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.sa国际传媒檚 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 CBCsa国际传媒檚 Scott Russell, sa国际传媒渞ecognizes the provincesa国际传媒檚 best in amateur sport including athletes, coaches, teams, and officials for outstanding performances in their sport in the 2023 season,sa国际传媒� 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.
sa国际传媒淵emane is a refugee from war-torn Eritrea,sa国际传媒� the nominator said. sa国际传媒淗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,sa国际传媒� 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 Womensa国际传媒檚 Amateur Championship and Jackson T. Stephens Cup (a collegiate tournament).
Ryan Murphy, head coach of the womensa国际传媒檚 golf team at the University of Texas, said Kim was recruited after her stellar junior play up to that point, in 2021.
sa国际传媒淪ince then she has built upon that success with a Canadian Amateur victory, a U.S. Womensa国际传媒檚 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,sa国际传媒� Murphy noted in nomination papers.
sa国际传媒淪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.sa国际传媒�
And coaches like Sarah Hunter, who was nominated for Female Coach of the Year by BC Wheelchair Sports.
sa国际传媒淲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,sa国际传媒� the unnamed nominator wrote.
sa国际传媒淎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.sa国际传媒�
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 sa国际传媒渁 diverse group of highly experienced British Columbia sport leaders and media members.sa国际传媒�
Posted below are all finalists for 2024 Athlete of the Year Awards hosted by Sport BC.
Athlete with a Disability
Yuka Chokyu (Vancouver) sa国际传媒� Badminton
Bo Hedges (Wonowon) sa国际传媒� Wheelchair Basketball
Mel Pemble (Victoria) sa国际传媒� Para Cycling (Track)
Female Coach of the Year
Jane Gumley (Victoria) sa国际传媒� Rowing (UVIC)
Sarah Hunter (Surrey) sa国际传媒� Wheelchair Tennis
Keri Moffat (Richmond) - Golf
Male Coach of the Year
Dylan Armstrong (Kamloops) sa国际传媒� Athletics
Victor Gantsevich (Richmond) sa国际传媒� Fencing
Graham Thomas (Calgary) sa国际传媒� Ice Hockey (UBC)
High School Female Athlete of the Year
Amelia Kristen (Vancouver) sa国际传媒� Athletics (Crofton House)
Keira Pemberton (Langley) sa国际传媒� Basketball (Walnut Grove)
Eva Ruse (North Vancouver) sa国际传媒� Basketball and Volleyball (Mulgrave)
High School Male Athlete of the Year
Mark Johnson (Vernon) sa国际传媒� Football (Vernon Secondary)
Yemane Mulugeta (Surrey) sa国际传媒� Athletics (L.A. Matheson)
Nash Semeniuk (Kelowna) sa国际传媒� Basketball and Volleyball (Kelowna Secondary)
Junior Female Athlete of the Year
Lauren Kim (Surrey) sa国际传媒� Golf
Emmy Lan (Comox) sa国际传媒� Cycling
Chloe Primerano (North Vancouver) sa国际传媒� Ice Hockey
Junior Male Athlete of the Year
Nicholas Bennett (Parksville) sa国际传媒� Para Swimming
Gavin Dodd (Kamloops) sa国际传媒� Gymnastics
Tyson Philpot (Delta) - Football
Senior Female Athlete of the Year
Gabby Flynn (Burnaby) sa国际传媒� Gymnastics
Megan Kinna (Maple Ridge) sa国际传媒� Lacrosse
Camryn Rogers (Richmond) - Athletics
Senior Male Athlete of the Year
Jack Crawford sa国际传媒� Alpine Skiing
Dylan French (Richmond) sa国际传媒� Fencing
Ethan Katzberg (Nanaimo) - Athletics
Post Secondary Athlete of the Year
Theo Benedet (North Vancouver) sa国际传媒� Football (UBC)
Rowan Hamilton (Chilliwack) sa国际传媒� Athletics (UBC)
Michael Henman (Victoria) sa国际传媒� Soccer (UNBC)
Team of the Year
BC Female U18 Hockey
TWU Spartans Mensa国际传媒檚 Volleyball
UVIC Vikes Womensa国际传媒檚 Field Hockey
Master Athlete of the Year
Betty Brussel (New Westminster) sa国际传媒� Swimming
Malindi Elmore (Kelowna) sa国际传媒� Athletics
Melanie McQuaid (Victoria) - Triathlon
Official of the Year
Shanda Assmus (Vancouver) sa国际传媒� Rugby
Melanie Stewart (Port Coquitlam) sa国际传媒� Ringette
Trevor Walmsley (Vancouver) - Karate
