High schools recognize athletic best of the best of the best

Clockwise, from top left, are St. Mary’s Warriors athletes of the Year: Kingston McPherson, Grade 12 Male; Hunter van den Akker, Grade 11 Male; Jakub Mazurkiewicz, Male Rookie; Melinda Jayasekera, Grade 10 Female; Joshua Morgan and Tristan Manalo, Grade 10 Male; Jillian Brearley and Oriana Belmonte, Grade 11 Female; and Aliyah and Leyah Anthony, Grade 12 Female. (Contributed photo)

Jeff Tribe, Echo Correspondent

The question “What do you do in your spare time?” was meant to be rhetorical.

In that sense, a student running cross country, playing basketball, hockey, swimming, softball and track might not have a whole lot of it.

“Get caught up on school,” smiled Woodstock CI Red Devils Grade 10 female athlete of the year Jillian Trepanier.

Oxford’s high schools honoured their best - and busiest - athletes from the previous school year as it came to a close. Following is a compilation of honourees who combine athletic excellence with their studies.

Woodstock CI Red Devils

Zack Molinaro took Grade 12 male honours for a year, including point guard on the basketball team, shortstop on the baseball team, setter on the volleyball team - and Thames Valley Regional Athletics (TVRA) All-Star appearances for each - as well as a Western Ontario Secondary Schools Athletics Association (WOSSAA) championship in senior boys’ javelin.

Molinaro was also one of three finalists for the TVRA SPECTRA Award and Scholarship, a prestigious board-wide program recognizing graduating students for sportsmanship, participation, excellence, character, teamwork, respect and achievement. Schools nominate one male and one female candidate based on a combination of high-level performance and character.

Molinaro, who is also Student Athletic Council president, combined athletic prowess with an 87 per cent academic average and 250 hours of community service, based on two years of coaching with the Oxford Attack basketball program. He plans on taking a gap year following graduation, a tactical decision to improve his positioning toward a hoped-for NCAA baseball scholarship.

Looking back over his high school career, an Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations (OFSAA) gold medal and OFSAA A basketball silver medal stand out amongst four highly productive and enjoyable years.

“It was probably all a highlight,” he said. “All four years, all the seasons we’ve had as a team.”

Addison Trepanier took Grade 12 female honours, playing basketball, finishing 14 milliseconds off an OFSAA swimming appearance in the 50-metre freestyle, qualifying for WOSSAA in shot put and discus for the first time, and finally, sharing in WOSSAA AA silver medals with the girls hockey team. Her high school hockey experience started on a roster without a goalie, finishing up in the regional championship game.

“It was kind of cool to see that much of a change in the four years,” said Trepanier of her seasonal highlight. “And the fact we were that close, even better.”

Eden Fraser was named Grade 11 female athlete of the year, with a busy season including playing post on the basketball team, defence on the hockey squad, third base and shortstop with the fastball team, girls doubles in badminton and finishing sixth at OFSAA in senior girls javelin, with a personal best throw in the 38-metre range.

“Hopefully 40 next year,” she said. “We’ll see.”

Ben Barlow was named male Grade 11 athlete, recognizing a year including soccer, boys doubles tennis and two seasons in his ‘happy place’, running, the 1,500, 3K and steeplechase during the track and field season, and a second-place WOSSAA finish in cross country and resultant OFSAA qualification.

“Don’t think a lot, just run,” said Barlow, who will have the opportunity to return in his Grade 12 year.

Aiden Silos also kept busy during his Grade 10 season as a basketball guard, left winger in hockey, boys doubles badminton player qualifying for WOSSAA, and opposite hitter for the WOSSAA AA championship junior boys volleyball team.

“Winning WOSSAA was huge for the volleyball team,” said Silos, who enjoys keeping busy and ‘having fun’ with sports.

Jillian Trepanier’s Grade 10 award reflected a year including a WOSSAA AA hockey silver medal, trips to OFSAA both in swimming and cross country (WOSSAA team silver medal) and an OFSAA bronze medal in javelin.

Trepanier was sitting sixth before her final throw, emptying the tank with a roughly 34-metre performance.

“It’s not going to hurt me,” she recalled thinking, “I’m just going to chuck it.”

Tyler Gravis took Grade 9 male honours for a season including soccer, badminton, reaching OFSAA West Regionals in track (300 hurdles, 1,500 and pole vault) and also a 12th place finish at OFSAA cross country.

“Top five next year, that’s the goal,” he said.

Adriana Tamburi earned the nod for Grade 9 female, playing basketball, badminton, soccer and track, where she qualified for OFSAA in the 100-metre dash, finishing fifth at WOSSAA and 4th at OFSAA West Regionals.

“I like being active,” understated Tamburi, who also plays in the Ontario Player Development League out of Hamilton.

Woodstock College Avenue Knights

Devin Baker earned top senior male honours as a volleyball left-side hitter and track and field athlete, competing in high jump, triple jump and long jump, finishing second at TVRA and WOSSAA in the latter, and sixth at OFSAA.

It was a good finish to a high school career, said Baker, in which he had a great time, appreciated the coaches and the opportunity to compete.

“So wonderful and made so many friends along the way.”

Baker is headed for the Brock University kinesiology program next year, looking forward to continuing to compete with that track and field team.

“I’m excited.”

Julia Baer was recognized as top senior female athlete, a force on both the volleyball (middle hitter) and basketball (post) courts.

“A lot of great memories,” said Baer, who as a Grade 11 student, looks forward to making more next season with the Knights.

“Win more games,” she said of her goal, looking to move up the senior girls basketball ranks. “I think we can finish top three.”

McKenzie Howard competed in junior girls volleyball and varsity fastball, capping the latter season with a TVRA championship walk-off two-run home run.

“It was a good way to finish,” she smiled.

Junior male athlete Greyson Padfield was a middle hitter in volleyball and smooth-shooting forward who could also be effective inside for the Knights WOSSAA AA championship basketball team.

“Going as far as we did in basketball and winning it all felt like a complete season,” said Padfield, whose longer-term goal is continued improvement toward a potential OFSAA berth in the sport.

Woodstock Huron Park Huskies

Grade 12 male athlete of the year Gavin Jansen is a five-sport athlete who qualified for WOSSAA in golf, was the setter on the Huskies senior boys OFSAA volleyball team, assistant captain on the hockey team and also competed in ultimate frisbee. Beyond his athletic ability, his impact and leadership were valuable components to his overall game, said Huron Park Athletic Director (AD) and coach Eryn Orr.

“Every coach wishes they had a kid like him on their team.”

Sophie Pullen was named Grade 12 female, a ‘super talented’ athlete who competed in cross country, track and also was the fastball team’s pitcher, a quiet leader who led by example.

“She always gives the extra effort,” credited Orr.

Ema-Leigh Hamilton received Grade 11 female honours for participation in basketball and rugby, adding team MVP in the latter.

“She is a superior athlete naturally who also works at it,” said Orr.

Rohn Cowan was named Grade 11 male, a five-sport (ultimate frisbee, track and field, badminton, basketball and volleyball) athlete who is a humble, quiet leader who started on the volleyball team in his first year of senior.

“I don’t think he understands how talented he is,” said Orr.

Grade 10 male Alro Minnaar played volleyball, basketball, badminton and soccer, a ‘super competitive’ leader whose approach might be summed up in one word.

“Engine,” said Orr. “He is just constantly going.”

Reagan White received Grade 10 female honours, playing both basketball and rugby, which she also plays outside of school.

“She’s wise and mature beyond her years and a great leader,” said Orr.

Finnigan McKee was named Grade 9 male for his efforts in volleyball, track and field and badminton, a great competitor and individual, Orr said.

“No matter what he is doing or playing.”

Hannah Bast rounds out Huskie awards as the choice for Grade 9 female, playing field hockey, fastball and hockey, where she was named team MVP despite being a first-year player.

“Which speaks to not only her skill but how other players look up to her,” said Orr.

Ingersoll DCI Blue Bombers

IDCI recognizes one male and one female athlete across the school year, who can be selected from any grade. Both Blue Bombers award winners this year are graduating students.

Noah Cann has always been a good runner, said IDCI Athletic Director Chris Adkins; however, in what he termed a great mental approach, Cann elevated himself from being on the bubble to advance to OFSAA, to doing so in both cross country and track.

“He set goals for himself,” said Adkins, noting previously, ‘if the top four runners got to go, he’d be in fifth.’

This year, having won the senior boys TVRA cross country race, Cann had a huge lead heading to the finish line at WOSSAA, where the funnel had not yet been opened. Running past what would have been the finish, he mentally processed the situation, circling back to officially finish fourth, qualifying for OFSAA in the process. Although a committee decision confirmed final placings, Adkins said the runner who technically finished in first gave Cann his gold medal.

“That’s a story in itself about what high school sports is about.”

Competing at OFSAA, Cann had one shoe ‘spiked’ and come off, meaning he ran the final two kilometres in one shoe and one bare foot, incredibly still managing to finish in the top 30.

Cann also swam for the Blue Bombers said Adkins, qualifying for OFSAA in the pool.

“No medals, but all personal bests. That’s the type of guy he is. His swimming just got better and better and better.”

Cann was on track for a strong finish in the 1,500 metre, 3,000 and steeplechase events before suffering an injury in the latter, which hampered his performance at OFSAA. However, beyond winning at TVRA, he was top three at WOSSAA, said Adkins.

“He’s gone from being seventh, eighth, ninth, tenth, bubble position to the podium,” he credited.

Cann, whose average is in the 90 per cent range, also finished in the top 10 in national U20 cross country championships. He will be attending the University of Windsor in the fall, looking forward to continuing to compete in both cross country and track.

Adkins’ position as AD coincided with the naming of Cameron Adkins as IDCI female athlete of the year.

Cameron was able to employ transferable strategy from experience as an out-of-school field lacrosse midfielder to four years with the Blue Bombers field hockey squad, earning MVP honours there both for her on-field presence and as a ‘rookie recruiter.’ Cameron also expanded upon enjoyable summer tennis with friend Charlotte deWit to doubles competition in that sport, losing to the eventual TVRA champs.

Cameron played centre back on the IDCI girls soccer team and added 6:30 a.m. swimming practices to an already busy schedule, qualifying for WOSSAA in the process. She also made the decision to transition from volleyball to hockey for her graduating season. Shifting from her regular U18 community hockey position as a winger, she moved to centre against the opposition’s strongest line.

“She was able to put points on the board and help us defensively,” said Adkins.

Named MVP for that team as well, Cameron was thrilled to share in a team’s progression from below .500 the previous season to WOSSAA AA bronze medalist.

Like Cann, she also received the IDCI Neil Desborough Graduates Award, given to a minimum two-sport male and female athlete with the highest academic average.

Adkins was a proud father, “for lots of reasons,” including Cameron’s maturity of thought around choosing to embrace a variety of sports and teams while maintaining academic and other responsibilities. “That’s what you want to see in your kid.”

Cameron is attending Western University’s kinesiology program this fall.

Woodstock St. Mary’s Warriors

The Woodstock St. Mary’s Warriors named twins Aliyah Anthony and Leyah Anthony as their co-Grade 12 Female Athletes of the Year, a male honour enjoyed solo by Kingston McPherson. Hunter van den Akker earned Grade 11 Male Athlete, with Jillian Brearley and Oriana Belmonte sharing female accolades.

Melinda Jayasekera was tagged as the Junior Girls winner, with Joshua Morgan and Tristan Manalo sharing the Grade 10 Boys podium. Jewelle Mensah and Jakub Mazurkiewicz were named Female and Male Rookies of the Year, respectively.