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