2022-23 Griffins Awards: Introducing our Female Rookie of the Year finalists
March 28, 2023

2022-23 Griffins Awards: Introducing our Female Rookie of the Year finalists

MacEwan Athletics

EDMONTON – Another season of Griffins Athletics is in the books with big wins and great memories to cherish.

Excellence was evident on the field, court and ice as MacEwan student-athletes displayed character, commitment and talent throughout the 2022-23 season.

As we count down to the our annual MacEwan Griffins' Awards Banquet this Saturday we will be revealing the finalists for our major awards in the following order:

Monday: Male Rookie of the Year

Today: Female Rookie of the Year

Wednesday: Female Athlete of the Year

Thursday: Male Athlete of the Year

Friday: Academic Team of the Year and Team of the Year

Here are the three finalists for Female Rookie of the Year (in alphabetical order by last name):  

Bronwyn Ettinger, women's volleyball

Playing a good portion of her rookie season as a late-set serving sub, Ettinger got a chance to show what she's capable of in a full-time role when starting libero Megan Foxcroft suffered an injury on the second-last weekend of the season. Ettinger started the team's last three matches, producing 38 digs and showing off her strong defensive play and poise. Her 17-dig performance in only three sets in MacEwan's final match of the season Feb. 18 was the most by a Griffins player in the 2022-23 season.

Notable 2022-23 stats:

66 digs (6th MacEwan)

3 service aces (T10th MacEwan)

43 receptions (7th MacEwan)

Notable accomplishments: 

• Recorded the most digs by a Griffin in a 2022-23 regular season match (17 vs. Mount Royal on Feb. 18, 2023)

 Bronwyn Ettinger spent much of the season as a late-set serving sub, but also showed she can start at the Canada West level with big minutes at libero in the stretch drive of the season (Robert Antoniuk photo).

Toni Gordon, women's basketball

Starting nine of 18 regular season games, Gordon unleashed her obvious athletic talent on the floor as she transitioned from raw rookie to one of the team's key players in the second semester. The 5-foot-9 guard broke five program rookie records and tied four others (see below) with her rebounds/game average (6.3) topping all Canada West first-year players. Gordon recorded the first double-double of her career with 10 points and 10 rebounds on Jan. 28 at Manitoba, giving a strong glimpse of what's to come for the future.

Notable 2022-23 stats:

91 points (6th MacEwan)

113 rebounds (3rd MacEwan)

6.3 rebounds/game (3rd MacEwan, 24th CW, but 1st among CW rookies)

13 blocks (1st MacEwan, T14th CW, T58th U SPORTS)

0.7 blocks/game (1st MacEwan, T16th CW – but 3rd amongst CW rookies, T55th U SPORTS)

Awards & Honours:

• Named to the MacEwan Athletics' Three Stars list once (2nd star – Jan. 31)

Records broken:

• Broke the program single CW season rookie record for most total rebounds (113)

• Broke the program single CW season rookie record for best rebounds per game average (6.3) 

• Broke the program's single CW season rookie record for most blocks (13)

• Broke the program single CW season rookie record for best blocks/game average (0.7)

• Established a new program rookie CW record for most minutes/game in a season (23.0)

• Tied the program's rookie CW record for most double-doubles in a season (1)

• Tied the program's rookie CW record for most rebounds in a game (11 at Manitoba on Jan. 27)

• Tied the program's rookie CW record for most assists in a game (6 at Manitoba on Jan. 27)

• Tied the program's rookie CW record for most blocks in a game (3 at Manitoba on Jan. 28)

 Toni Gordon broke five rookie program records and tied four others in an impressive first campaign with the Griffins (Robert Antoniuk photo).

Amelia Russo, women's soccer

Playing in 13 games at defensive midfield and centre-back, Russo consistently shut down the top players in the conference and was rewarded with a spot on the Canada West All-Rookie team. Her growth has been tremendous since joining the program as Russo takes every opportunity to get better. Fighting for every minute of playing time in a star-studded lineup filled with veterans, she earned a starting role as a rookie. In the community, Russo volunteers to coach youth soccer and represents her team on mental health initiatives.

Notable 2022-23 stats:

2 shots on goal (13th MacEwan)

Awards & Honours:

• Canada West All-Rookie team 

• Two-time player of the game

Notes: Debuted in United Women's Soccer League semi-pro in summer of 2022 … Rock of Team Alberta at the Canada Summer Games as the only player on the squad to play every minute of every game … Invited to Canada Soccer U20 development camp in Nov. 2022 – the only Canada West player invited.

Amelia Russo was a rock defensively for the Griffins women's soccer team, earning a spot on the Canada West All-Rookie team (Rebecca Chelmick photo).