Muskie athletes had a welldeserved night of recognition yesterday evening at La Place Rendez- Vous—and a pair of multi-sport stars garnered the most attention.
Carling Barton and Kevin Gemmell were named the top female and male athletes of 2002-03 at the first edition of the newlyrevived Fort Frances High School athletic awards banquet.
Barton, set to graduate as part of the school’s final OAC class later this month, captained both the Muskie girls’ soccer team and the senior girls’ basketball squad.
She helped lead the latter to the NorWOSSA championship.
She was a double winner for the evening, taking home the Struchan Gilson Award for outstanding contribution in girls’ soccer.
Gemmell’s honour capped off a terrific night for the Grade 12 student.
He also captured the Most Valuable Player awards for both the Muskie ‘A’ football team, where he led the team in receiving and punt and kickoff returns, and the senior boys’ basketball team, where he paced the squad in points and was in the top five in rebounding and assists.
Andrew Dobie and Katie McTavish were named the top male and female rookies. Amanda Allan and Vern Pham shared the Brent Ogden Memorial Trophy for sportsmanship and perseverance.
The banquet had been part of a combined event that included the handing out of the school’s academic awards.
But Fort High’s administration, with the help of the school’s newlyformed athletic association, decided to resurrect its own exclusive evening of honouring its best athletes.
Other double winners last night included Larry Pham (junior boys’ volleyball and basketball MVP), Kris Esselink (football outstanding defensive player and boys’ hockey MVP), and Eric Mosbeck (outstanding contribution to Muskies hockey and Grade 12 boy for academic and athletic achievement).
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
