KELOWNA, B.C. – Women's soccer player Maria Georgacacos and women's cross country athlete Abigail Yakemchuk were named BioSteel Canada West Athletes of the Week on Tuesday afternoon, highlighting a standout weekend for the UBCO Heat.
Georgacacos, a native of Calgary, becomes the first Heat women's soccer player to earn the honour since Megan Sun accomplished the feat in October 2024, while Yakemchuk, a product of Surrey, B.C., becomes the first Heat women's cross country athlete to earn the distinction since Lauren McNeil was named Canada West Cross Country Athlete of the Week twice in October 2025. The two also become the first Heat student-athletes to earn the honour during the 2026-27 season.
Women's Soccer - Maria Georgacacos (UBCO Heat)
Oct. 9 vs UNBC: 2 goals, 5 SOG, 1 GWG in 3-2 win
Oct. 11 vs UFV: 1 goal, 2 SOG, 1 GWG in 3-0 win
Maria Georgacacos showcased her ability to deliver in the clutch, scoring both match-winning goals over the weekend. On the first night against the UNBC Timberwolves, the second-year forward opened the scoring in the 44th minute off a feed from her sister Eleni Georgacacos. With the score tied late in the match, Maria took advantage of a ball deflecting off a UNBC defender to complete her brace and lift UBCO to a 3-2 victory.
Two days later, she once again took a pass from her sister and found the back of the net, scoring the eventual game winner in the 36th minute as the Heat earned a 3-0 win over the UFV Cascades. The Calgary native's performances helped the Heat earn a crucial six points as they look to make a late-season push for a playoff spot.
Women's Cross Country - Abigail Yakemchuk (UBCO Heat)
UBC Farm Fest: First place in 8km Women's Race, 29:17
Abigail Yakemchuk won the first collegiate race of her career in convincing fashion. The third-year runner finished the 8-kilometre UBC Farm Fest race on Saturday in a time of 29 minutes and 17 seconds, 11 seconds ahead of Katelyn Cotterell of the No. 3-ranked UBC Thunderbirds.
Yakemchuk broke away from the field midway through the race and extended that lead over the final four kilometres, running a smooth and controlled race. Her win helped the Heat finish third in the team standings. After a year away on a co-op placement for her engineering program, the Langley, B.C., native has returned as one of the conference's top runners and a strong contender heading into the Canada West Championships later this month.
