Awards will also honour long-time coaches, officials and volunteers
An all-star lineup of athletes, teams and coaches are among the finalists for the Athlete of the Year awards at the upcoming Saskatchewan Sport Awards.
The annual program celebrates the success and dedication of those in the province’s amateur sport community. Nominees for the Athlete of the Year awards were submitted by Provincial Sport Organizations based on the accomplishments of athletes, teams and coaches in 2019. Recipients will be selected by a Sask Sport awards committee. They will be announced at a gala event in Saskatoon on March 26 that will also honour six long-time coaches, officials and volunteers with dedication awards.
“Saskatchewan is home to some incredibly talented and hardworking athletes, teams, coaches, officials and volunteers and we are excited to shine a spotlight on their accomplishments at the upcoming Saskatchewan Sport Awards,” said Kenric Exner, Volunteer Board Chair for Sask Sport, which serves as the provincial federation for amateur sport.
“All of these finalists and recipients are making meaningful contributions to sport. They are tremendous ambassadors for the province and serve as an inspiration for others to get active, participate in sport and pursue their dreams.”
Finalists for the seven Athlete of the Year awards are listed below. Select results and highlights from their 2019 competitions are available in the attached document.
Athlete of the Year Finalists
FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR FINALISTS
Courtney Hufsmith • Saskatoon • Athletics
Nominated by Saskatchewan Athletics
Keely Shaw • Saskatoon • Para Cycling
Nominated by Saskatchewan Cycling Association
Krystal Shaw • Regina • Para Swimming
Nominated by Swim Saskatchewan
MALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR FINALISTS
Graeme Fish • Moose Jaw • Speed Skating
Nominated by Saskatchewan Speed Skating Association
Jarret Kenke • Saskatoon • Kayak
Nominated by Canoe Kayak Saskatchewan
Payne Wylie • Elstow • Athletics
Nominated by Saskatchewan Athletics
TEAM OF THE YEAR FINALISTS
Team Sask. U19 Men • Water polo
Nominated by Water Polo Saskatchewan
Saskatoon Valkyries • Saskatoon • Football
Nominated by Football Saskatchewan
COACH OF THE YEAR FINALISTS
Eric Kramer • Saskatoon • Para Swimming
Nominated by Swim Saskatchewan
Jason Reindl • Saskatoon • Athletics
Nominated by Saskatchewan Athletics
Jeff Stusek • Regina • Football
Nominated by Football Saskatchewan
YOUTH FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR FINALISTS
Aida Lissel-DeCorby • Saskatoon • Rowing
Nominated by Saskatchewan Rowing Association
Lila Stewart • Regina • Diving
Nominated by Dive Sask
Savannah Sutherland • Borden • Athletics
Nominated by Saskatchewan Athletics
YOUTH MALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR FINALISTS
Colby Kosteniuk • Regina • Special Olympics Swim
Nominated by Special Olympics Saskatchewan
Carson Lee • Saskatoon • Wrestling
Nominated by Saskatchewan Amateur Wrestling Association
Rylan Wiens • Saskatoon • Diving
Nominated by Dive Sask
MASTER ATHLETE OF THE YEAR FINALISTS
Laurie Meschishnick • Saskatoon • Weightlifting
Nominated by Saskatchewan Weightlifting Association
Team Syrota • Wadena • Curling
Nominated by CURLSASK
M. Vincent/I. English • Regina • Canoeing
Nominated by Canoe Kayak Saskatchewan
Coach, Official and Volunteer Dedication Awards
COACH DEDICATION AWARD RECIPIENTS
Russell Martin • Grand Coulee • Softball
Nominated by Softball Saskatchewan
Sherry Pasloski • Yorkton • Special Olympics
Nominated by Special Olympics Saskatchewan
OFFICIAL AWARD RECIPIENTS
Dennis Rennie • Saskatoon • Tennis
Nominated by Tennis Saskatchewan
Deanna Rindal • Prince Albert • Curling
Nominated by CURLSASK
VOLUNTEER RECOGNITION AWARD RECIPIENTS
Margaret Auringer • Maidstone • Figure Skating
Nominated by Skate Canada Saskatchewan
Ken Trofimuk • Prince Albert • Weightlifting
Nominated by Saskatchewan Weightlifting Association
For more on the contributions of these coaches, officials and volunteers, see the document below.