North Star High School holds annual athletic banquet
- Ron Giofu
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
The best of the best from the North Star High School sports teams were recognized last week.
The Amherstburg-based school held its annual athletic awards banquet last Thursday night at the Ciociaro Club. Major award winners were honoured as part of the evening’s festivities as were award winners for individual sports.
Vice principal Jason Lynn noted the ultimate goal of sports is to win, stating “I think everyone agrees that winning is more fun than losing.” Lynn added sports and athletics can be more than that, though, stating sports can bring people together, build character and create positive memories.
Lisa Voakes, head of North Star’s athletic department, joined Lynn and other coaches in thanking not just the athletes, but the parents, guardians and supporters.
Coaches highlighted the season for their particular sports, with some notable recognition coming out along the way. After handing out the senior girls basketball awards, coach Dom Silvaggio also took time out to pay tribute to one of his former players and current North Star track and field coach Tina Sharman.
Sharman was recently named OUAA assistant coach of the year and USport assistant coach of the year, meaning she has received provincial and national recognition as a track coach at the University of Windsor.
When presenting the senior girls volleyball awards, it was stated that coaches Jeff Miller and Mary Ewer will not be coaching the team next season. Ewer noted she has been involved with the program dating back to General Amherst High School in 1993, while Miller came on board in 2002. They have led teams to multiple WECSSAA, SWOSSAA and OFSAA championships.
“We’ve seen a lot of things and it’s been a lot of fun,” said Miller.
Lily Mulder assisted with the banquet itself and helped with the girls slo-pitch team, after returning home after her first year at West Texas A&M University. She told student-athletes there will be setbacks as they pursue their athletic and academic careers, but they can learn from them and improve if they push through it.
“Being a student-athlete isn’t easy,” she said, while also pointing out the important time management skills that are necessary.
MAJOR AWARDS
FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR — June Buchner
MALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR — Owen Scott
FEMALE STUDENT ATHLETE OF THE YEAR — Lauren Essenpreis
MALE STUDENT ATHLETE OF THE YEAR – Traven Fines
COACHES AWARD OF EXCELLENCE – Wyatt Jackson
MOST DEDICATED ATHLETES — Camryn Carmack, Sawyer Krokos
ATHLETE-PLUS AWARD – Emma Rudling, Isiah Rusenstrom
SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD – Carsyn Atkinson, Drew Shank
SPIRIT AWARD – Jaden Taba, Julia Mailloux
JUNIOR ATHLETES OF THE YEAR
MALE – Wakan Rainville, Evan Scott, Jackson Mastronardi, Graham Evans, Mason Long
FEMALE – Ava Mayrand, Tyler Lamarche, Ashley Mongeau, Rayah Crawford, Aria Pare
INDIVIDUAL SPORT AWARDS
Sr. Girls Basketball – June Buchner (MVP), Julia Mailloux (Defensive Player of the Year)
Sr. Boys Volleyball – Jake Lacey and Traven Fines (MVPs), Jaden Taba (Most Improved)
Football – Ashton Fevreau (MVP), Sawyer Krokos (Offensive Player of the Year), Noah Abreu (Defensive Player of the Year), Alex Greason (Lineman of the Year)
Cross Country – Emma Rudling (Top Finisher), Madelyn Storino (Rookie of the Year)
Tennis – Ryan Cipkar & Ella Hrynyk (MVPs)
Golf – Geordie Johnston (Award of Excellence), Lauren Bondy (Coaches Award)
Sr. Boys Basketball – Ashton Adkin (MVP), Noah Dade (Coaches Award)
Sr. Girls Volleyball – Lauren Essenpreis & Addison Prieur (Awards of Excellence)
Girls Hockey – Carsyn Atkinson (Corey Meloche Leadership Award), Rylee Varney (Corey Meloche Team Spirit Award)
Boys Hockey – Wyatt Jackson (Coaches Award), Jackson Mastronardi (Top Rookie)
Boys Soccer – Ben Wood (MVP), Jack Prieur (Coaches Award)
Girls Soccer – Ada Faber (Defensive Player of the Year), Taliya Robson (Most Dedicated
Sr. Badminton – Taliah Sideris & Elza Wade (Leadership Awards)
Track & Field – Cameron Maxwell & Leora Sharman (Coaches Awards), Emma Rudling (Sr. Athlete), Wakan Rainville (Jr. Athlete)
Girls Softball – Ava Mayrand (Slam Goddess), Camryn Carmack (Pitch’er Perfect)
Boys Baseball – Owen Scott & Wyatt Jackson (MVPs)
Ultimate Frisbee – Sophia French (Spirit of the Disc), Jaden Taba (Spirit in Flight)
Dance – Sophie Rivait (MVP), Molly Parks (Most Dedicated)
Mountain Monsters – Eric Mallett (King of the Mountain) North Star High School holds annual athletic banquet
By Ron Giofu
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