Cornish, Nunn, Oosterveld, Janzen named Gemini athletes of the year at annual banquet

Keona Cornish (left) is all smiles in accepting the Senior Female Athlete of the Year award from coach Brett Ferguson (right). (Jeff Tribe Photo)

Jeff Tribe, Post Correspondent

The best of the best from the Tillsonburg Gemini 2025/26 sports seasons were both recognized and celebrated on a very warm day inside Glendale’s Orr/O’Rourke gymnasium.

“Give all the kids credit,” said Gemini Athletic Director Shelby Colldock. “It’s not air-conditioned and there are no fans.

“They held it together pretty well.”

This year’s athletic banquet attracted 192 out of the 300 students who participated in Gemini individual or team sports this past school year. Colldock gave a huge shout-out to Emma Miners and the Gemini Athletic Council for planning, promoting, setting up, arranging the awards and tearing down the event. Colldock also added a word of appreciation to school administration who supported an in-school event inserted into a busy June calendar and also personally popped in to take in proceedings.

Although schools are first an academic institution, athletics play a strong role Colldock agreed.

“It’s what kids are going to remember,” she said. “And for some, it gives them the desire to want to attend school or the motivation to do well.”

This year’s major athletes of the year awards followed standard procedure, one winner picked from a group of nominees. However, for individual sports, coaches were given more latitude in selection, putting the choice for award categories of their own creation into their hands.

“To allow coaches who they wanted to honour and why,” said Colldock.

Additionally, sports with more participating students were given more awards, one per 10 roster members. For example, a curling team with six students could select one award winner, a football program with 30 was eligible for three.

Beginning at the senior level, Keona Cornish was selected as female athlete of the year from among a group including Lucie Panschow, Alex Jones and Vivian Suderman.

Cornish was one of the Gemini girls’ rugby team’s captains, qualified for Ontario Federation of Schools Athletics Association (OFSAA) provincial finals as a wrestler, was vice on the Gemini girls curling team and also made a return to the basketball court in answer to a shortage of players there.

“She went back and played,” credited Colldock.

Her impressive high school sports resume testifies to both dedication and hard work Colldock continued, association with community rugby coach Tony Hietkamp also influencing a career path toward firefighting. Beyond all that, Cornish balances intensity with a sense of humour.

“She’s hilarious.”

Liam Nunn received top honours from a group of male senior athletes including Nolan Janzen, Dorian Park-Thomas, Kypton Lofthouse and Landon Dodsley.

Centre and captain for the Gemini boys’ hockey team, Nunn also caught and played third for the baseball squad as well as volleyball and ultimate frisbee. As well as being a great athlete, Nunn is a member of the Glendale Best Buddies program, promoting full educational integration by being paired up with a student from the development program.

“It speaks to Liam’s character overall,” said Colldock. “He’s a phenomenal young man.”

Emily Oosterveld was selected as junior female athlete of the year from a group including Kate Bruder, Kate Panschow, Cadence DeFraga, Kailey Clark and Asha David.

The Grade 9 Oosterveld was a member of the wrestling, swimming and rugby programs.

“And outstanding in all three areas,” credited Colldock.

Always positive and looking to represent her school well, Oosterveld proved a solid teammate.

“Always bringing up her teammates.”

Terren Janzen took junior male athlete of the year honours from among a group featuring James Strahearn, Elliott Fletcher and Rudy Lofthouse.

A student athlete competing in football, hockey and as a soccer standout, Janzen is also a positive force on his teams says Colldock. He takes instruction well, learns from his mistakes and moves forward, she added.

“I look forward to seeing what he can do as he keeps growing.”

Tillsonburg Gemini 2025-26 Athletic Banquet

Fall Seasons

Junior Football: MVP, James Straethern.

Senior Football: MVP, Dorian Park-Thomas.

Tennis: Co-MVPS, Rylan Homick and Meesha Finck.

Girls Golf: MVP, Lainey West.

Boys Golf: MVP, Peyton Voth.

Junior Girls Basketball: MVP, Camryn Gundry.

Senior Girls Basketball: Heart, Hustle & Leadership, Sophia Silliker.

Junior Boys Volleyball: MVP, Stephen Aaroye

Senior Boys Volleyball: MVP, Ryder Hillner.

Winter Seasons

Wresting: Guts and Grit, Keona Cornish; Rookie of the Year, Emily Oosterveld.

Swimming: Best New Upstart, Keith Allen; All-Event Contributor, Shaylin McInnes.

Junior Boys Volleyball: Progress, James Straethern; Defensive Hustle, Cameron James.

Senior Boys Volleyball, Hoops, Jacob Mogg; Hustle & Spirit, Om Vyas.

Junior Girls Volleyball: Rookie of the Year, Belisa Ademi; Best Attitude, Lydia Yarmie; Spirit, Laila Bowman.

Senior Girls Volleyball: Heart of the Team, Cameron Kongishofer; MVP, Bridget Wall.

Boys Curling: Team Rock, Aaron Phillips; Most Improved, Sota Hamsira.

Girls Curling: Team Rock, Keona Cornish.

Girls Hockey: Most Outstanding Player, Asha David.

Spring Seasons

Girls Rugby: MVP, Keona Cornish; Rookie of the Year, Adianna Van Leeuwen; Dedication, Emmy Gray.

Boys Soccer: Rookie, Max Suderman; New to You, Landon Dodsley; Mr. D, Gavin Balazs.

Girls Soccer: MVP, Elysse Davis; Golden Shoe, Sophia Monsere.

Track and Field: MVP, Ethan Brown.

Baseball: Odin Ottaway, Homerun Hero.

Junior and Senior Badminton: MVP, Om Vyas; Lifetime Commitment, Liv Heleniak and Ryder Hillner; Full Coverage, Maiko Thammavongsa.

Junior Female 2024-25: Alex Jones (Jones, Misha Finck, Bridget Wall, Isabel Wilson, Sophia Monsere, Kennedy Vandendriessche).