Patience (17) is Otago's top swimmer and has an excellent chance of representing New Zealand at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi.
He had an outstanding year, with the highlight being his two top-eight placings at the world youth championships in Mexico.
He was sixth in the 1500m and eighth in the 800m freestyle at Monterrey in his first world championships.
Another key moment was was breaking the 15-year-old Otago 1500m freestyle aged 17 record at the national age group championships in Christchurch.
Patience's gold medal-winning time of 15min 45.35sec in the men's aged 17 and 18 grade was 7.20sec faster than Danyon Loader's 1993 long course time.
Patience also won six medals - two gold, three silver and one bronze - at the New Zealand age group championships.
He finished third in the senior championships at the Olympic trials in Auckland and was third at the Oceania championships.
It has been a good year for the Sports Institute of Otago, with 10 other New Zealand or New Zealand University representatives and national title-holders receiving recognition last night.
One of these was bowler Mark Watt, who was named the New Zealand Young Bowler of the Year for last season.
His top performance was victory in the elite Hong Kong singles.
Skeleton racer Tionette Stoddart is on target for a place in the New Zealand team for the Vancouver Winter Olympics in 2010.
Promising rugby and touch player Kelly Brazier could make the Black Ferns for the next women's Rugby World Cup, and Todd Pullar is a member of the national referees squad.
Other elite athletes include Liam Little (under-23 football), Scott Vandenbosch (New Zealand University rowing), Kate Stain (ice hockey), Alex McGregor (cycling), Nathan Napier (under-19 decathlon) and Mathew Adam (New Zealand University rowing).
The award winners were:
Diploma in sporting performance, Year 1: Cameron O'Neill (academic excellence and overall achievement); Year 2: Daniel Page (academic excellence), Mark Watt (overall achievement).
Diploma in Sport management and coaching, Year 1: Caitlin McIvor (academic excellence), Kelly Brazier (overall achievement). Year 2: Martin Jillings (academic excellence and coach-team manager of year).
Diploma in Personal training, Year 1: Siem Reeves (academic excellence and personal trainer of year). Year 2: Rochelle Croucher (academic excellence and personal trainer of year).
Diploma in outdoor leadership and management, Year 1: Jessica Marriott (academic excellence and best overall performance). Year 2: Tionette Stoddart (academic excellence and overall achievement).
Special awards: Martin Jillings (Sports Institute of Otago ambassador); Shane Patience (sportsperson of year).
