As part of the third of five days of announcements for University of Victoria Vikes major award finalists three talented Vikes women round out the Athlete of the Year finalists announced today, Mar. 27. Basketball top scorer and record-setting guard Amira Giannattasio, U SPORTS gold medallist in the women’s 200-m butterfly Danielle Hanus and second-year defender and U SPORTS women’s field hockey Player of the Year Anna Mollenhauer make up an elite group of finalists.

Amira Giannattasio

Finalist: Amira Giannattasio, Women’s Basketball – Hamilton, Ont. (Social Sciences)

In her fifth and final season, women’s basketball guard Amira Giannattasio closed out as a one of the most iconic Vikes offensive players in recent history. Giannattasio climbed the career record ladder this season to be the third-highest scoring Vike in school history with 1,539 points in regular season games, while she hit the third-highest in-game scoring record in the Canada West twice this season with two 44-point games. In a year where the team was without a few key senior bodies due to injury, Giannattasio stepped up on and off the court to lead the Vikes.

Averaging 20.1 points per game with the second-highest scoring average in the conference, Giannattasio was named a Canada West Second Team All-Star, a fitting cap for the former U SPORTS All-Rookie team member and Canada West Rookie of the Year. Giannattasio started all 20 games this year averaging 31.8 minutes played per game and now sits 13th overall in the Canada West for most career points scored. The social sciences major led the Vikes in scoring in 18 of 23 games played from pre-season to post-season.

Danielle Hanus

Finalist: Danielle Hanus, Women’s Swimming – St. Catharines, Ont. (Science)

Third-year Vikes swimmer Danielle Hanus continues to be a threat in the pool year after year. A finalist for the Vikes Female Athlete of the Year award last year as well, Hanus returned to the pool to once again medal in all of her individual events at the conference and national level. Hanus was named a Canada West First Team All-Star after winning gold in the 50-m backstroke and the 100- and 200-m butterfly. She earned a Canada West silver in the 100-m backstroke and set Canada West records in her 200- and 100-m butterfly swims.

At the U SPORTS Championship Hanus won gold in the 200-m butterfly and finished with two silvers in the 50- and 100-m backstroke and a bronze in the 100-m butterfly. Hanus helped set five Vikes school records including the 100-m and 200-m freestyle as part of the relay team and then the relay teams themselves in the 4×100-m freestyle, 4×100-m medley and 4×200-m freestyle events. Hanus was also Varsity Council Athlete of the Month in February for her performance at the U SPORTS National Championship.

Anna Mollenhauer

Finalist: Anna Mollenhauer, Women’s Field Hockey – Victoria, B.C. (Education)

Second-year defender Anna Mollenhauer played a pivotal role in the Vikes women’s field hockey team reclaiming the McCrae Cup as U SPORTS national champions for the first time since 2008. The Education major barely stepped off the field all season as the program earned its 12th national championship and 18th Canada West banner this year. The Vikes went through on goal differential to hoist the conference title, while they defeated York in their opening two games of the best-of-three national championship. Mollenhauer also became the seventh Vike to win the Liz Hoffman Award as the Canada West and U SPORTS Player of the Year.

A crucial member of the Vikes’ offensive and defensive set piece penalty corner unit, Mollenhauer’s presence was instrumental in the Vikes’ ability to out-score their opponents 18-8 in regular season. Mollenhauer was also named one of four team captains among a team that had five fifth-year players and nine rookies. A leader on and off the turf, Mollenhauer has also been identified at the international level, suiting up for Canada’s senior national team for camps and tours throughout the year.

Award finalists are announced in a staggered fashion beginning with Rookies of the Year on Mar. 25, and followed daily with Athletes of the Year finalists on Mar. 26-27, Chancellor’s Award finalists on Mar. 28 and the President’s Cup on finalists Mar. 29. All award winners will be announced at the banquet on Apr. 5. For a description of each award and list of past recipients click here.

The Provost Award, already announced in November at the Vikes Honour Roll Luncheon, along with the Publisher’s Community Award winners will not have finalists announced and will be given out at the Celebration of Champions banquet. For more information on this year’s UVic Sports Hall of Fame inductees please click here.

2018-19 Vikes Varsity Award Finalists
Finalists are listed in alphabetical order by last name.

Robert T. Wallace Shield
Rookie of the Year – Female
Anne-Sophie Hannes, Field Hockey
Caitlin Mann, Cross Country and Track
Danae McCulloch, Rowing

Robert T. Wallace Shield
Rookie of the Year – Male
Nicholas Carson, Rugby
Aaron Tesfagiorgis, Basketball
Matteo Ventura, Soccer

Athlete of the Year – Male
Gradyn Bowd, Rugby
Luc Brodeur, Rowing
Eric Hedlin, Swimming

Athlete of the Year – Female
Amira Giannattasio, Basketball
Danielle Hanus, Swimming
Anna Mollenhauer, Field Hockey

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

Gradyn Bowd

Outside Half
5′ 10″
205 lbs
Fourth
Prairie Wolfpack (Lindsay Thurber Comprehensive)

Danielle Hanus

5′ 7″
Third
Swimming Canada / Newmarket Aquatic Club (Dr. John D. Denison HS)