ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Harry Van Hofwegen
EARL BULLIS APPRECIATION AWARD
CFRA has been involved in this dinner since its inception in 1953. Each of these men handled the M.C. duties for about ten years. This year’s Earl Bullis Appreciation Award is presented to Terry Kielty, Ken Grant, and Ernie Calcutt (Ernie Calcutt award accepted by Pauline Regan) for their many years as Masters of Ceremony and for CFRA’s support of the A.C.T. Sports Awards Dinner.
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Frank Chapman
ALPINE SKIING – Gillian McFetridge, Ottawa – Gillian had success at many different national competitions and was named to represent Canada at the world junior alpine ski championships. Gillian won a bronze medal in super giant slalom at the national junior championships and a bronze medal in giant slalom at the Canada Winter Games. She also had a first and a second in two Cavendish Cup races and won a bronze medal in a NORAM series giant slalom. She was named to Canada’s development team this season.
ARCHERY – Bruce Malmberg, Ottawa – Bruce was a member of Canada’s team which finished fourth at the world indoor archery championships in Birmingham, England. At the prestigious Atlantic City indoor tournament, Bruce was the first Canadian to win the individual title and helped Canada take the team crown for the first time. Bruce also achieved the Canadian indoor record at 18 metres with a score of 593 out of a maximum of 600, and placed second at the Canadian field championships.
BADMINTON – Marie-Claude Roy, Hull – Marie-Claude was the top performer at the Ottawa and District Badminton Association class A championships, winning three titles. She was the women’s singles champion, teamed with Jana Kriz for the women’s doubles title, and joined Mike Bitten to win the mixed doubles championship. At the Dave Waddell tournament, Marie Claude also collected firsts in singles and women’s doubles and was second in mixed doubles.
BALL HOCKEY – Luc Martin, Ottawa – Luc made Ottawa-Carleton Ball Hockey League history last season, when he became the first defenceman to be named the most valuable player in Tier 1 action. From his rearguard position, the member of the Ottawa Voyageurs scored six goals and had 11 assists in 20 games.
BASEBALL – Shawn O’Connor, Pakenham – Shawn was Canada’s top pitcher as the national team came within one victory at the American Baseball Challenge last summer of qualifying for the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta. A member of the Ottawa-Nepean Canadians Sports Club team, Shawn posted a 6-0 win-loss record and a 2.00 ERA in exhibition games before the Olympic qualifier. He beat Aruba, started the bronze medal game, and was fourth in the pitching statistics.
BASKETBALL – Stella lghorewo, Ottawa – Team captain for the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees women’s basketball team and the club’s most valuable player, Stella was named an Ontario Women’s Interuniversity Athletic Association all-star for the second straight year. Stella was the leading rebounder not only in Ontario but also in Canada, and was the fourth leading scorer in Ontario and ninth in Canada.
BIATHLON – Robin Clegg, Ottawa – In his first year in a sport which combines cross-country skiing and rifle shooting, Robin was one of the surprises of the Canada Winter Games. He finished second in the men’s 15-kilometre race and helped Ontario finish second in the men’s relay. During the relay, he shot 10 for 10 and was given the God of Biathlon award.
BOARD SAILING – Caroll Ann Alie, Hull – A repeat winner in her class, Caroll-Ann won a gold medal during the Pan-American Games in Mar del Plata, Argentina, in March and captured the Canadian title last summer in Kingston. After finishing 14th at the world championships in South Africa, she is in contention for the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta following a third-place finish in the Miami Olympic class regatta.
BOBSLEIGH – Sheridon Baptiste, Ottawa – A key member of driver Chris Lori’s crew, Sheridon had five top-10 results on the World Cup bobsleigh circuit – three in two-man, and two in four-man. His best result was a bronze-medal effort in the World Cup four-man race in Winterburg, Germany. A two-time medallist at the Canadian championships, Sheridon was seventh in the four-man and 10th in the two-man at the world championships.
BOWLING – Roger Sarazin, Ottawa – Roger bowled his third career perfect 10-pin game, but his first on local lanes. One of the top bowlers in the region, he carried a 208 average last year, and also rolled 10 games of 278 or higher. In league playoffs, Roger bowled a three-game series of 771. A victim of polio almost all of his life. Roger wears a special leg brace and shoe to assist his game.
BOXING – Ryan O’Connor, Ottawa – Winning 75 per cent of his matches last year, Ryan picked up two provincial gold medals and one at the national championships. The Ottawa Beaver Boxing Club fighter won the Ontario novice 57-kilogram title in St. Catharines and the Ontario open gold medal in Sarnia. At the Canadian championships in Brampton, the Algonquin College student earned a bronze medal.
BROOMBALL – Darrell Campbell, Russell – Darrell has played every position for the highly successful Embrun Plumbing Beavers broomball team except goaltender. He has participated in 12 national championships, winning the gold medal nine times.
CROSS COUNTRY RUNNING – Maureen De St. Croix, North Gower – At the world masters track and field championships in Buffalo, New York, Maureen collected gold medals in the 10-kilometre cross-country run and the women’s team event in the 40-plus class. At the Canadian senior cross-country running championships, she helped the Ottawa Lions finish second in the team category and was 15th overall in the women’s race. At the 15-kilometre Lidingloppet in Stockholm, Sweden, Maureen was 17th overall out of 30,000 runners.
CROSS COUNTRY SKIING – Christopher Jeffries, Petawawa – Representing the National Capital Division, Christopher won three gold medals at the Canadian junior cross-country ski championships. Competing on the Ski Fortune trails, Christopher was the most dominant skier in the junior boy’s division.
CURLING – John Morris, Gloucester; Julie Colquhour Kanata; Craig Savill, Kanata; and Jennifer Hanna, Kanata – The John Morris rink was one of the most successful in Ontario at any level. Not only did they win the Ontario mixed bantam championship, but they also captured the Ontario Winter Games gold medal in Niagara Falls.
CYCLING – Linda Jackson, Nepean – Despite having her bicycle stolen part way through the competition, Linda finished fifth overall in the women’s Tour de France bicycle race. She also placed eighth at the world championships and sixth at the Pan American Games in the road race. She also won her first national road race title.
DIVING – Fernando Henderson, Nepean – One of Canada’s top senior divers on the one-metre board, Fernando was a medalist on the springboard at both the Canadian winter and national summer championships. At the Quebec championships, Fernando won the Quebec top male diver award with a gold on one-metre and a bronze on three-metre. His double gold medal winning performance at the Presidents Cup earned the Nepean Ottawa Diving Club member the top male diver award.
FENCING – Alexandra Wawryn, Ottawa – Made Canadian fencing history when she recorded a best-ever result at the world cadet championships by placing second in the women’s epee. That earned her the Elaine Tanner Trophy as Canada’s top junior female athlete for 1995. A double medallist at the Canada Winter Games, Alexandra helped the undefeated Ontario to the team title and was second in the individual epee. The Ontario champion was second at the national championships, Governor General and Ottawa Shield meets.
FIELD HOCKEY – Hari Kant, Gloucester – The No. 1 goaltender for the national men’s field hockey team, Hari helped Canada to a silver medal at the Pan-American Games last March in Mar del Plata, Argentina. He has played more than 50 international matches for Canada.
FIGURE SKATING – Jennifer Boyce, Stittsville & Michel Brunet, Gatineau – Jennifer and Michel had plenty to celebrate in 1995, which turned out be their final year as a senior ice dance figure skating team. After winning the bronze medal at Nation’s Cup for the first international medal, they placed second in senior dance at the Canadian championships and earned a trip to the world championships. In Birmingham, England, Jennifer and Michel were 17th.
FOOTBALL – Harry Van Hofwegen, Ottawa – A defensive tackle for the Carleton University Ravens, Harry had a stellar season on both sides of the border. He won the J.P. Metras Trophy as the outstanding lineman in CIAU football, and took the same honor in the Ontario-Quebec Interuniversity Conference. Named to the All-Canadian and O-QIFC all-star teams, the third-year law student capped his season by being the first Carleton player named as the Eastern Canadian representative to the 71st East-West Shrine Bowl Football Classic at Stanford University.
FREESTYLE SKIING – D’arcy Downs, Manotick – One of the best three-way skiers in freestyle, Darcy earned the silver medal in combined at the 1995 world championships. He also was 10th in ballet at the worlds. At the World Cup level, he had one first, five seconds and three fourths in combined. Darcy also won the gold medal in ballet at the Canadian championships and was second in combined.
GOLF – Luke Saunders, Ottawa; Mark Seed, Ottawa; Paul Spare, Manotick; Trevor Stoski, Orleans; Steve Toth, Nepean – The University of Ottawa men’s golf team had an outstanding year, winning the Ruttan Cup as OUAA champions. Coached by Paul Carson they competed in six invitationals, winning four and coming second in two. Three of the team were named to the all-star team.
HOCKEY – Marc Savard, Gloucester – A graduate of the Gloucester Rangers minor hockey system, Marc won the Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy as Ontario Hockey League’s junior scoring champion. A member of the Oshawa Generals, Marc scored 139 points on 43 goals and 96 assists in 66 games. He also was named to the OHL’s second all-star team.
JIU-JITSU – Bill Gatchell, Gloucester – Whether in Canada or the United States, Bill was at the top of his class in his martial art sport. He finished first in the Windsor karate championships, the Battle of New England, the Spirit of Rochester, the Montreal Classic and the Eastern provincial championships. Bill also is recognized for doing seminars and demonstrations.
JUDO – Nathalie Gosselin, Ottawa – Strong international results last year has put Nathalie on the verge of making Canada’s team for the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta. The Canadian senior champion in the 52-kilogram class, Nathalie was a bronze medallist at the Panamerican Games and seventh at the Fukuoka Cup for the second straight year.
KARATE – Fortunato and Domenic Aversa, Ottawa – The Aversas made kick boxing history last year by becoming the first brothers to win gold medals at the same IAKSA world championships, which were staged in Hull. For Fortunato, it was his second straight lightweight gold medal. Domenic also became the super lightweight gold medallist at the World Karate Association championships in Germany.
LACROSSE – Sean Steinwald, Ottawa – Assistant captain of the Gloucester Griffins. Sean led the Ontario Junior B Lacrosse League with 66 goals and was third overall in scoring with 113 points. On a lacrosse scholarship to Cornell University, Sean played in the provincial council all-star game for the second consecutive year, and will represent Canada at the world junior championships this year in Tokyo.
ORIENTEERING – Brian Graham, Ottawa – A masters student at the University of Ottawa, Brian was the North American and Canadian men’s orienteering champion. Trailing after the first day of the national championships, Brian stormed back on second day to capture his third straight Canadian title.
PADDLING – Renn Crichlow, Nepean – One of the world’s top sprint kayakers, Renn won a bronze medal in singles over 200 metres at the word championships and ninth in K-4 over 1,000 metres. Winner of four gold and three silver medals at the Canadian championships, Renn also produced silver medals in K-1 500 and K-1 1,000 metres at the pre-Olympic meet as well as a third in the K-4 1,000 metres.
RAQUETBALL – Gary Shaw, Ottawa – While representing Great Britain at European racquetball championships in Dublin, Gary earned gold, silver and bronze medals. He also reached the final of the tournament in Quebec last fall.
RINGETTE – Jaime Fournier, Gloucester – A member of Ontario team to the Canada Winter Games, she helped her team finish fourth in the round-robin and just missed the medals in Grand Prairie, Alberta. During the Games, she had one three-goal game, and one two-goal match.
ROAD RACING – Tania Jones, Ottawa – Champion of eight local road races, including two in course record times, Tania was the overall women’s winner on the Ontario Timex road series. At the national level, she placed sixth in the road race championship, seventh in the cross-country finals, and seventh in the 5,000-metre track race. Tania also represented Canada in an Ekiden marathon relay race in Seoul.
ROWING – Brian Brown & Rob Bennett, Ottawa – Members of the Ottawa Rowing Club, Brian and Rob won some of the biggest races on the water. The lightweight pairs team were first in the Henley Regatta, the Canada Cup, and the Ontario championships.
RUGBY – Al Charron, Ottawa – Al played in his second World Cup of Rugby last spring in South Africa. He played in all three of Canada’s games at four different positions and scored trys against Romania and Australia. He also helped Ontario win its first national championship in 14 years, and led the Ottawa Irish Rugby Club to its fifth straight Ontario seven-a-side title.
SHOOTING – Alain Marion, Hull – Alain continued to prove he is the best all round target rifle shooter in Canada by qualifying for national rifle team to the Bisley, England meet for an unprecedented 26th time. He won 12 major national competitions, including golds as the Canadian target rifle champion, and the Connaught winner, and the maroon blazer as the Canadian masters champion.
SOCCER – Charmaine Hooper, Nepean – For the second straight year, Charmaine Hooper was named the female player of the year by the Canadian Soccer Association. Canada’s all-time leading scorer with 22 goals in 35 international games, Charmaine played for the national team at the women’s World Cup.
SOFTBALL/FASTBALL – Bruce Casselman, Ottawa – As catcher for powerful Toronto Gators for the third straight year, Bruce helped his club win the Canadian championships and the International Softball Congress world championship. Bruce played for Canada at the Pan-American Games and was behind the plate as it defeated the United States 2-1 for the gold medal. He had a .360 batting average and led the Gators for the third consecutive year with 16 home runs and 59 RBIs.
SPEED SKATING (Long Track) – Ingrid Liepa, Ottawa – By winning her third straight all-around title at the Canadian long track speed skating championships, Ingrid met the qualifying criteria for the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan. The 1995 season also saw Ingrid break back into the top 16 in the world, and set three Canadian records, including the 1,500-and 3,000-metre races.
SPEED SKATING (Short Track) – Carol-Anne Chenard, Gloucester – A member of the Gloucester Concordes Speed Skating Club, Carol-Anne was intermediate ladies provincial champion. She took 4 silver medals at the World Invitational in Ottawa, 5 silver at the North American championships, was a bronze medallist at the Canada Winter Games and won silver in the 3000-metre relay.
SQUASH – Heather Wallace, Ottawa – Canada’s top ranked women’s squash player ranked 20th in the world, and won three gold medals at the Pan American Games. The eight-time Canadian champion also won the United States Open championship.
SWIMMING – Yannick Lupien, Aylmer – One of the most promising male swimmers on the national scene, Yannick broke two national age group records at the Eastern Canadian junior short course swim championships in Nepean. He smashed the boys’ 13-14 200-metre freestyle record which was owned by two-time Olympic champion Alex Baumann. Last summer, Yannick finished third in the men’s 100-metre freestyle at the Canadian senior championships and broke the boys’ 15-17 age group record. He is attempting to qualify for the 1996 Summer Olympics.
TABLE TENNIS – Lijuan Geng, Ottawa – Two months after giving birth to her first child, James Ross, Lijuan was unstoppable at the Pan-American Games, winning four gold medals. The U.S. Open and the North American champion also returned to her native China for the world championships and reached the quarter finals, which was the best-ever result for a Canadian woman. She was ranked seventh in the world.
TAE KWON DO – Lori Howell, Kanata – Lori competed in six tournaments and came away with 10 medals – six gold, three silver and one bronze. She began competition as a black belt last year and hopes to represent Canada at the 2000 Summer Olympics, when taekwondo enters the Games.
TENNIS – Eva Januskova, Nepean – Winner of the girls’ 18-and-under singles title at the Corel Canadian junior tennis championships, Eva finished second overall in the national rankings. She also won the junior doubles championship at the International Tennis Federation tournament in Laval.
TOUCH FOOTBALL – Leo Benvenuti, Kanata – As M.V.P. in the senior division of the Ottawa-Nepean Touch Football League, Leo led the Bytown Brewers to the senior pennant and league championship, scoring 91 points and sharing the league lead in interceptions with 10.
TRACK & FIELD – Glenroy Gilber, Gloucester – At the world track and field championships, Glenroy was part of Canada’s men’s gold medal winning 4×100-metre relay team. At the Pan-AM Games, he produced Canada’s only track gold medal, when he won the men’s 100-metres in 10.21 seconds. Ranked third in Canada, Glenroy won his first Grand Prix 100-metre race, when he ran a 10.19 at the St. Denis invitational. His best legal time last season was 10.17 in a victory at the Louisina State University Alumni meet.
TRAP & SKEET – Sean Nesbitt, Kars – As a member of the R.A. Centre Gun Club he was the top qualifier in Ontario. At the Ontario Winter Games he had two personal silvers and won gold with the team. At the Crossmans in Montreal he won bronze in pairs at the Canada Winter Games he won a personal silver and bronze in pairs.
TRIATHLON – Ian Fraser, Ottawa – Ian placed first in five triathlon races, including the Ottawa Athletic Club swim-cycle-run event. He had victories in the Tupper Lake, half ironman, and the Mont Habitant ironman, and placed third in the Philadelphia half ironman.
VISUALLY IMPAIRED – Peter Field, Aylmer – Captain of the National Capital-Eyes Goalball team for a number of years, Peter has an interesting story to tell about how he was selected to represent Canada at this summer’s Paralympic Games in Atlanta. Borrowed by the P.E.I. team for the Canadian championships, Peter was named to the second team of the national program. He also helped the National Capital-Eyes win a bronze medal at the P.E.I. tournament.
VOLLEYBALL – Rob Janson, Ottawa – One of the most highly recruited local high school volleyball players, Rob has gained valuable experience playing for both the Ontario and Canadian B teams. He helped Brookfield win the Ottawa and Ottawa-Carleton high school senior boys’ titles and reach the Ontario championship semifinals.
WATER POLO – Waneek Horn-Miller, Ottawa – The female athlete of the year at Carleton University, she captained the Ravens to the Ontario Women’s Interuniversity Athletic Association championship. Waneek also was the OWIAA playoff most valuable player and was named to the all-star team. She was a member of Canada’s team which placed fifth at the first world junior championship and has been selected to the national senior team. She was an all-star at both the national junior and senior championships.
WATER SKIING – Dan Anderson, Greely – Ranked No. 1 in Canada for the men’s 35-44 age class, Dan won the gold medal in slalom and at the national championships. At the Eastern Canadian championships he was second in the slalom. He also won numerous other tournaments.
WEIGHTLIFTING – Marc Leblanc, Gloucester – Marc won the men’s super heavyweight title at the Canadian weightlifting championships and set two records along the way. He also swept the medals at the Ontario championship.
WRESTLING – Adam Ritchie, Kars – While competing for the National Capital Wrestling Club, Adam won the Ontario cadet championship and the Ontario Winter Games titles in the 77-kilogram class. He was also second in the Canadian cadet championships.
WHEELCHAIR SPORTS – Kirby Kranabetter, Ottawa – Kirby represented Canada at the first world wheelchair rugby championships and was part of the silver medal winning team. At the Canadian championships, where Ontario was forth for the second straight year, Kirby was named to the all-star team.
EMBRUN PLUMBING SUPPLY BEAVERS – Mens Broomball – This highly successful broomball team just kept rolling along, winning its fifth consecutive national title, the provincial crown for the 10th time in a row, and its ninth straight regional championship.
GLOUCESTER RANGERS – Junior Hockey – Despite finishing third in the Central Junior Hockey League, Gloucester Rangers played host to the Centennial Cup national junior A championship and won the silver medal. The Rangers placed second in the round robin and lost in overtime to Calgary in the final.
ORLEANS SENIOR ‘A’ RED SOX – Little League Baseball – After winning the district and provincial baseball championships, Orleans captured the Canadian title on the field, but list it in the boardroom because it used an ineligible player but were later named honorary national champions. The record was 40-3.
OTTAWA SHOOTERS – Wheelchair Basketball – The Ontario-Quebec Wheelchair Basketball League pennant winners won the playoffs and went on to capture the national championship with an exciting double overtime win against British Columbia.
OTTAWA SOONERS – Junior Football – Despite losing their first three games, the Sooners roared back to win the Ontario Football Conference junior championship, becoming Eastern Canadian Champs, and went to the Canadian final, where they lost in Regina to the Regina Rams.
ST. MATTHEW HIGH SCHOOL TIGERS – Senior Boys Basketball – Winners of seven tournaments and owners of a 49-7 win-loss record, the Tigers won the Ontario all-Catholic championship and finished fourth at the Alhambra Catholic invitational tournament, which is considered the North American championships.