ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Jeff Bean
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Doug MacQuarrie
ALPINE SKIING – Patrick Biggs, Gloucester – The Ontario Ski Team member enjoyed a career year on the national ski slopes. Not only did Patrick win the overall Eastern championship on the GMC Pontiac Cup circuit, he also placed second overall in the national standings. The Dartmouth College freshman finished last season with seven podium results, including two victories
ARCHERY – Mandy Wicks, Mountain – Whether it was indoor or outdoor, Mandy was right on target. In the cub recurve category for 13-year-old girls, Mandy set a national indoor record with her score. At the Canadian outdoor championships, she finished second in her recurve age group .
BADMINTON – Andrew Dabeka, Ottawa – Ranked a career high 53rd in world men’s singles last year, Andrew was the silver medallist at the Canadian badminton championships. A former two-time national champion, Andrew continued to train in Copenhagen, Denmark and played regularly in top international competitions. He was in 15 international tournaments in 2002, reaching the round of 16 in the Dutch and French opens.
BALL HOCKEY – Ryan Nichol, Ottawa – Playing for the Moscow Selects Juniors, Ryan was the most valuable player in the Greater Ottawa Ball Hockey League. He had 31 goals and 69 points in 18 regular season games as the undefeated Selects won 19 games and tied one. At the North American championships, Ryan let the Selects to the quarter-finals, scored seven goals in four games, and was named to the first all-star team .
BASEBALL – Adrian Brochu, Ottawa – Adrian had a summer to remember for the Gloucester Athletics major Little League Baseball team. He won two games at the Canadian championship as the Athletics reached the final. Adrian, who has a 70-mile-an-hour fastball, also led the Athletics to the district and Ontario championships. He averaged almost two strikeouts an inning for the season. As a batter, he had a .597 average.
BASKETBALL – Josh Poirier, Ottawa – The six-foot, five-inch forward for the Carleton University Ravens played a vital role in a 20-4 season, which suddenly ended with a loss to York University Yeomen in the Ontario University Athletics East division final. Josh was named to the OUA East second all-star team. He also was invited by Basketball Canada to a regional tryout camp and was named to the national development team .
BIATHLON – Robin Clegg, Ottawa – Despite struggling through his first six World Cup races, Robin persevered and finished 31st in a 20-kilometre individual race in Italy. He qualified for his first Winter Olympics at the 2002 Games in Salt Lake City, he was 28th in the individual race, 42nd in the pursuit and 43rd in the sprint. He finished his season with a relay gold medal and bronzes in the mass start and sprint at the Canadian championships.
BOWLING (5 PIN) – Marc Goneau, Ottawa – Marc averaged 280 on the demanding Master Bowlers Tour of Ontario and placed second in the overall standings. He started the season by winning the Espanola Open in Northern Ontario, finished third in the CBC TV tournament after capturing the Ontario qualifying tournament, won the men’s team title at the Ontario masters championship and placed 20th in singles at the Ontario championships.
BOWLING (10 PIN) – Aaron Guertin, Orleans – Two perfect games of 300 were a major part of Aaron’s list of achievements for 2002. Aaron recorded the highest league average ever in Ottawa, finishing his season at a phenomenal 228. At the Canadian 10-Pin Federation tournament, he finished second with a 238 average for 20 games. He won two singles tournaments in Québec and two doubles tournaments in the U.S. with Ottawa’s Dave Wiskowsky .
BOXING – Samir Louati, Nepean – A member of Ottawa’s Beaver Boxing Club, Samir compiled his best season on record. He won the Ontario intermediate 60-kilogram class and finished with the silver medal at the Canadian championships. Samir also was voted the best intermediate boxer at the Brampton Cup after winning his category. At the Ontario Winter Games, he won his class and a berth in the recent Canada Games, where he won the gold medal.
BROOMBALL – Jamie Dewar, Arnprior – At the Canadian senior men’s broomball championships, Jamie did it all, except for winning the gold medal. As a pickup player from the Ottawa Nationals, Jamie led Corkery to the men’s senior final, was given the Mr. Broomball award, was his team’s most valuable player, and was selected a first-team all star. Jamie also won a bronze medal at the world broomball tournament.
CROSS COUNTRY SKIING – Colleen Mortimer, Gloucester – Last summer Colleen was named to Junior Team 2010 by Cross Country Canada. She won a silver medal in the 10-kilometre classic and was ninth in the sprints in the women’s junior class at the national championships. She also played a vital role in the Nakkertok Ski Club finishing second in the team standings. At the world junior nordic championships, she was 23rd in the sprint race.
CURLING – John Morris, Ottawa. Craig Savill, Kanata – John came within one victory of qualifying for his first world men’s curling championship. John’s rink, which included Craig Savill, lost the national championship to Alberta in Calgary. They qualified for the nationals by winning the Ontario championship .
CYCLING – Julie Hutsebaut, Hull – At the Canadian cycling championships, Julie scored three top-12 results. Not only did she finish fifth in the criterium, but also she was ninth in the individual time trial and 12th in the road race. Julie raced internationally and had results ranging from 40th to 52nd.
DIVING – Erika Malmberg, Manotick – At the Ontario diving championships, Erika won a silver medal on the one-metre springboard in the girls’ 16-18 age class. She also was fourth on the 3-metre and seventh on the 10-metre platform. In the women’s division, Erika had three top-six results. She also was 11th on the 3-metre springboard at the Canadian junior championships and represented Canada at the Canada-USA Challenge, placing sixth in the one-and 10-metre events.
EQUESTRIAN – Amy Mcllwham, Orleans – An up-coming athlete in dressage, Amy was a member of the Canadian junior team at the Cup of the Americas in Blainville, Québec. Amy was a winner of the international junior team, individual and freestyle gold medals, as well as the recipient of the team and individual gold medals at the Cup of the Americas.
FASTBALL – Genevieve Walkden, Ottawa – A co-captain and co-founder of the University of Ottawa women’s fastball team, Genevieve is a fierce competitor in the outfield and in the batter’s box. In 18 games with U. of O., she had a .542 batting average, scored 23 runs, had 14 RBIs and 50 stolen bases. She also helped the Brampton junior under-23 team win the Ontario and Canadian titles and was the top batter for the second straight year at the provincials.
FENCING – Kyle Girard, Ottawa – Kyle finished his fencing career at Carleton University on top of the sabre standings. He was the Ontario University Athletics individual men’s sabre fencing champion and was one of four Ravens to share the team gold medal, which helped Carleton place third in the overall standings. By earning a top 10 overall individual ranking, he was named an OUA all-star.
FIELD HOCKEY – Shankar Premakanthan, Ottawa – The Outaouais Field Hockey Club goalkeeper returns to the field hockey spotlight, but this time as a senior athlete. Shankar was in goal for Canada when it won the Pan Am Indoor Cup last March and qualified for the inaugural Indoor World Cup in Germany, where Canada placed sixth.
FIGURE SKATING – Shawn Sawyer, Ottawa – For the second time in two years, Shawn won a men’s singles title at the Canadian figure skating championships. This time he won gold in the junior men’s class. Shawn, who trains at the Minto Skating Club but represents the Edmundston Figure Skating Club in New Brunswick, also won an international Skating Union Grand Prix competition in Belgrade, and was the fifth in the Grand Prix final. He also was 11th at the world junior championships.
FOOTBALL – Eddie Berube, Ottawa – Eddie played an important role in taking the Ottawa Sooners to an undefeated 11-0 season and their second straight Manson Cup in the Québec Major Junior Football League. He rushed for 731 yards on 124 carries and had nine touchdowns. A team captain, Eddie was selected a league all-star at running back and was the Sooners’ most valuable player.
FREESTYLE SKIING – Jeff Bean, Ottawa – At the 2002 Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City. Utah, Jeff came within a fraction of a point of winning the bronze medal in men’s aerials. While he finished fourth at the Olympics, Jeff did earn medals on the World Cup circuit. His best results were second- third- and fifth-place finishes, which left him fourth overall on the international circuit.
GOLF – Lee Curry, Kemptville – Once again, Lee dominated the Québec Golf Association amateur scene by winning the Alexander of Tunis and Duke of Kent tournaments and placing second in the Québec amateur. He was the low qualifier for the Canadian amateur championship and represented Canada at the world amateur and British amateur championships. Lee also reached the match-play rounds of the United States amateur.
GYMNASTICS (Artistic) – Heather Purnell, Metcalfe – Heather proved she is one of Canada’s top senior high performance gymnasts by placing second at the national championships last May and then winning the Elite Canada meet in December. At the Commonwealth Games, she won a bronze medal in team and was fifth all-around. Heather was ninth all-around, third on floor and fourth in team at the Pacific Alliance championships in Burnaby, B.C.
HOCKEY – Brendan Bell, Ottawa – Brendan attended the Canadian junior development camp last summer and was named to the national squad, which won the silver medal at the world championship After being assistant captain of the Ottawa 67’s last season, he was selected captain for the start of this season. The 2001 Toronto Maple Leaf draft pick is involved with the 67’s Champions for Education Program .
JUDO – Catherine Biggs, Nepean – Catherine found her way to the medal podium in a variety of competitions. Competing In the women’s under-52-kiiogram class, she won the Ontario senior women’s title, and as bronze medallist at the Ontario and Québec junior open tournaments. At the Canadian junior championships, Catherine placed fifth .
KARATE – Marc Monsour, Ottawa – At the world karate championships in Pisa. Italy. Marc stood on the medal podium twice, winning gold in fighting and bronze in kata. He qualified for the worlds by winning both fighting and kata golds at the Canadian championships. During the Ontario Grand Nationals in London, he earned gold in fighting and silver in kata.
KAYAKING – Rhys Hill, Ottawa – A member of the Ontario paddling team, Rhys was a double gold medallist at the Canadian championships. Competing in a kayak singles boat, Rhys won the boys’ midget 1,000- and 6,000-metre finals. He also was the Ontario K-1, 1000-metre champion.
LACROSSE – Brad Conlon, Evan Sarazen, Nepean – As members of the Nepean Knights Junior B lacrosse team, Brad and Evan were selected from about 200 players to represent Canada at the world under-19 field lacrosse championships this summer in Baltimore. Brad, a goaltender, and Evan, a defenceman, helped Nepean finish third in the Ontario Junior B Lacrosse League Far East division with an 8-13-1 record.
ORIENTEERING – Cherie Mahoney, Ottawa – During a week-long orienteering festival, Cherie struck for two important elite women’s medals. She won a long course race at the Canadian championships as well as adding a fourth in a short-course test. During the Asia-Pacific championships, the Ontario champion collected a silver medal.
RINGETTE – Barb Bautista, Jodi Jensen, Ottawa – Barb and Jodi had parallel perfect seasons in 2002. Besides helping the Gloucester AA team win Ontario and Canadian championships, they also made the national team and were instrumental in leading Canada to the gold medal at the world championships in November. Jodi scored the winning goal in overtime during the Canadian gold-medal game, and had an assist in the world championship final.
ROAD RACING – Joseph Nsengtyumv, Ottawa – Whether it was a mile, half marathon or distances in between, the Ottawa Lions Track and Field Club distance runner usually found a way to be at or near the front of the pack. Joseph won the Great Canadian Bagel Canada Running Series Grand Prix 10-K race, a 10-K race in Québec City, and a high-class eight-K test in Toronto. In two half marathons, he was second in St. Catharines and third In Niagara Falls.
ROWING – John Muir, Ottawa – Competing for the Ottawa Rowing Club, John had an outstanding meet at the Canada Cup in Montreal by winning gold medals in five finals He helped his club finish first in men’s doubles, men’s quad, men’s eights, men’s fours and men’s eights dash. At the Royal Canadian Henley Regatta in St Catharines, John was second in men’s eights, third in men’s doubles and fifth in singles.
RUGBY – Mark Wilson, Ottawa – A member of the Ottawa Harlequins of the Rugby Canada Super League, Mark was the only player from his team on the East Division team at the league’s all-star game in Calgary. At the club’s season-ending banquet, Mark was named the Harlequins most improved player .
SAILING – Adrian Carpenter, Ottawa – A member of the Canadian youth sailing team last year, Adrian won the silver medal in the 29er class at the national championships in Gimli, Manitoba. He achieved his result with second-year partner Louis Bougie-Bastien of Montréal. At the Canadian championships, they had two firsts, one second and two third-place finishes in 12 races and lost the gold medal by a single point.
SHOOTING – Wayne Salhany, Limoges – At the Commonwealth Games, Wayne helped Canada finish fourth in the free pistol team and seventh in the air pistol team competitions. Besides competing at the world championships and in World Cup meets, he also was second in individual free pistol and third in individual air pistol competitions at the Québec championships .
SKI JUMPING – Gus Ramonat, Gloucester – Competing in the eight-to 10-year-old category, Gus placed second in his age group at the Empire State Games In Lake Placid, where he also had a top-three result at the Lions Club meet. Gus also was the top overall jumper at the Ottawa invitational. During a United States Olympic qualifier, he showed his diversity by finishing second in nordic combined for his age group
SNOWBOARDING – Amy Vaillancourt, Wakefield – Amy wore Canadian colours at the world junior snowboarding championships in Finland, where she placed eighth in half-pipe and 15th in snowboardcross. During the Canadian junior championships, she won the half-pipe title and was fifth in snowboardcross. The Québec champion also had three top-10 results in Nor-Am Cup meets, including a second in half-pipe.
SOCCER – Rich Furano, Gloucester – Rich was named player of the game as Algonquin College Thunder won the Canadian College Athletic Association men’s soccer title, He was selected to the championship all-star team and was earlier named to the All-Canadian squad. His strong work ethic allowed turn to be an Ontario College Athletic Association all-star for the second straight year. He scored the winning goal in the provincial final, a 3-0 decision over Seneca.
SPEEDSKATING (long track) – Kristina Groves, Ottawa – In her Olympic debut at the 2002 Winter Games in Salt Lake City, Utah, Kristina finished eighth in the women’s 3,000 metres and 10th in the 5,000 metres. During a World Cup stop in the Netherlands, she was seventh over 5,000 metres, and ninth in both the 1,000- and 3,000-metre races. Kristina won the overall Continental Cup title in North America, and was 16th overall at the world championships.
SPEEDSKATING (short track) – Andrew Lahey, Ottawa – Andrew suffered through a season of injuries, which threatened his career. But he managed to bring home bronze medals from the Canadian Open in the men’s 777-metre pursuit at the short-track speed skating championships in Montreal and a World Cup 3,000-metre race in Norway.
SQUASH – Robin Clarke, Kanata – The International junior squash world now knows the name Robin Clarke. After winning three international medals, Robin reached the plate consolation singles final at the world junior championships and helped Canada finish an impressive eighth in the team competition. The under-19 Canadian Junior runner-up won the Scottish Open and was second at the Dutch Open and Pioneer Cup in Germany in the under-17 class.
SWIMMING – Amanda Gillespie, Ottawa – Amanda took a giant step in her career in 2002 by competing for Canada at the Pan Pacific championships in the backstroke. At the summer senior national championships, she won a bronze medal in the 200-metre backstroke as a junior and was fourth in the 100-metre backstroke. She’ll attend Arizona State University on a full athletic scholarship in September.
SYNCHRONIZED SWIMMING – Liza Walker Byron, Ottawa – At the Ontario synchronized swimming championships, Liza was one of the hits of the girls’ 12-14 age group. Not only did she earn a gold medal in team with her Gloucester Synchro Club teammates, but also she won silver medals in figures and duet with Josee Lalonde. Liza also picked up two medals at the Ontario Winter Games, a gold in team and a bronze in figures.
TABLE TENNIS – Bence Csaba, Ottawa – Bence made a major impact on the international junior table tennis scene by winning the U.S. Open title and playing in the World Junior Circuit final tournament. At the North American championships, he was the boys’ junior champion and the men’s doubles winner. Besides winning six under-17 and under-19 Canadian junior titles in singles, doubles and team, he excelled at the senior national championships, by taking the senior men’s and under-21 singles crowns
TAEKWONDO – David Marshall, Nepean – Competing in the welterweight class, David won four championships, including the Ontario title. He competed in six provincial circuit meets in Toronto and Sarnia, scoring one gold and five silver medals to capture the overall crown. He also won the Ottawa championship
TENNIS – Laura Pola, Nepean – Laura was ranked No. 1 in Ontario in the girls’ under-12 singles division, after winning the provincial indoor and outdoor championships. She also won the ACE tournament, qualified to attend a national talent identification camp, and played in the Canadian under-14 outdoor championships. She also represented Canada at tournaments in the United States and France.
TOUCH FOOTBALL – Rod Moors, Kanata – Rod celebrated a perfect season as quarterback of the Ottawa-Nepean Canadians touch football team. By going 50-0, he directed Ottawa-Nepean to Canadian, Ontario and Ottawa championships. Rod also helped the Canadians Win all five tournaments on the Ontario Trillium Tour and averaged six touchdown passes a game.
TRACK & FIELD – Sean Kaley, Ottawa – One of Canada’s top long-distance runners, Sean was ranked first in the nation In the 5,000 metres and second in the 10,000 metres. At the Commonwealth Games, he finished a strong seventh in both of his specialties. During the Canadian senior track and field championships. Sean was the men’s 5,000-metre champion.
TRAP & SKEET – Linda Conley, Sittsville – Linda came within two targets of winning the bronze medal in women’s skeet shooting at the Commonwealth Games, and settled for fourth place. She reached the Games by winning two national team trials and was third overall while competing against men in one trial meet. Linda also won a bronze medal at the Miami Cup
TRIATHLON – Sharon Donnelly, Ottawa – Sharon capped her season by placing eighth at the world triathlon championships, which allowed her to become a federally funded athlete for the first time in her long and accomplished career. She won the Victoria International Triathlon, which qualified her for the Commonwealth Games, where she finished fifth. Sharon also was eighth at the Corner Brook International Triathlon in Newfoundland .
VISUALLY CHALLENGED – Jeff Christy, Ottawa – A member of the Ontario All Blacks, Jeff played an instrumental role in leading his provincial team to a sixth straight Canadian men’s championship in goalball. At the world championship, he was on the roster as Canada finished in sixth place. He also picked up a gold medal at the Montreal Invitational tournament, which is considered the unofficial North American championship.
VOLLEYBALL – Katherine Zakrzewska, Ottawa – Katherine was recognized as an Ontario University Athletics first-team all-star and a first-team All Canadian for her play with the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees women’s indoor volleyball team. A national team member, she was ranked in the top five in Canada in points scored and kills. Katherine also represented Canada while playing international volleyball in Spain.
WATER POLO – Jackie Brunetta, Ottawa – A third-year player on the Carleton University Ravens women’s water polo team, Jackie was one of the top scorers in the Ontario University Athletics league. She capped her season by earning a spot on the OUA all-star team .
WATERSKIING – Kim Hall, Manotick – One of the best in open women’s barefoot water skiing, Kim earned silver medals at the Canadian championships in both the trick and slalom competitions. At the Eastern Canadian championships, she earned gold in trick and silver in slalom. Kim qualified for the world championships, where she had two top-12 results.
WHEELCHAIR SPORTS – Linda Kutrowski. Ottawa – Linda played an instrumental role as Canada celebrated its third straight Gold Cup world championship. She has been a member of all three world championship teams as well as three Paralympic gold medal-winning teams. Linda also helped Canada reach the worlds by placing second at the Qualification of the Americas tournament, and earned another silver medal at the final playing for the Ottawa Jazz
WRESTLING – Tyler Marghetis, Nepean – Competing for Concordia University. Tyler won Quebec and Atlantic university championships in the men’s under-76-kilogram class and followed by placing second at the Canadian Interuniversity Sport championships. The All Canadian also won the Ontario junior title at 69 kilograms and was third at the national junior championships.
Algonquin Thunder Mens’ Soccer – The undefeated Algonquin College Thunder capped a perfect season by winning their first national championship. After winning the east division pennant of the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association with 11 wins and 2 ties, the Thunder captured two games for the provincial championship and followed with three victories for the Canadian title. The Thunder placed three players on the Canadian championship all-tournament team.
Ashbury College Colts Senior Girls’ Rugby – Ashbury capped a perfect 15-0 season by winning the school’s first Ontario high school girls’ rugby championship. In the provincial final, seventh-ranked Ashbury upset defending champion Barrie Central 14-5. The Colts defeated St Pius for the National Capital Secondary School Athletic Association championship. Ashbury drew its team from less than 200 girls, while the Barrie school has more than 700.
Gloucester Athletics Little League Baseball – The Athletics came within one win of being the first Ottawa team to advance to the Little League World Series for boys 11 and 12 years old in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. After winning the Ottawa District title and capturing 5 of 6 games for the Ontario championship, they reached the Canadian championship. At the nationals, the Athletics made the final, but lost to Regina, a team they beat in the round-robin.
Gloucester Open AA Ringette Team – The Gloucester Open AA Ringette team had a very successful year winning both the Ontario Provincial championship in March and the Canadian championship in April in Regina winning over Alberta 4-3 in overtime. They placed Jodi Jensen and Barb Bautista on the National team.
Ottawa Nepean Canadians Touch Football – Ranked as the No. 1 team in the world by Flag magazine for touch and flag football, the Ottawa Nepean Canadians had a perfect season at 51-0. Not only did they win the Ottawa Nepean Touch Football League and the Ontario men’s elite championships, but also they captured their first Canadian title. The Canadians also had eight players invited to play for Canada’s flag team.
Ottawa Rowing Club men’s heavyweight fours – Rowing Canada named Craig Law, Kevin Burt, Arden Beddoes, Wes Piermarini and spare John Muir as its crew of the year. They won the Royal Canadian Henley Regatta men’s fours final and were part of the Ottawa Rowing Club’s men’s eights boat, which won a silver medal. At the Canada Cup they won gold medals in men’s fours, eights and eights dash.
Ottawa Sooners Junior Football – The Sooners compiled a perfect 11-0 record and won their third Quebec Major Junior Football League championship in six years. Their offence scored 358 points, while the defence only allowed 58 points. The Sooners had 8 players selected to the Quebec league all-star team.
South Nepean United Ladies Indoor Soccer – At the Ontario Indoor Cup for girls’ under-17, the South Nepean United Strikers soccer team avenged a round-robin loss and shut out Oakville Angels 1-0 in the final to win the provincial title The Strikers also captured the East Region Soccer League combined girls’ under-16 and under-1 7 championship as well as the under-19 Indoor Coliseum League title.