(Flickr/ RDP Athletics)

By Ian Gustafson

Individual and team achievements

RDP celebrates memorable year at annual athletic awards

Apr 9, 2025 | 2:42 PM

It was a special year for Red Deer Polytechnic Athletics.

That sentiment was accentuated at the RDP Athletics year end awards Tuesday night at the Arts Centre on campus where hundreds of athletes were honoured for a tremendous year.

As put so eloquently by the events two MC’s of the evening, Queens hockey goaltender Izzy Palumbo and Kings volleyball outside hitter Brett Lower, it was more than just handing out awards and plaques. It was a night to acknowledge the endless hours of hard work put in throughout the year by not only the student athletes but also the coaches and staff.

Not only were a number of individual milestones met but the Kings and Queens brought home five Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference championship titles.

Queens curling, Kings volleyball, Queens indoor track, Kings hockey, and Queens cross-country running were all crowned ACAC champions.

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In addition, the Kings volleyball program won the 2025 Canadian Colleges Athletic Association National Championship. In total, RDP won 18 ACAC medals and three CCAA medals (one gold, silver, and bronze). The Dance and Rodeo Teams achieved several top three results throughout the season.

However, the evening was highlighted by the major award winners who received special honours.

Queens hockey defenceman and captain Kaedence Mollin was named the 2024-25 Outstanding RDP Female Athlete of the Year. She was also named the 2024-25 ACAC Women’s Hockey Player of the Year.

Kings volleyball Colby Nemeth, the CCAA Men’s Volleyball Championship MVP, received the Outstanding RDP Male Athlete of the Year Award.

Meanwhile, Nicole Homan, a CCAA Women’s Curling Second-Team All-Star, was also honoured with the Al Ferchuk Athletic Leadership Scholarship.

Mollin said it was an unreal feeling to be honoured with the award. It was also something she never expected.

“I had a goal to do my best and get more points up on the board but getting those awards is a shock,” she added.

During the season Mollin led the Queens with 25 points in 25 games, which was fourth in ACAC women’s hockey. She also finished third in the ACAC in assists with 15.

She helped lead the Queens to an 18-7 season, which was good enough for third place in the standings. They also made it to the ACAC Women’s Hockey Championship Finals but lost in four games in the best-of-five series.

(Flickr/ RDP Athletics)

In addition, Mollin was named ACAC Women’s Hockey Top Scholastic Achiever, an ACAC Women’s Hockey Academic All-Canadian and a member of the ACAC Women’s Hockey First All-Conference team. During Fall 2024 Term, Mollin achieved a 4.0 GPA in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at the Polytechnic.

“I never thought I’d be playing at the college level. I thought I was done after midget but [head coach Kelly Coulter] took a chance on me. He didn’t want me at the start but here I am. I’m glad I came, it’s been such a great journey, and I’m so excited I have one more year. We’ll finish that off and see where it takes me.”

Meanwhile, Nemeth was one of the most dominant players in the league this year helping lead the Kings to their 21st ACAC gold medal and their 14th CCAA National title.

During the regular season, Nemeth ranked first in men’s volleyball with 302 kills and 4.65 kills per set, helping to lead the Kings to first in the ACAC.

He was also named ACAC men’s volleyball South Player of the Year and the overall ACAC men’s Player of the Year for all 10 sports within the league. He also earned spots on the ACAC Men’s Volleyball South All-Conference Team and ACAC Men’s Volleyball Championship First All-Star Team.

“It’s definitely a nice way to cap off things for this year. Obviously, the national championship was a good way to finish too,” he said.

“Volleyball is very much a team sport so I can’t really do anything without the support of the team, coaches and trainers.”

The Kings won the CCAA Men’s Volleyball National Championship three sets to zero in Manitoba against Douglas College Royals out of British Columbia.

“We went into the tournament pretty confident and I think we had our thoughts on it the whole way through. It was nice to finally get there,” he added.

Homan, lead on the RDP Queens curling team, demonstrated great leadership both on and off the ice.

She helped guide the Queens to an ACAC gold medal and silver in the CCAA Nationals.

She’s also been involved in many initiatives that contribute to the betterment of RDP and communities. She served as vice chair on the RDP Student-Athletes Advisory Council, and helped plan food drives and organized school trips for the Kings and Queens to mentor youth.

(Flickr/ RDP Athletics)

The captain of Queens curling has also coached the Notre Dame High School Girl’s Curling team, assisted with curling instruction at St. Joseph High School, and participated in Father Henri Voisin School’s Read-a-Thon. In addition, she volunteered at the Red Deer Curling Classic.

“The RDP Athletics Awards provided an opportunity for us to gather and celebrate the vast accomplishments of the Kings and Queens during the past season,” said Randy Stewart, Manager, Athletics and Student Life, Red Deer Polytechnic.

“With ongoing support from sponsors, donors, coaches, athletics staff and fans, the Kings and Queens have continued to demonstrate their commitment to excellence in the classroom, during competition and as leaders in the community.”

For the full list of award winners click here.

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