Spartan pride

Justin Seward
Times Reporter

 

Strathmore High School concluded their athletic year with an awards banquet on June 3.
There were a lot of graduating players that took pride in playing three memorable years as a Spartan.
For rugby player Sarah Bruinsma, who won the Forward of the Year award, accredits to her development over her high school tenure with the team.
“I’ve been working towards the best player I can be for three years and to know other people notice, it just means a lot,” said Bruinsma.
She was really surprised to get her award considering how many of her teammates had great seasons.
“There were so many good players, I can’t believe I got it,” she said.
Bruinsma plans to take what she learned with the rugby team and possibly pursue a career in it.
“It introduced to me rugby and an amazing coach like (Jerry) Flaws. It’s definitely a passion of mine and got me started on a path and pursue it more,” she said.
Bruinsma’s teammate, Alyssa Mulcahy, could not have been more honoured to get the team’s Spartan Award.
“It means a lot to me because I love the sport and just having people notice how hard I work and how much I love the game is awesome,” said Mulcahy.
She credits how much coach Flaws did for her.
“I’m so proud to have him as a coach because he worked so hard for us and put all his time and effort in,” said Mulcahy.
Coach Flaws admits he was pretty fortunate to have two girls that made an impact with their leadership.
“These Grade 12’s this year just worked so hard, they did so much, and at times carried us,” said Flaws.
It is not often you find a high school athlete that plays multi-sports and makes a difference in every one of them.
Karly Larson was always a difference maker on the playing field; whether it was making a game-deciding basket or having a solid run, she did it all.
For her efforts she took home the MVP for basketball and track and field.
It meant a lot to her just to have excelled at the sports but above all the friendships she made.
“It means a lot going through school being a part of teams and having them as friends, not just in class, but your teams as well because those friendships last a lot longer than relationships on the court,” said Larson.
Larson admits that for being a small school, they displayed a lot of passion for their sports teams.
Dion Galandy had the privilege of coaching Larson in basketball and could not say enough about how special of a player she was.
“It was special, she’s definitely been an asset for us and she’s a great kid too,” said Galandy.
He added that Karly was looked upon to strategize from time to time make out the plays for the team to execute on the court.
Senior Girls Basketball: MVP: Karly Larson, Most Improved Player: Sybil Bain, Rookie of the Year: Tatum Wathen, Spartan Pride Award: Madeline Fisk. Senior Boys Basketball: MVP: Brendan Roberts, Most Improved Player: Kobe Holloway, Rookie of the Year: Jonathon LeMay, Spartan Pride: Josh Lawal. Badminton: MVP Girl: Lauren Zandee, MVP Boys: Jared Dougan, Most Improved Player: David Carlson, Rookie of the Year: Maik Honsh Spartan Pride: Shayla Pollock.
Curling: Girls MVP: Kate Schramm, Boys MVP: Jesse Luehr, Most Improved: Amy Lambert, Rookie of the Year: Raegan Burkholder, Spartan Pride: Amy Lambert. Boys Rugby: MVP: Brendan Roberts, Most Improved Player: Jesse Luehr, Forward: Mitchell Aschenbrenner, Back: Brendan Robert, Spartan Pride: Eric Schiiler. Girls Rugby: MVP: Erin Warrack, Most Improved: Autumn Desjardins, Forward: Sarah Bruinsma, Back: Shayna Westlund, Spartan Pride: Alyssa Mulcahy. Track and Field: MVP: Kyle Foster and Karly Larson, Most Improved: Luke MacDonald, Rookie of the Year: Misi Varga, Spartan Pride: Matt Schick. Boys Soccer: MVP: Darion Stewart, Most Improved: Victor Njoroge, Rookie of the Year: David Limb, Spartan Pride: Lane Anderson.