Simon Fraser University freshman Payten Smith was named the female high school athlete of the year at the Sport B.C. athlete of the year awards on March 12.
Smith beat out New Westminster multi-events champion Nina Schultz for the award.
Smith dominated the provincial championships in her weight class, winning the senior girls’ title for four consecutive years, while remaining unbeaten and without a point scored against her during that time. She was also a national juvenile freestyle and Greco-Roman champion and the only B.C. girl to win gold at the Canada Summer Games.
Smith also became the first female wrestler from her school to earn a full-ride athletic scholarship to SFU.
Other winners included: Josh Dueck for para-alpine skiing; Jordan Lu in golf for high school male athlete; Naomi Ko for golf in female junior athlete; Samson Reinhart for hockey in junior male; Brody Greig for college basketball; Brad Gunter for university volleyball; Marielle Thompson for senior female ski cross; Denny Morrison for senior male speed skating; John Carroll for official of the year in gymnastics; Brian Ellis in masters’ orienteering; Joanne McLeod for female figure skating coach; Paul Eberhardt for male basketball coach; and Canada’s women’s pursuit cycling team.
Brian McCalder of Burnaby was the recipient of the Daryl Thompson award for his 40 of service to B.C. Athletics – dedicating his career to promoting, encouraging and developing the widest participation and highest proficiency in the sport of track and field in country.
McCalder is also a longtime senior member of the Athletics Canada branch council and planning committee.
