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