The University of Winnipeg, in conjunction with the Canada West Universities Athletic Association, is pleased to announce that first-year sensation Stephanie Kleysen is the Canada West Conference Women’s Basketball Rookie of the Year. The 5’9” guard out of Vincent Massey Collegiate (Winnipeg) played a huge role in helping the Wesmen to a 20-4 regular season record and a second place finish in the Canada West Women’s Basketball Conference regular season standings.Kleysen was the conference leader in rebounds (9.5 rebounds per game) 228 in total. She also tied for the conference lead registering six double-doubles. She finished third in team scoring averaging 8.9 points per game during the regular season. Stephanie grabbed a season high 17 rebounds twice during the regular season (vs Manitoba, December 2, 2010) and against the Regina Cougars on January 22, 2011.Stephanie was named the University of Winnipeg Female Player of the Week on three occasions during the 2010-2011 season and was honored as the University of Winnipeg’s Female Athlete of the Month for December 2010.
“Stephanie is very deserving of this award. She works hard, challenges herself to improve and is a great team player. To lead the Canada West Conference in rebounding as a freshman is a huge individual achievement but it is also a team achievement”, said University of Winnipeg Women’s Basketball head coach Tanya McKay.
