Flyers and Vipers both advance to semifinals
Standout volleyball players take home male and female athlete of year honours
The Essex Ravens picked up a pair of major awards on Tuesday at the 15th annual Windsor Essex Sports Person’s of the Year (WESPY) Awards at the Caboto Club.
The Ravens’ first title in the Ontario Provincial Football League in 2019 earned the squad team of the year while longtime head coach Glen Mills was named coach of the year.
University of Windsor Lancers’ volleyball standout Pierce Johnson was named male athlete of the year while St. Anne high school product Ashley Ditchfield, who is now playing volleyball at Ryerson University, was named female athlete of the year.
Julie Ann Milling, from the St. Clair Saints volleyball team, was given the leadership award while Tom Bain and Mark Williams, from the Lakeshore Horse
Racing Association, shared the executive of the year.
Mary Ewer was named female volunteer of the year and Marty Kerester took the award on the men’s side.
The Windsor Wildcats’ Intermediate BB hockey team was honoured with the courage and determination award, Jennifer Belair, of the Windsor Classic International Tennis Tournament, won the community service award while Pat Harrison was the female legacy award winner with Ed Petryshyn taking the honour on the men’s side.
Former Detroit Lions wide receiver Herman Moore was the keynote speaker where dozens of individuals were honoured in their respective sport.
Milan Loban, from Essex high school and the Border City Athletic club, won the male track and field award while Border City clubmates Karlie Moore, from Sandwich high school, and Krystalann Bechard, from Tecumseh Vista high school, shared the award on the women’s side.
The Windsor Spitfires’ Jeanluc
Foudy won the male hockey award while Kira Juodikis, from the Southwest Wildcats, took the women’s award.
Mike Zivcic, who played for St. Joseph high school and Windsor Croatia, won the male soccer award with Danica Paesano, from Villanova high school and the Eastside Kickers, claiming the female award.
Right-handed pitcher Jack Zimmerman, of the Windsor Stars and University of Windsor Lancers, won the baseball award while the St. Clair Saints’ Rya Cowan captured the softball award.
Johnson picked up the male volleyball award with Ditchfield claiming the women’s award.
The Windsor Aquatic Club swept the swimming awards with Brendan Oswald winning the male side and Madelyn Gatrall on the female side. WAC’S Julia Lane claimed the para-sports award.
Roger Li, who competes for Massey high school and the Windsor Wrestling Club, won the male wrestling award while Selena Renaud, from Lajeunesse high school and the L’essor Wrestling Club, took the female award.
The male golf award went to Tyler Hurtubise, from Pointe West and Essex high school, while Holy Names high school grad Jasmine Ly won on the women’s side.
Akot Aken, who competed at Kennedy High School and is now with the Lancers, won the male basketball award while St. Clair’s Jana Kucera took the female award.
Receiver Cody Holmes, of the Windsor AKO Fratmen, took the football award, Gord Mcdonnell was named horseman of the year, while Sarah Parent, from Winstars Gymnastics, took the gymnastics award and Alison Schumacher, from the Riverside Skating Club, capturing the figure skating award.
The Ravens’ first title in the Ontario Provincial Football League in 2019 earned the squad team of the year.