From near and far they come, pushing themselves to their athletic limit as they undertake the journey that is the OCAA (Ontario Colleges Athletic Association) as members of the Cambrian Shield.

And when things go really, really well, the rewards can be plentiful.

Though one is homegrown and the other a welcomed import, both Mackenzie Selk and Liam Hansen shared the stage last week, recognized as Cambrian Athletes of the Year for the 2024-2025 season.

"It's crazy to think just how far I've come in the past few years," said Hansen, a native of Perth (ON) who just completed his second season with the men's volleyball team. "I did not start playing again until 18U so I never would have foresaw playing at the post-secondary level."

"Winning this award is pretty incredible."

Selected to the West Division second all-star team as well as the Provincial Championships all-star team, Hansen suggested that his contribution hopefully lies beyond just his gaudy stats (3rd in West Division kills).

"On the court, I feel I bring a high intensity energy to the team," said Hansen. "I just get everyone going, sometimes. If I am getting a big block or a big kill, I think I bring a lot of energy to the guys and I pride myself on that."

By contrast, a volleyball libero will often do much of their best work in the background, seldom to be seen in blocks and kills highlights - which makes the recognition that Mackenzie Selk received all the more impressive.

"I take a lot of pride in the effort that I always give," noted Selk, a first team West Division all-star. "I get home and I'm black and blue and tired, but I show up the next day and give it my all - and I think they appreciate that."

A consumate team player, the graduate of Ecole secondaire catholique l'Horizon has seized volleyball as her sport of choice, one that has already provided a lifetime of memories.

"I started at 13 and I'm 21 now," said Selk. "I look back and just think about the fact that I never gave up. I just kept going. I'm really proud of myself and thankful for all of the coaching I've received."

"I absorbed all of that information and used it," added one of a handful of Northern Chill Volleyball Club products on the Cambrian roster. "I used it in the background when no one else was watching."

The volleyball tandem were hardly the only athletes being feted at the 57th annual edition of the banquet, with the following rounding off the other individual award winners:

Most Valuable Player
Oscar Jimenez (Cross-Country)
Makayla Bertrand (Women's Soccer)
Joshua Vivero (Men's Soccer)
Chelsea Kennedy (Badminton)
Carlie Pappano (Women's Volleyball)
Mackenzie Selk (Women's Volleyball)
Liam Hansen (Men's Volleyball)
Shivam Patel (Extramural Cricket)

Rookie of the Year
Raya McCarthy (Cross-Country)
Chelsea Kennedy (Women's Soccer)
Molly Watson (Women's Soccer)
Nana Wiafe-Owusu (Men's Soccer)
Juan Miguel Samonte (Men's Soccer)
Daniel Collins (Badminton)
Fannie Gauthier (Women's Volleyball)
James Tse (Men's Volleyball)
Sam George (Men's Volleyball)
Vaibhav Patel (Extramural Cricket)

Most Improved
Zoe Richard (Cross-Country)
Henin George (Badminton)
Allison Nordquist (Women's Volleyball)
Jersey Masson (Women's Volleyball)
Sebastien Tremblay (Men's Volleyball)
Harisanker Uma (Extramural Cricket)

Coaches Award
Sharon Kibii (Cross-Country)
Grace Cranston (Women's Soccer)
Nora Dzuirban (Women's Soccer)
Rushawn Bascoe (Men's Soccer)
Josiah Stone (Men's Soccer)
Hedson John (Badminton)
Vishnuprabha Prabhaka (Badminton)
Symantha Welsh (Women's Badminton)
Kurtis Brisebois (Men's Volleyball)
Eldho Shajan (Extramural Cricket)

Special Awards
Peter Guy Memorial Bursary: James Welsh (Men's Volleyball)
Vern Dow Memorial Bursary: Musa Joof (Men's Soccer); Henin George (Badminton)
Dynamic Therapy Perseverance Award: Juan Miguel Samonte (Men's Soccer)