Night of the Dino

By Kevin Rothbauer

The Dinos athletes traded their spandex, sticks and helmets for suits and dresses Tuesday night as they celebrated the year’s achievements at the Red and White Club. It was the 42nd annual Night of the Dino, where athletes, coaches, administrators, media and sponsors gather to reflect on the past year and hand out the yearly awards.


Following a buffet style dinner, consisting of top quality pasta salads, Alberta beef and of course Caesers to wash it down, the celebratory portion of the evening began. Guests were treated to an excellent NUTV movie depicting events from the season and question and answer segments from some Dinos athletes, which saw Oleg Podporin execute some skilled dance moves. The Gauntlet Extra Effort Awards were handed out by dapper Sports Editor Chris Pedersen and the man in the blue suit, Editor-in-Chief Jon Roe. These prestigious awards went to Anthony Woodson and Heather Sim, of football and cross country, track and field respectively.


The awards are given to two athletes who go above and beyond what is expected of them. Woodson won the award for overcoming broken ribs during the season to help lead his team to a Canada West championship. Heather Sim took the award for her consistent efforts throughout the season and her dramatic victory in the 1,000 metre race at nationals, where she came from behind and overtook the lead runner in the last 20 metres to win gold.


The Bill Popplewell rookie of the year awards went to male volleyball player Chris Hoag and female swimmer Erica Morningstar.


The final trophies to be handed out were the Dr. Dennis Kadatz Athletes of the Year awards. Fourth-year basketball player Ross Bekkering took home the honour alongside the female winner, fifth-year volleyba3.ll star Holly Harper. Bekkering became the Dinos all-time leading rebounder this season while Harper won the Canada West player of the year award as she led the conference in kills.