Below are CKSN’s nominees for the May 2014 Chatham-Kent Athlete of the Month.
Voting will continue until Saturday, June 7, with the winner being named Monday, June 9. Poll votes, comments below, as well as Facebook comments (www.facebook.com/cksportsnetwork) and Twitter Retweets (www.twitter.com/cksportsnetwork) will be counted as votes. See below the poll for monthly accolades for each athlete.
Nominees in Alphabetical Order and Monthly Highlights:
Quinn Cannella (Chatham) – Won three events, setting a record in each at the Kent track and field championships in the junior boys division, including in the 3,000m (9:00.97), 800m (2:01.02), and 1500m (4:07.04). At SWOSSAA, again took first in 1500m, 800m, and 3000m, improving his time in each. Cannella then went on to finish 2nd in 3000m and 1500m at the OFSAA West Regionals, qualifying for OFSAA in each, while representing Chatham-Kent Secondary School.
Morgan Desjardins (Pain Court) – In the Junior girls division, won the Kent, SWOSSAA, and OFSAA West Regionals in both discus and shot put. At OFSAA West Regionals, Desjardins capped off her undefeated month throwing 35.21m in discus, and 11.24m in shot put, to win each and advance to June’s OFSAA Championships, while representing Ecole Secondaire de Pain Court.
Jordan Durston (Wallaceburg) – Playing with the Wallaceburg Red Devils Junior B lacrosse team, had 20 goals and 34 assists for 54 points in 11 games in May. With the Six Nations Arrows Junior A Lacrosse team, Durston is leading the team in scoring through four games in May, collecting 5 goals and adding 20 assists with the 4-0 Arrows.
Ashley Jackson (Chatham) – Playing for the London Ramblers JUEL Prep basketball team, won a bronze medal at the OBA Ontario Cup in Niagara and won the inaugural JUEL Prep League Championship in Kingston. Was named to the JUEL Molten All Academic Team Award. Played for the John McGregor soccer team, Jackson was also the Kent track and field winner in junior girls 3000m, second in the junior girls 1500m, and first in the senior girls 1500m steeplechase. At SWOSSAA track and field, finished 6th, qualifying for OFSAA West Regionals in steeplechase, where she eventually finished 9th.
Brandon Montour (Tilbury) – Named the USHL Player of the Year and Defenseman of the Year. Was the USHL’s leading playoff scorer as a defenseman, collecting 6 goals and 10 assists for 16 points in only 12 games with the Waterloo Black Hawks. Helped the Black Hawks to within one win of a championship, falling to the Indiana Ice. Ranked 92nd for the upcoming NHL draft.
Jamie Schaafsma (Blenheim) – Helped lead the Central Hockey League’s Allen Americans to their second straight Ray Miron Presidents’ Cup. Schaafsma was named the 2014 CHL Playoff Most Valuable Player, leading the Americans with 20 points (10-10-20) in the playoffs and leading his team with nine points in the Finals including the game winning goal in the double overtime during game two.
Clare Thompson (Ridgetown) – One three divisions at Kent track and field in the senior girls division including the 100m Hurdles, long jump, and triple jump. At SWOSSAA, Thompson, who represents the UCC Lancers, advanced to OFSAA West Regionals in each of her events, finishing 2nd in long jump, and triple jump, and 6th in 100m hurdles. At OFSAA West Regionals, had her best performance of the season to advance to June’s OFSAA championships, jumping 5.39m in long jump, and 11.30m in triple jump to win each event.