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# Government of Yukon announces recipients of annual sport awards

The Government of Yukon is recognizing the accomplishments of Yukon’s sport community in 2019 with the announcement of the Celebration of Sport Excellence awards.

This year, the Government of Yukon is awarding territorial sport awards to 44 individual athletes and two teams, representing 14 different sports. These awards include the Premier’s awards of sport excellence, which also includes the recognitions of medal winners from the 2019 Canada Winter Games and the 2019 Western Canada Summer Games, as well as the Minister’s awards of sport recognition. The Celebration of Sport Excellence also recognizes sport awards given by Sport Yukon, previously announced in May 2020, and by the Yukon Aboriginal Sport Circle.

Though the in-person celebration is not happening this year because of COVID-19, award recipients will receive their awards and are being recognized with a video message from Minister of Community Services John Streicker as well as a commemorative layout in What’s Up Yukon and L’Aurore boréale.

> In 2019, Yukon athletes and coaches achieved so much at the regional, national and international level of competition. Their achievements, built on a strong Yukon work ethic, drive and talent, are not only an inspiration to the next generation of Yukon athletes, but to all Yukoners.

> I am thrilled to once again celebrate the accomplishments of our Yukon athletes. The achievements of our Yukon athletes and coaches in 2019 speak to the strength and abilities of our territorial sport community – athletes, coaches and administrators. Even though COVID-19 has been challenging for athletes, teams and games, I am inspired by the fact that many of our Yukon athletes are continuing to train, work towards their personal bests and look forward to the time when they can once again compete in regional, national and international competitions.

Quick facts

- Dylan Cozens was recognized for being chosen as the 2019 Western Hockey League Eastern Conference player of the year.

- Natalie Hynes was recognized for her bronze medal finish in cross-country skiing at the 2019 Canada Winter Games.

- Julianne Girouard, Mara Roldan, Mia Barrault, Cassi Jensen, Jaymi Hinchey and Judi Russel were all recognized for their medal placing at the 2019 Western Canada Summer Games.

- Ernest Chua received his Premier’s award of sport excellence for his success, including two silver medals, at the Special Olympics Summer World Games that were held in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates in March 2019.

- Winners of the Premier’s awards of excellence and the Minister’s awards of recognition have achieved a level of excellence in their sport or a special level of accomplishment in their sport. These athletes were nominated by their sport governing body.

Backgrounder

Celebration of Sport Excellence

Premier’s awards of sport excellence

Allan Hansen Archery

Sofjia Jewell Archery

Emmett Kapaniuk Archery

Vincent Menard Archery

Emily King Arctic sports

Jack Amos Athletics

Jessica Frotten Athletics

Nadia Moser Biathlon

Jake Draper Biathlon

Aiden Hupe Biathlon

Isla Hupe Biathlon

Hunter Vincent Canoe kayak

Luanda Pronovost Canoe kayak

Dahria Beatty Cross-country skiing

Emily Nishikawa Cross-country skiing

Natalie Hynes Cross-country skiing

Derek Deuling Cross-country skiing

Sasha Masson Cross-country skiing

Amanda Thomson Cross-country skiing

Etienne Geoffroy-Gagnon Freestyle skiing

Layla Lombert Gymnastics

Dylan Cozens Hockey

Gavin Mckenna Hockey

Forest Pearson Orienteering

Jen Mackeigan Orienteering

Pia Blake Orienteering

Samuel Mather Snowboarding

Ernest Chua Special Olympics swimming

Darby McIntyre Special Olympics crosscountry skiing

Peewee Mustangs: Hockey

Axel Anderson, Taylor Bierlmeier,

Landon Cowper, Luke Cozens

Kaelen Halowaty, Nash Holmes

Jase Johnstone, Noah Kinney

Conner Labar, Keaton MacIntosh

Robbie Matthews, Gavin Mckenna

Kieron Mooney, Kayce Saligo

Zack Seguin, Chayce Tuton

Zander Underhill and coaches

Justin Halowaty, Derek Johnstone and

Michael Tuton.

2019 Canada Winter Games medal winner

Natalie Hynes Cross-country skiing

2019 Western Canada Summer Games medal winners

Julianne Girouard Canoe kayak

Mara Roldan Cycling

Mia Barrault Swimming

Cassi Jensen Wrestling

Jaymi Hinchey Wrestling

Judi Russell Wrestling

Minister’s awards of sport recognition

Emma TomTom Archery

Kate Koepke Arctic sports

Ava Irving-Staley Cycling

Mikayla Kramer Figure skating

Wylloh Dinn Gymnastics

Kassua Dreyer Swimming

Mike Sumner Special Olympics figure skating

Tijana McCarthy Special Olympics figure skating

Yukon North Stars: Hockey

Taylor Bierlmeier, Caely Burdes

Clementine Burgess, Emma Curtis

Alia Drummond, Maelle Gouaillier

Jayda Steele, Kianna Loots

Livia Mortimer, Heidi Nash

Kennedy O'Brien, Isabelle Paquette

Callie Quaile, Brooke Tobler

Emery Twardochleb, and coaches

Colin Nash, Pat Tobler and Trevor Twardochleb.

Sport Yukon award winners

International female athlete of the year Dahria Beatty

International male athlete of the year Dylan Cozens

National/territorial female athlete of the year Amelia Barrault

National/territorial male athlete of the year Derek Deuling

Administrator of the year Leslie Raenden

Team of the year PeeWee Mustangs

Yukon coach of the year Sean McCarron

Yukon Aboriginal Sport Circle award winners

Aboriginal athlete of the year Emma TomTom

Aboriginal Arctic sports/Dene games athlete of the year Devin Forester

Aboriginal coach of the year Sarah Walz

Outstanding commitment to aboriginal sports Kwanlin Dün Recreation Department

Media contact

Stewart Burnett
Cabinet Communications
867-332-0480
stewart.burnett@gov.yk.ca

Odile Nelson
Communications, Community Services
867-332-0886
odile.nelson@gov.yk.ca

News release #:
20-163