Jack Matier wins Sault's sportsperson of the year award

Last evening during a celebration at the Machine Shop, local high school athletes were presented awards in 15 categories by the Rotary Club of Sault Ste. Marie.

The 66th Annual Sports Awards Dinner included the presentation of the Walter Lowe Memorial Award to Korah Collegiate student Dylan Garson. The award is given annually to the city's top high school athlete.

The H. P. Broughton Memorial Trophy was awarded to Team Canada World Juniors gold medalist, Jack Matier; and Lorri Purnis was named as this year's Russ Ramsay High School Sports Hall of Fame inductee.

The complete list of award winners is included in the following news release:

The Rotary Club of Sault Ste. Marie is excited to announce the winners of the 66th Annual Sports Awards Dinner, an evening dedicated to honouring the achievements of the Sault’s exceptional student athletes. The Sports Awards Dinner, which took place June 15 at the Machine Shop in the Canal District, awarded students in 15 categories.

“Each school nominates their candidates for the individual sports and it becomes a very difficult undertaking to choose the eventual winner,” shared Murdoch Carter, committee chair for the Sports Awards Dinner. “However, it is very clear to everyone that just being nominated is an achievement, in itself, worth honouring.”

This annual tradition, that began in 1956, recognizes the dedication and hard work of local student-athletes throughout the academic year. The event acknowledges the students’ sportsmanship, leadership, and accomplishments with awards in several categories.

The Award winners for each category are as follows:
    •    Badminton: Dylan Garson, Korah C. & V.S. / Daniel Guzzo, St. Mary’s College
    •    Basketball: Reece Martin, St. Mary’s College
    •    Cross Country Running: Dylan Garson, Korah C. & V.S.
    •    Curling: Evan Robert, Korah C. & V.S. / Justin MacKay, White Pines C & V.S.
    •    Football: Jesse Burella, Korah C. & V.S. / Gabe Barkley, Superior Heights C & V.S.
    •    Hockey: Jaxon Alexander, St. Mary’s College / Ronan Provenzano. Korah C & V.S.
    •    Nordic Skiing: Trysten Kahtava, Korah C & V.S.
    •    Soccer: Nate Carter, St. Mary’s College
    •    Track & Field: Adam Hassan, White Pines C & V.S.
    •    Wrestling: Kent Lablance, St. Mary’s College
    •    Walter Lowe Memorial Award (top high school athlete): Dylan Garson, Korah C & V.S.
    •    B’nai B’rith Award (student who best combines academics and athletics): Tyler Greco, Superior Heights C & V.S.
    •    Ross Winslade Award: St Mary’s College (awarded annually to the secondary school accumulating the most points within the city for all boys’ and girls’ sports sanctioned by the local athletic associations)
    •    The Russ Ramsay High School Sports Hall of Fame inductee: Lorri Purnis
    •    H. P. Broughton Memorial Trophy: Jack Matier - Team Canada World Juniors gold medalist

“The Club assigns The H.P. Broughton Award and we have at least six local sports writers, media personnel, and well-known sports personalities on the committee to nominate the top three candidates who have had especially noteworthy accomplishments,” added Carter. “The committee selects the winner and this year, like many past years, it was an impossible task given the outstanding accomplishments of all three nominees, Jack Matier, Nevaeh Pine, and Michael Amadio.”

The Annual Rotary Sports Awards Dinner serves as a celebration for our entire school community. This includes the athletes, parents, coaches, and faculty that made these successes possible.

The Rotary Club would like to offer its congratulations to all our student athletes for their outstanding performances and commend their commitment to sportsmanship, teamwork and personal growth. The 2022/23 school year was a great one and the Club is immensely proud to celebrate our athlete’s achievements.