One hundred and twenty-one Yukon athletes were awarded medals yesterday at the third annual Government of Yukon Celebration of Sport Excellence. The athletes were recognized by the Yukon government, Sport Yukon, the Yukon Aboriginal Sport Circle and Special Olympics Yukon for their dedication to sport after successfully competing at major Yukon, regional, national and international competitions.
The Yukon Sport Hall of Fame also inducted a new member at the event and the Yukon Aboriginal Sport Circle, Sport Yukon and Special Olympics Canada also presented their own awards.
Our territory is home to some of the finest athletes, coaches and sports leaders in Canada. These Yukoners inspire so many of us with their hard work, talent and the high standards they set for themselves. On behalf of the Yukon government and all Yukoners, I congratulate this year’s Celebration of Sport Excellence recipients for their many achievements.
Yukon has a multitude of high performance athletes, from amateurs at the beginning of their sport career to elites competing at the highest level, including the Olympics. They are all supported by the many leaders and coaches that make up Yukon’s remarkably strong sport and recreation community. Congratulations to all of these individuals who have shown amazing dedication to their sports and inspired Yukoners with their achievements.
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Presentations were made of 63 Premier’s Awards of Excellence and 58 Minister’s Awards of Recognition – including recognition of athletes who participated in the 2018 Arctic Winter Games and 2018 Canada 55 Plus Games. In addition, two Olympians were recognized for their accomplishments at the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics.
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Winners of the Premier’s Awards of Excellence and the Minister’s Awards of Recognition have achieved medal standings at provincial, national or international competitions. These athletes were nominated by their sport governing body.
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The third annual Celebration of Sport Excellence was held at the Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre in Whitehorse.
2019 CELEBRATION OF SPORT EXCELLENCE
Olympic Awards
Dahria Beatty Cross-Country Skiing
Knute Johnsgaard Cross-Country Skiing
Premier’s Awards of Sport Excellence
Presented in recognition of Yukon athletes who have excelled at Provincials, Western Canadian, National and International Competitions.
Jack Amos Athletics
Jessica Frotten Athletics
Aidan Hupe Biathlon
Nadia Moser Biathlon
Luanda Pronovost Canoe/Kayak
Mael Pronovost Canoe/Kayak
Hunter Vincent Canoe/Kayak
Dahria Beatty Cross-Country Skiing
Knute Johnsgaard Cross-Country Skiing
Emily Nishikawa Cross-Country Skiing
Graham Nishikawa Cross-Country Skiing
Natalie Hynes Cross-Country Skiing
Derek Dueling Cross-Country Skiing
Etienne Geoffroy-Gagnon Freestyle Skiing
Jadon Leenders Judo
Dylan Cozens Hockey
Gavin McKenna Hockey
Garry Chaplin Five-Pin Bowling
Wayne Thomas Five-Pin Bowling
Mallory Pigage Five-Pin Bowling
Leif Blake Orienteering
Forest Pearson Orienteering
Brent Langbakk Orienteering
Kendra Murray Orienteering
Philippa McNeil Orienteering
Barbara Scheck Orienteering
Victoria Ryan Swimming
Katie Vowk Volleyball
Darby McIntyre Athletics
Ernest Chua Swimming
Kevin Spofford Swimming
Special Olympics Canada Summer Games Five-Pin Bowling Team
Special Olympics Canada Summer Games Soccer Team
14U Girls Sub-Zero Volleyball Team
Minister’s Awards of Sport Recognition
Presented to Yukon athletes who have excelled at 2018 Arctic Winter Games, 55+ Games, Provincials, Western Canadian, National and International Competitions.
Sofija Jewell Archery
Wyatt Kapaniuk Archery
Allan Benjamin Athletics
Bonnie Love Athletics
John Storms Athletics
Nichollis Schmidt Cross-Country Skiing
Ben Puskas Cross-Country Skiing
Ava Irving-Staley Cycling
Jessica Pruden Athletics
Aimee Lien Rhythmic Gymnastics
Emily King Gymnastics
Maude Molgat Gymnastics
Nesta Leduc Orienteering
Pia Blake Orienteering
Jenny Bonny Swimming
Angela MacNeil Swimming
Thérèse Lindsay Swimming
Charles Turanich-Noyen Swimming
Jenni Beauregard Swimming
Mary Anne Myers Swimming
Canada 55+ Games – Gold Medal Winners
Elaine Hanulik Bocce
Sherry Smith Bocce
Louise Girard Cycling
Gail Craigen Cycling
Cheryl Clarke Floor Shuffleboard
David McMurphy Floor Shuffleboard
Darlene Thompson Scrabble
Colleen Tyrner Scrabble
Shirley Clark Scrabble
Jenny Trapnell Swimming
Sue Chambers Swimming
Bonnie Duffee Swimming
Tom Parlee Athletics
John Hall Athletics
Hank Leenders Athletics
Brenda Dion Athletics
Donna Jones Athletics
2018 Arctic Winter Games Gold Medal Winners
Bianca Berko-Malvasio Arctic Sports
Veronica Porter Ski Biathlon
Bronwyn Goodwin-Williams Ski Biathlon
Kiana Mannings Curling
Sonjaa Schmidt Cross-Country Skiing
Derek Dueling Cross-Country Skiing
Sasha Masson Cross-Country Skiing
Victor-Emile Thibeault Cross-Country Skiing
Amanda Thomson Cross-Country Skiing
Hanna Jirousek Cross-Country Skiing
Abbey Jirousek Cross-Country Skiing
Doronn Fox Dene Games
Sasha Kozmen Gymnastics
Anders Petersson Short-Track Speed Skating
Caius Taggart-Cox Short-Track Speed Skating
Lucas Taggart-Cox Short-Track Speed Skating
Micah Taggart-Cox Short-Track Speed Skating
Lisa Freeman Short-Track Speed Skating
Ben Machtans Snowboarding
Jack Amos Snowshoeing
Cassi Jensen Wrestling
Judy Russell Wrestling
Sport Yukon Award Winners
International Female Athlete of the Year: Emily Nishikawa
International Male Athlete of the Year: Etienne Geoffroy
National/Territorial Female Athlete of the year: Maddison Nicholson
National/Territorial Male Athlete of the Year: Dylan Cozens
Administrator of the Year: Bonnie Love
Team of the Year: Yukon Selects U15 Male Soccer Team
Coach of the Year: Yves Titley
Yukon Sport Hall of Fame inductee: Bill Curtis
Yukon Aboriginal Sport Circle Award Winners
Aboriginal Athlete of the Year: Kiiwaadin Swan
Aboriginal Arctic Sports/Dene Games Athlete of the Year: Emily King
Aboriginal Coach of the Year: Gary Bailie
Outstanding Commitment to Aboriginal Sports: Council of Yukon First Nations
Janine Workman
Cabinet Communications
867-393-7449
janine.workman@gov.yk.ca
Aisha Montgomery
Communications, Community Services
867-333-1024
aisha.montgomery@gov.yk.ca