St. Thomas Aquinas High School handed out the athletic awards last night at their annual banquet recognizing another successful year of athletics in which seven teams traveled to OFSAA. After a few years of hiatus from sports due to COVID, athletes were happy to get back on the court, rink or field at both the local NorWOSSAA level and the provincial championships.
The big winners of the evening were Colby Wallace who won Senior Male Athlete of the Year and Madison McClain who won Senior Female Athlete of the Year.
“It felt good, I wasn’t expecting it but I’m really proud of myself,” said McClain. “I really love the coaching and team bonding. When I got to TA I tried everything and I applied myself to those sports and now I’m here.”
Wallace said there is a lot he’ll take away after graduation from his experiences playing for the Saints.
“I would say that athletics have helped me develop as a person and develop those social connections you don’t get through anything else,” he said. “That team bonding and the meeting of different people even different schools you make lifelong friendships and connections doing all different sports that transcend just the game. As fun as it is on the court, field, or track after it’s done you’re all still friends and it’s something you can take with you through the rest of your life.”
On the Junior side James Hill and Tazio Mastromatteo split Junior Male Athlete of the Year, while Maddyn Hughes won Junior Female Athlete of the Year.
The Saints saw a very successful year sending 7 teams to OFSAA including Cross Country Runner Colby Wallace, Senior Boys Volleyball, Senior Girls Basketball, Senior Boys Basketball, Swimmer Tazio Mastromatteo, Boys Soccer and Girls Soccer. The Senior Boys Volleyball team went undefeated in Round Robin and captured the Antique Bronze Medal. Last night they were honoured with the Award of Excellence for their OFSAA medal.