Blue & Gold Awards: Derbyshire & Chesoo named Thunder Athletes of the Year

EDMONTON, AB (April 6, 2022) – The Concordia University of Edmonton (CUE) Thunder hosted their annual Blue & Gold Awards banquet Tuesday night to wrap up the 2021-22 athletics season and to acknowledge the outstanding achievements of the Thunder student-athletes. 

A triple sport student-athlete wrapping up her fourth year with the Thunder, Emma Derbyshire was named the Thunder’s 2021-22 Female Athlete of the Year. A member of the Women’s Volleyball, Cross-Country, and Indoor Track teams, Derbyshire put together a season for the ages for the Thunder in 2021-22. In Cross-Country, Derbyshire finished top four in all three Grand Prix events, setting herself up to claim the women’s bronze medal at the ACAC Cross-Country Championships, helping the women’s Cross-Country team win the Conference Championship and finding herself named to the All-Conference team. At Cross-Country Nationals, Derbyshire put in a top 15 performance, and helped the Thunder take home the silver medal. On the volleyball court, Derbyshire finished in the top 10 in the ACAC in assists, and become the Women’s Volleyball all-time program leader in assists. In Indoor Track, Derbyshire ran exceptional Grand Prix’s in the lead up to the ACAC Indoor Track Championships, where she came away with three silver medals, two bronze, and helped the Thunder team win the Women’s conference title. Derbyshire also laid claim to a CCAA Academic All-Canadian award for the 2021-22 season. 

Interim Director of Athletics Nate MacLellan had nothing but praise for Derbyshire: “Emma’s contribution to the Thunder culture extends far beyond her accomplishments on the volleyball court and in the races she runs. She succeeds not only in her athletic endeavours, but she thrives in the classroom and is a leader and role model to her fellow student-athletes. It’s my honour to present Emma with this award, and I look forward to her future contributions to the Thunder program. Great work, Emma!”

The Thunder’s 2021-22 Male Athlete of the Year was third year runner Leonard Chesoo from the Cross-Country and Indoor Track teams. Appearing in four Cross-Country races this season, Chesoo defended his ACAC Conference and CCAA National Championships from 2019 by winning the men's individual gold medal in all of the races, winning by an average of 1:14 seconds. Through his dominance this season, Chesoo has now won nine straight ACAC Cross-Country events over two years, 11 of 15 events over three years, and finished in the top three in 15 straight ACAC races. After claiming another Conference and National Championship, Chesoo wrapped up his Cross-Country season with being named an ACAC All-Conference athlete, the ACAC Cross-Country Runner of the Year, and a CCAA All-Canadian. Moving to the indoor track, Chesoo didn’t miss a beat, claiming two golds and a silver in the first meet and another two golds and a silver in the scond meet. When the conference championships came around, Chesoo found another gear, claiming four gold medals in the 3000m, 1500m, 1000m, and 600m events. His times also helped the Thunder’s men’s team finish second place in the overall standings. Chesoo wrapped up the Conference Championship with being named the ACAC Indoor Track Runner of the Year. 

“Leonard has been phenomenal during his three seasons with the Thunder, and continues to proudly represent Concordia and show his dominance – not only in the ACAC but also in the CCAA” Interim Director of Athletics Nate MacLellan said speaking on the award. “He continues to solidify a legacy of being one of the all-time greatest runners in the ACAC and CCAA, and one of the greatest athletes to represent the Thunder in our history. Leonard is very deserving of this award, and it’s my pleasure to help recognize him. Congratulations, Leonard!”