Mount Saint Vincent University’s Department of Athletics recognized the success of the 2025-26 season at the Annual Best of the Blue Awards last night.
This season, the Mystics celebrated one ACAA team championship title, three team conference silver medals, three CCAA All-Canadian awards, seven major ACAA and CCAA awards, and 12 ACAA all-conference all-stars.
ACAA men’s basketball player of the year Chase Tynes was named the Mystics male athlete of the year for the second time in his career, while CCAA All-Canadians Ashley Neves (soccer) and Victoria Strickland (basketball) were named co-female athletes of the year.
A third-year guard, Chase led the conference in rebounds with 162, assists with 111, and blocks with 19. He averaged 13.6 points per game. He was named both the Dyrick McDermott Defensive Player of the Year and the ACAA player of the year, in addition be being named a CCAA All-Canadian.
Fifth-year midfielder Ashley Neves led the Mystics women’s soccer team to their second-consecutive conference in the fall. She scored five goals this season and was second in the league in shots with 22. Named to the ACAA first all-conference team, she was also a CCAA All-Canadian. Ashley led the Mystics to their first-ever quarterfinal win at the national championship and one of the team’s best ever finishes on the national stage.
Victoria Strickland, a fifth-year guard, helped lead the Mystics women’s basketball team to first place during regular season play and a silver medal finish at the conference championship. She led the Mystics with 13.2 points and four rebounds per game. She was named an ACAA first team all-conference and a CCAA All-Canadian.
COMPLETE LIST OF AWARD WINNERS
Team Awards
Cross Country Awards:
Most Improved Runners: Anthony Gallant & Bronwyn Murphy
Mystics of the Year: Koen Schlief & Madesen Allen
Most Valuable Runners: Luke Conlon & Amani Oystreck
Women’s Soccer Awards:
Most Improved Player: Megan Ellis
Mystic of the Year: Leah Mombourquette
Most Valuable Player: Ashley Neves
Men’s Soccer Awards:
Most Improved Player: Niko Nicoletopoulos
Mystic of the Year: Mo Hammo
Most Valuable Player: Cooper McVicar-Smith
Women’s Volleyball Awards:
Most Improved Player: Sadie Theriault
Mystics of the Year: Emily Murphy & Haylie Jackson
Most Valuable Player: Seven McHatten
Women’s Basketball Awards:
Most Improved Player: Keezaidra Smith
Mystic of the Year: Céline Sterckel
Most Valuable Player: Victoria Strickland
Men’s Basketball Awards:
Most Improved Player: Mekhi Paris
Mystics of the Year: Adam Callaghan & Keigan Feron
Most Valuable Players: Chase Tynes & Isaiah Cromwell-Wright
Individual Awards
Sheila & Stephenie Allt Memorial Award
Beth Padfield, Women’s Soccer
Micah Anderson, Men’s Basketball
Tracy Barton Endowed Memorial Award
Hailey Nason, Women’s Volleyball
Dyrick McDermott Memorial Award
Emma Empringham, Women’s Basketball
Rick & Andrea Plato Award
Ben Kearney, Men’s Basketball
Alumni Varsity Prize
Morgan Gillis, Women’s Soccer
Adam Callaghan, Men’s Basketball
Windsor Flash Trophy (Highest GPA)
All have a perfect 4.3
Céline Sterckel, Women’s Basketball
Morgan Gillis, Women’s Soccer
Kenadie Wagg, Women’s Soccer
Luciana Cohen, Women’s Volleyball
Cela MacLellan, Women’s Volleyball
Male Athlete of the Year
Chase Tynes, Men’s Basketball
Female Athletes of the Year
Ashley Neves, Women’s Soccer
Victoria Strickland, Women’s Basketball
CCAA Academic All Canadians
Madesen Allen, Cross Country
Amani Oystreck, Cross Country
Cooper McVicar-Smith, Soccer
Emma Farrell, Soccer
Morgan Gillis, Soccer
Ashley Neves, Soccer
Kenadie Wagg, Soccer
Seven McHatten, Volleyball
Adam Callaghan, Basketball
Victoria Strickland, Basketball
Recreation Awards
Margaret Ellis Award
Koen Schlief
R.I.S.E. Awards
Commitment to Excellence: Oliver Hoar
Game Changer: Ainsley Forrest, Hailey Bennett, Lara Henderson
Rising Star: Sydney Davidson