Prince George, B.C.- For the second straight year, Mercedes VanKoughnett has been named the UNBC Timberwolves Female Athlete of the Year.  Although this season will be the last for VanKoughnett she leaves behind a legacy with her teammates and at the University. The fifth year guard finished her time with the Timberwolves as the top overall scorer for the women's team with 1258 points. She also ranks second in defensive rebounds and assist, while making an appearance in the top 10 throughout the Canada West in numerous statistics categories.

On the men’s side,  Male Athlete of the Year honours went to Charles Barton a 5th year forward. Barton's athleticism made him an instant crowd favourite at the Northern Sport Centre. After only three years playing in green and gold, Barton tops the list for rebounds per game, with a 7.2 average during both his 2011-12 and 2013-14 seasons. He also sits second as the leading rebounder with 452 career rebounds, and sixth in overall scoring with 784 points over three years.

The two were among  several UNBC athletes to take home the hardware at the Timberwolves athletic banquet this evening.

Here are the other winners:

Men's Soccer:

• Best Defensive Player – Ty Venhola
• Golden Boot – Tofa Fakunle
• MVP – Tyson Hunter
• Coach's award – Connor Noftle

Women's Soccer:

• Best Defensive Player – Tanya Grob
• Best Offensive Player – Sydney Hall
• MVP – Sydney Wilson
• Green and Gold Award – Tianna Rossi

Men's Basketball:

• Rookie of the Year – Marcus MacKay
• Best Defensive Player – Dan Stark
• Most Outstanding Player – Charles Barton
• Zane Robison Award – Jeff Chu
• Most Inspirational Player – Devin McMurtry

Women's Basketball:

• Best Defensive Player – Emily Kaehn
• MVP – Mercedes VanKoughnett
• Most Improved – Sarah Robin
• Rookie of the Year – Mavia Nijjer

UNBC Timberwolves Awards (all athletes are eligible for these awards, not team specific)

• Female Rookie of the Year – Fiona Raymond, women's soccer
• Male Rookie of the Year – Tofa Fakunle, men's soccer
• Female Athlete of the Year – Mercedes VanKoughnett,  women's basketball
• Male Athlete of the Year – Charles Barton, men's basketball