Records set by WESPY nominees
Krystin Lawrence and Logan Holmes grew up together and on Monday the duo made history as the 12th annual Windsor/Essex Sports Persons of the Year (WESPY) Awards nominees were unveiled.
Lawrence is the first athlete to be nominated in three categories as the University of Windsor Lancers is up for female athlete of the year along with top female soccer and hockey athlete.
“I just texted her,” Holmes said of Lawrence. “Our parents worked at the same place and we’ve known each other since we were little.”
Holmes is the first athlete to be nominated for two major awards.
He’s up for male athlete of the year along the Mickey Renaud Captain’s Award.
“Whether I win the award, it’s just nice to be up for the award,” Holmes said.
Lawrence, 21, was nominated for the first time last year for female soccer, but has never won an award.
“It really hasn’t hit me,” Lawrence said. “They all mean the same and I’m proud of myself for getting all three. I’m going for a sweep.”
Now in her third season with the Lancers, Lawrence won the OUA women’s hockey scoring title last year and her play in goal backstopped the university’s women’s soccer team to its first-ever berth in the OUA Final Four.
Lawrence is up against Holy Names high school volleyball star Layne Van Buskirk and St. Anne high school soccer standout Hannah Drkulec.
“I think it’s pretty cool to represent Windsor and Essex County,” Lawrence said. “It’s pretty exciting.” Holmes, 21, led the Ontario Lacrosse Association junior B league in scoring with 145 points in 20 games, which was 33 points more than his closest rival and included a league-leading 107 assists. He also helped the team reach the Western Conference final for the first time since 2007.
“It’s another accomplishment and as an athlete you want to get these things,” said Holmes, who was selected in the National Lacrosse League draft by Buffalo.
For male athlete of the year, Holmes is up against triathlete Lionel Sanders, who won the award last year, and weightlifter Kelly Branton.
For the captain’s award, Holmes is up against St. Clair women’s basketball all-time scoring leader Shannon Kennedy and volleyball player Andrew Papadopoulos, who plays for Kennedy High School and the Riverside Rage.
“It’s always very difficult to come up with just three best, because there are so many in each sport,” WESPY founder Dominica Papa said. “There’s a lot of first-time nominees and I think this group is really good.”
For the major awards, St. Clair College women’s soccer coach Steve Vagnini is up for coach of the year along with Brett Lumley, who guided the Lancers men’s team to a national track and field title, and Herman high school football coach Harry Lumley, who guided the team to an OFSAA bowl title.
Dan DeMarco, of the Jamieson Junior Golf Tour, is up for executive of the year along with Carole Kuli, of the South Windsor Warriors basketball club, and Bernie Diesbourg, of the South County Bandits volleyball club.
A few award winners were announced on Monday. Paul Carter won the sports community service Award. Joan Jakubo won the female legacy award and Leo Paul ‘Punky’ Bracken took the male legacy award.
Tickets for the March 7 event at the Caboto Club and online at thewespys.ca and group discounts are available.