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Among the junior ranks, Melvin Nolan was the boys' recipient while Jaimie Dobson earned the girls’ top honours. Jeremy Brownridge was chosen as the Senior Boys’ Athlete of the Year. A repeat winner of the senior boys’ award, Brownridge was a member of the volleyball, basket- There were no exceptions this year when the school doled out the hardware to honour the top student athletes at their annual year-end athletic banquet on the campus Thursday. “The choices are always tough to make," said Spartans physical education head Iamie Hewitt. “You always get at least two or three names that come up every time for specific awards." Amanda Raguseo was named the Senior Girls' Athlete of the Year. BY MICHAEL HAYAKAWA mhayakawa @yrmg.com Every year in late May, the Stouffville District Secondary School Spartans varsity coaching staff assembles to go over names of student-athletes who deserve spe- cial recognition. In most instances, there's some degree of overlap as to who might be the most deserving for specific individual honours. ' Broken ankle couldn’t keep athlete of year down : Another top SDSS award for Raguseo Hewitt was quick to point out while many student-athletes would have felt sorry for themselves or do little in terms of trying to rehabili- tate themselves, Brownridge made every effort to make a fast recovery “Jeremy was well deserving of the award," Hewitt said of the Grade 12 student. What stood Brownridge apart from the rest was his determina- tion. Especially after he incurred a broken ankle while playing with the volleyball team. ball and rugby teams. JEREMY BROWNRIDGE: Top senior male athlete hit the weight room after being sidelined with injury. “She also has a personality that’s unflappable. She’s so calm and has everbody else around her at ease. “She also helps others to improve their game. She's a leader and has the whole package. I can’t say enough about her,” MacFarlane “She’s very athletic and at five- foot, lO-inches, she’s strong and powerful and moves well and can read the situation well. Sharon MacFarlane, Spartans senior girls’ volleyball and basket- ball coach, cited Raguseo’s strength is based on a combination of her physical and mental attributes. The younger sister of Spartans graduate Matt Raguseo, who was the senior boys’ Athlete of the Year in 2006-07 and 2007-08, Amanda was also strong in the classroom as she recorded an 88 per cent average. A member of the senior girls' basketball, volleyball and soccer teams. Raguseo also earned Most Valuable Player honours for the Spartans basketball and volleyball teams. “To his personal cnedit he was in the weight room almost every day trying to rehabilitate himself. When he came back (to play with the basketball team) he was ready to go,” Hewitt said. sohecouldbeneadyforsportsin thefallseason. “He's quite a fierce competitor," Hewitt said of Nolan. “He plays the game very intense. In addition, he was one of two Grade 10 students who made the trip with the Spartans senior rugby team to England and Wales during the March break. “In rugby, he plays with reckless abandon. He puts the team way said of Raguseo, who is expected to enrol this fall at MacMaster Uni- versity in Hamilton. Nolan, a Grade 10 student, played with the junior boys’ volley- ball, basketball and rugby teams. AMANDA MOUSEO: Basketball and volleyball MVP named SDSS' top senior female athlete lhursday. e022 ggtarentxo nut. -\ RIVA fin can. The Homestead Award, given to the student-athlete who con- tributed to the highest level of athletic involvement and student leadership and organization in the school’s athletic council, went to Peter Wideman and Chris Chekay. Rehill was a former physical education head at Stouflville Disâ€" trict Secondary School in the 19605 and 19708. The Moral and Physical Improvement Award went to Demi Chalkias and Patrick Lafian. The Jim Rehill Sportsmanship Award, given to the female and male student-athlete demonstrat- ing a high level of sportsmanship and dedication to athletics, went to Tracey Velletri, also a Grade 12 student, and Brownridge. In addition to the four Most Valuable Player awards, the Spar- tans issued several other major honours. “She’s a quiet person, but a good athlete. She's a workhorse and tries hard to improve herself and sets the tone for others to follow. She’s a great person," MacFaflane said of the Grade 10 student. In describing Dobson, who was a member of the junior girls’ basketball, volleyball and soccer teams, MacParlane said she tends to lead by example. ahead of himself." Fmdaplacetorent