The UBC Okanagan Heat brought out the fire over the Oct. 11 weekend, as numerous athletes won Canada West (CW) Player of the Week awards for their exploits. 

In women's soccer, third-year forward Megan Sun won for her explosive performance against the Thompson Rivers University Wolfpack. 

Coming on as a substitute in the second half, with the Heat down 2-1, Sun made an instant impact, scoring in the 79th minute. Then, in stoppage time, with the game knotted at two, the Langley local was hauled down in the box. She then promptly stepped up and throttled home the penalty to give the Heat a crucial victory. 

With the win, the Heat are now five points up on the Wolfpack for the final playoff spot in the Interior division, with just two games left. Sun's two goals were her first of the season, as she has slowly began to play more. 

In men's soccer, Heat goalkeeper Ronan Woodruffe took him honours for his nearly perfect weekend. In two games (both wins by the Heat), Woodruffe made 10 total saves, including two penalty stops, one in each game. 

The native of Toronto is the Heat leader in career saves, with 188 and is now in a tie for 10th for most saves in Canada West history in a season, with 84. Despite his team being out of the playoffs (4-8-3), Woodruffe, in just his third season of eligibility, will almost surely be back for another year.

The Heat men's golf team took home the Canada West championships last week, after hosting the event at the Okanagan Golf Club. Ryan Gillis led the way, as he won the CW player of the week honours. 

In round one of the CW competition, Gillis shot an impressive eight under-par 64, which tied a league record for lowest round ever. The second-year Calgary native then shot a one under-par 71 the next day to bring home the win, finishing two strokes ahead of teammate Thomas Lemay. 

Gillis is now the third consecutive member of the Heat to win the individual gold medal after Justin Towill's back-to-back titles in 2022 and 2023. 

Last but not least, Heat cross country star Lauren McNeil, running in her first event in three years, won the Stewart Cup race hosted in Calgary, with a blistering 25 minutes, 53.3 seconds in the eight kilometre run.

The result gave the Heat third overall in the event, as teammate Kristen Smith finished eighth. 

A native of Buxton, England, McNeil was the Canada West and U Sports silver medallist back in 2021, when she was an exchange student. 

The Canada West championships in cross country will take place on Saturday, Oct. 26 in Camrose, Alta.