Brigitte Acton wins Sault's top sporting honour

Brigitte Acton may have been miles away but her smile could felt at the 50th Annual Rotary Sports Award Dinner on Tuesday night at the Marconi Club.

Acton, who represented Canada at the Turin Winter Olympic Games, was named the winner of the H.P. Broughton Award as Sault Ste. Marie's Sportsperson of the Year for her achievements over the past 365 days in alpine skiing.

Acton, now a repeat winner after capturing the 2003 honour, edged out nominees Mike Hall, head coach of the Soo North Stars, and nordic skier Adam Kates.

"I didn't expect to be nominated at all," said Acton from her training facility in Mont Tremblant, Quebec. "And then going against my competitors Adam and Mr. Hall, that's a tough field. This is a really big honour and I'm proud to be from Sault Ste. Marie. I wish I was there to share this."

Meanwhile, St. Mary's all-star athlete Pat Murray also emerged a big winner by capturing the Walter Lowe Memorial Trophy as the top male high school athlete.

Further details and photos from Acton's win and the entire Rotary Awards ceremony, which featured numerous high school awards, are posted on the Sports page.