Lethbridge Sport Council Achievement Awards

April 8, 2019 - RECOGNIZING ACHIEVEMENTS IN 2018

Annual Lethbridge Sport Council Achievement Awards 9th

Program of Events Master of Ceremonies: Tony Deys –A long and strong supporter of grassroots athletes, the Manager of the local chapter of KidSport, and the Executive Director of Lethbridge Therapeutic Riding Association Part One: Welcome & Introductions Welcome by Erin Low, LSC Chair Acknowledge our sponsors and guests Greetings from the City of Lethbridge Part Two: Award Presentations Jr Female Athlete – Maren Evanson & Haylee Johnson pg 3, 4 Jr Male Athlete – Solen Wood - pg 5 Sr Female Athlete – Sophia Nowicki - pg 6 Sr Male Athlete – Ben Ingvaldson - pg 7 Amateur Team–Lethbridge College Kodiaks Women’s Soccer - pg 8 Coaching Excellence – Tim Cooney - pg 9 Officiating Excellence – Nicole Cooney - pg 10 Volunteer in Sport – Brad Brown – pg 11 Sport Administrator – Mike Tamura – pg 12 Sport Organization – Lethbridge Ringette Association – pg 13 Shaun Ward Sport Champion – Bob Bartlett – pg 14 Servus Credit Union Outstanding Sport Citizen – Ryker Morrel – pg 15 Knud Petersen Spirit in Sport – Colleen Gunnlaugson – pg 16 Part Three: Closing Closing remarks Photo opportunities

Athletic Performance Awards - These awards are intended to recognize and celebrate outstanding athletic performance.

Junior Female Athlete Maren Evanson Sponsored by Jeff’s On Target Painting This award is presented to a female athlete, considered in their respective sport to be at a Junior Level, who exhibits the highest level of skill, performance and dedication to their sport at their level of competition.

In 2018, Maren had several outstanding accomplishments in the High School Wrestling 90 kilograms category. She registered a 12-1 record in high school competition and won a Rural Gold Provincial Championship and a Silver Provincial Medal. Maren also attended the U-19 Canadian National Wrestling Championship and took home a Silver National Medal. In addition to her individual accolades, Maren was a key figure in helping the Lethbridge Collegiate Institute Girls’ Team win the 3A Girls Team High School Provincial Champion Banner for Rural Wrestling as well as the 3A Provincial Team silver. This past weekend, Maren won a Silver medal in Freestyle at the Canadian National Championships in Fredericton, New Brunswick.

Athletic Performance Awards - These awards are intended to recognize and celebrate outstanding athletic performance.

Junior Female Athlete Haylee Johnson Sponsored by Jeff’s On Target Painting This award is presented to a female athlete, considered in their respective sport to be at a Junior Level, who exhibits the highest level of skill, performance and dedication to their sport at their level of competition.

Haylee is a powerful athlete. After a number of years competing in gymnastics, basketball, and softball, she began to train in Cross Fit and Olympic Weight Lifting about 3 years ago. In that short period of time, she has made her mark in Cross Fit and Olympic Weight Lifting. In 2018, Haylee finished 3rd at Canadian Functional Fitness Federation Championships and as a result of the 3rd place, she made the National team and qualified for the World National Functional Fitness Championships in London, England where she placed 16th. At the 2018 Provincial Junior Olympic Weightlifting Championship, she finished 1st in her weight class and was declared the “Female Best Lifter” for achieving the highest comparative total of all females entered. At the 2018 National Junior Olympic Weightlifting Championships, Haylee finished 2nd in the 58 kilograms category with a total lift score of 159 kilograms.

Currently, Haylee holds the Provincial Junior and Senior record for the Clean and Jerk at 96 kilograms, Snatch at 77 kilograms, and total lift score of 173 kilograms for the 55 kilograms division. Nationally, she is ranked 8th among Junior Females and has qualified for the Canadian Senior Nationals in May 2019.

Athletic Performance Awards - These awards are intended to recognize and celebrate outstanding athletic performance.

Junior Male Athlete Solen Wood Sponsored by Ron Bunton of Print Partners This award is presented to a male athlete, considered in their respective sport to be at a Junior Level, who exhibits the highest level of skill, performance and dedication to their sport at their level of competition.

Solen’s dedication to excellence in sport is second to none. Solen began racing at the age of four, when he competed in his first mixedteam triathlon and completed his first full triathlon at the age of eleven. Solen is a two time provincial high school cross-country champion and missed the opportunity last fall to three-peat because he was representing Canada in the Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires, Argentina. At the Games, Solen finished in the middle of the pack of athletes ranging from ages 16 to 17 years old after clocking in a time of 56 minutes 56 seconds in the sprint triathlon distance. He is currently ranked among the top junior triathletes in Canada and has been invited to train at Triathlon Canada’s National Performance Center in Victoria, British Columbia in the fall.

Athletic Performance Awards - These awards are intended to recognize and celebrate outstanding athletic performance.

Senior Female Athlete Sophia Nowicki Sponsored by University of Lethbridge Pronghorns Athletics This award is presented to a female athlete, considered in their respective sport to be at a Senior Level, who exhibits the highest level of skill, performance and dedication to their sport at their level of competition.

Sophia Nowicki is one of the most decorated Kodiaks cross-country running female athletes of all time. In only her second year of competing at the collegiate level, Sophia finished the 2018 Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference Cross-Country Running Grand-Prix season, unbeaten. Her winning streak continued into the ACAC Provincial Cross-Country Running Championships and the Canadian Colleges Athletic Association National Cross-Country Running Championships, winning both events. Along with the individual titles, she led the way for her team to earn the ACAC Women’s Team Gold Medal and then CCAA Silver Medal. She was the 2018 ACAC Runner of the year and earned the Kodiaks Athlete of the Month and of the week on several occasions throughout the cross-country running season.

Sophia has shown her love, determination, and desire to compete at the highest level and in doing so, has been an excellent representative of Lethbridge College and Kodiaks Athletics.

Athletic Performance Awards - These awards are intended to recognize and celebrate outstanding athletic performance.

Senior Male Athlete Benjamin Ingvaldson Sponsored by University of Lethbridge Men’s Horns Hockey Alumni This award is presented to a male athlete, considered in their respective sport to be at a Senior Level, who exhibits the highest level of skill, performance and dedication to their sport at their level of competition.

In his third year with the Lethbridge Pronghorns Track & Field Team, Ben Ingvaldson followed in the footsteps of other Pronghorn throwing greats.

The Surrey, BC native continues Lethbridge’s strong tradition in the men’s throwing events, claiming top spot in both men’s throwing events at the 2018 Canada West Track and Field Championships and was named the Canada West Field Athlete of the Year. The double gold medal performance was the fifth year in a row that a Pronghorn has achieved the feat. In his shot put win, Ben set a new personal best with a throw of 15.99 metres and narrowly missed his personal best in his weight throw win. Although Ben has medaled at the Canada West Championships in both events for the past three years, 2018 was his first double gold medal performance of his Canada West career. For his outstanding athletic accomplishment last season, Ben was named the 2018 U SPORTS Male Athlete of the Year in Field Events. This past February at the Canada West Championships, Ben took home a Silver medal in Men’s Shot Put with a throw of 15.53 meters and a Bronze medal in Weight Throw, with a throw of 16.31 meters.

Athletic Performance Awards - These awards are intended to recognize and celebrate outstanding athletic performance.

Amateur Team Lethbridge College Kodiaks Women’s Soccer Team Sponsored by Doug Jones This award is presented to an amateur team who exhibits the highest level of skill, performance and dedication to their sport at their level of competition.

The 2018 season was a remarkable turnaround year for the Kodiaks Women’s Soccer program. At the start of the 2018 season, the Kodiaks were dealt a triple blow with their three starting centre backs ruled out of the season due to injury before a ball was even kicked. Last year’s Captain Maddie Folk, this season’s Captain Brooklin Bellavance, and most devastatingly Payden Olsen, who suffered a life-threatening injury on her farm, which influenced the team’s motto for the season “Play for Payden.” After finishing second last in the ACAC South Division in 2017, the Kodiaks posted a season record of 6 wins, 4 losses, and 2 ties, for a 20 point total which was a 13 point improvement over the previous season. The Kodiaks also posted the third lowest goals against in the whole ACAC conference, conceding only 12 goals in 12 games. At the ACAC Championships, the Kodiaks earned their first Championship win in 24 years with an upset win in the conference quarter finals, with goals from Sydney Hope and Vicki Noronha. The Kodiaks won a Bronze medal in a dramatic penalty kick upset match, to earn the programs first medal since 1994. With Payden Olsen on the bench cheering the girls on, giving them the extra motivation they needed to make it a truly memorable season. Finally, the Kodiaks celebrated three athletes making the conference All-Star team (Aimee Santangelo, Christine Moser, and Kayla Kehoe) and Head Coach Sean Carey receiving the ACAC’s Coach of the Year award.

Sport Excellence Awards -These awards are to recognize and celebrate an individual’s outstanding contribution to the betterment of sport.

Coaching Excellence Tim Cooney Sponsored by Lethbridge College Kodiaks This award is presented to a coach who has achieved outstanding coaching performances and dedicated themselves to grow and develop amateur sport at any level. The recipient of this award exemplifies dedication and leadership that allows athletes and sports teams to grow and shape sport in Lethbridge.

Coaching excellence is something that anyone involved in speed skating automatically thinks of when Tim Cooney’s name is mentioned. In 2018, he was the recipient of Speed Skate Canada’s Coaches Award of Excellence. He has over 25 years of coaching experience under his belt and regularly attends seminars and NCCP training to further develop his coaching practice and share his technical knowledge with skaters and coaches. Tim has been heavily involved in the Lethbridge Speed Skating Association, and in 2002 revived the struggling club when he moved to the city. Under his guidance, Speed Skating in Lethbridge has expanded from 4 to over 50 registered skaters. Tim’s methods have proven time and again to be successful, with athletes from Lethbridge’s small club constantly improving over their prior performances, and reaching podiums locally, provincially, nationally, and recently on the International stage.

Ultimately, Tim’s training and dedication provides skaters with the skills they need to be successful on and off the ice.

Sport Excellence Awards -These awards are to recognize and celebrate an individual’s outstanding contribution to the betterment of sport.

Officiating Excellence Nicole Cooney Sponsored by the 2020 Lethbridge Alberta Summer Games This award is presented to an official who is registered with a local, provincial, or national sport association and has demonstrated outstanding commitment and excellence in their role as an official in their chosen sport.

The recipient of this award exemplifies dedication and leadership that is consistent with LSCAA values.

Nicole really is the epitome of Officiating Excellence. Nicole is a seasoned veteran as an unpaid Official for speed skating with more than 10 years of experience in a range of officiating capacities such as Meet Coordinator, Recorder, Announcer, Competitor Steward, and Lap Counter.

Nicole has officiated at all levels of the sport including club, provincial, national, and international. More recently, she served as the President of the Alberta Amateur Speed Skating Association and as the Vice President of Officials Development. She has also been instrumental in supporting the development and advancement of many other officials, who have gone on to officiate at national, regional, and provincial level competitions such as the Canadian Western Speed Skating Championships and the Alberta Winter Games. In addition to her work with National and Provincial Levels, Nicole is a vital part of the Lethbridge Speed Skating Association and has held multiple positions on the Executive Committee. Nicole recently returned from officiating the Short Track Speed Skating at the 2019 Canada Winter Games in Red Deer.

Sport Excellence Awards -These awards are to recognize and celebrate an individual’s outstanding contribution to the betterment of sport.

Volunteer in Sport Brad Brown Sponsored by the ENMAX Centre This award is presented to a volunteer who has made an overwhelming contribution to Lethbridge sport that is consistent with LSCAA values in the areas of leadership, sport development, innovation, and growth.

Brad Brown has been a key member of the football community in Southern Alberta for over 35 years coaching at the high school and bantam level. He was the 2013 Bantam Provincial Champion Head Coach and has held multiple Summer Games coaching positions over the years. He has served as the President of the Lethbridge Minor Football Association and is the current Director in Charge of Field Operations. Brad is also the driving force in the creation of a footballonly field in Lethbridge and in 2018 all regular season home games for Lethbridge teams were played at Atso Towaawa Field, something that will continue in 2019. Brad puts a lot of his extra time into the football community not only because he loves the sport, but also because he takes great pride in shaping the young men and women into better people.

Leadership Awards - Recognizing leaders who support and demonstrate integrity, inclusiveness, cooperation, advocacy, and a positive image for sport.

Sport Administrator Michael Tamura Sponsored by SportFest 2019 presented

by Lethbridge Sport Council This award is presented to a sport administrator (paid or voluntary) who has made an overwhelming contribution to Lethbridge Sport that is consistent with the Lethbridge Sport Council vision, mission, and values.

Mike’s commitment to the sport of Judo in a leadership role in unmatched. He has been active in judo for the past 45 years as an athlete, coach, referee, volunteer, and administrator at the local, regional, national, and international level. Mike is currently the President of Judo Canada, the General Secretary of Pan American Judo Confederation, and the President of the Lethbridge Judo Club. In addition to this, he still finds time to be on the judo mats helping the kid’s judo program multiple times a week so he can remain connected with the membership of the club. Mike provides leadership as a sport administer to the sport of judo not only as a former high level athlete but also through his personal commitment to the legacy and memory of Mr. Yosh Senda, the founder of the Lethbridge Judo Club. He maintains and lives the ideals of judo which include fair play, respect for others, respect for oneself, a good citizen and a benefit to society. It was also Mike’s vision and foresight to have Lethbridge as one of the sites of Judo Canada’s Regional Training Centre awarded to the Lethbridge Judo Club in 2014 which has brought athletes from all over Canada to train here in Lethbridge.

Leadership Awards - Recognizing leaders who support and demonstrate integrity, inclusiveness, cooperation, advocacy, and a positive image for sport.

Sport Organization Lethbridge Ringette Association Sponsored by Lethbridge Sport Council on behalf of Board Leadership Lethbridge Presented to a community sport organization who demonstrates organizational leadership, evidence of fiscal responsibility, innovative practices, effective internal and external communications, and cutting edge practises in the sport sector that have successfully lifted the profile of their sport.

The Lethbridge Ringette Association was formed in 1983 with registration numbers fluctuating over the years. Five years ago, ringette registrations had diminished to the point where there were not enough athletes to form teams at every age level, leaving some athletes unable to play. Since that time, the Association has seen increased registrations of over 25% per annum through committed promotion, while continuing to support female empowerment, friendship in sport, and fitness for life. The Lethbridge Ringette Association is embracing this growth, and now has at least one team at every age division. The Association offers comprehensive programming, including power skating, goalie clinics, and regular ice times for players aged 4 to 40 plus. In addition, coaches are well supported by training programs through Ringette Alberta and annual local clinics. The Lethbridge Ringette Association has achieved gender equity in their coaching ranks with 60% of coaching staff this season being female, compared to a national average of 25%. With strengthened focus on programming and coaching, the Lethbridge Ringette Association teams are experiencing great success competing against much larger associations. In the last two seasons at Alberta provincial championships they have brought home 5 medals including two gold, two silver, and one bronze.

Leadership Awards - Recognizing leaders who support and demonstrate integrity, inclusiveness, cooperation, advocacy, and a positive image for sport.

Shaun Ward Sport Champion Bob Bartlett Sponsored by the Lethbridge Sport Council Presented to lifetime achievement recipient for outstanding contribution of a sport leader; someone who exemplifies LSCAA values as demonstrated in ground breaking organizational leadership, innovative practices, influential communications, cutting edge sport marketing or positioning of the community sport sector.

Bob Bartlett’s passion for hockey at all levels is unmatched and his dedication to the athletes runs deep. He has been a fixture in the Western Hockey League for over 40 years and has made an extraordinary contribution to not only the Lethbridge Hurricanes but to the hockey community as a whole. Bob was a scout for the Lethbridge Broncos from 1974 to 1985 and played an instrumental role in bringing WHL hockey back to Lethbridge with the arrival of the Hurricanes for the 1987-88 season. Bob was the GM for the Lethbridge Hurricanes from 1990 to 1995 and has been inducted into the Lethbridge Hurricanes Hall of Fame, Alberta Hockey Hall of Fame, and the Lethbridge Sports Hall of Fame. For the 2017-2018 WHL season, Bob received the WHL Distinguished Service Award for his extraordinary contribution at the club and league levels over an extended period of time. Today, Bob serves at the Hurricanes’ Director of Player Development. In his various roles, he has been a mentor for players as well as parents and sport leaders. His level of influence reaches from the lowest levels right up to the top where he creates a culture of inclusion as well as fairness and support.

Spirit in Sport Awards - Honouringoutstanding community sport heroes for their character and actions that help grow & shape sport in our community.

Servus Credit Union Outstanding Sport Citizen Ryker Morell This award is presented to a youth who participates in sport as an athlete, mentor athlete, official, amateur coach, or in any other capacity that enhances their sport environment. This young person exemplifies the LSCAA values of integrity, inclusiveness, personal growth and development, cooperation, advocacy, and a positive image for sport.

After the tragic bus crash involving the Humboldt Bronco’s hockey organization in 2018, a then 8th grade student at Wilson Middle School, Ryker Morrell, wanted to do something to help. Rather than contribute to the GoFundMe campaign that raised millions for the families, he opted to do something a little closer to home. With the blessing of Logan’s dad, Toby Boulet, Ryker created a non-profit charity in memory of local Humboldt victim Logan Boulet aptly name “Bottles4Boulet.” To date, Bottles4Boulet has raised $2,500 which has been donated in Logan’s name to the Lethbridge and Taber Chapter of KidSport. This charity is one that Ryker plans to spearhead every year of his high school career, with the hopes that it will continue beyond that, and raise more money for KidSport year after year. This year’s “Bottles4Boulet” campaign will be taking place from May 6th to 11th. In addition to his leadership in the community, Ryker is also an outstanding athlete and strong academic student. He is currently a 9th grade student at Winston Churchill High School.

Spirit in Sport Awards - Honouringoutstanding community sport heroes for their character and actions that help grow & shape sport in our community.

Knud Petersen Spirit in Sport Award Colleen Gunnlaugson Sponsored by the Lethbridge Sports Hall of Fame This award is presented to an individual who has demonstrated values such as dedication, perseverance, sportsmanship, respect for others and a true love of sport. This category showcases the magic that lives within sport to inspire, motivate, and capture the hearts and minds of the community Colleen has been deeply committed to the Lethbridge Skating Club for nearly 4 decades and her contribution to the greater skating community has been invaluable. Colleen’s passion for the sport is unmatched, and her positive energy is felt by all. Originally from Faron, Manitoba, Colleen moved with her family to Lethbridge in 1980 and immediately became involved in the Lethbridge Figure Skating Club, volunteering as a Badge Lady. She served on the club’s executive board from 1983 to 1995 in a number of positions including registration chair, secretary, vice-president, music chair, and precision chair as well as in her current role officiating competitions. She has also been involved in summer schools, skater development, learn-to-skate programs, fundraising, costume production, and organized carnival and various other competitions. In 1994, she earned a National Volunteer Award from the Canadian Figure Skating Association and was inducted into the Lethbridge Sports Hall of Fame in 1999. To this day Colleen can often be found at the rink watching figure skating, even if her grandchildren are not on the ice.

LETHBRIDGE SPORT COUNCIL Board of Directors: • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Erin Low - Chair M. Gordon Hunter – Vice-Chair Shaun Ward – Past Chair Sherry Hazelaar - Treasurer Ryan Westerson - Secretary Don Gatto - Director Gary Bowie - Director Jimmy D. Tablan – Director Josh Hoetmer – Director Ken McInnes - Director Malcom Kano - Director Robert Baird – Director Steve Dudas – Director Todd Caughlin – Director

City of Lethbridge Liaisons: • Jason Freund • Travis Grindle

Staff:

• • • •

Susan Eymann, Executive Director Tanya Whipple, Communication Manager Kelsey Rathwell, Program Coordinator Kim Trotman, Bookkeeper Twitter: @LethbridgeSport Facebook: Lethbridge Sport Instagram: @lethbridgesport LinkedIn: Lethbridge Sport Council

Location: Nicholas Sheran Ice Centre, Second Floor, 401 Laval Blvd., Lethbridge, AB Mail: 110 Columbia Blvd. W, PO Box 21090, Lethbridge, AB T1K 6X4

403-320-5412/403-320-9371

www.lethbridgesportcouncil.ca

Nominations for the 2019 Lethbridge Sport Council Achievement Awards will open on June 1st, 2019, and will be accepted until January 31st, 2020.

All nominations will be accepted online at https://lethbridgesportcouncil.ca/achievement-awards

www.lethbridgesportcouncil.ca