Virtual tribute to PECI’s athletes in the year of COVID

Senior Athletes of the Year at PECI, from left, are: Madalynn Snider, Cameron Pero, Alex Arsenault and Sydney Davies.

Outstanding athletes at Prince Edward College Institute are being honoured virtually this year. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and rules limiting gatherings, the annual celebration at the Regent Theatre was not an option, moving accolades for individual and team sports online and in local media.

“Our 2019-2020 student athletes are an outstanding group,” said Laurie Spencer, PECI’s Athletic Director. “It is a true pleasure to see the development of these athletes not only on the court, fields and ice, but also as young adults. Education through sport is an incredible tool.”

Spencer thanked the student athletic council for work behind the scenes to virtually recognize athletes online and with local media.

“The 2019-2020 class of PECI student athletes is one that will certainly go down in history,” said Nolan Steen, PECI Athletic Council Co-Captain, with Sydney Davies. “This class of athletes has endured difficult challenges that no other class of athletes has had to face.”

With almost an entire semester being cancelled this year, athletes were unable to compete in badminton, girls’ soccer, boys’ rugby, tennis, baseball and track and field.

“On a lighter note, there are many happy memories to look back on for the 2019-2020 year, including a second COSSA championship and OFSAA appearance in a row for our Senior Boys Basketball team,” said Steen.

Top teams for the year include medals for both the Senior Boys’ Soccer and Varsity Girls Basketball at Central Ontario Secondary Schools Association play (COSSA).

The Senior Boys Basketball team earned gold at COSSA and represented PECI at the Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations (OFSAA).

Senior Boys Basketball team members back row: Jaylan Pierson (student manager), Ryan Doolan, Ghaffar Mehmood, Logan Stark, Devon Wilton, Cameron Pero, Ryan Cunningham, Rob Garden (coach) Front row: Ross Maycock, Cooper Rogers, Dyan Morrow, Thomas Davies, Alex Arsenault.

Spencer notes the trophies are locked down in the school but will be updated with names as soon as possible and medallions for the students are hoped to be distributed in the fall.

Steen also thanked the school community media outlets who came together to recognize athletes digitally.

“As co-president of the PECI Athletic Council, I’d also like to thank Laurie Spencer and Rob Garden for their help as teacher volunteers over my years in the council, and I thank my fellow council members for all of the work that they’ve put in to making this athletic year a memorable one for PECI athletes,” he said. “All PECI athletes should be proud of themselves for not only their accomplishments this year, but for the willpower that they have shown in facing the challenges that we’ve had to face because of COVID-19.”

This year, two athletes were named to the each of the top senior awards.

“With the shortened sports year, we felt it was the best option,” said Spencer. “We did not have a spring season to further differentiate between athletes.”

Madalynn Snider and Sydney Davies – senior female athletes of the year.

Madalynn Snider and Sydney Davies shared this year’s Senior Female Athlete of the Year award.

“Sydney is an incredibly well-rounded student-athlete who effectively balances school work and athletics, volunteer work (including being our Athletic Council Co-Captain), and a busy elite hockey schedule.”

“Madalynn is a true competitor who plays with heart and intensity. She is an asset to her teammates through her energy and her dedicated approach to developing and excelling at all of her activities.”

Alex Arsenault and Cameron Pero shared the Senior Male Athete of the Year award. Pero also received the Joe Scott Award honouring an athlete displaying specialized excellence, in Pero’s case, for golf.

“Cameron is an all-around athlete who takes fitness and preparation to the next level. On the golf course, Cameron is one of the top players in Central Ontario high school play. On the basketball court, Cameron can be counted on for his consistent and smart play.”

“Alex is a force in all sports he plays. Whether a dominate player on the soccer pitch or the basketball court, Alex’s level of fitness and his passion for all sports that he plays makes him an all-around athlete.”

The O.P.I.E. Award for students who unselfishly contributed to interschool sports, of life of sports in the school, was awarded to Jaylan Pierson (Sr. Boys Basketball Manager)
Alexa Prinzen (Varsity Girls Basketball Manager)
Sydney Davies (Athletic Council Co-Captain)
Nolan Steen (Athletic Council Co-Captain)
Nolan Dawson (Athletic Council Graduate)
Max Lindsay (Athletic Council Graduate)
Thomas Davies (Athletic Council Graduate)
Case McFarland (Athletic Council Graduate)
Becca McHugh (Athletic Council Graduate)

Vanessa Wilton was named Junior Female Athlete of the Year. Brennan Vincent was named Junior Male Athlete of the Year.

The Grade 9 Female Athlete of the Year is Kayde Channell. The Grade 9 Male Athlete of the Year is Reese Kleinsteuber.

INDIVIDUAL SPORT AWARDS:

BOYS HOCKEY
Congratulations to Austin Bryans on winning MVP! Congratulations to Nic McGrayne on winning MDP! Well done boys!SR BOYS VOLLEYBALL
Congratulations to Logan Stark on winning MVP! Congratulations to Nolan Dawson for winning MIP! Well done fellas!JR BOYS VOLLEYBALL
Congratulations to Aiden Reddick on winning MVP! Aiden was a fearless leader who is less about talk and more about action. Could always be counted on to step up and make a big play. Congratulations to Matthew Vincent on winning MIP! His improvements throughout the season led to him getting more court time. He possessed a fantastic serve that could change the momentum of a game in our favour. Well done fellas!BOYS CURLING
Congratulations to Dylan Spafford for winning MDP! Dylan was a fast learner and an awesome competitor. Congratulations to David Litke for winning MIP! David was a great addition to the sport, and always is keen to learn and grow. Well done fellas!

GIRLS CURLING
Congratulations to Elle Ball for winning MVP! Elle was a positive and well-rounded leader on the ice. Congratulations to Sarah Johnson for winning MDP! Sarah was always upbeat and encouraging other players to be at their best. Well done ladies!SR GIRLS VOLLEYBALL
Congratulations to Alexa Prinzen on winning MVP! Alexa was a player who could elevate her game and the game of her teammates; led her team to several come-from-behind victories. Congratulations to Trinity Roche for winning MIP! Coaches say that Trinity gets ‘er done. She improved her passing, blocking and serving to become a force on the court.

JR GIRLS VOLLEYBALL
Congratulations to Vanessa Wilton for winning MVP! Vanessa was a leader on the court; a great competitor and communicator who got her serving mojo on this year. A big congratulations to Emily Stasiw for winning MDP! Emily was a very consistent passer and server; always positive and encouraging to her teammates.

JR BOYS BASKETBALL
Congratulations to Luke Raham and Stephen McGuey for winning MDP awards! Coaches say that despite a tough season for the team, Luke never lost his enthusiasm for the sport, was a contributor on the court and always encouraged his team mates. Stephen showed his love of basketball and dedication to the team through his quiet focus and instant offence throughout a tough season.

SR BOYS BASKETBALL
Congratulations to Alex Arsenault for winning MVP! Coaches say that Alex is One of the most dominant players in PECI Basketball history. Could take over a game when he wanted to. A very bright future ahead. Another big congratulations to Ryan Doolan for winning MIP! Coaches say that Ryan started as a bench player, but worked hard to improve and assert himself as the 6th man. Key contributor at both COSSA and OFSAA.

GOLF
Congratulations to Cameron Pero for winning MVP! Cameron was one of the top golfers at Bay of Quinte and COSSA. He had a great combination of competitiveness and sportsmanship. Congratulations to Rylan Lewis for winning MIP! Rylan improved his individual qualifying scores to make the PECI COSSA team. Well done fellas!

VARSITY GIRLS BASKETBALL
Congratulations to both Sydney Davies and Vanessa Wilton for receiving the Most Dedicated Player Awards! Sydney’s award is a 4 year award to a player who was able to balance a demanding basketball schedule, elite hockey, school work and volunteerism. Vanessa is a fierce competitor who has a real passion for the game. Always played with a smile on her face. No drama or attitude. Well done ladies!

SR BOYS SOCCER
Congratulations to Devon Wilton and Joey Monroe for both taking home MVP awards! Well done fellas!

JR BOYS SOCCER
Congratulations to Greg Talbot and Brennan Vincent for winning Most Dedicated Player awards! Well done fellas!

GIRLS RUGBY
Congratulations to Libby Wallwork for winning the Most Valuable Player award, and to Elle Ball for winning the Most Dedicated Player award! Well done ladies!

CROSS COUNTRY
Congratulations to both Madison Smith and Sarah Johnson for receiving the Most Dedicated Player Awards! Madison is a positive and enthusiastic teammate who understands the joy of running. Sarah is always smiling, always striving to meet her personal goals. Well done ladies!