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