Runner and volleyballer clean up at Cambrian athletics banquet

Though a large number of student athletes were recognized Tuesday evening at Cambrian College, it would be cross-country runner Mary Strain and men’s volleyball power hitter Isaac Claveau who would top the charts, earning Female and Male Athlete of the Year honours, respectively, at the 50th annual Golden Shield Varsity Athletic Banquet.

A native of Fort Frances and first year transfer student, Strain followed directly in the footsteps of Cambrian’s 2015 OCAA female cross country champion Emily Marcolini, finishing first in three straight preliminary races (setting course records at two of these venues), earning gold at provincials and walking away with a silver medal at the CCAA nationals.

“I’m incredibly overwhelmed and grateful,” said Strain following the ceremony. “I was literally shaking on my way up here. This was not at all what I expected when I first began running this season.”

An accomplished track athlete in high school who went on to eventually compete for two years with the Lakehead Thunderwolves, Strain enjoyed an immediate connection with Cambrian coach Eric Leishman, leading to a season to remember.

“I need to thank Eric for being an incredible coach and leader, for helping me in becoming the athlete that I am,” said Strain. “Running 95 per cent of the workouts at my side, protecting me from the dogs that come and jump at me – he’s a great support.”

Yet another product of northwestern Ontario, one of six boys in a highly athletic Hornepayne household, Isaac Claveau shares the credit for his breakthrough 2016-2017 season, one which not only would see him compete at the OCAA Men’s Volleyball All-Star game last weekend, but subsequently named “Player of the Game” for the West Division team.

“I put a lot of work in, but a lot of my thanks has to go to the guys (on the team),” said Claveau. “They’re really good guys and they keep me going all of the time. When I had a bad game, they do a really good job of helping me get past those and succeed in the next game.”

With an academic internship creating some uncertainty about his ability to re-join the team for the 2017-2018 campaign, Claveau left little doubt as to his preference as to exactly how things might play out.

“I love the sport, it’s my favourite thing to do,” he said. “If I’m stressed out, I’ll go and play volleyball for a couple of hours and I’ll be just fine, with a smile on my face. We haven’t always been incredibly successful, but I’ve always ended the year with a smile on my face. I have a really, really good time when I am playing here at Cambrian, so I really want to do it again.”

Rounding out the list of award winners are the following athletes, coaches and support staff:

Coach’s Award