King's student-athletes honored at 2018 Western Athletic Awards Gala

The Male Athlete-of-the-Year Award went to King’s football player, Jean-Gabriel Poulin. Poulin is a fourth-year student from Quebec currently completing a Specialization in Financial Economics.

Poulin was the key to a Mustangs defence that was arguably the most dominant unit in the country this season. The middle linebacker racked up 37 tackles and 2.5 sacks during eight regular season games. He earned both First Team All-Star and First Team All-Canadian honours.

Poulin was crucial in guiding the team to an undefeated season as national champions. The Mustangs captured the 31st Yates Cup this year. This is their seventh Vanier Cup in program history.

The Purple Blanket awards were also presented at the Gala. These awards are given to student-athletes, usually in their graduating year, who have made an outstanding contribution to Western athletics.

This year, Western handed out14 Purple Blankets. Male athlete-of-the-year, Poulin earned a prestigious Purple Blanket. King’s fifth-year basketball star, Mackenzie Puklicz also gained a Purple Blanket.

Not only is Mackenzie Puklicz a leading scorer on the basketball court, she is also an academic leader at King's University College. She leads the King's Academic Mentor Program (KAMP) and is an honour-roll academic athlete herself.

Team MVPs were honoured on Tuesday also. The following eight King’s students were recognized as Most Valuable Player on their teams:

Baseball: Matt Bowden, Honors Specialization in Finance and Administration
Women's Basketball: Mackenzie Puklicz, Honors Specialization in Economics, Minor in Mathematics
Football: Jean-Gabriel Poulin, Specialization in Financial Economics
Men's Hockey: Luke Peressini, Specialization in Finance and Administration
Women's Squash: Lindsey Smith, Major in Disability Studies, Minor in Psychology
Women's Volleyball: Kelsey Veltman, Major in Disability Studies
Women's Wrestling: Michalia Walls, Major in Disability Studies, Minor in Women’s Studies
Men's Basketball: Marko Kovac 

Poulin is the big winner of the night, taking home three awards. Veltman was nominated for Female Athlete-of-the-Year in addition to being named MVP for women’s volleyball.

Congratulations to all our student athletes. We recognize the extreme effort your varsity careers demand. You make King’s proud.

King’s is home to 160 varsity athletes. At King’s, our students are eligible to compete as Mustangs and participate in all Western intramurals and club sports.