(Image Credit: UNBC Athletics)

By CKPG Sports

Sport

UNBC announces athletes of the year

Mar 30, 2026 | 10:32 AM

PRINCE GEORGE — Some hardware was handed out at the UNBC Timberwolves 2026 awards banquet last night (March 29).

Justin Sunga was named athlete of the year after becoming the team’s all-time assists leader last season. Sunga finished the year averaging 10 points and 4.8 assists per game, ranking fifth in Canada West in the latter category.

Men’s Soccer defender Jamie Wildash-Chan (Wellington, NZ) was named Male Rookie of the Year after he led the Timberwolves with five goals and one assist to share the team lead in points. His efforts earned him U SPORTS All-Rookie Team honours, making him the first player in program history to receive the distinction.

On the women’s side, forward Hazel Phillips (Langley) earned Female Rookie of the Year honours after averaging 8.6 points per game. Her 171 total points ranked sixth among Canada West rookies and 11th nationally among first-year players.

Johanna Rathke (Göttingen, Germany) delivered a historic debut season in goal for the Timberwolves. The rookie goalkeeper made an immediate impact, recording 161 saves to set new single-season program and Canada West records. Rathke’s consistency, leadership, and elite play saw her log every minute in net for UNBC during the 2025 campaign.

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Luthien Thielmann was awarded the Kaz Ikuta Student Service Award, recognizing outstanding contributions to the university community. Men’s soccer defender Hagon Kim (Ilsan, KOR) earned the KJM Sales Timberwolf Award for the second consecutive year, highlighting his excellence athletically, academically, and in the community.

Two coaches were also recognized for their longstanding contributions to UNBC Athletics. Men’s Soccer head coach Steve Simonson recently surpassed 10 years of service, while Men’s Basketball head coach Todd Jordan reached the 15-year milestone.

Major Award Winners

Kaz Ikuta Student Service Award: Luthien Thielmann

Male Rookie of the Year: Jamie Wildash-ChanFemale

Rookie of the Year: Hazel Phillips

Male Athlete of the Year: Justin Sunga

Female Athlete of the Year: Johanna Rathke

KJM Sales Timberwolf Award: Hagon Kim

Team Award Winners

Men’s Soccer

Best Defensive Player – Adam Korduner

Golden Boot – Jamie Wildash-Chan

Green and Gold Award – Hagon Kim

MVP – Pipeijn van der Ende

Men’s Basketball

Practice Wins Leader – Danilo Gonzalez

Rookie of the Year – Cairo Wells

Zane Robison Award – Isaiah Bias

Best Defensive Player – Tony Kibonge

Most Inspirational Player – Wesley Ainu’uMost

Outstanding Player – Justin Sunga

Women’s Soccer

Best Defensive Player – Kambria Mellum

Best Offensive Player – Aimee Glasser

Green and Gold Award – Fia Cameron

MVP – Johanna Rathke

Women’s Basketball

Defensive Player of the Year – Aurora Cabrera

Most Improved Player – Claire Huang

Rookie of the Year – Hazel Phillips

Leadership Award – Sophia Fuller

Most Valuable Player – Viktoriia Filatova