2008 Athletics Canada Award Winners

Saturday, November 22, 2008

OTTAWA - Athletics Canada announced today the winners of its annual awards at the 2008 Awards Gala presented by Mondo held in Toronto. The ceremony coincided with the 2008 Technical Congress. Congratulations to all recipients, finalists and nominees.

• Click here to view the full list of finalists.

Chantal Petitclerc, of Montréal, QC, winner of -

• Jack W. Davies Trophy - Outstanding Overall Athlete
• Phil A. Edwards Memorial Trophy - Outstanding Athlete of the Year in Track Events

• Outstanding Para-Athlete of the Year - Wheelchair Award

Chantal’s incredible performances throughout the year, highlighted by her outstanding accomplishments at the Paralympic Games aided her in capturing these three awards. Winning five Paralympic Games gold medals (100m, 200m, 400m, 800m and 1500m) along with setting four World Records and numerous Paralympic Games records, she has accomplished more in one year that many athletes dream to acquire in a lifetime. Chantal’s successes also included numerous national and international titles including the 400-metres Canadian title in the T54 classification.

Dylan Armstrong, of Kamloops, BC, winner of -

• F.N.A. Rowell Trophy - Outstanding Athlete of the Year in Field Events

Dylan Armstrong started the outdoor season on May 29 in strong fashion with a Canadian Record in the shot put, breaking the record held by Brad Snyder that stood since 2004. Armstrong captured the Canadian title for the fourth consecutive year but is outstanding season wasn’t finished there. On the world’s biggest stage, in his Olympic debut no less, he finished fourth by a mere centimeter and bettered his Canadian record along the way. His performance at the games was Canada’s best finish ever in shot put.

Priscilla Lopes-Schliep, Whitby, ON, winner of -

• Cal D. Bricker Memorial Trophy - Single Outstanding Performance of the Year

Priscilla Lopes-Schliep won Bronze in the 100-metre hurdles to capture Canada’s first Olympic track and field medal in 12 years. With the weight of the country on her shoulders and her determination evident, everyone watched as she dipped at the line in a photo finish thousandths of a second behind the silver medalist. Previously racing in the shadows on the international stage, she burst onto the scene in 2008 to establish herself as one of the world’s best hurdlers.

Earle Connor, Calgary, AB, winner of -

• Outstanding Para-Athlete of the Year - Ambulatory Award

Earle Connor was off to a strong year, after claiming both the Alberta Provincial and National titles in the T42 classification 100-metres. In late July Earle ran in the Bayer Meeting in Leverkusen, Germany finishing first with a new World record time of 12.084 bettering his own previous mark of 12.14 set back in 2002. With a strong season already under his belt Earle set off to compete at the Paralympic Games where he won the gold medal in a Games record time of 12.32 seconds.

Evan Dunfee, Richmond, BC, winner of -

• Fred Begley Memorial Trophy - Outstanding Athlete of the Year in Road Running, Cross Country or Race Walking Events

Evan Dunfee is the 2008 recipient of the Fred Begley Memorial Trophy, Dunfee particularly excelled in the 10-kilometre racewalk. At the 2008 World Junior Championships Evan finished 10th in a personal best time of 42:56.82. Later in the season Evan took first place at the CAN-USA Junior Racewalking Dual Meet held in Victoria, BC.

Jessica Zelinka, London, ON, winner of -

• Combined Events Athlete of the Year

Jessica Zelinka finished in fifth place in the Heptathlon at her first Olympic Games registering a new Canadian record of 6490 points and setting four personal best performances along the way. As part of her qualifying criteria for the Games she also won the Canadian title in Windsor, ON.

Sam Effah, Calgary, AB, winner of -

• Dr. Fred Tees Memorial Trophy - Outstanding Athlete Enrolled in a Canadian University

Finishing the CIS athletics season as both the Athlete of the Year and Performer of the Championships meet is one indication Sam Effah had a strong interuniversity sports year. He won the CIS Championship titles in both the 60-metre and 300-metres. Sam was also a member of the 2008 NACAC U-23 Championships team where he finished with a bronze medal in the 200-metres and was fourth in the 100-metres.

Julie Labonté, Ste-Justine, QC, winner of -

• Eric E. Coy Memorial Trophy - Outstanding Junior Athlete of the Year

Julie Labonté won the gold medal in shot put at the Commonwealth Youth Games by throwing 15.02-metres. She also represented Canada at the World Junior Championships and won titles in the shot put and discus throw at the Canadian Junior Championships.

Jessica Parry, London, ON, winner of –

• Myrtle Cook Trophy - Outstanding Youth Athlete of the Year

Jessica had participated in both the Commonwealth Youth Games and World Junior Championships. At the Commonwealth Youth Games she finished with a silver medal in the 1500-metres in a Canadian Youth record time of 4:20.59. She was a member of the silver medal winning 4x400-metres relay team and placed fourth in the 800-metres. At the World Junior Championships Jessica ran a Canadian Youth record in the 800-metres of 2:06.72. She also claimed the National Junior titles in both the 800-metres and 1500-metres.

Peter Eriksson, Ottawa, ON, winner of -

• Outstanding Coach of the Year

This year’s recipient of the Outstanding Coach of the Year is Peter Eriksson. Among his athletes representing Canada at the 2008 Paralympic Games were Jeff Adams, Tracey Ferguson, Brent Lakatos and Chantal Petitclerc. Eriksson coached Chantal on her way to being the first wheelchair athlete to race 100-metres in under 16 seconds; she also set 3 additional World records this year. Peter was named to the Paralympic Games team staff as assistant coache in wheelchair racing and as expert advisor to the Head Coach.

For more information on the Athletics Canada Awards please visit: www.athletics.ca/page.asp?id=54

Petro-Canada Coaching Excellence Awards

The 2008 recipients of the Petro-Canada Coaching Excellence Awards were recently announced by the Coaching Association of Canada. This award recognizes coaching contributions to athletes winning gold, silver and/or bronze medals while competing at World caliber events such as World Championships, Olympic Games, and Paralympic Games.

Athletics Canada would like to congratulate the coaches from within its community who were recipients of the 2008 Petro Canada Coaching Awards.

-AC-

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