CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — Athletes who excelled on the volleyball court, wrestling mat and ball diamond are in the running for Sport P.E.I.’s intercollegiate male athlete of the year.
Brett Butler, Ligrit Sadiku and John Patrick (J.P.) Stevenson are this year’s finalist. The winner will be announced Tuesday during the 45th annual awards night at Holland College’s Florence Simmons Performance Hall. Tickets for the event are $25 and are available by calling Sport P.E.I. at 902-368-4110 by today.
Here are excerpts of the three finalists’ bios:
Brett Butler
Volleyball, Holland College
Few Island volleyball players continue to play after high school, but Brett Butler has been a successful exception.
Last season he was named the Atlantic Collegiate Athletic Association (ACAA) player of the year after leading Holland College to a 13-2 record. The fourth-year power led the conference in kills and points. Butler was one of eight players in the country named to the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association all-Canadian team.
Having worked tirelessly to raise his game and become a dominant player, Butler is reaping the benefits of his hard work.
A leader on and off the court Butler is actively involved in officiating and broadcasting, setting an example for the younger generations of volleyball players on P.E.I.
Ligrit Sadiku
Wrestling, Brock University
In 2018, Brock University wrestler Ligrit Sadiku did not lose a single event.
His year included an Ontario University Association championship followed by a U Sport national championship. His efforts were a key contribution to the Badgers 18th national banner in the school’s dominant wrestling history.
Now into his 2018-19 season, Sadiku has continued to dominate in his weight class. He won the Ryerson and York opens in the fall.
John Patrick Stevenson
Baseball, Canisius College
John Patrick (J.P.) Stevenson recently completed his senior year at Canisius College, an NCAA Division l school in Buffalo, N.Y.
Stevenson had an outstanding 2018 season for the Golden Griffins, leading his team in various pitching categories. He finished the year with an impressive 10-2 record that included 93 strikeouts in 99 innings.
After the Golden Griffins captured the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference title, John Patrick was named conference pitcher of the year. He was also named the top left-handed Canadian pitcher in the NCAA by the Canadian Baseball Network and was named to the 2018 all-Canadian NCAA Division I first team.
2018 marked the conclusion of a very impressive season and college career for Stevenson. His success will inspire future players from P.E.I. to strive for the next level in the sport.
