the sport three performs later.

Justin Cloutier turns into the fourth RSEQ consultant in a row to win the Peter Gorman Trophy and the fourth within the historical past of the Rouge et Or after Mathieu Betts (2015), Hugo Richard (2014) and Jean-Frédéric Tremblay (2000). 

• Other nominees: Mikaël Pattin (Bishop’s), Ethan Gregorcic (Laurier), Owen Sieben (Regina).

Russ Jackson Award (Athletics, Academics, Community Service) – Mark Rauhaus, Manitoba

Rauhaus is regarded by his coaches and friends as a well-rounded and impactful student-athlete keen to be taught at each alternative. He is diligent, thoughtful, extraordinarily devoted to his sport, research, and group service.

In addition to the heavy coaching calls for that soccer requires, Rauhaus has selflessly devoted his time to serving to others off the sector and has devoted himself to turning into a greater chief. In the spring of 2023, Rauhaus was chosen to the President’s Student Leadership Program, a prestigious program of simply 22 college students chosen yearly from throughout Manitoba. Through this program, he had the chance to journey throughout the province to community and be taught from a wide range of influential leaders.

As a part of the management program, Rauhaus spearheaded an initiative to assist New Directions, a social work group. He piloted a undertaking that integrates unbiased expertise workshops into the supported unbiased residing program, supporting folks with mental and bodily disabilities. Throughout the summer time, he labored intently with individuals and recognized monetary expertise as an space of want and curiosity. In conjunction with SEED Winnipeg, he was capable of formulate a monetary expertise curriculum. In addition to his summer time analysis place and intensive summer time coaching, Rauhaus devoted 3-4 hours/week to this initiative. This undertaking was fairly private to him, as his brother has autism.

“Mark carries himself with the utmost integrity and is a role model to the young players in our program. His influence on those around him is all encompassing, he helps bring out the best athlete and person in those around him, often serving as a moral compass,” stated Bisons head coach Brian Dobie. “Mark was seven games into his best season as a Bison before he tore his MCL, He is selfless and identifies his personal success with the whole team, his reaction to set-back and failure has always been to reset and find another way to move forward.”

For the 2023-2024 educational yr, Rauhaus was additionally elected by his friends to be on the U of M Athletic Council government because the Director of Bisons Against Bullying. This program brings Bisons student-athletes into colleges to share tales and classes about bullying, and to encourage bystanders to talk up and step in to place an finish to bullying. 

Rauhaus is the third Bison to win this award, following Cameron Teschuk (2016) and Thomas Hall (2010, 2011).

• Other nominees: Alex Cheng (McMaster), Spencer Richard (Acadia).

Frank Tindall Trophy (Fox 40 Coach of the Year) – Chris Morris, Alberta

After guiding the Golden Bears to their first profitable season since 2005, Chris Morris is the winner of his first profession Frank Tindall Trophy. Morris, who has now led the Bears to 3 playoff appearances within the final 4 seasons, led the Bears to second place in Canada West with a 6-2 file, and have been ranked contained in the U SPORTS Top 10 for seven consecutive weeks.

A 14-year CFL veteran and three-time Grey Cup Champion with the Edmonton Eskimos, Morris led the Bears to the second-highest scoring offence in CW in 2023, with the Bears averaging 30.9 factors per sport this season. Their 228 rush yards per sport led the convention by almost 60 yards per sport, with their 475 yards per sport rating fourth within the nation.

“Chris leads by example and he has worked tirelessly for the betterment of the University of Alberta’s football program and our student-athletes,” stated Katie Spriggs, the interim director of athletics on the University of Alberta.

• Other nominees: Gary Waterman (StFX), Marco Iadeluca (Montréal), Michael Faulds (Laurier).

The Canada Life Vanier Cup is on Saturday at 1 p.m. Eastern time on CBC TV and TVA Sports. Live streaming of the competition between the Montréal Carabins and UBC Thunderbirds can be out there on CBC’s digital platforms (CBC Gem, CBCsports.ca and the CBC Sports app) and on TVASports.ca with a sound subscription.

First Team All-Canadians

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Second Team All-Canadians

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