G.P. Vanier held its 30th annual athletic banquet June 8 in the school gym, with over 300 athletes, coaches, parents and staff in attendance.
“It was a fun night filled with laughter, memories of an awesome year in Vanier athletics, door prizes and of course, honouring students who excelled in their sport(s),” said athletic director Richard Murphy.
Both Larry Street and Brian McAskill were inducted into the Vanier Hall of Fame in the coaching and building categories. “Larry (basketball) and Brian (volleyball) are both outstanding coaches and have dedicated many years to Vanier athletics,” Murphy noted.
Vanier fielded 25 teams this year in volleyball, field hockey, cross-country running, soccer, basketball, wrestling, ski and snowboard, rugby, track and field, golf and mountain biking.
“We would like to acknowledge the time and dedication our volunteer coaches, both teaching staff and community, put into our teams this year to provide memorable experiences for all school athletes. As well, the wonderful group of parents and volunteer minor officials who helped make our year a success,” Murphy said.
“A special thanks to Plates Catering for a great meal and the Comox Valley businesses who donated door prizes: Ai’s Hair Studio, Shoppers, Drug Mart, Courtenay Recreation-Lewis Centre, Happy’s Source for Sports, Tenth Street Chiropractic, Evan Webber-Crown Isle, Butcher’s Block, Carmichael, Shoreline Orthodontics Tri-K, The Head Shed, Fluid Bar and Grill, Kal Tire, Comox Valley Summer Basketball Camp- Larry Street and the Comox Valley Summer Volleyball Camp-Brian Stevens.”
Here are the award winners:
Most Improved Female Athlete of the Year
Junior: Sara Kreeger-Atwell and Brianna Knapman. Senior: Bernadette Enriquez.
Most Improved Male Athlete of the Year
Junior: Levi Timmermans. Senior: Sam Friesen and Steven Albright.
Outstanding Leadership in Athletics (male or female Grade 11-12)
Olivia Kellinghusen.
Most Inspirational Athletes (junior and senior, male or female)
Junior: Katharina Niesing. Senior: Laura Gomez.
Female Athlete of the Year
Grade 9: Julia Jungwirth and Angelique Kennedy. Grade 9: Kristin Johnson. Junior: Tyra Schaad. Senior: Hope Lewis, Kyla Gytenbeek.
Male Athlete of the Year
Grade 8: Christian Murray and Cameron Bell. Grade 9: Cory Pignatal. Junior: Matthew Salmon. Senior: Chase Hobenshield.
The Joan Longtin Award (Grade 11 girl)
Chloe Speed.
The Howie Ellis Award (Grade 11 boy)
Rheyden Le.
The Norm Hill Award (Grade 11 and 12, male or female)
Kayla Millard, Tyler Knopp, Tim Wilson
All Around Female Athlete of the Year
Grade 8: Samantha Rebitt. Grade 9: Nicolette Vinnedge. Junior: Patri Crecis. Senior: Dawson German.
All Around Male Athlete of the Year
Grade 8: Craig Scott. Grade 9: Pablo Jaque Generelo. Junior: Bentley Barth and Graham Arndt. Senior: Nigel Fletcher and Jody Candlish-Rutherford.