VICTORIA – The University of Victoria Vikes Varsity Council is pleased to announce the winners of the athletes and team of the month awards for the month of November, 2017. The council would like to congratulate third-year runner Alison Hooper, second-year swimmer Bailey Espersen and the Vikes women's swimming team on being awarded November's athlete and team of the month awards.
 
FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE MONTH
Alison Hooper, Cross Country
 
Alison Hooper captured the title of Varsity Council's female athlete of the month for her outstanding performance at the U SPORTS Cross Country Championships, hosted in Beacon Hill Park on Nov. 12. The third-year runner from Victoria finished 14th overall at the race to be named both a U SPORTS Second Team All-Canadian and Canada West First Team All-Star. Hooper's time of 29:02.18 led the Vikes to their first Canada West title in five years and a fourth overall finish as a team.
 
MALE ATHLETE OF THE MONTH
Bailey Espersen, Swimming
 
Bailey Espersen was named the Varsity Council's male athlete of the month for his exceptional showing at the Canada West Swimming Championships, hosted at the Saanich Commonwealth Plaza. The second-year swimmer from Smithers, B.C. captured a bronze medal in the 200-metre breaststroke on the third and final day of competition. In one of the closest races of the weekend, Espersen stormed from behind to just beat out multiple people for the final spot on the podium.
 
TEAM OF THE MONTH
Women's Swimming
 
The UVic Vikes women's swimming team had a strong showing throughout November, competing well at the College Cup Meet and Island Cup Invitational before shining at the Canada West Championships, that took place in their home water at the Saanich Commonwealth Plaza from Nov. 24-26. One of the smaller teams in the conference, with just eight members, the Vikes proved that it is quality not quantity that matters as they racked up five medals over the three days of competition. Danielle Hanus won gold in the 100 and 200-metre Butterfly as well as silver in the 50 and 100-metre Backstroke. The final medal for the Vikes came in one of the most exciting races of the weekend. The 4x200-metre freestyle relay team of Hanus, Kara Wilson, Taylor Snowden-Richardson and Kaitlin Gervais came back from a large deficit to claim bronze. After the meet Snowden-Richardson was named the Student-Athlete Community Service Award winner for her inspiring work in the community and the classroom.