Super seniors
Arendz, Baillie, Gallant up for male athlete of the year honour
Two national team members and a curler, who was close to winning a Canadian championship in 2016, will be recognized this week among the Island’s best athletes. Mark Arendz, Kyle Baillie and Brett Gallant are the finalists for the Bell Aliant senior male athlete of the year award. The winner will be announced Wednesday during Sport P.E.I.’s
43rd annual awards ceremony at Holland College in Charlottetown.
Here is a look at the nominees:
Mark Arendz, para nordic skiing and biathlon
Hartville’s Mark Arendz finished the 2015-16 World Cup season ninth overall in biathlon and 11th in cross-county skiing.
Arendz started the 2016-17 season in November by winning two silver medals in biathlon and bronze medals in the classic sprint and classic 20-kilometre events at a World Cup event in Finland.
Now in his 10th year racing for Canada, Arendz has high hopes for the Pyeong Chang Olympics in 2018.
Kyle Baillie, rugby
Baillie had eight caps in his first year with Rugby Canada’s senior men’s team and scored a try against Chile on March 5. The Summerside native was one of the most consistent players for the national squad throughout their final tour and was nominated for senior men’s 15s player of the year. In the PRO North American Rugby League, consisting of five teams located in southwestern United States, Baillie finished second overall with the Ohio Aviators.
Brett Gallant, curling
Gallant added two Grand Slams to his resume this past year, including the Canadian Mixed Doubles Curling Championship and the Players’ Championship. Playing second with Newfoundland’s Brad Gushue rink, Gallant and his teammates have a goal of winning the Brier. In 2016, they lost 9-5 to Alberta’s Kevin Koe in the final.
They will play on home ice in St. John’s at this year’s event in March.
Team Gushue is looking to qualifying for the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics.