Daniel Goldberg: This multi-sport captain played on four school teams this year. He was named MVP of volleyball and baseball. The grade 12 student helped organize an international basketball tournament. His coaches say he’s a motivator who is unquestionably dedicated to his sports and school.
Jordan Rostowsky: Jordan helmed his school basketball, volleyball and baseball teams, leading the baseball squad to a first-place finish. The grade 10 student helped organize an international basketball tournament and a clothing drive for athletic wear. Coaches say Jordan exemplifies sportsmanship and leadership, and tries to improve school spirit in everything he does.
Sarah Edgerley: This basketball star also played on the flag football and junior volleyball teams. Sarah, a grade 10 student, helped organize an international basketball tournament and an elementary school floor hockey tournament. Coaches describe this honour roll student as a fabulous athlete who’s a true leader on and off the court.
Emily Carr
Michelle Beevor: This multi-sport athlete played basketball, volleyball, soccer, badminton and ultimate Frisbee this year. She was named MVP of the basketball and volleyball teams and won a Soaring Thunder Bird Award. The 17-year-old grade 12 student is the director of the athletic council and also coached the junior girls volleyball team.
Peter Ly: This grade 10 multi-sport athlete was named junior boys volleyball MVP. He was also a force on the basketball, badminton and co-ed volleyball teams. Peter’s an honour roll student and won geography and physical education awards last year. Coaches say he’s a modest athlete and a great leader who always has positive advice for his peers.
Nana Yeboah: Nana was volleyball MVP and basketball MIP this year. The grade 12 student also took a trip to OFSAA for triple jump. He was nominated for Future Aces and won a Scotiabank Award and an Alliance of Educators for Black Students Award. Coaches say Nana is a hardworking, positive athlete who is a crucial member of each team he plays on.
Erin Clancy: Erin, a grade 9 student, was a key player on seven school teams this year: basketball, girls volleyball, soccer, badminton, ultimate Frisbee and two co-ed volleyball teams. She took home MVP honours for her play on the girls volleyball team. Coaches say Erin is a crucial player on each team and a leader both on and off the court.
Father Bressani
Lucas Franchuk: Watch out for this grade 11 student on the mat: Lucas is a York Region wrestling champ, finishing in the top 16 at OFSAA. He also played on the school’s rugby, badminton and cross-country teams, and the 16-year-old honour roll student is an Ontario judo champion.
Sabrina Altobelli: After winning York Region’s wrestling title, Sabrina took second place at the OFSAA wrestling championship this year. She also starred on the school’s rugby team. Her coaches say she’s an outstanding competitor in both sports and an inspiration to her teammates.
Julia Carere: Julia was the York Region girls wrestling champion and captain of the school’s rugby team. She was also on the volleyball and swim teams. An honour roll student, this grade 12 is an enthusiastic leader.
Adam Bragagnolo: Adam played soccer, basketball, badminton and ultimate Frisbee this year. Though a first-year player, he was a starter on his ultimate team. Coaches describe this 15-year-old as a positive sportsman and a great role model.
Maple High
Mazhar Hasham: This multi-sport captain played basketball, volleyball and badminton. A grade 10 student, Mazhar maintained an average above 80 percent this semester and also found time for several volunteer gigs.
Ildana Cantafio: Ildana played on five teams this year, earning MVP honours for basketball and volleyball. The grade 12 student also received a gold medal for athletic points and an academic award for phys ed.
Melissa Pocsai: This York Region track and field champion smashed several school records. She also plays on two volleyball teams and swims competitively outside of school, holding a spot in Canada’s Top 50. The grade 9 student maintains a high average.
St. Elizabeth
Brigitte Guglietti: This grade 11 student shined on five school teams this year: basketball, volleyball, badminton, slo-pitch, and track and field. She earned her senior athletic letter and an outstanding athletic achievement award.
Carlton Robertson: Watch out for this MVP on both the basketball court and the track. Coaches say he’s been an integral part of St. E’s athletics program during his four years at the school.
Jordan Lima: This grade 9 student played tennis, volleyball, badminton and baseball this year. He was awarded Junior MVP honours for his contribution to the school’s tennis team.
Elizabeth Toniolo: This grade 10 student competed on five school teams this year, earning MVP honours for volleyball and badminton. She is a part of the school’s Regional Arts Program and is heavily involved in dance productions. Her coaches say she’s a hardworking athlete who’s always willing to learn and improve.
St. Jean de Brebeuf
Michael Thompson: Michael is a member of the athletic council and a strong force on four school teams: basketball, volleyball, badminton, and track and field. This grade 12 student maintains an honour roll standing and demonstrates commitment to excellence, his coaches say.
Ruta Songailaite: A first-year Brebeuf student, Ruta collected the most athletic points of any female athlete at the school. The grade 12 student joined five teams and sat on the athletic council. Coaches describe her as a model of character and excellence. She embraced Brebeuf athletics with enthusiasm and unmatched commitment, they say.
Adriano Fuoco: This grade 10 student captained both the junior and senior hockey teams, winning MVP. He also played volleyball and competed for the track and field team. Adriano maintains an honour roll standing. Coaches describe him as a humble and respectful student who is committed to excellence.
Stephen Lewis
Radha Modhera: Radha played volleyball and soccer this year. A grade 12 student, she was vice-president of the school’s Terry Fox Run and sat on the student athletic association. Coaches say she’s a great leader who’s earned the respect of her teammates.
Nethu Srikanthan: This grade 10 student was on five teams this year: volleyball, basketball, cross-country, badminton and rugby. The 15-year-old still found time to sit on the student athletic council and play rep basketball outside of school. Coaches say Nethu is a great leader to his teammates.
Shane Soto: Shane played on the school volleyball, basketball and baseball teams this year. The grade 10 student was named MVP of the volleyball team. Coaches say this 15-year-old is a great team player who others can “depend on when the going gets tough”.
Jillian Pereira: This 15-year-old was a force on four teams this year: soccer, basketball, volleyball and badminton, taking home MVP honours for badminton and soccer. She also plays rep soccer outside of school and will sit on the school’s athletic council next year. Coaches say this 2008 Vaughan Today Junior Athlete of the Year winner is a true leader, “in every sense of the word”.
Julia Seo: This multi-sport athlete starred on four teams this year: soccer, badminton, basketball and volleyball. Coaches say 15-year-old Julia is one of the hardest-working athletes at the school and is determined to improve in every way she can.
Andy Park: Andy participated on three teams: soccer, basketball and badminton. The grade 11 student also plays rep soccer in Toronto. Coaches say Andy is a great student and a fabulous athlete.
Hill Academy
Matia Marcantuoni: This grade 9 is a force in the hockey arena. He played for the school hockey team as well as the Toronto Marlies ’94 AAA team. An honour roll student, Matia won a Hill Feather Award in December. Coaches say he’s a leader in the school and in the community.
Laura Stacey: This grade 9 is fierce on the ice. She’s a star on the school’s hockey team and plays Junior A hockey after school. An honour roll student, Laura recently won a Hill Feather Award for Academic Merit. She’s a strong student and a leader at the school, coaches say.
Vaughan Secondary
Anton Shchipillo: This grade 12 student excels in wrestling, winning six gold medals in tournaments this year. He won YRAA gold and OFSAA silver, and placed in the Top 6 at nationals. Anton is committed to academics as well as athletics and strives to reach his goals. His coach describes him as a shining star who has shown great leadership and focus.
Westmount Collegiate
Tamar Wiegner: This grade 11 student starred on three teams this year — soccer, hockey and basketball — and was named MVP of each. Tamar’s coaches say she’s a leader with a strong work ethic.
Kevin Yandon: This 16-year-old played golf, hockey and ran cross-country. He’s a two-time Junior MVP who displays remarkable leadership, responsibility and work ethic, coaches say.
Lauren Ng: This 16-year-old is a force on three school teams: golf, volleyball and basketball. Coaches say she’s a leader who always works hard.
Noah Weldman: Noah is a force on the ice and the diamond, earning MVP honours for both hockey and baseball. He’ll play ball at the University of Guelph next year. Coaches say he’s a hardworking leader.
Woodbridge College
Vanessa De Vincentis: This grade 11 student shined on the school’s soccer, volleyball and basketball teams. She was named 2009 MVP for soccer after captaining the team to the York Region championship final. An honour roll student, Vanessa is committed to academics as well as athletics. Coaches say Vanessa is a humble and passionate role model.
Jessica Flagiello: This grade 12 student is a force on the soccer field. She also plays basketball and volleyball, and coaches badminton and boys soccer. Jessica sits on the school’s yearbook committee and athletic council. Coaches say Jessica is a thoughtful and kind student who is always willing to help out.
Michael Petruccelli: This multi-sport athlete participated in floorball, soccer, baseball and numerous intramural teams. A grade 12 student, he also plays rep hockey outside of school. Coaches say Michael is a highly reliable student and a quiet leader who’ll be remembered as a huge asset to the Woodbridge College athletic program.
Other nominees:
Holy Cross Catholic Academy
Roman Testani, Krysta Murray, Dominic Ong, Nadine Abdallah
Toronto District Christian
Kelsey Claydon, Matthew Sjaarda
In print: June 19, 2009, page 7. 2009 Athlete of the Year
