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NLIS 3 March 22, 2004 (Tourism, Culture and Recreation) The following is being distributed at the request of Sport Newfoundland and Labrador: Annual awards presented The Molson Annual Awards Presentations concluded on Saturday night with the awards banquet and announcement of winners. A program of Sport Newfoundland and Labrador, the awards recognize the best athletic achievements in the province in 2003. Nominations for the seven awards are only accepted from the provincial sport organizations who are members of Sport Newfoundland and Labrador and the selection committee is comprised of the sports media around the province. The winner of the Margaret Davis Memorial Award for Newfoundland and Labrador Junior Female Athlete of the Year for 2003 is Laura Murray. Laura Murray of St. John's took the swimming community by storm last year. On the provincial scene she set no less than 12 provincial records. That type of success transferred to the national scene as well. Laura was named the top achiever at the east coast meet as well as the club national meet. In addition to being named to the Atlantic All-star team, she was also the youngest competitor at the Short Course Senior Nationals. The winner of the Joe Mullins Memorial Award for the Newfoundland and Labrador Junior Male Athlete of the Year for 2003 is Ronnie Sweeney of Mount Pearl. Ronnie was nominated as a baseball player but his success in athletics and basketball are equally impressive. Ronnie was represented by his mother Sharon. In athletics, Ronnie won gold medals in the provincial age group championships. On the baseball field he was one of 24 players attending a tryout for the Junior National Team, where he threw an impressive 87 MPH fastball. After being named as one of 10 all-stars at the National Juvenile Tournament, Ronnie was selected as one of only three players invited to the Nike Basketball Camp. The winner of the Graham Snow Memorial Award for the Newfoundland and Labrador Executive of the Year for 2003 is Lise Rowe of St. John's. Lise is the director of competitions for Swimming Newfoundland and Labrador as well as the meet manager for the St. John's Legends. Last year she was meet manager at four separate meets. With the provincial swimming association, she has also filled the following roles: She is a member of the committee reviewing the policies and planning manual for the association; she is the technical chair for the upcoming Newfoundland and Labrador Summer Games; She is a member of the selection committee for the 2005 Canada Games; She is a level IV official, serves as chair of the technical committee, and is a member of the Swim for Hope Committee. The winner of the John Drinkwater Memorial Award for the Newfoundland and Labrador Coach of the Year for 2003 is Doug Partridge of St. John's. Doug has been developing a top quality women's basketball program at Memorial University for a number of years, but 2003 was to say the least, very impressive. Last year Doug was named the top basketball coach in the AUS and also in the country. At one point the team was ranked number one in the country. The year was successful on the court with a 32 - 3 record, including a win in the AUS final on their home court. The winner of the Ed Browne Memorial Award for the Newfoundland and Labrador Team of the Year for 2003 is the Cathy Cunningham Curling Rink. Team Cunningham Ladies Curling Team came from behind at the provincials to claim the 2003 Provincial Scott Tournament. Advancing to the Canadian Scott Tournament of Hearts, the team again came from behind and took a silver medal, while on national TV. Something that is a wonderful feat and tremendous exposure. The winner of the Elizabeth Swan Memorial Award for the Newfoundland and Labrador Senior Female Athlete of the Year for 2003 is St. Brides native Jenine Browne of basketball. Jenine continued to show that she is one of the top players in Canada, by dominating in the Atlantic University Basketball League. Last year, Jenine was the AUS playoff and regular season MVP, defensive player of the year, member of the all-star team, and three point leader. At the Canadian level, she was the leading scorer in the country, named to the All Canadian Team, as well as being named to compete for Canada at the World Student Games in South Korea, where she was the top scorer in two games. Jenine was also named the St. John's Athlete of the Year for 2003. The winner of the Ferd Heyward Memorial Award for the Newfoundland and Labrador Senior Male Athlete of the Year for 2003 is Mount Pearl's George Colbert. George was twice named the AUS Athlete of the Week, while swimming for Memorial University. George set three provincial records in 2003 and took two gold and two silver medals at the AUS Championships and advanced to the CIS Championships. In 2003 George qualified for the 2004 Canadian Olympic Trials in two events. Media contact: 2004 03 22 11:40 a.m. |
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