Roughly one month from now, Maryssa Mercier will have graduated from Collège Boréal, making her way to Timmins, site of her new job with the Ministry of Natural Resources. A graduate of the Fish & Wildlife program at the local francophone college, the native of Cochrane (ON) will be netting fish on the lakes of that region, monitoring various species for data collection purposes.

Before leaving the home of the Vipères, however, the 20 year-old multi-sport talent netted the ultimate prize at the annual Varsity Athletic Banquet, recognized as the Female Athlete of the Year last week.

“I think I really stood out this year,” said Mercier, who represented her school at the OCAA level for the third consecutive year in badminton, partnered with Ayushee Somaroo in women’s doubles play at regionals, the latter a transfer from George Brown College.

“I also played hockey, participated with the powerlifting team and helped out with soccer as well.”

A product of a small northern high-school (École catholique Nouveau Regard), Mercier acknowledged that sporting options were somewhat limited – though a teacher at the school did have a love of both badminton and volleyball.

“I was really looking forward to coming to a school that could provide some sports for me,” she said. “That’s a big interest of mine. I love the balance of school and being able to stay active.”

That said, the level of play once one hits post-secondary competition is quite a bit different than facing teenage opponents from across northern Ontario, with Mercier understandably proud of the progress she demonstrated throughout her time in Sudbury.

“Coming out of high-school, I was just hitting the bird to get it over the net, running all over the court,” she said. “At Boréal, they developed my ability to really see the game and place your shots, understanding how important that is.”

While Mercier was a first time winner as Athlete of the Year, men’s volleyball standout Kalan Payzant repeated his accolades of one year ago, recognized for a second straight season.

Walking off as Rookies of the Year were Isabelle McPhee (volleyball) and Grey Pope (badminton), with Alyssa Gagné (Dennis Dionne Fair Play Award), Maxim Laberge (Student Life Award) and Michelle Kozlowskyj (Alumni Award) among the remaining top trophy winners.

Following is a complete breakdown of the awards for both varsity and extramural sports that were doled out in 2026:

VARSITY SPORTS - OCAA
Badminton - Award Winners
Laydia Richard - Most Improved Player - Women
Ayushee Somaroo - Top Rookie - Women
Maryssa Mercier - Most Valuable Player - Women
Jordan Atkins - Most Improved Player - Men
Grey Pope - Top Rookie - Men
Aadan Atkins - Most Valuable Player - Men

Women’s Volleyball - Award Winners
Kahlan Bellaire - Most Improved Player
Jayme Landry - Fair Play
Isabelle McPhee - Top Rookie
Manissa Yessad - Most Valuable Player

Men’s Volleyball - Award Winners
Dax Winch - Most Improved Player
Jacob Doucette - Fair Play
Nicolas Dalcourt - Top Rookie
Kalan Payzant - Most Valuable Player

RECREATIONAL SPORTS - EXTRAMURALS
Women’s Hockey - Award Winners
Maryssa Mercier - Fair Play
Avery Jones - Most Dedicated Player
Marilou Beaulac - Most Valuable Player

Men’s Hockey - Award Winners
Zachary Betty - Fair Play
Matthieu Corriveau - Most Dedicated Player
Benoit Hogue - Most Valuable Player

Women’s Basketball - Award Winners
Adehegnan Milande Claire Nianglo - Fair Play
Mahamat Tidjani Habsita - Most Dedicated Player
Varelle Nkeubou Atsafack - Most Valuable Player

Men’s Basketball - Award Winners
Merdi Mbuyi Nduaya - Fair Play
Michel Stive Ngouontche Silaje - Most Dedicated Player
Patrick Monkam Siegning - Most Valuable Player

Women’s Soccer - Award Winners
Stevia Mbeumo Akellah - Fair Play
Bachiratou Kabore - Most Dedicated Player
Avery Jones - Most Valuable Player

Men’s Soccer - Award Winners
Mbaye Mbacké Diokhané - Fair Play
Riadh Ziti - Most Dedicated Player
Amon Ibrahim Gueye Eugene Ayemou - Most Valuable Player

Mixed Soccer (Boréal Toronto) - Award Winners
Smail Ikhlef - Fair Play
Ismaël Perian - Most Dedicated Player
Emeraude Santu - Most Valuable Player

Powerlifting - Award Winners
Eric Demers - Fair Play
Médéric Laplante - Most Dedicated Player
Sébastien Giguère - Most Valuable Player