In our seventh and eighth month of celebrating sports players with the Athlete of the Month Award, we’ve entered the heat of the spring sports season. Widely considered the busiest season for GFESS school sports, it’s as important as ever to recognize our athletes who shine, especially in terms of sportsmanship, academic focus, coachability, and work ethic. Here, we’ll spotlight four stars in the GFESS athletics community, courtesy of the Athletic Council.
Beginning in March, dedicated member of the GFESS Senior Boys Hockey Team Cooper Lunn is the male award winner. The centreman “excels in all areas of the game, with and without the puck… and leads by example through his effort, commitment, and attitude” according to his coach, Mike Bosanac. However, unlike Bosanac, who’s a loyal Maple Leaf’s fan, Lunn prefers the Red Wings. Specifically, he’s inspired by their captain, Dylan Larkin, who’s described as a “strong, vocal leader.” On the ice, Lunn wears jersey number 88 and enjoys the competitiveness of the sport. Off the ice, he also plays baseball and football, excels in science-based classes such as chemistry and biology, and hopes to go to Sault College for their aviation program.
In a month rich with multi-talented athletes, the female Athlete of the Month is no exception. Shailyn Seeley competes in basketball, soccer, volleyball, golf, cross country, track, and even plays travel soccer for the Niagara Surf outside of school. Her coach, Marianne Borich, cites her as someone that “gives maximal effort and sets a standard that others strive to rise towards in both practice and game settings. Her dedication, commitment, and energetic competitive spirit make her an asset on any team.” Post-secondary, Seeley looks to apply these amazing qualities into continuing with soccer or getting into the physiotherapy field. Of her numerous accomplishments, Seeley highlights going to SOSSA every year for track and field, winning the Thorold Basketball Tournament, and getting to play soccer internationally this past March Break for the Niagara Surf.
April continues with strong athletes, starting with Anthony Cabrera-Acevedo. His skills have made him both a badminton Zone Champion, and brought him to the regional finals last year against Myer as a linebacker for the GFESS Football Team. Coach Marianne Borich attributes his success to “his ability to stay composed and execute each shot with purpose,” saying he “plays with confidence and isn’t afraid to take on any challenge in front of him.” Anthony has been playing badminton since he was 8 and the sport was introduced to him and his sisters by his grandfather. Beyond just the sports he dominates, he’s a member of the Cultural Connections Club and loves cheering on the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Rounding off this edition is Shania Cabrera-Acevedo, another commanding racquet-sports player. She’s a two time SOSSA Badminton champion, even going as far as placing in Flight A in OFSSA Badminton with her sister, Erika last year. She is looking to defend her SOSSA title later this week. Coach Borich says that her “high badminton IQ to think several steps ahead during a rally keeps her opponents on their toes.” Shania is drawn to badminton due to “the sense of community; [how] everyone you get to meet and play against are nice and supportive and want to help each other.” Similarly to her brother, she’s a member of the Cultural Connections Club and hopes to remain competing in badminton past high school while earning a degree in Engineering at McMaster University. Put simply by her coach Marianne Borich, “Shania embodies what it means to be a dedicated and resilient athlete… [she] competes with heart, grit, and an unwavering determination that inspires everyone around her.”
Written By: Kendal Warren