Veinot And Keating AUS Athletes Of The Year
(FREDERICTON, NB) Jayda Veinot, of the UNB REDS’ women’s basketball team, and Austen Keating, of the REDS’ men’s hockey team, have been named Atlantic University Sport female and male Athletes of the Year and the conference’s nominees for the 2024 U SPORTS Honourable Lois Mitchell and Doug Mitchell Athletes of the Year Awards.
Veinot was the AUS MVP, U SPORTS Player of the Year and winner of the Nan Copp Trophy, a first team All-Canadian, and UNB’s female Athlete of the Year.
Keating was the AUS MVP, first team All-Canadian, University Cup all-star, and UNB’s male Athlete of the Year.
“Being in the running for the national award has shown me that the hard work and dedication I’ve put into my university career, in the classroom and on the ice, has been recognized,” said Keating.
“I’ve given so much of myself to basketball for the past 20 years and in return I’ve received memories to last a lifetime, incredible friends, role models, and countless other opportunities,” said Veinot. “An award like this would validate all that I’ve worked for and everything that I’ve been able to accomplish with the support of my coaches and teammates.”
Veinot helped the REDS to a 15-5 regular season and a spot in the AUS championship game, averaging 21.3 points per game, third-best in the country.
She shot an impressive 49.7% from field goal range, 42.1% from three-point range, and 91.3% from the free throw line, all among the top five in U SPORTS statistics.
“Jayda is one of the smoothest players with the basketball,” said REDS’ head coach Erin McAleenan. “Her ability to take contact and it does not disrupt her rhythm or speed is on an elite level. She finishes through contact as if it isn’t even there. Jayda creates for herself and others at will, but it is her determination to help her team win, in every drill in all practices and games, that set the standard for us.”
Keating’s 50 points, 23 goals and 27 assists, led the AUS and was second-best in the country.
In helping UNB to a perfect season, 43-0, Keating posted a U SPORTS-best +47 in the plus/minus category.
“Austen had the best season of his REDS career and finished it by playing his best hockey when it counted the most, in the playoffs and national championship tournament,” said REDS’ head coach Gardiner MacDougall. “He was a key leader of our team with his tremendous work ethic, his passion for the game, zest for continuous improvement, and his relentless ‘team first’ attitude.”
Keating and Veinot will join nominees from RSEQ, OUA, and Canada West for the U SPORTS Athletes of the Year Awards, in Calgary, on June 10th.
“This award would be an incredible honour,” said Veinot.
“There are so many incredibly talented student-athletes across the country,” added Keating. “It would be a huge honour.”
STORY BY: Andy Campbell/UNB Athletics
FILE PHOTOS: James West/for UNB Athletics