RDP honours academics, sporting achievement and community impact at 2025-26 Athletics Awards Night
The 2025-26 Red Deer Polytechnic (RDP) Kings and Queens have added another remarkable chapter to the storied legacy of representing the post-secondary institution and RDP Athletics.
At the Red Deer Polytechnic Athletics Awards Night held April 1, student-athletes, coaches, staff, donors and supporters were acknowledged for their contributions during this season to academic, athletic and social communities.
"The RDP Athletics Awards reminds us of what is possible when dedication, passion and engagement come together," says Randy Stewart, Manager, Athletics and Student Life, Red Deer Polytechnic. "The Kings and Queens continue to raise the bar of excellence and they do so with the backing of sponsors, donors, coaches, staff and fans who believe in them. Their achievements reflect excellence not only in sport, but in academics and community leadership."
Academic Excellence Awards were earned by 121 student-athletes who achieved a GPA of 3.0 or higher in Fall 2024 Term. Kaedence Mollin (Queens Hockey), Tora Ward (Queens Hockey) and Nolan Doell (Kings Hockey) were named ACAC Academic All-Canadians.
This season, RDP teams and individual student-athletes won four Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) medals (two gold and two bronze) and 20 Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) medals (seven gold, nine silver and four bronze). The Dance and Rodeo Teams achieved several top three results throughout the season.
While numerous individuals were acknowledged, RDP student-athletes Julianna Chipiuk, Colby Nemeth and Kaedence Mollin received special honours.
Chipiuk, a member of both the ACAC Women's Cross Country Running and Indoor Track All-Conference teams, was named the 2025-26 Red Deer Bottling Outstanding RDP Female Athlete of the Year. Nemeth, a CCAA Men's Volleyball All-Canadian and Championship All-Star, received the Red Deer Bottling Outstanding RDP Male Athlete of the Year Award. Mollin, an ACAC Women's Hockey Academic All-Canadian and First All-Conference team selection, was honoured with the Al Ferchuk Athletic Leadership Scholarship.
Chipiuk, a second-year runner from Edmonton, had an exceptional season, helping the RDP Queens Cross Country Running team earn gold and the Queens Indoor Track team solidify silver at the ACAC Championships. Individually, she sealed a silver medal (23:27) in the women's 6 km race. She also helped contribute to the Mixed Cross Country Running team's national bronze medal. Chipiuk, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing student, also won gold in the women's 3,000 m at the ACAC Indoor Track Championships.
Chipiuk
Nemeth, a fifth-year power hitter, made an impact on the court, helping to lead the RDP Kings Volleyball team to its 22nd ACAC gold medal and 15th CCAA National title. During the regular season, Nemeth was first in ACAC Men's Volleyball with 4.23 kills per set, helping the Kings (16-3) tie for the best record in the league. He also recorded a total of 241 kills, ranking second in the league. Nemeth's 0.47 service aces per set sat third in the ACAC.
Nemeth, a Bachelor of Commerce student, was named ACAC Men's Volleyball South Player of the Year and ACAC Men's Volleyball Championship MVP. He also earned a spot on the ACAC Men's Volleyball South All-Conference Team.
Nemeth
Kaedence Mollin, a fourth-year defender, has demonstrated superb leadership both on and off the ice. As Queens' captain, she was integral in the Queens pushing the Lakeland College Rustlers to game five of the ACAC Women's Hockey final and earning silver.
Mollin, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing student from Kelowna, led by example during practices and games with tenacity and hard work. While being one of the top defenders in the league, Mollin also contributed two goals and six assists over 21 games.
Al Ferchuk and Mollin
This season, five RDP coaches – Michael and Jenna Schnare (Cross Country Running), Mahziar Peyrow (Queens Soccer), Talbot Walton (Queens Volleyball) and Aaron Schulha (Kings Volleyball) – were recognized as ACAC Coach of the Year in their respective sports.
The Kings and Queens have continued to spend numerous hours volunteering in the community. In addition to helping collect food for the Students' Association of RDP Emergency Student Food Bank, the Polytechnic's student-athletes have donated blood as part of the Bleed Green Campaign. They also coach and mentor youth in the region.
While many Kings and Queens have finished competing this season, one member of the Red Deer Polytechnic Queens Rodeo team has qualified for the Canadian Collegiate Rodeo Association Finals. This event will be held in Rimbey from May 1-3.
Additional RDP Awards
Red Deer Bottling High GPA Scholarship – Ryland McNinch (Kings Hockey)
Red Deer Bottling High GPA Scholarship – Madelyn DeZutter (Queens Volleyball)
Red Deer Bottling Outstanding Male Rookie of the Year (all sports) – Mason Bueckart (Kings Hockey)
Red Deer Bottling Outstanding Female Rookie of the Year (all sports) Kaily Sparks (Queens Curling)
Al Ferchuk Kings Hockey Student-Athlete Scholarship – Ryland McNinch
Jillian Walls Dance Leadership Scholarship – Sienna Wald
Team Awards
Dance – Katarina Spiridakis (Coach's Award)
Dance – Elisa Arens (Most Improved Player)
Dance – Meghan Walker (Most Valuable Player)
Dance – Aunika Heise (Rookie of the Year)
Rodeo – Brieanna Nyal (Coach's Award)
Rodeo – Aidyn Thomas (Most Improved Player)
Rodeo – Kaybree Zunti (Most Valuable Player)
Rodeo – Kaybree Zunti (Rookie of the Year)
Rodeo - Kaybree Zunti (RDP Cowgirl of the Year)
Kings Basketball – Lado Lodo (Coach's Award)
Kings Basketball – Samuel Idemudia (Most Improved Player)
Kings Basketball – Donovan Snider (Most Valuable Player)
Kings Basketball - Garett Cates (Rookie of the Year)
Queens Basketball - Kira Main (Coach's Award)
Queens Basketball – Kira Main (Most Improved Player)
Queens Basketball - Jorgia Hicks (Most Valuable Player)
Queens Basketball – Kasha Caibaiosai (Rookie of the Year)
Cross Country Running/Indoor Track – Julianna Chipiuk (Coach's Award)
Kings Cross Country Running/Indoor Track - Kohen Meckelborg (Most Improved Player)
Kings Cross Country Running/Indoor Track – Japhet Kipkosgei (Most Valuable Player)
Kings Cross Country Running/Indoor Track – Ryan Murei (Rookie of the Year)
Queens Cross Country Running/Indoor Track – Kammy Park (Most Improved Player)
Queens Cross Country Running/Indoor Track – Eiley Morrison (Most Valuable Player)
Queens Cross Country Running/Indoor Track – Kira Main (Rookie of the Year)
Curling – Jaden Morlock (Coach's Award)
Curling – Reegan Cox (Most Improved Player)
Curling – Cassidy Blair (Most Valuable Player)
Curling – Kaily Sparks (Rookie of the Year)
Kings Hockey – Tanner Sklaruk (Coach's Award)
Kings Hockey – Kody Willick (Most Improved Player)
Kings Hockey – Nolan Doell (Most Valuable Player)
Kings Hockey – Mason Bueckart (Rookie of the Year)
Queens Hockey – Arilyn Toews (Coach's Award)
Queens Hockey – Mia McGregor (Most Improved Player)
Queens Hockey – Tora Ward (Most Valuable Player)
Queens Hockey – Natalie Tychkowsky (Rookie of the Year)
Kings Soccer – Korben Skjolde (Coach's Award)
Kings Soccer – Liam Parsons (Most Improved Player)
Kings Soccer – Njegos Bajovic (Most Valuable Player)
Kings Soccer – Mikito Funase (Rookie of the Year)
Kings Futsal – Dylan Godbout (Most Valuable Player)
Queens Soccer – Kyra Remekie (Coach's Award)
Queens Soccer – Jaeda Marquart (Most Improved Player)
Queens Soccer – Olivia Lundell (Most Valuable Player)
Queens Soccer – Yuri Umino (Rookie of the Year)
Kings Volleyball – Brett Lower & Dante Furlan (Coach's Awards)
Kings Volleyball - Owen Langberg (Most Improved Player)
Kings Volleyball - Colby Nemeth (Most Valuable Player)
Kings Volleyball – Netana Samia (Rookie of the Year)
Queens Volleyball – Rachel Perry (Coach's Award)
Queens Volleyball – Riley Dand (Most Improved Player)
Queens Volleyball – Autum Letwin (Most Valuable Player)
Queens Volleyball – Brooke Bergstrom (Rookie of the Year)
Team Service Awards
Kings Basketball – Sharaya Aamir
Queens Basketball – Jessica Day
Cross Country Running – Jade Weber
Curling – Eldon Raab
Dance – Kiersten Brittain
Kings Hockey – Jake Wozney
Queens Hockey – Jordan Koopmans
Rodeo – Stacey Terpsma
Kings Soccer – John Leslie
Queens Soccer – Alisha Coules
Kings Volleyball – Keith Hansen
Queens Volleyball – Karlee Abt
Come Back Award - Kayle Lammle (Queens Basketball)
Minor Officials Award – Tim Finnigan, Alicia Ehret, Jonah Otten and Michael Moore
Tim Hamilton Student Trainer Hockey Award – Paightyn Russell (Kings Hockey)
Collegiate Sports Medicine/RDP Women's Hockey Trainer Award – Shyla Jenkins
Jon Walsh Memorial Kings Volleyball Student Trainer Scholarship – Aidyn Martin (Kings Volleyball)
Red Deer Bottling Kings Pit Crew Award - Katie Young (Kings Volleyball)
Red Deer Bottling Queens Pit Crew Award - Karlee Abt (Queens Volleyball)
Tim Hamilton Student Trainer Queen Award – Jessica Day
Red Deer Bottling Student Trainer Award – Leah Falvey
Red Deer Bottling Student Trainer Award – Islay Pearman
Red Deer Bottling/Truant Family Student Trainer Award - Peyton Wagstaff
Photos from the RDP Athletics Awards Night are available on Flickr.
Stay connected to RDP Athletics social media and rdpolytechathletics.ca throughout the summer for information about the 2026-27 schedule and other athletics news.
