High School Athletes of the Year Honored by MHSAA

Back Row L to R: Wellington Driedger, Keylyn Filewich, Matthew Klassen
Front Row L to R: Ashley Jay, Carmen Ross, Kaylee Butterfield

The Manitoba High Schools Athletic Association announced the 2016 Jostens High School Athletes of the Year at a Media conference held June 24th at the Holiday Inn South.  All athletes who were honored by the MHSAA participated in basketball over the past year, including many who were recognized at the Basketball Manitoba Awards in April.

The Association has four competition categories based on school populations.  “A” Schools are for rural schools with a population of under 125 students, “AA” is any City of Winnipeg School with a population of under 100 plus rural schools with a population of 125-300, “AAA” are City of Winnipeg Schools with a population of 100-500 and rural schools of over 300, while the “AAAA” category is all City of Winnipeg schools with a population of 500 students and greater, plus Lord Selkirk, Crocus Plains, Vincent Massey High School (Brandon), Steinbach Regional, Springfield, Garden Valley and Northlands Parkway in Winkler and Portage Collegiate.

A Male and Female Athlete of the Year was selected from each category, along with the overall Josten’s Provincial High School Male and Female Athlete of the Year.

“A” Girls:

Ashley Jay of Hamiota Collegiate - played Volleyball, golf, basketball, badminton and baseball.  She won, numerous tournament all- stars, provincial basketball all-star, player of the game numerous times in volleyball and basketball, and “A” female basketball player of the year. She participated in drama, choir, band, was the Student Council Sports representative.  She maintains an academic average of 92%, and spends hours officiating and coaching a variety of sports at all age levels.  She will be attending the University of Calgary.

“AA” Girls:

Kaylee Butterfield of Souris School - participated in basketball, badminton, rugby and track and field. She was captain of her Provincial Championship Basketball team as well as a Provincial All Star.  She was a divisional finalist along with her partner in badminton and is the captain of her rugby team.  Kaylee is the Student Council president, a member of the Provincial Basketball host committee and involved with the grad banquet committee.  She volunteers at the Avalon Theater, at Victoria Park Lodge, while coaching youth rugby, and mini Sabres basketball.  Kaylee maintains an academic average of 91% and will be attending Brandon University in the fall.

“AAA” Girls:

Carmen Ross of Virden Collegiate – participated in volleyball, basketball, and fastball.   She was the captain and top scorer of her volleyball and basketball teams.  She was a graduating All-Star for both volleyball and basketball and was provincial MVP for volleyball, while earning Provincial All-Star in Basketball.  She participated in the opening number of the School production of Aida and is a member of the Sound Investment Choir.  Carmen maintains an academic average of 86% while also participating in the Virden Music and Arts Festival.  She will be attending Brandon University.

“AAAA” Girls:

Keylyn Filewich of Vincent Massey Collegiate (Winnipeg) – participated in volleyball and basketball.  She was team captain of both her Volleyball and Basketball team and earned numerous All-Star and MVP awards in both sports.  She was a Provincial Basketball All-Star.  She was ranked 6th in the Top Ten Volleyball player poll, and 3rd in the basketball rankings.  Keylyn will be attending a Team Canada Basketball tryout next week.  She is a member of the graduation committee and is a score keeper and gym services volunteer.  She also raised money and awareness for one of her fellow Athletes who was diagnosed with cancer.  Keylyn maintains an academic average of 93% and plans on attending the University of British Columbia.



“A” Boys:

Matthew Klassen of Glenboro School – plays volleyball, basketball, baseball, badminton and Track and Field.  He was a captain of his volleyball and basketball teams. He was a graduating all star for both volleyball and basketball, named MVP at basketball provincials and all-star at volleyball Provincials.  He was also named “A” player of the year at the Graduating Basketball All-Star game.  He is a member of the Glenboro choir, drama production and We Day and Youth in Philanthropy. He coached Grade 7 and 8 Volleyball and basketball and was a member of the student council, all while maintaining an academic average of 91%. He will be attending Brandon University in the fall.

“AA” Boys:

Wellington Driedger of Steinbach Christian School – participates in Volleyball, and Basketball. He was captain of both his volleyball and basketball team, and received both the MVP award and Players Choice award at the MHSAA Basketball Provincials.  He is a member of the School Band, a Middle school mentor, basketball skills coach, and is on the Spiritual Emphasis Planning committee.  He also is a member of the Blumenort EMC Worship Band and Leaders for Youth.  He maintains an academic average of 91% and will be attending the International House of Prayer in Kansas.

“AAA” Boys:

William Hatherly of Hapnot Collegiate (Flin Flon) – plays soccer, volleyball, basketball, cross country running, and track and field.  He maintains an academic average of 80% and plans to attend Brandon University.  He was co-captain of his soccer team and captain of both his volleyball and basketball teams.  He has numerous All Star and MVP awards from tournaments, and was the Players Choice award winner and, All-Star at the “AAA” Volleyball provincials.  He was a graduating all star for basketball and volleyball and received the Dr. Dale Iwanoczko Scholarship for volleyball.  He is a member of the athletic council and the grad committee.

“AAAA” Boys:

Matthew Klassen & Keylyn Fenwich.
(CHRIS PROCAYLO/Winnipeg Sun)

Eric Loeppky of Steinbach Regional School – participated in volleyball, basketball and golf.  He was captain of both his Volleyball and Basketball teams, and was awarded the Players Choice award and All-Star at Volleyball Provincials.  He was the leading scorer on his basketball team and won MVP awards at two tournaments as well as being the zone winner for golf.    He maintains an academic average of 82% and will attend Trinity Western University in the fall.

Each Athlete of the Year will receive an attractive Plaque courtesy of Jostens.

The 2016 overall Manitoba Male and Female Jostens High School Athletes of the Year are:

Keylyn Filewich of Vincent Massey Collegiate (Winnipeg) and Matthew Klassen of Glenboro School (pictured)

Each will receive a ring and Trophy.

Making the presentations were Rob Ferrand of Jostens, and MHSAA Executive Director Morris Glimcher.

Sources: 

http://www.mhsaa.ca/news/content-id-836/Jostens-High-School-Athletes-of-the-Year
http://www.winnipegsun.com/2016/06/24/high-school-athletes-of-year-honoured
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/sports/high-school/manitobas-top-high-school-athletes-honoured-384312501.html