ELMSDALE, P.E.I. — Flora Jane Gallant and Christopher Ramsay are this year’s athletes of the year at Westisle Composite High School.
The school recently held a virtual awards banquet due to the coronavirus (COVID-19 strain) pandemic.
Ramsay, a Grade 12 student from Brooklyn, played soccer and basketball for the Wolverines. He was the team MVP in both sports and a Prince Edward Island School Athletic Association all-star on the pitch and the court.
“Chris has all the intangibles that make him a great athlete: he leads by example, he works on his skills, listens to his coaches, hates mediocrity and does what it takes to win,” said basketball coach Rick Peters. “His passion, towards basketball, is undeniable as is his striving towards excellence.”
Athletic director Brett Corcoran said Ramsay is a great leader and community member who has been recognized by people across the Island.
“I have received phone calls from other athletic directors in the province praising Chris’ demeanour on and off the field/court,” he said. “(He’s) a very well-respected young man, with a strong work ethic and unbelievable compete level.”
Gallant, a Grade 12 student from Bloomfield, played soccer, basketball and golf, as well as competed in cross country and powerlifting.
“Flora Jane is a natural leader,” said Dana Gard, coach of the women’s basketball team. “She showed a great deal of determination and dedication this season returning from an illness a couple of weeks into the season and giving our team the boost it needed for a successful season.”
Soccer coach Lincoln Rix said she is a hard worker who is dedicated to improve while showing great sportsmanship. She was the soccer team’s co-MVP and the best new lifter for the powerlifting team.
“Stepping out of her comfort zone this year, Flora Jane participated in cross country, golf and powerlifting as new sports to her and did very well in all three,” Corcoran said.
At a glance
Here are the award recipients from Westisle Composite High School’s recent virtual athletics awards banquet:
Female athlete of the year – Flora Jane Gallant
Male athlete of the year – Christopher Ramsay
Allan Clark Courage and Determination Award – Emma Palmer
Heart of the Wolverine – Dominic Arsenault, Mary Fran Williams and Emma Lee Lyon
Sportsmanship Award – Matthew Smith and Jackie-Lynn Arsenault
Contribution to School Athletics Award – Jayden Doucette
PEISAA achievement awards – Dominic Arsenault, Jackie-Lynn Arsenault, Hayden Chaisson, Flora Jane Gallant, Lucas Gallant, Maggie Gard, Nina Graebig, Nathan Grigg, Nicholas Handrahan, Jenna Hardy, Julie Hardy, Allison Harper, Walker Harper, Courtney Hierlihy, Ally Hustler, Emily Lewis, Maddi Lewis, Emma Lee Lyon, Keira MacKendrick, Hannah MacKinnon, Chloe MacLeod, Emily Matthews, Madeline Morrison, Kayla Paul, Amber Perry, Meadow Ramsay, Ethan Shea, Clay Smallman, Matthew Smith, Gracie Thibodeau and Mary Fran Williams. Dominic Arsenault and Nicholas Handrahan were named top male while Meadow Ramsay received top female honours
Team awards
Cross country
Female MVP – Madelyn Bulger and Megan Kinch
Male MVP – Dominic Arsenault
Baseball
MVP – Chandler DesRoches
Top batter – Garrett Culleton
Gold glove – Cole Robinson
Golf
Female MVP – Keira MacKendrick
Male MVP – Nathan Grigg
Most improved – Charlie McInnis
Soccer
Girls
MVPs – Hayden Chaisson and Flora Jane Gallant
Rookie of the year – Madelyn Gavin
Most improved – Alyx Shea
Boys
MVP – Chris Ramsay and Colby MacWilliams
Rookie of the year – Clay Smallman
Most improved – Josh Clements
Volleyball
AAA girls
MVP – Jackie-Lynn Arsenault
Rookie of the year – Taylor Blackmore
Most Improved – Madelyn Bulger
A girls
MVP – Heidi Thibodeau and Maryn Kenny
Most improved – Maddi Lewis
AAA boys
MVP – Lucas Gallant
Rookie of the year – Connor Ellsworth
Most improved – Brandon Gard
Basketball
Girls Team One
MVP – Heidi Thibodeau
Rookie of the year – Jill Harper
Best defensive player – Hannah MacKinnon
Best offensive player – Heidi Thibodeau
Most improved – Maryn Kenny and Taylor Blackmore
Girls Team Two
MVP – Calista Bulger
Most improved – Belle Ashley
Boys
MVP – Chris Ramsay
Most improved – Matthew Smith
Best defensive – Teddy Neufeld
Powerlifting
MVPs – Dominic Arsenault, Jenna Hardy and Mary Fran Williams
Best new lifter – Chandler DesRoches and Flora Jane Gallant
Most improved – Brendan DesRoches and Maggie Gard
Top pound for pound – Ben Bernard and Keira Millar
