Athletes and St. Anthony’s School were recognized for another great year this week.
On Monday, June 10, students were awarded for the various sports at the school and the school’s top athletes were named.
The Senior High Male Athlete of the Year was awarded to Grade 12 student Tanner Borowicz. Borowicz played on the senior boys Sabres, where he led the team in points, and on the Drumheller Titans.
Stephanie Hirsch, a Grade 11 student, was named the Senior High Female Athlete of the Year. Hirsch was recognized for her physicality in basketball and volleyball, and, most importantly, the leadership and passion she brings to the court.
The Junior High Athletes of the Year were awarded to Riley Gaudet and Rachel Graf for their athletic prowess and leadership they bring.
Megan Boland was recognized as the Saint of the Year and Issa Montoya was named the Sabre of the Year.
In addition to being awarded, students were able to learn some valuable life lessons from one of St. Anthony’s most accomplished alumni.
Andrew Poznikoff, son of Dr. Kenneth Poznikoff and Karen Almquist Silverberg, was the keynote speaker for the awards, speaking about setting goals and how to pursue them, and shared the story of his career in swimming.
He attended St. Anthony’s School from Kindergarten to Grade 11.
“It’s great. Coming back is so nostalgic. There are a lot of differences. Drumheller has changed so much since I was last here, like this new facility is great,” said Andrew.
“To have a life of impact is something that’s always been a desire of mine. It’s been a long journey and something I want to pursue more is to start using my accomplishments to make an impact on others. I love talking to younger athletes. If they have a dream and a vision, it’s really encouraging to be able to help them out.”
Andrew began swimming with the Aquadinnies when he was seven. By age 10, he had received numerous provincial qualifying times and 10 Aquadinnies club records.
By Grade 10, after pressure from his friends, he dropped out of swimming. It wouldn’t be until college when he began to swim again. In 2007, he received an athletic scholarship from Simon Fraser University, which renewed his passion for swimming.
Since then, he has competed in a number of international competitions, such as the 2010 and 2011 World Cup Series, and 2012 World Championships. In addition, he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Cellular and Molecular Biology.
Some students took his message to heart, such as junior high student Shawn MacTaggart who took some time to speak to Andrew afterwards.
“I just really wanted to talk with him about how his speech really motivated me to consider options between what I do now and high school sports, but also consider what I do past that and putting a goal inside my mind and actually doing something beyond that and maybe make a living off of it,” said MacTaggart.
Pick up later editions of The Drumheller Mail and inSide Drumheller for more award photos from the 2012/2013 St. Anthony’s Athletic Awards.
Celeste Shrock (left) presented the Senior High Athlete of the Year awards to Tanner Borowicz and Stephanie Hirsch. Each were tough, physical players, but also demonstrated exceptional leadership and passion.
Celeste Shrock presented the Junior High Athlete of the Year Awards to Riley Gaudet and Rachel Graf, who demonstrated all the qualities of exceptional athletes.
Drumheller native Andrew Poznikoff shared his experiences with swimming in the keynote talk at the St. Anthony’s Athletic Awards. to help inspire students to set goals and achieve them.
