Each year, Civic Merit Awards for achievement in sport are awarded to deserving Nanaimo athletes. The awards are sponsored by the City of Nanaimo and presented by the Parks, Recreation and Culture Commission.
Those receiving the merit awards were nominated and must have been top in their field – winning a gold medal at a provincial, western Canadian, national, or international sports event. We acknowledge individuals who earned medals from the past year.
First group honoured were swimmers who earned gold at last year’s B.C. Senior Games. Ian Burvill was a multiple winner, with gold in 4x25m medley relay, 100m breaststroke, 25m breaststroke, 50m breaststroke, 50m butterfly, 200m individual medley, and 4x25m freestyle. Diana Roufosse won in 400m freestyle and 800m freestyle. James Scantland earned gold in 100m backstroke, 50m breaststroke, 100m individual medley, and 200m individual medley. Nancy Ryan was recognized for her gold medals in 4x50m mixed and freestyle relay.
A Civic Merit Award was presented to Alex Gendron for his championship title in pickleball doubles at the Seniors Games.
The 2014 Blind Lawnbowling Canadian Championships resulted in national titles for several Nanaimo sight-impaired bowlers along with their director/coaches. Honoured by the city were Randy Fred, Dave Ruckman, Jay Gatley, and coaches Donn Sherry, Dean Thompson, and Bill Roos.
Mikayla Eba was recognized with a merit award for winning at the Youth Bowling Canada Provincial Championships.
From the B.C. High School Track and Field Championships, Nanaimo Track and Field Club recipients were Allysa Mousseau in 800m, Jason Clare in pole vault, Madison Heisterman in 1,500m, and Marita DeSchiffart in 1,500m steeple chase. Jayden Watson was a gold medal winner at the B.C. Junior Development Pentathlon Championships. Competing at the B.C. Athletics Championships Jamboree last year, gold medal winners were Allysa Mousseau in 800m, Jason Clare in pole vault, Madison Heisterman in 1,200m, and Marina Anderson in 1,500m race walk.
Competing at the B.C. Summer Games, local track athletes who earned gold were Dominic Boar in pole vault, Madison Heisterman in 800m and 1,200m, and Marine Anderson in 1,500 race walk.
Earning awards for gold medals at the B.C. Athletics Junior Development Championships were Cody Watson, Jake Seaman, Makayla Mitchell, Makenna Paugh, and Olivia Lundman in the various age divisions of 800m race walk. Ethan Katzberg took gold in high jump and javelin, and Nate Paris in long jump and high jump. Jayden Watson was a winner in 60m hurdles, 600m, and 1000m, and Karly Dickinson in 1200m. Earning gold in relay events were Kaitlyn Watson, Ninya Mbaoma, Maria Johnson, Stirling Henry, and Cameron Martinuk.
Ian Thorpe writes about sports on Thursdays.