WATERLOO, Ont. - Women's basketball forward
Keira Aikman and men's rugby centre
Ali Reda have been named Laurier Athletes of the Week for the period ending November 1, 2026.
Aikman continued her strong start to the season with a pair of career-best performances as the Golden Hawks split a road weekend against Nipissing and Laurentian.
The third-year psychology major from Brights Grove, Ont., recorded a game-high 23 points and six rebounds while shooting an impressive 62 per cent from the field in just 22 minutes, helping Laurier earn its first victory of the season with a win over the Nipissing Lakers on Friday night.
The former team rookie of the year followed that performance with another career high on Saturday, pouring in a game-high 26 points and adding eight rebounds in 29 minutes against Laurentian.
Through four games, Aikman leads the Golden Hawks with 13.8 points and 7.8 rebounds per game. She also ranks third in the OUA in points per game among players who have appeared in four contests this season.
Reda delivered a standout performance in Laurier men's rugby's OUA quarterfinal matchup against Western on Saturday.
The fourth-year business major from Oakville, Ont., scored a game-high three tries in the Golden Hawks' narrow playoff defeat while serving as one of the team's most impactful players on both sides of the ball.
Beyond his offensive production, Reda turned in a dominant defensive effort, recording countless tackles and providing a steady presence throughout the contest.
A constant spark in attack and a defensive linchpin, his performance highlighted the resilience and determination that have defined his season as he worked his way back from injury.
This is the first career Laurier Athlete of the Week recognition for both Aikman and Reda.
