EDMONTON – The University of Alberta's Sports Wall of Fame Committee announced their 2022 induction class on Tuesday, with three Pandas student-athletes and one Pandas dynasty team earning their place amongst the greatest to ever compete for the Golden Bears and Pandas.
 
Esther Medema-Sieben, Jackie Rowan (nee Simon), Anna Wray (nee Schnell) will all be inducted as student-athletes, while the Pandas Gymnastics team of 1987-1991 will be the sixth dynasty team inducted onto the UofA Sports Wall of Fame.
 
The 2022 induction will mark the first-ever all-Panda class of Sports Wall of Fame inductees, with three Pandas inducted in both 2020 and 2021 representing the previous high.
 
Anna Wray's induction also made history on Tuesday, as she became the first Pandas Rugby alumnae inducted into the Sports Wall of Fame. The Pandas Rugby dynasty of 1999-2004 was enshrined in 2018.
 
"This year's class of inductees is a testament to the impressive and resonant history of women's sport at the University of Alberta," said Associate Director of Athletics, and Pandas Volleyball alumnae Tawana McLeod. "Since the inception of the University in 1908, female student-athletes have built one of the most accomplished and formidable women's varsity programs in the world. To honour an all-Pandas class this year is not only special but important to showcase the legacy and feature opportunities for women in sport here at the University of Alberta."
 

SPORTS WALL OF FAME WEBSITE

 

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Medema-Sieben, BEd '96, was one of the most dominant athletes to ever compete for the Pandas Track & Field program. A multi-event star for the Pandas, Medema-Sieben earned 13 Canada West and four CIAU medals between 1992-96, setting program records in the 60m hurdles, heptathlon, long jump, and triathlon.
 
The 1996 UAlberta Female Athlete of the Year was also a three-time Canada West Track Athlete of the Year, and competed at multiple Canadian Championships, the 1995 Pan Am Games, and the 2013 World Masters Games.
 

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Rowan, BCom '00, BEd '05, was the catalyst for the Pandas Basketball team from 1995-2000. The forward led the Pandas to their first-ever CIAU National Championship in 1999, and was named both a tournament all-star and MVP.
 
The 1996 Canada West Rookie of the Year finished her career as the Pandas all-time scoring leader with 1,424 points, while also sitting atop the record books for field goals made, free throws made, and offensive rebounds. Rowan was also a five-time CW All-Star, and a two-time CIAU All-Canadian.
 

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One of the most accomplished dynasties in UAlberta history was powered by one of the most unstoppable Pandas athletes ever. The early Pandas Rugby teams were unbeatable, and so was Anna Wray, BCom, 02.
 
Wray made an immediate impact as a rookie with the Pandas in 1999, helping lead the program to their first of seven-straight CW titles, and five-straight national championships. Serving as a co-captain of the Pandas from 99-02, Wray was also a two-time CW All-Star, a 2001 CIS All-Canadian, and 2001 Academic All-Canadian.
 
Her rugby career also included 20 international caps with the Canadian National team, including participating in both the 2006 and 2010 Rugby World Cups.
 

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One of the most underappreciated and oft-forgotten dynasties, the Pandas Gymnastics team captured four of their eight national titles consecutively from 1988-1991.
 
Led by head coach Stephanie Bishop, who herself won three National Coach of the Year Awards, the Pandas were the class of university gymnastics in the late 80's. Leading the Pandas was a trio of dynamic student athletes; Dianne Rusnak (nee Patterson) (1988 National All-Around Champion, 1989 Bakewell Trophy Winner), Michelle Hannemann (1988 & 1990 CW All-Around Champion, 1989 & 1991 National All-Around Champion), and Kim Shore (1990 National All-Around Champion, 1991 CW All-Around Champion.

An in-person celebration for the 2022 SWOF Inductees, as well as the class of 2020 and 2021, will be held in early November. Details on the 2022 SWOF Reception will be posted on the Sports Wall of Fame website when finalized.