Athletics Canada - Petitclerc named Outstanding Overall Athlete
OTTAWA – Athletics Canada is proud to announce today its 2006 award winners. The awards are chosen by the Awards Committee based on criteria which take into account athletic performances and extraordinary circumstances. Athletics Canada congratulates the winners as well as the deserving nominees.
Outstanding Overall Athlete – Jack W. Davies Trophy
Top Athlete in Track Events – Phil Edwards Memorial Trophy
Chantal Petitclerc, Montréal, Québec
Chantal Petitclerc opened the season with a gold medal performance at the Commonwealth Games in the 800-metres, where she also served as the Canadian Flag Bearer for the Opening Ceremonies. Following the Games she was stricken with a serious medical condition which did not allow her to compete or train for 3 months. With little time to train and get back in race-shape, Petitclerc returned to the track and delivered an impressive 4 gold medals at the Canadian Paralympic Championships (100m, 200m, 400m, 800m) earning herself a spot on the Canadian team heading to the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) World Championships. At the IPC Worlds Petitclerc won 2 gold medals (200m, 400m), set 2 Games Records and also took the silver in the 100 and 800-metre races. Her accomplishments in 2006 have also earned her the Phil Edwards award as the Top Athlete in Track Events. In late November Chantal was honoured as the Commonwealth’s 2006 Outstanding Female Athlete with a Disability. Chantal is coached by Peter Eriksson.
Top Athlete in Field Events - F.N.A. Rowell Trophy Top University Athlete – Dr. Fred Tees Memorial Trophy
Jessica Zelinka, London, Ontario
A great indicator that you are going to have a successful year is opening the season by breaking a 13-year old Canadian Record, and that’s exactly how Jessica Zelinka started off in 2006. At the Commonwealth Games she broke the Canadian heptathlon record and earned 4th place, only a few points behind the bronze medalist. A few weeks later in Arles, France; Zelinka improved the Canadian record and soon after that she tied it on her way to a win at the prestigious Meeting Internationals d’Arles. Jessica closed out the season with a win at the Canadian Championships and finished 6th in the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) Combined Events Challenge. She finished the year ranked 5th in the world in the IAAF World Rankings. For the third year in a row, Jessica Zelinka also received the Fred Tees award as the Top University Athlete. Her coach is National Team Head Coach Les Gramantik.
Top Athlete in Throws Events – Eric E. Coy Memorial Trophy
James Steacy, Lethbridge, Alberta
Heading into the Commonwealth Games, at a meet in Brisbane, Australia, Steacy set a new Canadian record in the hammer throw. A sign of things to come, Steacy brought the silver medal home from the Commonwealth Games. James wasn’t done yet, at the Alberta Senior Provincial Championships in Calgary he improved the Canadian record a second time. Steacy won gold at the Canadian Championships and finished in 6th at the IAAF Athletics World Cup in Athens. His coach is Larry Steinke of the Chinook Track and Field Club.
Top Athlete in Jump Events – Cal D. Bricker Memorial Trophy
Mark Boswell, Brampton, Ontario
Mark Boswell is the recipient of the Cal D. Bricker award as the Top Athlete in Jump Events. Familiar territory for Boswell, he was also the recipient in 2002, 2003 and 2005. The Canadian record holder’s season was highlighted by successfully defending his high jump title at the Commonwealth Games. Mark is coached by Greg Portnoy.
Top Marathon Athlete – Fred Begley Memorial Trophy
Diane Roy, Hatley, Québec
Diane Roy is the winner of the Fred Begley Award for the Top Marathon / Racewalk Athlete. Roy is a do-it-all athlete who competes in distances ranging from the 200-metre dash to the grueling marathon distance. She excelled this year at the latter distance, winning Gold at the IPC World Championships, finishing 2nd at the Boston Marathon and 3rd at the New York Marathon. Diane is coached by Paralympic National Team Head Coach Jean Laroche.
Outstanding Junior Athlete of the Year
Brian Barnett, Edmonton, Alberta
Brian Barnett sprinted onto the scene this year with remarkable performances in the 200-metres, flirting with the Canadian Record as a junior aged-athlete. Barnett broke the 300-metres Canadian Indoor Junior Record, won gold at both the Senior and Junior Canadian Championships and capped off the season with a silver medal performance at the IAAF World Junior Championships in Beijing, China. Brian is coached by Quin Sekulich of the Capital City Track Club.
Outstanding Youth Athlete of the Year – Myrtle Cook Trophy
Sarah Wells, Unionville, Ontario
Sarah Wells is the recipient of the Youth Athlete of the Year (17 and under). Sarah won gold at the Canadian Junior Championships in the 100-metre hurdles and bronze at the Canadian Championships in the 400-metre hurdles. She was also a member of the Canadian team at the World Juniors where she finished 22nd (400-metre hurdles). Sarah’s coach is David Hunt of the University of Toronto.
For more information on Athletics Canada’s Annual Awards, including past winners and who they are represent, please visit: http://www.athletics.ca/article.asp?id=745
Athletics Canada is the national sport governing body for the sport of track and field including cross-country running and road running. Its purpose is the pursuit of leadership, development and competition that ensures world-level performance in athletics. The association believes in physical health and fitness, individual excellence and personal growth, individual development beyond sport, as well as inclusiveness and integrity.
