EPP NAMED CANADA WEST ATHLETE OF THE YEAR

LANGLEY, B.C. – Add “the best of the best” to Trinity Western’s Derek Epp’s already-impressive resumés. The Spartans volleyball sensation has been named the 2021-2022 Canada West Athlete of the Year.

Epp takes home the conference’s top honour after an inspirational and unique season that saw him lead his top-ranked Spartans team in a dominant season.

The setter from Saskatoon will now move forward as the Canada West nominee for the prestigious Lois and Doug Mitchell Award, which honours the nation’s top male and female student-athletes. U SPORTS will announce the winners on May 25.

Epp is the sixth TWU athlete to win the Canada West Athlete of the Year award, following Ryan Sclater (Men’s Volleyball – 20017), Jessica King (Women’s Soccer – 2015), Ben Ball (Men’s Volleyball – 2012), Josh Howatson (Men’s Volleyball – 2007) and Chris Meehan (Men’s Volleyball – 2006).

Epp is joined by the University of Calgary’s soccer star Montana Leonard, as she is the female winner of the 2021-22 Canada West Athlete of the Year.

MALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR | Derek Epp

Derek Epp’s dominance on the court has earned him his fourth major honour this year. After winning the CW and U SPORTS Volleyball Player of the Year awards as well as the Spartans Athlete of the Year Award, Epp has been recognized as the best across all disciplines with this latest accomplishment.

Epp’s unique blend of preparation and creativity made him the centrepiece of the country’s top-ranked Spartans men’s volleyball team. Epp stood out in a strong program as the setter in a 6-2 system where he commanded the conference’s most efficient offence while converting effectively as a hitter as well.

The Saskatoon product captained his team to a 15-1 regular season record (the lone loss coming when Epp and other starters did not play) and a perfect 7-0 CW post season mark. The Canada West Champions went on to win silver at nationals.

Following his time with TWU, Epp, who was a two-time Academic All-Canadian, will be pursuing a professional volleyball career abroad. This summer, he is set to return to Canada’s senior men’s volleyball program, as the national team prepares for the Volleyball Nations League and, later in the summer, the World Championship.

Coach Ben Jospheson  
“It is hard to summarize Derek in just a few words or in a short paragraph. But when it comes to the skills of the game, it is hard to remember seeing a setter at the U SPORTS level who is a more special tactician and executor of a volleyball offence. His dedication to his craft, his preparation and then the execution of those skills at such a high level has probably never been seen before.

“He’s truly one of the great setters that has ever played this game at the U SPORTS level, and I think that is a product of his preparation, his film study and his dedication to his craft. The guy is tireless in the way he trains and the details that he focusses on. So many times the great technicians of the game lack the flare in the creativity to go along with their skills, but Derek has that as well. On top of being this incredibly disciplined setter, he has this creative way to play that creates unbelievable opportunities for his spikers and creates highlights all over the place.

“He is just truly one of those remarkable athletes and a generational talent who I was honoured and blessed to coach and Trinity Western was honoured and blessed to have play for us and the Spartans.
I love that he is still in the game and I love that he is going to pursue his professional career overseas and his career with Team Canada.

“It’s very easy to see how talented he is and how special his skills are, but what sometimes gets missed is the quality of his character, the teammate and the leader that he is. He is a man of incredible integrity and focus and discipline. He has also got time to spare for the younger players and his teammates. He is willing to meet for coffee and mentor and educate the young ones and show support as a brother to his older teammates.

“A lot of time the great players are great because of their great character and I believe that is the case for Derek. The quality of him as a person is reflected in the quality of his play. And that only makes him more unique and more special and more of a joy to have had in our gym. I can’t speak higher of him as a player and honestly you would have to speak higher of him as a man.”

Director of Athletics Jeff Gamche
“Derek is one of those individuals who puts in his very best into his development as a volleyball player and student athlete.  In spite of significant health challenges, Derek was able to lead the team to historic seasons over his time as a Spartan while maintaining an excellent GPA. His commitment to excellence raised the level of training and competing in our gym day in and day out. He has left an incredible legacy for the guys who follow.”

FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR | Montana Leonard

Montana Leonard’s historic season in Canada West has netted her yet another award. After earning the CW and U SPORTS Soccer Player of the Year honours, Leonard’s passion and skill are now recognized with at the conference’s highest level.

She captivated CW fans by scoring 17 goals this year — a new conference record. And she did it in a shortened season. Leonard wasn’t just the best in the west. She led the country in goals, points (19) and shots on goal (64), drawing the eye of every spectator when she was on the pitch.

Like a diamond under pressure, Leonard shone in adversity. When her team needed a game-winning goal, she provided, leading the conference with five in that category.

Leonard’s record breaking season helped the Dinos to a 9-2-1 mark during the regular season, and a second place finish in the conference’s Central Division.

The Richmond, BC product also stood out off the field as a two-time Academic All-Canadian.
Less than two months after being named the U SPORTS women’s soccer player of the year, Leonard signed a professional contract to play with the Launceston United Soccer Club in Australia.

Calgary Coach Troye Flannery
“This is more deserved recognition celebrating an extraordinary final campaign and exceptional career. Montana remains humble and represents all that it is to be a Dino on and off the field. We are forever proud of her.”

Director of Athletics Ben Matchett 
“Montana’s 2021 season was truly historic, and she is a worthy representative for Canada West in the national athlete of the year selections. She embodies the very best of a student-athlete, and she remained committed to come back for one more season after graduating to have the ending she deserved with her teammates. She leaves the University of Calgary and the Dinos soccer program in a better place than she found it.”

About Spartan Athletics
As official members of U SPORTS, the Spartans currently compete in 13 sports in the Canada West conference, including women’s and men’s soccer, volleyball, basketball, hockey, cross country and track & field, as well as women’s rugby sevens. TWU also competes as an independent team in men’s rugby. Since TWU entered U SPORTS in 1999, the Spartans have won 13 U SPORTS team championships and 31 Canada West team championships.

About Trinity Western University
Recognized for quality, TWU has received seven consecutive A+ rankings for Quality of Teaching and Learning, holds three Canada Research Chairs, and wins national championships in CIS sports. More importantly, lives are changed at TWU through its whole-person, Christ-centred approach to education. With a wide array of undergraduate, graduate, and adult degree-completion programs, TWU equips leaders of character and competence to make a positive impact in the lives of others.

About Canada West
Since 1972, Canada West (CW) has been a leader in Canadian university sport, working to provide our student-athletes the opportunities to excel in sport, the classroom, and their communities. CW and our 17 members from across British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba collectively carry on a legacy of competitive excellence, as our champions proudly go on to represent the conference at U SPORTS national championships.

Canada West – training leaders, building champions.

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