PECI athletes honoured for excellence in sport at school and beyond

Major award winners (above) and individual athletes were honoured Tuesday night on stage at the Regent Theatre.

Prince Edward Collegiate Institute students, staff, coaches, families and friends honoured athletes Tuesday night for excellence in sport at school, in the region, district, province and in special instance, on the national stage.

“It’s wonderful to be able to gather together this evening to recognize and honour this incredible group of student athletes, their dedication and their commitment to excellence and sport,” said Principal Kim Myderwyk. “We are incredibly proud to have each and every one of you represent our Panther pride.”

Among highlights of the evening’s celebration of sport were the Spencer sisters – Drew and Brooke – who each received individual and major awards.

Drew received the Joe Scott Award from coaches Brandon MacKinnon and Doug Holt which is presented to an athlete who demonstrates specialized excellence. They noted that when she wasn’t playing rugby, volleyball, soccer or doing track and field, she was competing provincially and nationally for the sport she is most passionate – rugby.

She represented Team Ontario at the U16 Nationals in Calgary where she earned a starting spot each game and the team won the gold medal.

At age 16, Drew was one of 20 under 18 players from across Canada to represent the nation on the 2024 UK Tour this past March – which included a 15-day tour playing games against the United Kingdom teams as well as training sessions with professional players. In the winter season she played for the Eastern Ontario 7s rugby team and for the provincial U16 Ontario Blues program.

“Our Senior Female Athlete of the Year is not just a remarkable athlete, she is the heart and soul of our graduating class,” said coaches Hannah Wilson and Cassy Jianopoulos who noted Brooke Spencer “embodies the spirit of a Panther… The dedication, determination and integrity she carries herself with on and off the field, court, and track speaks volumes to her character.” As well as excellence in cross country, track and field, basketball, volleyball, soccer and rugby, she was called “a driving force in all the athletic programs as co-president of the athletic council, sacrificing hundreds of hours to make contributions that have enriched our community and brought us closer together.” She is heading to the University of Guelph this fall.

Brooke also received the Jeremy Vincent Award, (from proud Mom, Athletic Director Laurie Spencer) honouring excellence in track and field. She competed at the Bay of Quinte, COSSA and East Regionals levels. She earned COSSA gold in the 400m and qualified for East Regional Championships in the 200m, 400m and 800m. She also competed on the cross country team and track and field team and was called a mentor to her younger teammates.

Mitchell Sills was named Senior Male Athlete of the Year as coach Andrew Holmes noted he “is a true gem” who understands both the physical and mental demands of playing at a high level. “Whether he is playing hoops, going bar down or chucking heat, he is always ready at game time.”

In the year’s other major awards, Emerson Blakely and Cameron Billing were named Junior Male Athletes of the Year – both called “extremely dedicated and well-rounded Grade 10 athletes” by coaches Pam Goad and Colleen Galway

Coach Sarah Jaeger said Junior Female Athlete of the Year Abi Childerhose “has risen to become a shining start on every playing field… excelling in rugby, soccer and volleyball and bringing great energy to every game, fueling her team.

Cole Byford and Will Bolton shared the Grade 9 Male Athlete of the Year Award, both described as deserving winners as multiple sport athletes the coaches hope will continue in sports throughout high school.

Olivia Demianchuk and Sophie Caissie also shared the Grade 9 award for Female Athlete of the Year. They were honoured for positive attitudes and commitment to their sports by coaches Cassy Jianopoulos and Hannah Wilson

With incoming Athletic Council Co-Captain, Declan Vincent (far left) and Coach Laurie Spencer (right) OPIE Award recipients were Luke Raham, Lily Anderson, Libby Hudson, Mackenzie Babutac, Hayden Blakely, Brooke Spencer and Rowan Colby.

The OPIE Award is presented to students who have unselfishly contributed to interschool sports, or the life of sports in the school.

“As athletes and supporters of athletes, you know that the behind-the-scenes efforts of volunteers are what makes sports possible,” said Laurie Spencer, the school’s athletic director, noting seven students were being honoured this year: Luke Raham: for his contributions to coaching the Girls’ Basketball team. Graduating Athletic Council members Libby Hudson, Lily Anderson, Mackenzie Babutac and Hayden Blakely. Athletic Council Co-Captain Rowan Colby for specializing in intramurals and convening elementary tournaments and Co-Captain Brooke Spencer for specializing in the promotion and recognition of PECI sports including all formal photos, social media posts and the PECI Athletics magazine.

“We watch sports. We coach sports. And as Panthers, all of us get something meaningful from sports,” said Rowan Colby, co-captain of the athletic council. He and Brooke Spencer hosted the evening which celebrated 201 athletes at the school this year.

INDIVIDUAL AWARDS:

JR Boys Volleyball: Most Valuable Player Cameron Billing and Most Dedicated Player Grady Holmes with proud Dad, Coach Andrew Holmes.

SR Badminton: Most Valuable Player Sophie Eskins. Most Dedicated Player Grace Conley with Coach Andrew Holmes.

JR Badminton: Most Dedicated Player Bradley Stever. Most Valuable Player Grady Holmes with Coach Pam Goad.

JR Girls Soccer: Most Dedicated Players Emily Wager and Sadie Rees with coaches Hannah Wilson and Cassy Jianopolous.

SR Girls Soccer: Coaches Cassy Jianopolous and Hannah Wilson with Most Valuable Player Drew Spencer and Most Dedicated Player Brooke Spencer.

Varsity Baseball: Andrew Dayton (PECI alumnus) and  Andrew Holmes with Most Valuable Player Mitchell Sills. Most Improved Player, Colin Girvan was absent.

SR Girls Volleyball: Coach Laurie Spencer with Most Valuable Player Grace Werkhoven. Most Improved Player Sophie Eskins.

Cross Country: Coach Laurie Spencer with Most Dedicated Runners Derek Quick and Brooke Spencer.

JR Girls Volleyball: Coach Sarah Vader with Most Improved Player Milly Dowson. Most Valuable Player Grace Wallach.

JR. Girls Rugby: Coaches Sarah Jaeger, Doug Holt and Brandon MacKinnnon with Most Dedicated Player Abby Speirs. Most Valuable Player Abi Childerhose.

SR. Girls Rugby: Most Improved Player Caydie Hall-Lucas. Most Dedicated Player Raelyn Dockrill with coaches Brandon MacKinnon, Sarah Jaeger and Doug Holt.

Varsity Hockey:  Coaches Brandon MacKinoon and Doug Holt with co-Most Valuable Player Isaac Krentz (Cohen Bedore was absent.)

JR. Boys Rugby: Most Valuable Player Back Alex Lavender and Forward Josh Spencer.

SR. Boys Rugby: Most Valuable Forward Cole Carruthers and Back Liam Philip with coaches Brandon MacKinnon and Doug Holt.

Track and Field: Most Dedicated Players Drew Spencer and Emerson Blakely with coach Laurie Spencer.

JR. Girls Basketball: Coach Colleen Galway and Luke Raham (student coach) with Most Dedicated Player Chloe Lucas.  Most Valuable Player Abby Rumig was absent.

SR. Boys Basketball: Christopher Bolton (community member), Colleen Galway, Ryan Doolan (PECI Alumnus) with Most Valuable Player Luke Raham and Most Dedicated Player Griffin Lavender.

JR. Boys Basketball: Christopher Bolton (community member), and Colleen Galway with Most Valuable Player Will Bolton and Most Improved Player Gavin Campbell.

At the presentation for a fun award for their intramural win were Draeden Hymus, Brody Partridge, Isaac Krentz, Charlie Smith, Dakin Jones and Hayden Blakely. This year’s ‘Mapril’ Madness Intramurals winners were the Basket Brawlers.