The University of Alberta dominated the U Sports awards as Abby Guezen was named the female athlete of the year and Ryder Rattee as the male athlete of the year on Wednesday. This marks only the second time that a single university has clinched both honors, following McGill’s Ann-Sophie Bettez and Marc-Andre Dorion in 2012.
Hailing from Sherwood Park, Alberta, Guezen played a pivotal role in leading the Pandas to an impressive 18-2 record, securing the Canada West championship, and claiming Alberta’s first national women’s volleyball title in nearly two decades. Her exceptional performance also earned her a spot on the Canadian women’s team last year, with plans to represent Canada again this summer in the Nations League before embarking on a professional career in Italy.
On the other hand, Rattee, representing Spruce Grove, Alberta, made his mark by securing three titles at the national championship and setting a new U Sports record in the 300 meters. Despite battling a persistent back injury, Rattee remained undefeated in his individual distances throughout 2026. He also competed for the Canadian men’s 4×400 relay team at the World Athletics Relays in Gaborone, Botswana, in early May, with upcoming participation scheduled for the Canadian track and field championships in Ottawa this summer.
The Lois and Doug Mitchell Award recipients, Guezen and Rattee, were awarded a $5,000 scholarship, a trophy, and a commemorative ring during a ceremony in Calgary on Wednesday. Established by Doug Mitchell, a former CFL player and UBC football alum, in 1993, the awards have been a longstanding tradition to recognize outstanding male and female U Sports athletes.
The Canadian Athletic Foundation trustees, led by Mitchell, voted for the winners, with Mitchell’s wife, Lois, continuing their joint sponsorship of the awards. The accolades were previously known as the Howard Mackie Awards, BLG Awards, and Lieutenant Governor Athletics Awards. Mitchell’s passing in 2022 did not hinder the celebration of the deserving athletes, with Mitchell applauding Guezen and Rattee for their exceptional performances and adaptability both on and off the field.
Notably, previous recipients of the award include CFL players Tre Ford, Jesse Lumsden, Don Blair, and Andrew Buckley, along with international rugby star Sophie de Goede and Olympic swimmer Kylie Masse. The absence of winners in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic did not deter the recognition of this year’s exceptional athletes.
U Sports, a prominent sports league in Canada, boasts nearly 15,000 student-athletes competing in varsity sports across 58 universities nationwide. The annual selection process for the top male and female athletes involves choosing finalists from the Atlantic, Ontario, Quebec, and Canada West conferences. This year’s female athlete of the year finalists included Emilia Mikanovich, Jessymaude Drapeau, and Olivia Rizakos, while male athlete of the year finalists comprised Mika Cyr, Philippe Morneau-Cartier, and Aaron Rhooms.
Pierre Arsenault, the chief executive officer of U Sports, congratulated Abby and Ryder on their remarkable achievements, highlighting the exceptional talent and accomplishments of all the nominees this year. The recognition of these athletes serves as a testament to their dedication and success in their respective sports.