MHSAA Athletes of the Year

The Manitoba High Schools Athletic Association announced the 2015 Jostens High School Athletes of the Year at a Media conference held June 29th at the Holiday Inn South.  The Association has four competition categories based on school populations.  “A” Schools are for rural schools with a population of under 125 students, “AA” is any City of Winnipeg School with a population of under 100 plus rural schools with a population of 125-300, “AAA” are City of Winnipeg Schools with a population of 100-500 and rural schools of over 300, while the “AAAA” category is all City of Winnipeg schools with a population of 500 students and greater, plus Lord Selkirk, Crocus Plains, Vincent Massey High School (Brandon), Steinbach, Springfield, Garden Valley and Northlands Parkway in Winkler and Portage Collegiate. A Male and Female Athlete of the Year was selected from each category, along with the overall Josten’s Provincial High School Male and Female Athlete of the Year.

“A” Girls:  Jacquelyn Hawkins of Hamiota Collegiate - played Volleyball, Basketball, Badminton and Track and Field.  She was a Graduating Basketball All-Star, Provincial Basketball Game Star and Provincial Bronze Medal winner for Basketball and won Zone 10 Mixed Badminton Doubles.  She is a member of the MHSAA Champions program, Student Council Sports Rep., Grad 6 Volleyball coach, is on the Relay for Life Committee and Construction Crew for a Local Playground.    She maintains an academic average of 86% and plans to attend Brandon University. 

“AA” Girls:  Jade Ledochowski of Teulon Collegiate- participated in Cross Country, Soccer, Volleyball, Basketball, Badminton, Baseball and Track and Field.  She was named an All-Star at several Basketball tournaments, an All-Star at the Provincial “AA” Championships, was also a Graduating Basketball All-Star and named to the All Manitoba team. She is the starting pitcher on the boys baseball team, was a Zone Cross Country team champion, and was selected as a game star and Provincial All-Star at the “AA” Volleyball Provincials.  She is the Co-Student Council President, sat on the MHSAA Board of Directors as a Student Rep.  She maintains a 93% academic average and plans on attending Lake Region State College, in Devils Lake N.D.

“AAA” Girls:  Jeylyn Sarmiento of St. Boniface Diocesan High School – participated in Volleyball, basketball, badminton, soccer and track and Field.   She was the captain of her volleyball, and basketball teams and was Zone 12 Doubles Badminton Champions.  She is the Female Athlete of the Year at her school, and received Basketball, volleyball and Badminton team MVP awards.   She helped coach the JV girls basketball team and volunteered at the Grad Fashion show and Alumni Volleyball Tournament.   She maintains an academic average of 95% and plans on attending the University of Winnipeg in the fall.

“AAAA” Girls:  Geselle Dela Merced of Sisler High School – participated in Cross Country, Volleyball, Basketball, Track and Field, Rugby and Soccer.  Her basketball team were Provincial “AAAA” Champions and she was a provincial all star. Her Rugby team were divisional and Provincial Champions and her soccer team was WSD1 finalist, and was a multi medal winner at the Provincial Track and Field Provincials.   Geselle received the MHSAA Athlete of the Week award and is Sisler High Schools Athlete of the Year.  Along with her athletics Geselle is a member of the Athletic Council and helps with the intramural program and the grade 9 “Mini-Olympics”.  She maintains an academic average of 80% and plans on attending the University of Regina to pursue track. 

“A” Boys:  Edgardo Taborlupa (Jun Jun) of Hamiota Collegiate is a participant in Volleyball, Basketball, Baseball, Badminton and Track and Field.  He was a captain of his Volleyball and Basketball teams. He was a Provincial and Graduating All-Star in Volleyball, and top scorer and Graduating All Star on his basketball team.  He is a volunteer referee for middle years volleyball and basketball, as well as being the middle years volleyball coach.  He participated in the Relay for life and is a volunteer at the Hamiota District Health Center as well and a member of the community Basketball League.  He maintains an academic average of 89% and plans to attend Brandon University.

“AA” Boys:  Mason Metcalf of Carman Collegiate – participates in Volleyball, Basketball, Hockey, Golf, Badminton, Soccer, Cross Country and Track and Field.  Mason was the “AA” Volleyball Provincial MVP and member of the Championship team, as well as a Provincial All Star.  He received the Ron Meyer Leadership award and was named to the All Manitoba Team in Basketball.  He was the All time Career Goals and Points leader for the Carman Hockey team.  Mason was captain of his volleyball and basketball teams and assistant captain for his Hockey team and had the lowest individual score on his Golf team.  He is Student Council President and Grade 7 and 8 Gym class helper as well as the JV Girls Volleyball Team Assistant Coach.   He received the Ed Belfour Award and D’Arcy Bain Scholarship in hockey.  He maintains an academic average of 87% and plans to attend the Brandon University, to play Volleyball.

“AAA” Boys:  Gabriel Molin of Centre-Scolaire Leo-Remillard  – plays Basketball and Volleyball, and was selected Athlete of the Year by his coaches.  He is the most improved Basketball player and top player for Volleyball and Basketball at his school.  He has been selected as MVP at some tournaments and is a team leader.  He is a Member of the Franco-Manitoban Youth Parlement, Angel Squad, and Students Together Against Racism Today.  He maintains an academic average of 89% and plans to attend the University of Manitoba.

“AAAA” Boys:  Matthew West of Miles Macdonell Collegiate – participated in Volleyball, Soccer, Badminton, Football, Golf and Track and Field.  He was a member of the Final Four volleyball team at “AAAA” Provincials and KPAC Volleyball Champions.  He placed 1st in the Maples Boys Singles Badminton Tournament, and third in shot put at the KPAC meet.  He is a part of the School Division’s Aboriginal Academic Achievement Culture Circle.  He is a student Mentor and leader of the Sports and Nutrition Club at Neil Campbell Elementary school where he taught students how to lead a healthy active lifestyle.  He maintains an academic average of 84% and plans to attend the University of British Columbia. 

Each Athlete of the Year received an attractive Plaque courtesy of Jostens. 

The 2015 overall Manitoba Male and Female Jostens High School Athletes of the Year are Jade Ledochowski of Teulon Collegiate and Mason Metcalf of Carman Collegiate. Each will receive a ring and Trophy. Making the presentations were Rob Ferrand of Jostens, and MHSAA President elect Chris Gudziunas.