GRAVENHURST – The heart of a true champion isn’t driven by legs alone.
They have determination, passion and compassion, a sense of fair play and a moral fibre rooted deeper than just muscle and sinew.
For these reasons and more, Gravenhurst High School coach and co-operative education coordinator Stephanie Walker nominated Grade 12 student Brett Sontag for Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations’ (OFSAA) Character Athlete of the Season award. She found out Friday morning (Feb. 24) Sontag had won the prestigious award out of hundreds of student-athletes from across the province.
After breaking the news to Sontag he had even been nominated, she was able to tell him he had won, too.
“This award isn’t just about the athlete, it’s about the individual, their character,” Walker explained. “These students (in line for the award) can compete athletically at a provincial or even a national level, but are still respectful and disciplined.”
“It’s about their morals, their beliefs, their whole character,” she added. “These types of athletes don’t come along all the time.”
Still absorbing the news, Sontag said he was “very happy” to have even been nominated, let alone having won. He said while sports and athletics are very important to him, potentially providing a career in fitness or fitness instruction after high school, some things are more important.
“I don’t ever want to be the type of person who’s only ever in one group; I don’t want to be labelled like that,” he said. “I don’t care who you are or where you’re from, if you’re nice to me, I’ll be nice to you and I believe everyone has their reasons for being here. It’s not up to me to judge.”
As an athlete, Sontag takes part in golf, curling, volleyball and hockey and has been to the OFSAA provincial finals in badminton and track and field for running long jump.
He was Junior Male Athlete of the Year for GHS in his Grade 9 and 10 years and is a former Senior Athlete of the Year at Monsignor Michael O’Leary Catholic School. Sontag has also earned several MVP awards and was voted most sportsmanlike for his volleyball team.
But beyond that, Walker nominated Sontag because he is also a reliable and steadfast volunteer, helping coach the high school’s girls hockey team, boys volleyball and with the local Kris King Hockey School.
He also works as a youth fitness worker at the Gravenhurst YMCA, teaching yoga and boot camp, and takes part in many extracurricular activities like the school’s performing arts club.
“Brett is an all-around individual,” said Walker, who coaches Sontag in track and field. “He excels at every sport he tries and doesn’t give up until he’s perfected it. He always shows respect for other athletes and often praises fellow competitors for a good play.”
Write a Comment