Triathlon Canada Hands Out 2013 Excellence Awards


While the 2014 race season has begun for some, Triathlon Canada awarded the top performers for the 2013 season. Kyle Jones, of Oakville, Ont., was named the Male Triathlete-of-the-Year for the second straight season. Feeding off his Olympic debut in 2012, the 29-year-old Jones was Canada’s top male in a season that was highlighted by a silver medal victory at the World Cup in Edmonton. He capped 2013 off by finishing 19th at the World Championships in London.
“It was a great year for triathlon in Canada and I’m honoured to be recognized for my contribution to the success we had,” said Jones. “The 2014 season is just about to kick off and I’m looking forward to another exciting year on the road to Rio.”
Victoria’s Kirsten Sweetland will be recognized for her successful comeback to elite racing by winning the Women’s Triathlete-of-the-Year. The 25-year-old Sweetland had two, top-five finishes on the World Cup including a memorable bronze-medal win in Edmonton. She was also rock solid on the World Triathlon Series with two, top-15’s including a sixth-place finish in Kitzbuhel, Austria.
“Starting last year I really didn’t have any goals other than to be healthy and happy,” said Sweetland. “Every race and result that came was a bonus. To have performed above expectations, and be chosen for this award, is both a surprise and an honour! Thank you to everyone at TriCan for the support last year. I think great things lie ahead for Triathlon Canada!”
Triathlon Canada also recognized two of its top Paratriathletes who continue to march towards the sport’s Paralympic debut in 2016. Ottawa’s Jennifer Hopkins was recognized as the top women’s Paratriathlete for her third straight victory at the World Championships. Calgary’s Stefan Daniel was named Male Paratriathlete-of-the-Year after capturing a bronze medal in his first World Championships at just 16 years of age.
Triathlon Canada also recognized four athletes in the Under-23 and Junior race categories.
Alexander Hinton, of Kingston, Ont., earned top honours in the Under-23 male category, while Calgary’s Ellen Pennock was the top female in the women’s Under-23. Winnipeg’s Tyler Mislawchuk was the top junior male for the second straight season, while Emy Legault, of Ile Perrot, Que., grabbed the junior girls award.
Victoria’s Larry McMahon won the William J. Hallet Excellence Award which recognizes Significant Contributor/Volunteer of the Year Award.
Other award winners include the following:
Coaching Excellence Awards
Elite Coach of the Year – Kyla Rollinson (Montreal)
Age Group Coach of the Year – James Loaring (Guelph, ON)
Age Group Excellence Awards
Standard Distance Triathlon
Ben Sayles (Brantford, Ont.) – 18-19 Male
Andrew Beardsall (Alliston, Ont.) – 18-19 Male
Kristen Marchant (Newmarket, Ont.) – 20-24 Female
Raymond Colliver (Calgary) – 80-84 Male
Sprint Distance Triathlon
Lauren Babineau (Belcarra, B.C.) – 20-24 Female
Jackson Laundry (Haydon, Ont.) – 20-24 Male
Suzanne Chandler (West Vancouver, B.C.) – 40-44 Female
Duathlon
Mindy Fleming (Ajax, Ont.) 25-29 Female
Peggy Labonte (Pierrefonds, Que.) – 30-34 Female
Sasha Gollish (Toronto) – 30-34 Female
Francois Marceau (Valleyfield, Que.) – 40-44 Male
Tricia Bachman (Whitby, Ont.) – 45-49 Female
Carolyn Silvey (Toronto, Ont.) – 55-59 Female
Karen Beazley (Halifax) – 55-59 Female
David Field (Barrie’s Bay, Ont.) – 55-59 Male
Sharon Oleskiw (Port Colborne, Ont.) – 65-69 Female
Lynda Lemon (Welland, Ont.) – 65-69 Female
Robert Knuckey (Caledon, Ont.) – 65-69 Male
Woody Paylor (Red Deer, Alta.) – 70-74 Male
Sprint Distance Duathlon
Monica Lau (Oakville, Ont.) – 25-29 Female
Jackie Onyszko (Calgary) – 30-34 Female
Louise Atkinson-Clark (Lorraine, Que.) – 60-64 Female
John Grace (Georgetown, Ont.) – 60-64 Male
Bob Hubbard (Solana Beach, Cali.) 70-74 Male
Long Distance Triathlon
Blaire Kniaziew Gervais (Windsor, Ont.) – 35-39 Female
Colleen Grey-Hewett (North Vancouver, B.C.) – 40-44 Female
Calvin Zaryski (Calgary) – 45-49 Male
Pierre Lavoie (Chicoutimi, Que.) – 50-54 Male
Edie Fisher (Kenora, Ont.) – 55-59 Female
Randal Walker (Windsor, Ont.) – 55-59 Male
Carol Peters (Delta, BC) – 60-64 Female
Murray MacPherson (Penticton, B.C.) – 60-64 Male
Beverly Watson (Priddis, Alta.) – 60-64 Female
Rosemary Wedlake (London, Ont.) – 60-64 Female
Bob Knuckey (Alton, Ont.) – 65-69 Male
Milos Kostic (Regina) – 70-74 Male
Cross Triathlon
Nadine Mueller (Spruce Grove, Alta.) – 30-34 Female
Grace Menning (North Vancouver, B.C.) – 40-44 Female
Calvin Zaryski (Calgary) – 45-49 Male
Randal Walker (Windsor, Ont.) – 55-59 Male
Carl Peterson (Penticton, B.C.) – 60-64 Male
Beverly Watson (Priddis, Alta.) – 60-64 Female