Two football Axemen were big winners at the Atlantic University Sport awards last night.
Kentville’s Adam Melanson was named rookie of the year and Jesse St. James - from Pincourt, Que. – was named offensive lineman of the year.
Melanson, a defensive tackle, posted 23.5 tackles this season (15 solo and 17 assisted), including 1.5 sacks and six tackles for losses of 20 yards.
“Adam came in with big expectations and a lot of hype and didn’t disappoint,” said Axemen head coach Jeff Cummins. “Adam started all nine games we played this year and kept himself in the lineup. Adam Melanson is a name that will be heard for years to come in this conference.”
This is the second consecutive season that rookie of the year honours have gone to an Acadia student-athlete. Thomas Troop of the Axemen earned the title in 2012. Prior to last year, Elliot Richardson was the most recent Acadia player to be named AUS rookie of the year in 2005.
St. James, a defensive end, led the AUS conference in sacks this season with 10
He posted 34 tackles this season (25 solo, 18 assisted), including his 10 sacks and 15.5 tackles for a loss of 62 yards. He also had a forced fumble and a fumble recovery this season.
“Jesse showed flashes of brilliance last year, but was overlooked because of the other all-stars we had graduate in 2012,” said Cummins. “We challenged Jesse in the off-season to be more consistent and he rose to the challenge and has now set the bar for all of our defensive players.
“Jesse’s explosive takeoff allows him to make plays in the backfield and create problems for opposing teams,” he added.
The last Acadia player to be named AUS lineman of the year was Jake Thomas, who took home the award following the 2011 season.
All AUS major award winners automatically become finalists for the Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) awards, which will be handed out during Vanier Cup week hosted by Université Lavel in Quebec City.
Acadia also had a number of players named to the AUS all-star squad:
Defensive Tackle: Kirby Fletcher, 4th year – Grimshaw, Alta.
Defensive End: Jesse St. James, 3rd year – Pincourt, Que.
Defensive Back: Cam Wade, 5th year – Moncton, N.B.
Defensive Back: Brett Backman, 4th year – Tantallon, N.S.
Guard: Chris Fanning, 2nd year – Ottawa, Ont.
Tackle: James Young, 4th year – Ottawa, Ont.
Inside Receiver: Andrew Healy, 4th year – Bedford, N.S.
Wide Receiver: Taylor Renaud, 5th year – Winnipeg, Man.
Running Back: Thomas Troop, 2nd year – Alliston, Ont.
Place Kicker: Ryan Begin, 3rd year – Orleans, Ont.
Two football Axemen were big winners at the Atlantic University Sport awards last night.
Kentville’s Adam Melanson was named rookie of the year and Jesse St. James - from Pincourt, Que. – was named offensive lineman of the year.
Melanson, a defensive tackle, posted 23.5 tackles this season (15 solo and 17 assisted), including 1.5 sacks and six tackles for losses of 20 yards.
“Adam came in with big expectations and a lot of hype and didn’t disappoint,” said Axemen head coach Jeff Cummins. “Adam started all nine games we played this year and kept himself in the lineup. Adam Melanson is a name that will be heard for years to come in this conference.”
This is the second consecutive season that rookie of the year honours have gone to an Acadia student-athlete. Thomas Troop of the Axemen earned the title in 2012. Prior to last year, Elliot Richardson was the most recent Acadia player to be named AUS rookie of the year in 2005.
St. James, a defensive end, led the AUS conference in sacks this season with 10
He posted 34 tackles this season (25 solo, 18 assisted), including his 10 sacks and 15.5 tackles for a loss of 62 yards. He also had a forced fumble and a fumble recovery this season.
“Jesse showed flashes of brilliance last year, but was overlooked because of the other all-stars we had graduate in 2012,” said Cummins. “We challenged Jesse in the off-season to be more consistent and he rose to the challenge and has now set the bar for all of our defensive players.
“Jesse’s explosive takeoff allows him to make plays in the backfield and create problems for opposing teams,” he added.
The last Acadia player to be named AUS lineman of the year was Jake Thomas, who took home the award following the 2011 season.
All AUS major award winners automatically become finalists for the Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) awards, which will be handed out during Vanier Cup week hosted by Université Lavel in Quebec City.
Acadia also had a number of players named to the AUS all-star squad:
Defensive Tackle: Kirby Fletcher, 4th year – Grimshaw, Alta.
Defensive End: Jesse St. James, 3rd year – Pincourt, Que.
Defensive Back: Cam Wade, 5th year – Moncton, N.B.
Defensive Back: Brett Backman, 4th year – Tantallon, N.S.
Guard: Chris Fanning, 2nd year – Ottawa, Ont.
Tackle: James Young, 4th year – Ottawa, Ont.
Inside Receiver: Andrew Healy, 4th year – Bedford, N.S.
Wide Receiver: Taylor Renaud, 5th year – Winnipeg, Man.
Running Back: Thomas Troop, 2nd year – Alliston, Ont.
Place Kicker: Ryan Begin, 3rd year – Orleans, Ont.
