ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Anna Fraser
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
John Chiarelli
ALPINE SKIING – Mike Tommy – In a season where DNFs (did not finish) were almost equal to race completions, Mike’s highlights came at the front and back of the 1985-86 season. In a period of seven days, Mike won three North American Ski Trophy Series men’s slalom races in December, which helped him capture the overall title for the discipline three months later.
BADMINTON – Suneetha Khare – Ranked seventh in Canada in the senior women’s class, Suneetha travelled extensively in Europe and Japan. Suneetha scored a major result at the Swiss Open, reaching the final before losing in a close two-game match to a Swedish opponent.
BALL HOCKEY – Yvan Breton – A talented player, Yvan led the Laroche Park Senators of the Ottawa-Carleton Ball Hockey League to a silver medal at the Canadian championships and a gold medal at the provincial tournament. In each case, Yvan was selected to the all-star team. During the Senators’ regular season, Yvan was the league’s top scorer, too forward and most valuable player.
BASEBALL – Mike Read – Recognized as one of the best 11-year-old pitchers in Canada, Mike helped the Pinecrest majors win the district and Ontario Little League Baseball championships and earn a spot in the final of the Canadian tournament. Mike threw a no-hitter against Toronto Erindale at the Ontario championship, and won two games and hit a three-run home run in the nationals.
BASKETBALL – Janet Swords – Whenever Janet handled the ball, she had the golden touch as a point guard. Janet helped Ontario win its fifth consecutive Canadian premier women’s title, took McGill to the Quebec women’s title and brought McGill to seventh place at the Canadian university tournament. “Janet was the best player at the Canadian premier championship, but she wasn’t voted to the all-star team.” Ontario Amateur Basketball Association executive director Peter Montopoli said. Janet, however, was an all-star and rookie of the year in the Quebec league.
BIATHLON – Lise Meloche – Unlike other Winter Olympic athletes who are pointing to the Calgary Games in 1988. Lise will only be able to watch since there is no women’s division in the cross-country ski and shooting sport. If the women were part of the Olympics, she’d be a strong medal candidate, after ranking third on the tough Europa Cup Circuit. The Canadian champion won two silver and two bronze medals in Europe.
BOARD SAILING – Caroll Ann Alie – The 1986 ACT athlete of the year was again strong on the international circuit, winning division II races in Florida and Italy and placing fifth in the world championships. Caroll Ann also won the gold medal at the Canadian championship. When it comes to the Pan American Games in August, Caroll Ann will be there.
BOBSLEIGH – Francois Payer – At the world championships in Konigssee, West Germany, Payer was a member of the four-man sled that placed ninth and was 15th in the two-man competition. Francois also was 10th in a World Cup four-man competition in St. Moritz.
BOWLING – Christine Danis – A gold medal was part of Christine’s rewards in UC86 as she was a member of the five-player Ontario team that won at the Canadian Masters Bowlers Association finals.
BOXING – Jay Glynn – The national B team member won the Ontario light heavyweight championship, but lost a pair of matches to Alberta’s Brent Kosoloski in the Canadian final and the subsequent challenge box-off for national team selection. Internationally, Jay won a Silver medal at the meet in Greece and a bronze in Holland.
BROOMBALL – Linda McSorley – Putting the ball in the net is Linda’s specialty. In 18 games with the first-place Hayloft Broomers, Linda scored 31 goals and took her team to an undefeated season in the R.A. Broomball League.
CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING – Lorna Sasseville – Despite coming into the sport late, Lorne, 26, was a double silver medallist at the Canadian Senior championships who had encouraging results for a relative newcomer at the World Cup level. Her best individual accomplishment was a 27th in a World Cup sprint tree technique race in Labrador City and helped Canada to two fifths in World Cup relays in North America.
CURLING – Dave Van Dine, Dawn Venture, Hugh Millikin and Cindy Wiggins – After winning the Ontario mixed title at the Ottawa Curling Club, the Van Dine rink took Kamloops by storm, capturing its first national Championship.
CYCLING – Senta Bauermeister – A successful switch to track cycling from the road brought Senta a berth on the Canadian team, a national championship in individual pursuit and a starting number at the world championships, where she placed eighth in Colorado Springs, Colo.
DIVING – Ann-Marie Beavis – One of Canada’s top-ranked divers, Anne-Marie proved herself on the international level winning a gold at the West German Open and a bronze at Belgrad-Yugoslavian internationals. She is the Ontario 3-metre champion and is ranked fourth on the same board nationally.
FENCING – Michel Dessureault – For the third straight year and fourth since 1979, Michel is being honored by the ACT. Michel led Canada to a medal sweep in the epee division with a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games. He also placed 11th in the World Cup and 24th at the world Championships in his strongest weapon.
FIGURE SKATING – Elizabeth Manley – Despite losing her Canadian senior women’s singles title to Tracey Wainman, Elizabeth rebounded to place fifth at the world championships in Geneva on the strength of a third-place showing in the freeskating final. In the fall, Elizabeth won the St. Ivel international in England and Skate Canada in Regina.
FOOTBALL – Mark Brown – There was a lot of daylight and some tough slugging for Mark, but he managed to set an Ontario-Quebec Interuniversity Football Conference rushing record with 1,028 yards. The Carleton Ravens’ running back was named the top player in the O-QIFC and nominated as the top college player in Canada.
FREESTYLE SKIING – Anna Fraser – Being on top of the world was Anna’s claim to fame, winning the World Cup women’s aerials championship at the final competition in Voss, Norway. Anna collected 10 World Cup medals in UC86, including aerials triumphs in Lake Placid, N.Y., Mariazelle, Austria (two), and Voss. Anna, the Canadian senior women’s champion also captured the silver medal in combined at the first world championships.
GOLF – Jeff Buder – A second-place showing in the Alexander of Tunis tournament helped Jeff qualify for the Quebec Willingdon Cup team, which competed at the Canadian championships. Jeff was the first player from the Ottawa Valley to make the team. The Austin Peay State University student, who made all-state and all-conference teams, also won a district qualifying tournament in Syracuse, but couldn’t get through the tough regional event to play in the United States amateur championship.
GYMNASTICS – Greg Thomas – A first in vault and a second in the floor exercise were Greg’s best results at the Canadian junior gymnastics championships in Chicoutimi. The University of Wisconsin student placed fourth overall.
HANDICAP (BLIND) – Dave Smith – Despite a knee injury, Dave finished eighth in the 5,000 metres final at the world track and field championships for the blind in Sweden and also reached the semifinal round of the 800 and 1,500 metres. Dave is the only national team member from Ottawa.
HANDICAP (WHEELCHAIR) – Denis Lapalme – A member of the national basketball team, Denis helped Canada win silver medals at both the Gold Cup in Melbourne, Australia and the Pan Am Games in Puerto Rico.
HOCKEY – Luc Robitaille – Voted the player of the year in the Canadian Major Junior Hockey League, Luc was one of the key figures in Hull Olympiques winning their first Quebec Major Junior Hockey League championship and reaching the Memorial Cup final. Individually, Luc tied for the QMJHL lead in points with teammate Guy Rouleau at 191.
JUDO – Karen Sheffield-Heney – Few athletes have been as dominant as Karen, winning her 10th Canadian championship in the under-56-kilogram class. She picked up a bronze medal at the Pan Am championships and placed in the top half of the standings at the world championships.
LACROSSE – Doug Forsyth – As most valuable player at the Ontario championships, Doug helped Ottawa reclaim the provincial II field lacrosse title. Doug plays the attack position and hopes to lead his team to a medal at the Canadian championships in the fall.
LAWN BOWLING – Eileen Wellard, Edna Young, Bernice Farmer – Eileen, Edna and Bernice captured the Ontario filly championship.
LUGE – Chris Wightman – The Canadian championship silver medallist hit a high note in his short career on the small sled and icy tracks, when he qualified for the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary. Chris placed 36th out of 190 competitors in the overall World Cup standings.
MODERN PENTATHLON – Lawrence Keyte – For the seventh time since 1979, Lawrence has received an ACT dinner invitation. Lawrence was the Ontario open and Canadian Champion and also attended the world championships.
ORIENTEERING – Magali Robert – The best in Canada is now becoming one of the best in the world. Magali won her second straight Canadian elite women’s orienteering championship as well as the Quebec title. On the World Cup scene, she ran through European woods and collected points in all three of her races.
PADDLING – Renn Crichlow – Although he was busy at the Canadian championships, with four gold and two silver medals in the juvenile, junior and senior divisions, Renn was named to the team for the world senior championships. At the Commonwealth Cup regatta, he was a silver medallist in K-2 1000 metres. Renn, a paddler with a bright future, picked up nine medals, including five gold, in three junior regattas in England and France.
RINGETTE – Judy Backes – As a centre for the Gloucester Belles team. Judy participated in a tournament victory in Waterloo and reached the finals of the provincial championship and a tournament in Dollard Des Ormeaux.
ROWING – Gunther Krausbar – The Ontario champion placed third in the senior heavyweight single sculls at the Canadian Henley regatta in St. Catharines.
RUGBY – Steve Gray – The captain Of the Ottawa Beavers represented Eastern Ontario and Ontario in national and international competitions. Steve became the first local high school athlete (Canterbury) to earn a spot on the national team. While wearing national team colors, Steve played against Japan and toured in France and Ireland in ’86.
SAILING – Stephane Poirier-Defoy, Marc Robin – Competing in the 470 Olympic class, Stephane and Marc were third at the Canadian Championships, and fifth overall but second among Canadians during CORK Week. At the Kiel Week Competition in West Germany, they were in the top half at 57th out of 180 competitors. This is the fourth straight year Stephane and Marc have represented sailing at the dinner.
SHOOTING – Alain Marion – The Commonwealth Games was his major Competition and he was right on target with a gold medal in the team competition with partner Bill Baldwin and a silver in the individual class. At the DCRA, Alain was second in both the open and closed competitions in heavy caliber rifle.
SKI JUMPING – Horst Bulau – After several trying seasons, Horst had a year of improvement and confidence building, scoring World Cup points 11 times with top 15 placings. A former regular medal winner on the talent-laden World Cup Circuit, Horst came close to stepping onto the podium last season with three fourths – Thunder Bay, St. Moritz, and Lahti – in his specialty, the 70-metre jump. Bulau, a two-time ACT athlete of the year has been invited to the dinner nine times
SNOOKER – Steve Bourada – The No.1-ranked player by the National Capital Snooker Players’ Association won the National Capital snooker championship and the Aylmer winter carnival tournament, was runner-up at the Eastern Ontario Championship, and third in the Gilles Proulx tournament.
SOCCER – Lyndon Hooper – While playing mid field for the Blizzard in Toronto, Lyndon helped his club win the Canada amateur and semi-pro titles. The national team member travelled to Singapore for a five-game exhibition series, scoring one goal. Lyndon also was drafted by the National Capital Pioneers of the Canadian Soccer League.
SOFTBALL – Bob Storring – At the Ontario Championships, Storring was virtually untouchable as Ottawa Turpin Pontiacs won their first provincial senior men’s crown. Storring appeared in every game, scoring four wins and two saves and allowing only one earned run in 29 innings. At the Canadian championships, Storring had a 2-1 record as Turpin reached the playoff round.
SPEEDSKATING – Lisa Sablatash – The Ontario indoor and outdoor champion for intermediate women made the national B team after the outdoor team trials, but later elected the indoor version of the sport, after making the Canadian indoor team. At the North American indoor championships, Lisa was third overall.
SQUASH – Margo Green – Distinguished as the youngest player named to the Canadian women’s training squad at age 14, Margo was second in the girls’ under 16 class at the Canadian junior softball championships and was ranked No. 1 in the hardball class. Margo was ranked 17th among senior women.
SWIMMING – Kaili Salmon – The big breakthrough happened for Kaili – being named to the national swim team. Kaili was fifth and eighth in the 200 and 100 metre breaststrokes respectively at the Canadian winter championships – Commonwealth Games trials. At the Ontario A team championships, she had six firsts and one second. The Nepean Swim Club picked Kaili as its swimmer of the year.
SWIMMING – Kathy Bald – Although she made the national team, Kathy missed making the grade for the Commonwealth Games team by three one-hundredths of a second, when she placed fourth in the 100-metre breaststroke. The top three were named to the team. (TIE)
TABLE TENNIS – Than Mach – Canada’s No. 2 female player won gold medals in doubles at the English Open and the North American championships as well as the women ‘s team gold at the Canadian championship.
TENNIS – Jamie Laschinger – When it carne time to play his best, Jamie was there, winning both singles and doubles titles in the boys’ under-12 class at the Canadian and Eastern Canadian junior tennis championships.
TOUCH FOOTBALL – Ed Laverty – The Ottawa Senior Touch Football League named Ed its most valuable player for ’86. As a team player, Ed helped the National Capital Bombers to the league’s senior division title. He also picked up various MVP honors at other tournaments.
TRACK AND FIELD – Ann Peel – The University of Toronto law student won her sixth Canadian outdoor title in seven years and broke her own Canadian 10-kilometre record twice, including a win at the Americas Cup.
TRIATHLON – J.P. Matte – J.P. completed in five Triathlons (swimming, running & cycling) in 1986 in which he had 3 wins, a second place and a third place. In 17 other competitions he placed never lower than third.
VOLLEYBALL – Leslie Irie – Recognized as the best setter in the country, Leslie was the backbone of the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees’ women’s team, taking it to the Ontario championship gold medal, Leslie was named All-Canadian, an all-star in the Ontario Women’s Interuniversity Athletic Association and Gee-Gees MVP and captain.
WATER POLO – France Bastien – A goalie with the Hull Water Polo Club, France was a Quebec all-star and was a member of the Canadian Women’s team at the world championships in Spain.
WEIGHTLIFTING – Gary Bridges – The Renfrew lifter, who trains with the Ottawa Trojans, won the 56-kilogram class at the Canadian junior championships.
WEIGHTLIFTING – Rick Haggar – At this time last year, Rick had a difficult time walking up to receive his award because of his sore knees. But it didn’t stop him from having his best-year ever. Rick set six personal bests and had medals at the Canadian championships (silver), Ontario championships (gold), and Canadian National Exhibition Open championships (first). (TIE)
WRESTLING – Jason Kirby The highlight of Jason’s season was placing second at the Canadian cadet (15-16) wrestling championships. Jason also was an Ottawa Valley high school champion.
Hull Olympiques – Quebec Major Junior Hockey League champions, Memorial Cup finalists. Coach: Pat Burns
Ottawa Sooners – Canadian junior football finalists. Coach: Bob St. George
Ottawa Trojans – Ontario Midget football champions. Coach: Mr. Weatherall
Pinecrest Little League Baseball Seniors – Ontario champions, Canadian finalists, Manager: Larry Vance, Coach: Glen Munro
Pinecrest Little League Baseball Majors – Ontario champions, Canadian finalists. Manager: Rick DesClouds, Coach: Don McGregor
Turpin Pontiacs – Ontario champions. Manager: John Chiarelli
Ottawa Lawn Bowling Club – Ontario filly champions
Dave Van Dine Curling Rink – Ontario and Canadian mixed champions