Michael Ivanov (men’s track and field) and Tatum O’Connor (women’s swimming) have been selected as The Brock Press’ Athletes of the Year for the 2024-25 season.
Men’s Athlete of the Year – Michael Ivanov
Michael Ivanov (men’s track and field) has been named TBP’s Men’s Athlete of the Year after a dominant pole vault season where he won eight gold medals and, most notably, reached the top of the podium at both the OUA and U Sports Championships.
The third-year Business major became the first Badger in school history to strike gold at the U Sports Track & Field Championships, where he accomplished that feat with a personal-best jump of 5.12 metres, surpassing Western Mustangs vaulter Emanuel Desilets, who placed second at 4.80 metres.
Ivanov also continued his personal dynasty at the provincial championships this year when he won his second consecutive OUA gold medal. The Niagara Falls native vaulted 5.00 metres to win the competition, which was 35 centimetres higher than the second-place finisher, earning him The Brock Press’ Athlete of the Month honours for February.
As a result of his first-place performances, Ivanov was named a U Sports First Team All-Canadian and OUA First Team All-Star, while helping the Badgers men’s track and field team reach seventh in the team standings at the provincial championships as well as 18th at U Sports.
In addition to his triumphs at the major competitions, Ivanov captured six more golds during the campaign, which included victories at the York Holiday Open (4.75 metres), Sharon Anderson Meet (4.50 metres), Can-Am Classic (4.85 metres), Don Wright Team Challenge (5.11 metres), York Open (4.90 metres) and Windsor Team Challenge (4.85 metres).
After three electrifying years in the collegiate circuit, Ivanov looks to defend his throne at the OUA and U Sports Championships next season and add to his stellar track and field resume, which already includes a national gold and silver medal as well as a pair of provincial golds and a bronze.
Women’s Athlete of the Year – Tatum O’Connor
Tatum O’Connor (women’s swimming) has been named TBP’s Women’s Athlete of the Year following a record-setting year in the pool, highlighted by a trio of gold medals and a silver at the OUA Championships and a pair of bronzes at the U Sports Championships.
O’Connor became the first Badger to win a medal at the national swimming championships since 2002 when she won two bronze medals in both the 50-metre and 100-metre backstroke events. In the 50-metre dash, the Kinesiology major finished with a time of 27.65 seconds, which broke her own school record she set earlier this season, while also recording a time of 1:00.31 in the 100-metre backstroke.
Her impressive nationals performance followed a noteworthy provincial championship where she helped the Badgers women’s swimming team set a program record with seven podium finishes as O’Connor won four medals herself. The second-year swimmer placed first in the 50-metre backstroke, 100-metre backstroke and 4×100-metre medley relay, finishing with times of 27.87 seconds, 59.60 seconds and 1:54.28, respectively. She also placed second in the 50-metre butterfly with a time of 27.14 seconds.
O’Connor’s dominance led the Brock women’s swim team to sixth place at the OUA Championships and 13th at the U Sports meet.
Along with her success on the grandest stages, O’Connor was triumphant at the Dean Boles Invitational, hosted at Brock’s Eleanor Misener Aquatic Centre in November, lifting the Badgers to their first Dean Boles championship in program history.
The Dundas, Ontario native captured four gold medals and two silvers during the competition while setting four school records and two Divisional Championship records, earning her The Brock Press’ Athlete of the Month honours for November.
With five provincial medals and two national medals to her name after her first two years competing in university swimming, O’Connor is destined to continue making waves next season and beyond.
That’s all for now, but stay tuned to The Brock Press next school year as we continue to tell stories of the Brock Badgers’ athletic accomplishments as they compete against provincial and national competition.
For more stories about Brock’s athletic success, visit brockpress.com and stay up to date on social using @thebrockpress_.