Khanna & Smith KPU Eagles/Sheraton Vancouver Guildford' 'Athletes of the Week', week ending Sunday, November 16, 2014

Wed, Nov 19, 2014

Metro Vancouver.....The KPU Eagles are proud to announce their Sheraton Vancouver Guildford 'Athletes of the Week' for the week ending Sunday, November 16, 2014 as Shilpa Khanna, Surrey, BC, of women’s basketball and Nick Smith, Surrey, BC of men's basketball. The teams took on the Langara College Falcons on Friday, November 14^th and the Douglas College Royals on Saturday, November 15^th.

Khanna, a second-year guard and 2014 PACWEST women’s basketball ‘Rookie of the Year’, has made a tremendous impact on the league this season. In five games she is ranked second in the PACWEST in scoring with 91 points, which averages to 18.20 per game. This weekend alone she provided 42 points to help keep the Eagles competitive during tough games with the Falcons and Royals.

“Shilpa has really stepped up as a scorer and leader on our team this year,” stated head coach Dan Nayebzadeh, “She competed hard all weekend, she hit her shots, and put in a lot of minutes. She is a strong consistent player and recognition is well-deserved.”

Smith, a first year power forward, had a successful weekend on both ends of the floor as he made some tough baskets, rebounded well, and averaged 35 minutes per game. His excellent personality, character, and leadership skills make him a valued member of the men’s program.

“Nick is one of our most consistent and most-utilized players this season, he plays a lot of minutes and constantly works hard,” stated Coach Nikić, “He always plays for the team, never worries about his individual statistics. He is the epitome of what this program is about and is one of the key players to move our program to the next level.”

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.