Comeau and Collins named Acadia athletes of the year

WOLFVILLE, N.S. – Acadia University's Department of Athletics celebrated the 2024-25 season on Wednesday night at the annual Fred G. Kelly Awards Night, hosted in Festival Theatre.

Riley Comeau and Ella Collins concluded the evening as recipients of the male and female athlete of the year awards.

Comeau was a dominant force on the field this season, earning AUS All-Star recognition and leading the conference in defensive stats. Nationally, he topped the country in total tackles with 65.5, including 52 solo tackles, and ranked second in tackles per game. His on-field excellence led to his selection for the CFL Combine, an event that identifies top prospects from U SPORTS and the NCAA.

Collins added another gold medal season to her impressive career. At the AUS Swimming Championships she captured four gold medals—three in individual events and one in a relay—securing an AUS All-Star selection. Ahead of the championship meet, Collins qualified for the U SPORTS championships. Her outstanding performances throughout the season earned her the title of AUS Female Swimmer of the Year, recognizing her as the top performer across all meets.

Men’s basketball’s Ryan Regault was named this year’s Outstanding First-Year Male Athlete of the Year.

In his rookie season with the Axemen, Regault made an immediate impact, earning an AUS First Team All-Rookie selection and being named AUS Rookie of the Year. He started 11 games, averaging 12.4 points per game—the highest among first-year men’s basketball players in the conference and fifth nationally. Regault ranked 19th in overall AUS scoring while playing in 17 of Acadia’s 20 games. His standout season was capped off with a selection to the U SPORTS All-Rookie Team.

The Outstanding First-Year Female Athlete of the Year award was won by women’s rugby’s Sam Reid.

Reid’s first year at Acadia was nothing short of exceptional. A key member of the AUS championship-winning rugby team, she played in all six games and ranked ninth in the conference with 17 points. Reid’s contributions earned her a spot on the AUS All-Star team, recognizing her as one of the conference’s top rugby performers. Following the rugby season, she transitioned to the women’s basketball team, where she played in 10 games, averaging 5.6 minutes per game.

This year’s female Community Engagement Award was awarded to Ella Campbell, while the male Community Engagement Award was presented to Thomas Couture.

The President’s Award, established in recognition of Acadia’s 175th Anniversary to honour individuals displaying the highest standard of leadership, was awarded to Leah Adams and Orie Mainolfi.

This year’s Acadia Student Union Jimmy Atomate Award winner is Bianca Helmig.

The award, dedicated in memory of Jimmy Atomate, is given annually to a varsity athlete who makes an exceptional effort to connect with students and fans while enhancing the wider campus experience.

2024-25 ACADIA ATHLETICS AWARDS

MAJOR AWARDS

Athenaeum Outstanding Male Athlete of the Year – Riley Comeau

Jean Marsh Outstanding Female Athlete of the Year – Ella Collins

Outstanding First-Year Male Athlete of the Year – Ryan Regault

Outstanding First-Year Female Athlete of the Year – Sam Reid

President’s Award – Leah Adams, Orie Mainolfi

Community Engagement Award – Ella Campbell, Thomas Couture

DEPARTMENT RECOGNITION AWARDS

Performance Intern of the Year – Matt Cote

Athletic Therapy Option Student of the Year – Demi Johnston

ASU’s Jimmy Atomate Award – Bianca Helmig

APA Spirit Award – Nyah Whynot

Distinguished Service Award – Mac Butters

TEAM AWARDS

Women’s Rugby

MVP – Sara Grant

Rookie of the Year – Sam Reid

Rookie of the Year - Backs – Frances Aceron

Rookie of the Year - Forwards – Sam Reid

Coaches Award – Summer Giffin

Most Improved – Noelle Duggan

Men’s Football

MVP – Riley Comeau

Rookie of the Year – Nick Swain

Defensive Player of the Year – Graham Nightingale

Lineman of the Year – Nick Pilichos

Kristin Pipe Award – Rory Litt

Most Improved – Chad Alexander

Men’s Soccer

MVP – Jabu Deng

Rookie of the Year – Jacob Balys

Axeman of the Year – AJ Magamura

Players' Player of the Year – Nathan Amoah-Gyekye

Goal of the Season – Oscar Marshall vs UPEI

Women’s Soccer

MVP – Mya Harnish

Rookie of the Year – Taylor Kay

Coaches Award – Leah Adams

MIP - Idara Akpan

Cross Country

MVP – Ella Campbell

Rookie of the Year – Ava Joseph

Men’s Basketball

MVP – Glen Cox

Rookie of the Year – Ryan Regault

Most Improved – Alain Mapendo

Coaches Award – Kyle Munro

Culture Creator – Erik Hayden

Women’s Basketball

MVP – Samantha Russell

Rookie of the Year – Bianca Minelli

Coaches Award – Sarah Delorey, Ashley Davis

Defensive Player of the Year – Bianca Helmig

Most Improved – Taya Dixon

Women’s Volleyball

MVP – Alexia Lemay-Evans

Rookie of the Year – Mia Lemay-Evans

Impact Award – Alexia Lemay-Evans

Teammate Award – Ella Hickey

Men’s Hockey

MVP – Brady Burns

Rookie of the Year – Cam MacDonald

Top Scorer – Brady Burns

Defensive Player of the Year – Orlando Mainolfi

Randy Dean Ferris Memorial Award – Peyton Hoyt

Paul McFarland Award – Brendan Sellan

Most Improved – Brendan Tomilson

Women’s Swimming

MVP – Ella Collins

Rookie of the Year – Chloe Popp

Peer Award – Eliza Stokesbury-Price

Men’s Swimming

MVP – Nate Thompson

Rookie of the Year – Alex Jonsen-Humble

Peer Award – Nate Thompson, Bo Stokesbury-Price

Acadia Athletics extends congratulations to all winners and thanks the student-athletes, coaches, and staff for their dedication throughout the season.