Before school ended last month, Frances Kelsey Secondary’s top sportspeople were recognized by their school.
Marina Ellison was named Kelsey’s Athlete of the Year, Chad Garriock was named Sportsperson of the Year, Adam Burrows received the Service to Athletics Award, and Mackenzie Johnston was named Junior Athlete of the Year.
Ellison, who will head to Missouri State University this fall to play NCAA Div. 1 field hockey, helped the Breakers place sixth at the AAA provincial tournament last fall, which Kelsey hosted along with Cowichan Secondary and Shawnigan Lake School.
“She was a major part of that program,” Kelsey P.E. teacher Brian Johnston said.
In addition to playing for Kelsey, Ellison has also been involved in the junior national field hockey program and Team B.C., and was a competitive figure skater with the Fuller Lake Skating Club.
Garriock was a big part of the boys rugby team that finished fifth in Tier 2 at the AA provincial championships, continuing the successful rebirth of Kelsey rugby over the last few years.
“He led by example; he has that type of character,” Johnston said. “He’s a quiet leader, but everyone respects him. His coaches said he’s wise beyond his years.”
Burrows was singled out for his dedication to helping to co-ordinate a variety of sports at Kelsey. Burrows was a member of the Athletic Council, which helps organize scorekeeping, line fields, run intramurals and manage concessions for tournaments, and also won the P.E. Award.
“A lot of kids help out a fair bit,” Johnston said. “But he put in countless hours.”
Mackenzie Johnston had a long list of athletic achievements over the 2015-16 school year. She won the junior girls high jump at the Island track and field championships and placed 15th at the provincial meet. She was also the captain of the junior girls volleyball team and a big part of the junior girls soccer team that reached the Island championships. Johnston also plays volleyball and soccer with community teams.
Brian Johnston was pleased with the level of participation in school sports at Kelsey this year.
“It was the largest number of teams we’ve had in a while,” he said.