Sport figures in disciplines as diverse as gymnastics and hammer throwing, hailing from communities as widespread as Victoria and Wonowon will be up for some of B.C.乌鸦传媒檚 highest sporting honours.
In 13 categories from across B.C., award finalists representing 24 sports will be recognized during the 56th annual Sport BC event Thursday, March 7 at a Vancouver hotel.
The awards gala, to be hosted by CBC乌鸦传媒檚 Scott Russell, 乌鸦传媒渞ecognizes the province乌鸦传媒檚 best in amateur sport including athletes, coaches, teams, and officials for outstanding performances in their sport in the 2023 season,乌鸦传媒� according to an event advisory from Sport BC.
Athletes like Yemane Mulugeta, who was nominated by BC Athletics for High School Male Athlete of the Year.
乌鸦传媒淵emane is a refugee from war-torn Eritrea,乌鸦传媒� the nominator said. 乌鸦传媒淗e immigrated to Canada after fleeing his home and is on his way to representing Canada on the international level. Yemane achieved a personal best in all events at the 2023 BC High School Track & Field Championships,乌鸦传媒� with two gold medals and a silver.
Athletes like Lauren Kim, now golfing at the University of Texas, who was nominated for Junior Female Athlete of the Year after winning the Canadian Women乌鸦传媒檚 Amateur Championship and Jackson T. Stephens Cup (a collegiate tournament).
Ryan Murphy, head coach of the women乌鸦传媒檚 golf team at the University of Texas, said Kim was recruited after her stellar junior play up to that point, in 2021.
乌鸦传媒淪ince then she has built upon that success with a Canadian Amateur victory, a U.S. Women乌鸦传媒檚 Open appearance (her 2nd) and an early collegiate victory at the Jack T. Stephens Cup as well as a recent top 10 finish in the World Amateurs,乌鸦传媒� Murphy noted in nomination papers.
乌鸦传媒淪he is on a tremendous trajectory with her golf. And, the cherry on top is that Lauren is incredibly hard-working and humble despite all of the success she has enjoyed. That demeanor has been great for our team environment and a person who is truly inspiring. To say we are happy to have Lauren with us here at the University of Texas would be an understatement.乌鸦传媒�
And coaches like Sarah Hunter, who was nominated for Female Coach of the Year by BC Wheelchair Sports.
乌鸦传媒淲hat inspires me about Sarah Hunter is her dedication to helping every athlete she works with improve and discover a little more potential than they thought they had,乌鸦传媒� the unnamed nominator wrote.
乌鸦传媒淎s the BC Provincial Wheelchair Tennis coach, Sarah works with athletes of all experience levels from beginner players and kids all the way up to high-performance athletes that represent B.C. and Canada. Whether coaching someone at their first session or helping an aspiring Paralympian prep for competition, she brings the same levels of respect and enthusiasm to every session.乌鸦传媒�
Each finalist was nominated by their provincial or multi-sport organization, high school, college or university. The awards selection committee, led by long-serving chair Bernie Pascall, included 乌鸦传媒渁 diverse group of highly experienced British Columbia sport leaders and media members.乌鸦传媒�
Posted below are all finalists for 2024 Athlete of the Year Awards hosted by Sport BC.
Athlete with a Disability
Yuka Chokyu (Vancouver) 乌鸦传媒� Badminton
Bo Hedges (Wonowon) 乌鸦传媒� Wheelchair Basketball
Mel Pemble (Victoria) 乌鸦传媒� Para Cycling (Track)
Female Coach of the Year
Jane Gumley (Victoria) 乌鸦传媒� Rowing (UVIC)
Sarah Hunter (Surrey) 乌鸦传媒� Wheelchair Tennis
Keri Moffat (Richmond) - Golf
Male Coach of the Year
Dylan Armstrong (Kamloops) 乌鸦传媒� Athletics
Victor Gantsevich (Richmond) 乌鸦传媒� Fencing
Graham Thomas (Calgary) 乌鸦传媒� Ice Hockey (UBC)
High School Female Athlete of the Year
Amelia Kristen (Vancouver) 乌鸦传媒� Athletics (Crofton House)
Keira Pemberton (Langley) 乌鸦传媒� Basketball (Walnut Grove)
Eva Ruse (North Vancouver) 乌鸦传媒� Basketball and Volleyball (Mulgrave)
High School Male Athlete of the Year
Mark Johnson (Vernon) 乌鸦传媒� Football (Vernon Secondary)
Yemane Mulugeta (Surrey) 乌鸦传媒� Athletics (L.A. Matheson)
Nash Semeniuk (Kelowna) 乌鸦传媒� Basketball and Volleyball (Kelowna Secondary)
Junior Female Athlete of the Year
Lauren Kim (Surrey) 乌鸦传媒� Golf
Emmy Lan (Comox) 乌鸦传媒� Cycling
Chloe Primerano (North Vancouver) 乌鸦传媒� Ice Hockey
Junior Male Athlete of the Year
Nicholas Bennett (Parksville) 乌鸦传媒� Para Swimming
Gavin Dodd (Kamloops) 乌鸦传媒� Gymnastics
Tyson Philpot (Delta) - Football
Senior Female Athlete of the Year
Gabby Flynn (Burnaby) 乌鸦传媒� Gymnastics
Megan Kinna (Maple Ridge) 乌鸦传媒� Lacrosse
Camryn Rogers (Richmond) - Athletics
Senior Male Athlete of the Year
Jack Crawford 乌鸦传媒� Alpine Skiing
Dylan French (Richmond) 乌鸦传媒� Fencing
Ethan Katzberg (Nanaimo) - Athletics
Post Secondary Athlete of the Year
Theo Benedet (North Vancouver) 乌鸦传媒� Football (UBC)
Rowan Hamilton (Chilliwack) 乌鸦传媒� Athletics (UBC)
Michael Henman (Victoria) 乌鸦传媒� Soccer (UNBC)
Team of the Year
BC Female U18 Hockey
TWU Spartans Men乌鸦传媒檚 Volleyball
UVIC Vikes Women乌鸦传媒檚 Field Hockey
Master Athlete of the Year
Betty Brussel (New Westminster) 乌鸦传媒� Swimming
Malindi Elmore (Kelowna) 乌鸦传媒� Athletics
Melanie McQuaid (Victoria) - Triathlon
Official of the Year
Shanda Assmus (Vancouver) 乌鸦传媒� Rugby
Melanie Stewart (Port Coquitlam) 乌鸦传媒� Ringette
Trevor Walmsley (Vancouver) - Karate
