ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Mariette Laframboise, Tennis
The skiers stepped aside for a tennis comeback story when it came time to name the 1957 athlete of the year.
The author was Mariette Laframboise, who dominated junior tennis before losing a love set to tuberculosis. She took the better part of a year to come back “but I told them I’d be back. Athletes are strong and disciplined.”
“So, long ago,” she said talking about her tennis accomplishments almost two decades ago which saw her climb to the top of Canadian senior tennis rankings. “I played everywhere,” she said and included in her triumphs a sweep of Ottawa and District titles.
Mention of the ACT Dinner brings a sparkle to her voice. “Anything that helps the amateur is good,” she said. “The pros have the money.”
In recognition of her accomplishments, Mariette also won the Julien-D’Aoust Trophy as the outstanding French Canadian athlete in the area.
Baseball — Jacques Valiquette
Basketball — Dalton McCambley
Bowling — Wally Souchen
Football — Bill McIntyre
Golf — Peter Zebchuk
Hockey — Bob Boucher
Paddling — George Way
Softball — Guy Potvin
Skiing — Art Tommy
Tennis — Mariette Laframboise
Track and Field — Tony Blair
Football’s pick for 1957 was Bill McIntyre, Ed’s older brother, who went to University of Toronto for an undergraduate degree, returning to University of Ottawa and medicine… Bill undoubtedly won’t forget a Toronto-Queen’s football game that went to Ron Stewart and the Gaels 4-3 over the Blues when Jocko Thompson kicked a last minute field goal that McIntyre came within an ace of blocking… The last of the Boucher hockey clan, Bob, earned a dinner invitation for some prolific junior scoring feats… Another of the Rideau Canoe Club’s Ways, George, won the Canadian junior kayak championship to draw ACT attention.