Local volleyball player Colin Carson is in the running for a national award.
The Canada West Universities Athletic Association has put Carson's name forward for the Dale Iwanozko Student-Athlete Award, which goes to a player who has demonstrated excellence in volleyball, academics and community involvement.
Carson, a graduating setter for the Thompson Rivers University WolfPack of Kamloops, will be up against nominees from Ontario University Athletics, the RSEQ of Quebec and Atlantic University Sport.
The award will be presented at the Canadian Interuniversity Sport national championship tournament later this week in Calgary.
"It's pretty cool to be nominated for this," said the 22-year-old Carson, who has already been selected as a Canada West second-team all-star. "Obviously my team having a successful year is part of that. I don't think I would be nominated if our team hadn't been successful."
The WolfPack compiled a 13-9 record in the Canada West conference of the CIS and qualified for playoffs after a two-year absence. TRU finished third in playoffs thanks to a Saturday win against the Brandon University Bobcats (see other story).
Individually, Carson was the assists leader in Canada West and the entire CIS this season. He had 929 helpers in 85 sets, good for an average of 10.93 per set. For his career, he is second all-time in Canada West assists with 3,350.
Off the court, Carson is a business student and will be presented with his degree in April.
As for community service, he coordinated the TRU volleyball team's Raise a Reader literacy campaign and its Wendy's Dreamlift efforts. Carson was also an avid participant in the WolfPack's Adopt a School program, helped out with the PACE program (designed to assist student-athletes cope with the demands of school and sports) and served on the WolfPack's Captain's Council. Carson has also coached at numerous volleyball clinics over the years.
Carson's name was submitted to Canada West by TRU coach Pat Hennelly.
"[Carson] epitomizes what this award is all about," Hennelly said on TRU's website. "I am thrilled for him that he is being looked at as the Canada West nominee. Colin is very deserving. He is a great representative of the league, our team, the city and Thompson Rivers University."
One of Carson's teammates, third-year right side hitter Brad Gunter, was chosen as the Canada West player of the year.
