On Thursday night at the Regent Theatre, Ontario Tech held its 16th annual athletic awards gala, where student-athletes were recognized for their exceptional achievements. Capping off the night, Nicole Escano (Kingston, Ont.) of the women's hockey team and Christopher Campoli (Woodbridge, Ont.) of the men's soccer team were named athletes of the year.

Escano had an outstanding season on the blue-line for the women's hockey program. She finished the season with four goals and 15 points in 27 games, good enough to lead the Ridgebacks in scoring and finish third among all OUA defencemen in points. This is Escano's second OUA honour, following being named to the OUA all-rookie team in 2019-20.

Campoli concluded his final year as a Ridgeback with an outstanding offensive season with 13 goals in 11 games played. Campoli also led the OUA in assists and was second in Canada. He was named U SPORTS men's soccer player of the year, OUA MVP, U SPORTS All-Canadian and OUA all-star. He is the first Ridgeback to be named a national player in any sport. He was also drafted in the first round of the CPL-U SPORTS Draft by York United. 

From the women's hockey team and the men's basketball team, Harrie Jones (Ottawa, Ont.) and Stefan Prica (Etobicoke, Ont.) were recognized for their excellent performances as overall freshman athletes of the year.

Jones finished her rookie season with five goals and 12 points in 27 games and was second in the OUA among all rookies in scoring. Her season was highlighted by a two-goal performance against the Queen's Gaels on Nov. 18. She is the seventh player in Ridgeback history to make the all-rookie team.

Prica was named to the OUA all-rookie team after averaging 13.9 points per game throughout the season. The Ridgebacks had several close calls with nationally-ranked teams throughout the 2022-23 season, where Prica played pivotal roles in the offence. In a close 69-65 loss to Brock, Prica posted a career-high 26 points and five assists. In a one-point loss to the number one ranked Carleton Ravens on the road, Prica poured in 23 points, and in an 82-65 victory against Western at home, Prica added 21 points and four steals.

Other major award winners included Katrina Pappas (Toronto, Ont. – Women's Soccer) and Nicholas Biscaro (Whitby, Ont. – Men's Rowing) who were named the Dr. Gary Polonsky Leadership Award recipients.

The Ridgeback alumni award of distinction was presented to Meggie Peddie. The award is aimed to honour distinguished alumni who represented the heart, soul and spirit of the Ridgebacks throughout their varsity career and continue to do so in their professional career. The award recognizes one Ontario Tech graduate who was a varsity athlete that demonstrates proven leadership skills, exceptional achievements in business or industry and outstanding contributions to the community.

The Sase Narayan Unsung Hero Award was awarded to David Akinyemi. The award recognizes a student who has positively influenced a program or organization from behind the scenes with a positive attitude, a willingness to help in whatever capacity necessary, and a commitment to excellence.

The Rob Millikin Award was awarded to Thomas Sullivan (Riguad, Que. – Men's Rowing) for exemplifying academic success, passion and heart throughout the rowing season.

Erin Ross (Lucan, Ont. – Women's Hockey) and Tyson McConnell (Pilot Mound, Man. – Men's Hockey) were the recipients of James-Baun Cup, which is presented to a student on the women's and men's hockey teams who show commitment, dedication, perseverance, academic responsibility, leadership and is a great teammate in the pursuit of excellence. The Cup is named after Bobby Baun and his long-time friend Don James.

16th Annual Ridgebacks Awards Gala
 
MAJOR AWARDS 
Female Athlete of the Year
Nicole Escano (Kingston, Ont.) – Women's Hockey
 
Male Athlete of the Year
Christopher Campoli (Woodbridge, Ont.) – Men's Soccer
 
Female Freshman Athlete of the Year
Harrie Jones (Ottawa, Ont.) – Women's Hockey 
 
Male Freshman of the Year
Stefan Prica (Etobicoke, Ont.) – Men's Basketball
 
Dr. Gary Polonsky Leadership Award
Katrina Pappas (Toronto, Ont.) – Women's Soccer
Nicholas Biscaro (Whitby, Ont.) – Men's Rowing
 
James-Baun Cup
Erin Ross (Lucan, Ont.) – Women's Hockey
Tyson McConnell (Pilot Mound, Man.) – Men's Hockey
 
Rob Millikin Award
Thomas Sullivan (Riguad, Que.) – Men's Rowing
 
Athletic Therapy Student Trainer of the Year
Robert Graham
 
Sase Narayan Unsung Hero Award
David Akinyemi

Alumni Award of Distinction
Meggie Peddie (McNabb)
 
ETS Captain's Award
Paige Wagner (Cambridge, Ont.) – Women's Hockey
Brolin Masuhara (Burnaby, B.C.) – Men's Soccer

Carleigh Taggart Women's Hockey Award
Nicole Escano - Women's Hockey

Allan Chiu Award  presented by FC Durham Academy 
Shyanne Pierog-Taylor – Women's Soccer
Dominic Serrao – Men's Soccer

OEM Corporation Awards 
Nadia Ismaila – Women's Basketball
Sean Ross – Men's Hockey

Black or Indigenous Heritage Student-Athlete (BIHS) Bursary
Georgia Hogan – Women's Soccer
Ryley Lanthier – Men's Hockey
Tombe Pitia– Men's Basketball
Hadeza Ismaila – Women's Basketball
Jordana Alleyne-Swaby – Dance

Wholistic Child & Family Services Bursary
Brolin Masuhara – Men's Soccer
Tara Sisic – Women's Soccer

Nustadia Recreation Award
Rhese Chambers – Women's Soccer
Cullen McLean – Men's Hockey
Chris Ogie – Men's Basketball
Katrina Pappas – Women's Soccer
 
TEAM AWARDS
Men's Badminton
MVP: Kaushik Krishnakumar Raman (Dubai, UAE)
Leadership: Roy Wales (Everett, Ont.)
Rookie of the Year: Andrew Principato (Whitby, Ont.)
 
Women's Badminton
MVP: Venuga Kariharan (Scarborough, Ont.)
Leadership: Alyssa Wong (North York, Ont.)
Rookie of the Year: Areej Fatima (Waterloo, Ont.)
 
Dance
MVP: Natalie Bates (Bowmanville, Ont.)
Leadership: Cassandra Lojko (Hampton, Ont.)
Rookie of the Year: Olivia Vigna (Ajax, Ont.)
 
Men's Soccer
MVP: Christopher Campoli (Woodbridge, Ont.)
Leadership: Jacob Begley (Markham, Ont.)
Rookie of the Year: Trivine Esprit (Scarborough, Ont.)
 
Women's Soccer
MVP: Alicia Chisholm (Woodbridge, Ont.)
Leadership: Ashlynne Koly (Vancouver, B.C.)
Rookie of the Year: Tara Sisic (Toronto, Ont.)
 
Men's Rowing
Oarsman of the Year: Thomas Sullivan (Riguad, Que.)
Leadership: Nicholas Biscaro (Whitby, Ont.)
Novice Oarsman of the Year: Noah Miller (Mississauga, Ont.)
 
Women's Rowing
Oarswoman of the Year: Alexi Buis (Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont.)
Leadership: Alexie Linardatos (Toronto, Ont.)
Novice Oarswoman of the Year: Natalia Quesnel (Little Britain, Ont.)
 
Men's Hockey
MVP: James White (Peterborough, Ont.)
Leadership: Nicolas Tardif (Chelsea, Que.)
Rookie of the Year: Jeremy Michaud (Victoriaville, Que.)
 
Women's Hockey
MVP: Nicole Escano (Kingston, Ont.)
Leadership: Erin Ross (Lucan, Ont.)
Rookie of the Year: Harrie Jones (Ottawa, Ont.)
 
Women's Lacrosse
MVP: Caitlyn Cote (Oshawa, Ont.)
Leadership: Chloe Tapper (Brooklin, Ont.)
Rookie of the Year: Kendra Orr (Brooklin, Ont.)
 
Men's Curling
MVP: Treyton Cowell (Craighurst, Ont)
Leadership: Danton Kellington (Oshawa, Ont.)
Rookie of the Year: Ryan Hastings (Stouffville, Ont.)
 
Women's Curling
MVP: Jasmine Groleau (Hearst, Ont.)
Leadership: Jasmine Groleau (Hearst, Ont.)
Rookie of the Year: Emily Crowe (Sarnia, Ont.)

Golf
MVP: Nathan Fraser (Uxbridge, Ont.)
Leadership: Justin Posteraro (Courtice, Ont.)
Rookie of the Year: Matthew Ruben (Surabaya, Indonesia)
 
Women's Basketball
MVP: Dalyssa Fleurgin (Montreal, Que.)
Leadership: Sara Esongola Biango (Montreal, Que.)
Rookie of the Year: Alexis Remekie (Mississauga, Ont.)
 
Men's Basketball
MVP: Jayden Coke (Ajax, Ont.)
Leadership: Levi Ogbonna (Toronto, Ont.)
Rookie of the year: Stefan Prica (Etobicoke, Ont.)