It was a busy week of accepting awards for North Vancouver track and field star Andy White, who was named the Association of Independent Institutions Conference athlete of the week while also earning a Pacific Western Brewing Community Foundation Hometown Heroes bursary.
White’s athlete of the week was for the period of April 21-27 in which he posted stellar results for the University of British Columbia team in their Achilles Cup dual meet against Simon Fraser University.
White dominated the men's javelin competition at the meet, winning with a throw of 68.73 meters, an Achilles Cup record which was just shy of his all-time best. The Argyle grad is currently the third-ranked javelin thrower in the NAIA. Along with the javelin, he also won the men's shot put with a toss of 12.47 meters and placed second in the men's high jump with a leap of 1.80 meters, both personal best performances.
White was back in the spotlight May 5 when he was one of four B.C. natives to receive a $2,000 bursary from Pacific Western Brewery at a ceremony held at Vancouver’s Terminal City Club. White was recognized for his work as a track and field athlete as well as his campaign to honour his mother, Linda Rosetti, who died of breast cancer during his first year of studies at UBC.
“Her only wish of me was to always follow my dreams,” White said in a PWB release. “All my life I have dreamed of representing Canada at the Olympic Games, and it has been through the generosity of my coaches, therapists and supporters that I am able to pursue my dream and honour my mom's wishes. Thank you Pacific Western Brewing Company for believing in me and for your gracious support through the Hometown Heroes program.”
Along with pursuing his goals as an elite athlete, White also organizes an annual photography show benefiting InspireHealth, a not-for-profit society focused on integrative cancer care.
Hometown Heroes is an ongoing program aimed at selecting 16 B.C. natives to receive bursaries in the leadup to the 2015 Canada Winter Games which will be held in Prince George, the home of Pacific Western Brewing. The program is open to athletes, coaches or others involved in community sports mentoring. Applicants must be at least 19 years of age. For more information or to find application forms, visit pwbrewing.com.
