A year of determination, grit and athletic spirit was celebrated at Bracebridge and Muskoka Lakes Secondary School last week.
The Clearbrook Trail school hosted its annual athletic banquet on the evening of Tuesday, June 12 to celebrate the achievements of student athletes over the past year. Nearly 40 athletes from across about a dozen different sports were handed awards for their accomplishments.
This year, Athlete of the Year awards were given out to Alanna Crawford and Evan Lade in the junior athletes category, and Justin Dellandrea and Megan Kamachi in the senior athletes category.
“The athletes of the year are chosen based on their ability, leadership, dedication and sense of fair play in two or more sports in the given year,” said BMLSS teacher Louise Hammond.
Teacher Eric Crowe lauded Crawford for her “pure athleticism and skills, which allow her to perform at a level that the opposition can never match, allowing her to dictate the tempo of any game.”
Likewise, teacher Stu Hodson praised Lade for his sense of leadership.
“He is someone who, by engaging and supporting his teammates, can elevate their level of play,” said Hodson.
Dellandrea was described as “tenacious in defence” by teacher Mike Leblanc and as a “gifted athlete” with a “total dedication” to his sport. Dellandrea also took home an award for sportsmanship and dedication in boys basketball.
Kamachi was praised as a “coach’s dream” by teacher Graham Henderson.
 “She has been described by her coaches as a fiery competitor who was also one of the nicest players on the field,” he said.
Brian Moore received the award for outstanding cross-country runner, while Brett Hodgson took home the Most Valuable Player title on the junior boys soccer team.
Amara McMullen was given the Junior Girls Basketball Award, and Emily Ranft won the Senior Girls Basketball Sportsmanship and Dedication Award.
Blair Wismer of the senior boys soccer team received an award for sportsmanship and dedication, while Remy Davis was handed the title of Most Valuable Player on the boys volleyball team.
Krista Kampuss was honoured for sportsmanship and dedication in girls volleyball, while Rosie Kelly won the Miranda Gostick/Kristy Mulligan Girls Hockey Award.
Tyler Thomson was crowned Most Valuable Player for Nordic skiing. He was followed in the awards procession by Elliott Lade and Nolan Blum, who were given the Boys Hockey Award for Genuine Team Spirit and Commitment.
For her efforts on both land and water, Rachel Richer won an award for sportsmanship and dedication in swimming, and the Gymnastics Award for Most Dedicated Team Member. Among badminton athletes, Eryn Belanger and Cory Stegelmeier won Senior Badminton Awards, and Katie Harris and Chris Murphy won Junior Badminton Awards.
In girls soccer, Erin Nichol and Meggie Good received the John Farrell Memorial Award for sportsmanship and dedication, while Lauren Schandlen was recognized as Most Valuable Player in junior girls soccer.
Strong swinging earned Jeff Gardner an Outstanding Golfer Award, while Mitch Eden took home an award for lacrosse. Willow Hillman was honoured with an Outstanding Senior Girls Rugby Player Award, and Tyler Summers got a Track and Field Award for Sportsmanship and Dedication.
With a time of 16.26 seconds, Ashley Howse blazed a path to the Michelle Moore Memorial Award for the fastest midget girl in a 100-metre race. Jacob Swarts received the Character Award, and Amara McMullen received the Tim Lusk Memorial Award.
Elliott Lade and Rebecca Davis were given the BMLSS Career Athlete Award, which is presented to graduating students who have made a major contribution to sport throughout their high school career.
The Student Athletic Association Achievement Awards were presented to Nolan Blum for hockey; Natalia Hawthorn for cross-country, skiing and track, and Tyler Summers for track.