2010 Awards

Year 13 – Wednesday May 25, 2011

Woolwich Community Centre, Elmira

2010 ATHLETES OF THE YEAR

Andrew Poje / Kaitlyn Weaver – Figure Skating Ice Dancing

Waterloo

Partners in international Ice Dancing since 21006, Kaitlyn joins Andrew for this year’s nomination. The pair have had a truly inspiring year in figure skating capturing first place at the Four Continents competition in South Korea and the bronze medal at the Senior Canadians. 2^nd and 5^th place (ISU Grand Prix Final) finishes in two other events contributed to their overall ranking of 6^th in the world.

Nominees:

Mandy Bujold – Boxing

Kitchener

Mandy Bujold has her sights set on 2012 Olympic Gold. 2010 was a busy year, competing internationally in Turkey, Greece, Barbados and Brazil, where she captured the coveted Gold medal at the Pan American Games and nationally winning her sixth Canadian Championship. Currently Mandy is ranked Top 5 in the World,

Mandy is a previous Athlete of the Year recipient (2008) and continues on her path of Athletic Excellence as a serious athlete, boxer and mentor.

Stephen Drew – Track & Field

Waterloo

“Happy Motoring” to Stephen means make sure that you enjoy what you are doing – in sport and life. Competing in the Ottawa Marathon Championship, placed 1^st as top Canadian and 11^th overall competitor. Even though his 2010 year was filled with disappointment and heartache – due to injury and loss of his long-time coach, mentor and friend; perseverance, drive and natural talent secured Stephen as a winner in this sport. Stephen continues to train and share his love of sport as a mentor and coach to young athletes at the University of Waterloo and Speed River Track Club.

Jake Jagas – Wrestling

Kitchener

A member of Canada’s National, University of Guelph and Matmen Club wrestling teams, Jake has had a busy and successful year. In 2010 his accomplishments include a silver medal at the Junior Pan Am Championship; silver medal at the Canadian National Junior Championship; and gold at the Canadian Inter-collegiate Championships, earning him his CIS Rookie of the Year Award.

Jake’s quiet demeanor and steady persistence was made so apparent when he battled back from a serious elbow dislocation sustained during competition in November 2010.

Dylan Moscovitch / Kirsten Moore-Towers
– Figure Skating Pairs

Kitchener

In less than two years together, Dylan and Kirsten have earned a place on Canada’s National Team and are building a resume that most teams only dream about;  (The Record – Elvin Walker).

Their 2010 sensational year includes – 5^th at the 2010 Canadian Championships; 2^nd at both Skate Canaa and Skate America Int.; 6^th at Grand Prix (Beijing), 9^th at Four Continents Championship.

Miranda Ranieri – Squash

Waterloo

A multiple year nominee, Miranda has moved from a world ranking of 218^th in August of 2008 to 48^th in December 2010 in the WISPA World Squash Rankings. She also achieved the number one ranking in Canada after winning the national squash title in Vancouver in May.

Miranda competed for the national squash team at two tournaments in 2010 and was a finalist in two professional squash competitions.

Leah Robinson – Track and Field

Mannheim

2010 was truly a golden year for Leah a student at Rockway Mennonite High School. In addition to the many medals she won at various track and field competitions around the world, Leah was one of six paralympic athletes invited to the world championships in Manchester, England. In 2008,

Leah was the youngest Canadian athlete to compete at the Beijing Olympics, and this fierce competitor has her sights firmly set on competing at the 2016 Olympics.

Brienne Stairs – Field Hockey

Kitchener

Two time OUA and CIS Player of the Year and three-time All Canadian, Brienne led all scorers iun the OUA Field Hockey League regular season with 32 goals and 27 assists. She scored all three goals in a 3-0 win iover University of Victoria to lead her teammates on the University of Guelph Gryphons field hockey team to its first ever Bronze Medal, Recently, Brienne was recognized as one of the top female scholar-athletes from across the province in the eighth annual Women of Influence Awards.

Awards of Excellence:

ORGANIZATION:

Chicopee Ski & Summer Resort

In 1934 a group of local volunteers founded the Chicopee Ski Club making it one of the oldest ski facilities in the country. Chicopee, a not-for-profit organization operates on 165 acres of land owned by the Grand River Conservation Authority,  serving the local community and beyond. Over its 75 years, Chicopee has provided an exemplary ski facility and has introduced skiing to thousands. Each year, over 20,000 students, “Little Brothers and Sisters” and other less privileged children  enjoy skiing through partnerships between Chicopee, area school boards and agencies. Chicopee has grown to a year-round recreational facility, providing winter and summer season sports, activities, and walking and biking trails, attracting 285,000 visitors annually, and employing over 300 people in full and part-time season positions. Chicopee, under the guidance of a volunteer board of directors, is an integral part of the community built on the traditions of inclusiveness, family fun and innovation.

TEAM:

K-W Blind Curlers

Sometime ago four blind or partially blind individuals were participating in the sport of curling trying to become a team. Six years ago they found themselves a coach and membership now is ten and they participate in both blind and sighted bonspiels having success at both levels. They have won two provincial championships, and been Ontario reps at Nationals for blind curlers. In 2010, they defeated BC in the Nationals – the first team to ever do so – unfortunately BC prevailed in the finals.

The team is attracting attention from blind persons locally and outside the region, and recently won the Ontario title and qualified for the Nationals. This year, the team members demonstrated their skills at the 2011 Brier Championship held in London.