Two Vernon athletes were among the finalists for UBC Okanagan Heat student athlete of the year honours.
Emily Kanester was a finalist for the women’s award while Austin Jones was up for men’s student athlete of the year.
Kanester, a Vernon Secondary grad, did everything she could for the women’s basketball team this season.
She led the squad in scoring, rebounding and steals.
A modest and humble guard on the team, Kanester worked tirelessly both during and outside of practice to improve her game and help her team succeed.
Jones, a Fulton Secondary alumnus, had an outstanding fourth year in a Heat men’s soccer uniform.
He scored in five straight games during the middle part of the season, and was named a PACWEST all-star. Jones also made great strides in developing leadership skills, helping prepare a young team to make the leap to Canadian Interuniversity Sports (CIS). Jones will be a key factor during the team’s transition next year.
Katy Klomps of the heat volleyball team was the women’s athlete of the year while Will Deck became the first-ever golfer to be named male student athlete of the year.