Windsor Junior Selects Shine at 19th Annual WESPY Awards Ceremony
The Windsor Junior Selects baseball team delivered an outstanding performance at the 19th WESPY Awards, held on Tuesday at the Caboto venue. The team was honored as the Team of the Year, capping off a remarkable season that saw them capture the Canadian junior baseball championship.
Manager Al Bernacchi Earns Prestigious Coaching Award
Adding to the team's accolades, manager Al Bernacchi was presented with the Joel Quenneville Award as Coach of the Year. Under Bernacchi's leadership, the Selects achieved an undefeated record in seven games during the national championship, allowing only 11 runs throughout the tournament. Their journey culminated in a 2-0 victory over Nova Scotia in the gold-medal game held in Dartmouth, N.S.
University of Windsor Lancers Dominate Individual Honors
The awards ceremony also highlighted exceptional individual achievements from the University of Windsor Lancers. Markus Law-Heese, the Lancers' setter, was named Male Athlete of the Year after being recognized as the OUA men's volleyball player of the year and leading his team to the U Sports championship.
On the women's side, Anieu Chan, a Massey high school product who competes for the Windsor Legion at the club level, received the Female Athlete of the Year award. Chan distinguished herself as a double-gold medalist at the OFSAA track and field championships.
Additional Award Winners Across Various Sports
The WESPY Awards celebrated a wide array of local talent across multiple disciplines:
- Frank Jeney, Lancers' baseball manager, won the Ken Dryden Executive of the Year award.
- Matt Guenette, St. Clair Saints' quarterback, received the Mickey Renaud Captain's Award after a record-setting season in the Ontario Football Conference.
- In track and field, Chan also secured the Dennis Fairall Award for women, while Lancers' Ben Tilson claimed the men's honor.
- Cross-country awards went to Lancers' Jacob Fitzpatrick (men) and Samara Quanz (women).
Recognition in Hockey, Soccer, and Other Sports
The event further acknowledged achievements in hockey, soccer, and additional sports:
- Windsor Spitfires' captain Liam Greentree earned the Ed Jovanovski Hockey Award for men, with Lancers' Maggie Peterson winning the women's category.
- The newly established Sacho Cirovski Soccer Award was presented to Lancers' Nico Fontecha (men) and St. Clair College Saints' Victoria Walsh (women).
- In volleyball, St. Clair's Geneva Huisman won the Tim Hommel Award for women, while Law-Heese added the men's honor to his accolades.
Swimming, Football, and Specialized Awards
Other notable winners included:
- The Kylie Masse Swimming Award went to Windsor Aquatic Club's Tabi Main (women) and Gavin Shinkelshoek (men).
- Lancers' record-setting kicker Brady Lidster captured the Gino Fracas Football Award.
- Wrestling awards were claimed by Assumption's Dominique Okeke (female) and Villanova's Francesco Lapico (male), both of whom also compete for the Windsor Wrestling Club.
Golf, Basketball, and Niche Sport Honors
The ceremony rounded out with awards in golf, basketball, and specialized sports:
- Kingsville's Riley Bentley won the men's golf award, while Ambassador's Jasmine Ly took the women's honor.
- In basketball, St. Joseph's Mya Tate received the Miah-Marie Langlois Award for women, and St. Clair's Mazin Tiea earned the Mike Brkovich Award for men.
- Figure skating, gymnastics, and parasport awards were presented to Jake Ellis (South Windsor Skating Club), Daniel Hodare (Alpha Gymnastics Academy), and Breanna Williams (Leamington Skating Club), respectively.
The 19th WESPY Awards showcased the depth and diversity of athletic talent in the Windsor region, with the Windsor Junior Selects and their manager Al Bernacchi leading the way in a night of celebration and recognition.
