SIX North Shore athletes have been nominated by Sport BC for the 46th annual Athlete of the Year Awards.
Sport BC announced the finalists for 14 of the 17 award categories on Jan. 10.
Alexandra McCawley and Emily Oxland of North Vancouver have been nominated for High School female athlete of the year. McCawley participated in basketball, field hockey and rugby at Carson Graham secondary while Oxland played volleyball at Handsworth secondary.
North Vancouver tennis player Filip Peliwo has been nominated for junior male athlete of the year. Other North Shore nominations include Christa Bortignon for master athlete of the year and Reiner Theil for high school male athlete.
Simon Fraser University student and middle distance runner Helen Crofts of West Vancouver has been nominated for the university athlete of the year award. Previous winners of this award include professional baseball player and former UBC student Jeff Francis.
In a written press release Sport BC's event manager Carey Summerfelt says there were a handful of strong nominations this year.
"Sport BC's Athlete of the Year Awards provides a great opportunity to give these talented athletes, coaches and officials the recognition they deserve," Summerfelt said.
Sport BC's awards program is the longest running sport recognition event of its kind in Canada. Winners are selected based on their performance and contribution to sport in British Columbia.
Beginning on Jan. 23, residents will be able to vote for the Best of BC award. The award is presented to an outstanding professional or amateur athlete from British Columbia. Last year North Vancouver's Lauren Woolstencroft won the Best of BC vote. The award ceremony and dinner is scheduled for March 8, at the River Rock Show Theatre in Richmond. Visit www.SportBC.com for more information.
