Kwee & Smith KPU Eagles/Sheraton Guildford Vancouver Athletes of the Week', week ending Sunday, February 1, 2015

Metro Vancouver.....The KPU Eagles are proud to announce their Sheraton Vancouver Guildford 'Athletes of the Week' for the week ending Sunday, February 1, 2015 as Willine Kwee, Richmond, BC, of women’s badminton and Nick Smith, Surrey, BC of men's basketball.

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Kwee, a second-year Eagle, is a dominating force on the badminton court in singles, doubles, and mixed doubles. An intense, strong, and focused player, Kwee’s competitive spirit comes through in every tournament.  An ambassador for her program, Kwee is always willing to volunteer her time and model the way as a student-athlete. She is a peer leader with the KPU/Vancouver Giants mentorship program, is a source of support and advice for her fellow teammates, and assists the coaching staff when she can.

“Willine is a fighter, she never gives up and always goes 110%,” stated Eagles head coach Morgan van Heukelom, “Her determination to be the best whether singles, doubles, or mixed doubles. She is definitely a tournament player and very coachable as she takes in all the advice we give and executes with great skill.”

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Smith, is a three-peat winner of the ‘Athlete of the Week’ award in his first university season. The power forward is known for his leadership skills on and off the court, as well as a regular ambassador of the department of athletics and recreation. Most recently Smith represented the Eagles student-athletes, among a handful of other KPU students, to meet the Minister of Advanced Education. Smith is also the voice for men’s basketball on the Eagles Varsity Council.

In last weekend’s games versus the VIU Mariners and Camosun College Chargers, Smith’s tenacity was key to keeping the Eagles on track.

“Nick shows that he can play well under pressure. Even when things don’t go well he can still perform at a high level. He is very mentally tough, can overcome challenges, focuses on the positives, and still works hard to get better,” said Eagles head coach Vladimir Nikić, “Specifically, he defended exceptionally well against guys way bigger than him. He also stepped up in the absence of one of our other starters and consistently is a great team player.”

For more information on the Department of Athletics & Recreation, please contact Junelle Mah, sports information and marketing, at 604-786-0804 or at junelle.mah@kpu.ca.

The KPU Eagles Department of Athletics & Recreation enters its 14th season of interuniversity competition. The Eagles are members of the PACWEST conference and play in the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) with 100 student-athletes participating on eight varsity teams in men’s and women’s basketball, soccer, badminton and golf. KPU athletics plays its home games at the Eagles’ Nest (Surrey Campus), Northview Golf & Country Club, Newton Athletic Park, all located in Surrey, BC and the Ace Badminton Centre in Richmond, BC.  The Eagles are active in the conference with staff members on various advisory committees and competing to host both provincial and national championships. The student-athletes are mainly from the lower mainland but KPU’s rosters have included student-athletes from North America, South America, Asia and Europe.

Follow the Eagles on Twitter @KPU Eagles, on Facebook www.facebook.com/KPUEagles, or on our website www.kpu.ca/eagles.