The Brock Badgers celebrated a year of record-breaking performances and historic moments at the Varsity Awards Gala.

The gala, which took place at the Parkway Conference Centre in St. Catharines on Wednesday, March 25, recognized the exceptional achievements of Brock student-athletes and coaches.

This season, the Badgers brought home one national championship, four provincial titles and 69 medals, including 39 gold, 16 silver and 14 bronze.

Among the night’s honourees were 11 major award winners, six Coach of the Year award winners, 23 All-Canadians and 70 provincial all-stars.

Madalyn Weinert from the women’s basketball team and Yazdan Farokhizad from the men’s wrestling team were named the Brock Badgers Female and Male Athletes of the Year.

Farokhizad captured gold medals in the 90-kilogram division at the U SPORTS Championships and OUA Championships for the second consecutive year. His performances earned him status as a U SPORTS First Team All-Canadian and OUA First Team All-Star. Originally from Iran, Farokhizad helped lead the Badgers to their 23rd national title as well as the program’s 10th straight and 27th overall provincial banner.

Weinert, a Medical Sciences student, capped off her illustrious five-year career with the Badgers by being awarded the Nan Copp Trophy, which is given to the U SPORTS Player of the Year. She was also selected as a U SPORTS First Team All-Canadian and recognized as the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) Player of the Year and First Team All-Star for the third consecutive season.

The Coach of the Year awards were awarded to Steve Delaney of the women’s volleyball team and Marty Calder of the men’s wrestling team. The women’s volleyball team and men’s wrestling team were also named Women’s and Men’s Team of the Year.

Delaney and the Badgers made program history, winning a national medal for the first time as they finished third with a 3-2 victory over the Trinity Western Spartans in the bronze medal match in Langley, B.C., on March 15.

Calder secured the U SPORTS Men’s Coach of the Year and OUA Coach of the Year honours for the 14th time in his coaching career. He guided the men’s wrestling team to their 23rd national title as well as their 10th consecutive — and 27th overall — provincial title.

Fencing coaches Kathy and Kirk Girard were recognized with the Marilou Isui Memorial Service Award for their long-standing contributions to Brock Sports and Recreation.

Weinert and Ethan Miskolczi from the men’s soccer team were also recognized with the David Atkinson Surgite Award and R.M. Davis Surgite Award, respectively, for demonstrating  academic and athletic excellence.

Seven student-athletes were honoured with the new Badger of Distinction award, which recognizes graduating student-athletes who have demonstrated outstanding excellence, commitment and impact throughout their varsity careers.

Three Badgers were awarded the David S. Howes Spirit of Brock Award, which is awarded to student-athletes who best exemplify the spirit of Sir Isaac Brock and have demonstrated leadership, courage, innovation, inspiration and community involvement.

2025-26 Brock Sports and Recreation major award recipients:

• Female Athlete of the Year: Madalyn Weinert (Women’s Basketball)
• Male Athlete of the Year: Yazdan Farokhizad (Men’s Wrestling)
• Badger of Distinction Award: Gabriel Blanchette (Men’s Wrestling), Isabella Durcak (Women’s Rowing), Zoe Durcak (Women’s Rowing), Stephen Harris (Men’s Rowing), Brianna Fraser (Women’s Wrestling), Madalyn Weinert (Women’s Basketball), Emily Foest (Women’s Volleyball)
• Women’s Team Coach of the Year: Steve Delaney (Women’s Volleyball)
• Men’s Team Coach of the Year: Marty Calder (Men’s Wrestling)
• Women’s Team of the Year: Women’s Volleyball
• Men’s Team of the Year: Men’s Wrestling
• David S. Howes Spirit of Brock Award: Ryan Bossy (Men’s Swimming), Brookelyn Keltos (Women’s Basketball), Michael Okeke (Men’s Basketball)
• David Atkinson Surgite Award: Madalyn Weinert (Women’s Basketball)
• R.M. Davis Surgite Award: Ethan Miskolczi (Men’s Soccer)
• Joseph P. Kenny Student Therapist Award: Ethan Kelly, Tia Pucci
• BSP Student Intern of the Year: Ryan Gelbart
• BSP Impact Award: Oscar St. James-Kush
• Marilou Iusi Memorial Service Award: Kathy Girard and Kirk Girard (Fencing)