University of Alberta’s Guezen and Rattee Win 2026 Lois and Doug Mitchell Awards
Abby Guezen and Ryder Rattee of the University of Alberta were named winners of the 2026 Lois and Doug Mitchell Awards, the U SPORTS athletes of the year, at a ceremony in Calgary on May 20, 2026.
Green and gold filled the McDougall Centre on Wednesday night as the University of Alberta celebrated two of its standout student-athletes. The Lois and Doug Mitchell Awards recognized Guezen and Rattee for their excellence in sport, leadership and contributions to their respective programs.
Alberta secures a rare double at the Mitchell Awards
The University of Alberta became only the second school in the award’s 33-year history to claim both male and female athlete of the year honours in the same cycle. The double was last recorded in 2012 when McGill produced both winners.
The 2026 Lois and Doug Mitchell Awards ceremony, held in Calgary on May 20, highlighted the depth of Alberta’s varsity programs and underscored a season of national success for Pandas volleyball and Golden Bears track and field. The twin wins mark a high-water mark for the university’s athletics department.
Guezen’s championship season and move to professional volleyball
Abby Guezen delivered one of the most decorated seasons in Alberta women’s volleyball history, earning Canada West and U SPORTS player of the year honours. The outside hitter was central to the Pandas’ 18-2 regular-season run and their first national championship in women’s volleyball since 2007, captured in Langley, B.C.
Guezen has international experience with Canada’s program and is scheduled to play in the 2026 Women’s Volleyball Nations League before joining Chieri in Italy’s Serie A1. She described the season as a “last hurrah” at the U of A and framed the move to Italy as a major step toward long-term goals, including Olympic qualification.
Rattee’s record-setting sprint season and comeback story
Sophomore sprinter Ryder Rattee emerged as a dominant force in Canada West and at the U SPORTS championships in Winnipeg, taking gold in the 300 metres, 600 metres and the 4×400-metre relay. His championship-winning 300m time of 32.75 set a new national meet record and capped an undefeated domestic season.
Rattee’s ascent has been rapid — he only began competing in track and field during his first year of university — and it has been shaped by resilience. He overcame a lingering back injury this season and earlier medical uncertainty as a child, and he was part of Canada’s mixed 4×400 team that set a national record at the World Athletics Relays in Botswana.
Field of nominees and U SPORTS alumni recognitions
The Mitchell Awards selection process this year featured strong competition across sports. On the women’s side, Guezen was joined on the shortlist by Saint Mary’s volleyball standout Emilia Mikanovich, Concordia hockey forward Jessymaude Drapeau and Guelph soccer forward Olivia Rizakos. The men’s ballot included Université de Moncton hockey player Mika Cyr, Laval cross-country runner Philippe Morneau-Cartier and Toronto Metropolitan guard Aaron Rhooms.
U SPORTS also announced Alumni of the Year honours at the same event, awarding Peggy McKercher of the University of Saskatchewan and McGill’s Claude Genereux. Those awards recognize former student-athletes who have made sustained contributions to their institutions and communities.
Program momentum and national implications for Alberta athletics
The twin awards provide a visible boost for recruiting and program visibility at the University of Alberta, where coaches and administrators have been emphasizing sustained excellence. National championships and individual accolades reinforce a message of competitive opportunity for prospective student-athletes.
Beyond recruitment, the awards highlight the role of university sport as a development pathway to international competition and professional careers. Guezen’s transition to Italy and Rattee’s ambitions toward the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics illustrate how U SPORTS can serve as a springboard to the highest levels of their sports.
The University of Alberta’s athletes were celebrated not only for victories and records but also for leadership and resilience that resonated with coaches and peers. As both Guezen and Rattee look ahead to international seasons and long-term goals, their recognition at the 2026 Lois and Doug Mitchell Awards underscores a standout year for Alberta sport and a broader moment of momentum for Canadian university athletics.
