The gym was filled with Saints pride on Thursday, June 11, as St. Thomas Aquinas High School hosted its annual Athletics Banquet. The evening brought together student-athletes, coaches, families, volunteers, and staff to celebrate another memorable year of competition, growth, and achievement.
Over the course of the school year, Saints athletes represented St. Thomas Aquinas in everything from volleyball, basketball, hockey, soccer, and badminton to swimming, curling, golf, cross-country running, track and field, Nordic skiing, and cheerleading. The banquet provided an opportunity to recognize not only athletic accomplishments, but also the commitment, perseverance, leadership, and sportsmanship displayed throughout the season.
Athletes were honoured with team awards including MVP, Most Improved, Sportsmanship, Coach's Awards, Rookie of the Year recognitions, and several major year-end athletic awards.
For Megan Derouard, Athletic and Active Living Lead, the evening is about much more than the names called to the stage. "Our athletes work incredibly hard throughout the year, and it's wonderful to have an opportunity to celebrate their accomplishments together," said Derouard. "What makes Saints Athletics special isn't just the success we see in competition. It's the dedication, teamwork, and support that happens behind the scenes every single day."
That support comes from a large family of coaches and volunteers who generously give their time throughout the school year. From organizing practices and travelling to tournaments to mentoring students and encouraging them through challenges, their commitment helps create opportunities for athletes to succeed both on and off the field of play.
The banquet also served as a chance to thank the many parents and guardians who play an important role in the athletics program. Whether driving athletes to early morning practices, supporting fundraising efforts, volunteering at events, or cheering from the sidelines, their encouragement helps make the student-athlete experience possible.
"We are fortunate to have such amazing coaches, volunteers, and families supporting our athletes," said Derouard. "Athletics is truly a team effort. The success of our program is built on the dedication of so many people who care deeply about our students and want to see them thrive."
As the school year winds down, the Athletics Banquet offered a chance to reflect on a season filled with memorable moments, lasting friendships, personal growth, and plenty of Saints pride.
Congratulations to all award recipients, and thank you to everyone who contributes to making Saints Athletics such an important part of the St. Thomas Aquinas High School community.
Scroll down for more pictures and a list of the Athletics Awards.
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Athletic Awards List
Golf
MVP: Nathan Ogilvie / Mary Edlund
Most Improved: Jake Hodges / Alexa Houtz
Sportsmanship: Kaden George / Phoebe Rody
Coach's Award: Sawyer Barclay / Annika Holmstrom
Cross Country Running
MVP: Sam Silva
Most Improved: Kasmir Hercun
Sportsmanship: Kolby Anderson
Junior Boys Volleyball
MVP: Anders McEwen
Most Improved: Tate Phillips
Sportsmanship: Toltin Baker
Coach's Award: Lucas Hill
Senior Boys Volleyball
MVP: Tazio Mastromatteo
Most Improved: Jace Evans / Decklan Hoffmeister
Sportsmanship: Quinn MacNeil
Coach's Award: Fenton McEwen
Junior Girls Basketball
MVP: Leah Hamilton / Myah Hughes
Most Improved: Keana Carter / Everleigh Mills
Sportsmanship: Davea Tsentouros
Coach's Award: Celeste Temple
Senior Girls Basketball
MVP: Maddyn Hughes / Kolby Anderson
Most Improved: Addison Spak
Sportsmanship: Tayler Penner
Coach's Award: Julia Clark / Madison Siemens
Junior Girls Volleyball
MVP: Hailee Price
Most Improved: Keana Carter / Leah Hamilton
Sportsmanship: Elle McEwen
Coach's Award: Brielle Beasant
Senior Girls Volleyball
MVP: Maddyn Hughes / Kolby Anderson
Most Improved: Annika Holmstrom / Makenah Thompson
Sportsmanship: Georgia Cortvriendt
Coach's Award: Claire Gauthier
Junior Boys Basketball
MVP: Toltin Baker / Vasilis Straight
Most Improved: James Bowlin
Sportsmanship: Fynn Bachynski
Coach's Award: Rory McEvoy
Senior Boys Basketball
MVP: Tazio Mastromatteo / Fenton McEwen
Most Improved: Gavin McNanney
Sportsmanship: Ryan Burgess
Coach's Award: Jacob Silva
Curling
MVP: Liam Cox
Most Improved: Quinn Pavey / Brady Williams
Sportsmanship: Lane Hamilton
Girls Hockey
MVP: Maddyn Hughes
Most Improved: Baylee Greaves
Sportsmanship: Maggie Romas
Coach's Award: Calleigh Greer
Rookie of the Year: Myah Hughes
Boys Hockey
MVP: Fenton McEwen
Most Improved: Bronson Beasant / Sam Casey
Sportsmanship: Ryan Hatfield
Coach's Award: Colby Laewetz
Rookie of the Year: Vasilis Straight / Gavin Grosset
Cheerleading
MVP: London Duguay
Most Improved: Vanessa Brookes
Sportsmanship: Thia Payash-Ogemah
Coach's Award: Melanie Vandenbroere
Nordic Skiing
MVP: Sabrina Stoddart
Swimming
MVP: Tazio Mastromatteo
Most Improved: Liam Serino / Josh Benson
Sportsmanship: Liam Cox
Junior Badminton
MVP: Leah Hamilton / Myah Hughes
Most Improved: Kenzie Richards / Brielle Beasant
Sportsmanship: Irish Agustin
Senior Badminton
MVP: Parker Francis / Fenton McEwen
Most Improved: Ryder Kocis / Sofia Soto Payares
Sportsmanship: Maddyn Hughes / Delaney Turner
Track & Field
MVP: Vasilis Straight / Kale Ouellet / Lucas Hill / Tate Phillips
Most Improved: Hayden Willet
Sportsmanship: Reagan Halley
Boys Soccer
MVP: Fenton McEwen
Most Improved: Mehki Carter
Sportsmanship: Jacob Silva
Coach's Award: Tazio Mastromatteo
Rookie of the Year: Sam Silva
Girls Soccer
MVP: Maddyn Hughes / Kolby Anderson
Most Improved: Ayla Savage / Baylee Greaves
Sportsmanship: Celeste Temple / Jaylynn Derouard
Coach's Award: Delaney Turner / Julia Clark
Rookie of the Year: Myah Hughes
Athletics Awards
Junior Male Athlete of the Year: Vasilis Straight
Junior Female Athlete of the Year: Myah Hughes
Senior Male Athlete of the Year: Fenton McEwen / Tazio Mastromatteo
Senior Female Athlete of the Year: Kolby Anderson / Maddyn Hughes
OFSAA Excellence Award: Tazio Mastromatteo and the Girls Soccer Team
Callie Joseph Memorial Award: Georgia Cortvriendt