As much as the Notre Dame Cougars Athletics Banquet was about honouring athletic achievement, it was as much about turning the page on an era.
Female athlete of the year Cierra Stephens recognizes that Wednesday’s banquet put an official wrap on her competitive athletic career.
Well almost, anyway, as she will be competing in shot put at track and field provincials this weekend in Lethbridge.
But with a long educational career awaiting her at the University of Calgary as she goes after a bachelor of science degree with a major in anthropology, with the goal of one day being a doctor, sports will now take a back seat.
But she will always remember her three years as a Cougar.
“The friendships I’ve made and the relationships I’ve made with my teachers and coaches, it’s such a great atmosphere to be a part of the school sports,” said Stephens, who was also a finalist last year. “Instead of just doing your studies, you have practices and games or tournaments you go to where you make some unforgettable memories with the girls. I wouldn’t changer anything about the sports, I’m so grateful to be able to play them.”
Stephens also received the senior girls volleyball coaches award while also playing soccer, basketball and rugby — every season brought about a different sport.
A constant for her through her three years was coach Ian Rattan who coached her in track, volleyball and rugby. It was a connection she shared with the other two finalists for the athlete of the year award: Autumn Letkeman and Chelsea Antonio.
“I have to give a hand to all of my coaches, they really pushed me and I wouldn’t be where I am with out them, but especially to Mr. Rattan, he’s been with me for the last three years in three different sports,” she said. “He’s really grown as a person as well as I have and he’s honestly one of my good friends now, I can go to him with anything, not just sports.”
Rattan did his best from siding with any of the three girls in the voting process, only to say any of them would be a fine pick. Losing those three to graduation will definitely be a difficult obstacle for Rattan.
“Those girls are awesome, it has been such a pleasure and a treat to coach them over the last three years and they will be missed in our program,” said Rattan. “It is kind of sinking in now but it is going to be interesting next year when sports start and they’re not here.”
He says Stephens was particularly coachable, always inquisitive and looking for reasons to methodology.
“She wants to know why she’s doing it and how’s going to make her better,” said Rattan. “She was just a fierce competitor.”
Keegan MacDonald is faced with a similar future of athletic unknown as the Cougars male athlete of the year, as he says he will take the year off to work and figure out his next step.
Still, being named athlete of the year was an honour for the 18-year-old.
“It’s been great playing with everybody, I’ve made so many friends and the friends I have made will last me a life time,” said MacDonald, thanking all the coaches who helped him along.
MacDonald starred in just about every sport Notre Dame offered, also being named MVP of the boys handball team, collecting the boys basketball coach’s award and was awarded the Ross McClenaghan Award for his leadership abilities as starting quarterback.
“I call the (McClenaghan Award) the three D award: Dedication, desire and determination ... because that’s the type of player Ross McClenaghan was. And (MacDonald) was the guts of our football team,” said football head coach and athletic director Gino Castellan. “I’m proud of Keegan and I think he deserved it.”
He edged out football teammate Jesse Kowalchuck — who was named MVP of both the football team and rugby team — for the award. The two of them pushed each other constantly to be better on the field.
“We were rivals all year for everything, he was right beside me the whole way,” said MacDonald. “I love playing with Jesse, I’ve grown up playing sports with him so it was great to share that with him.”
The night wrapped up a big athletic year for the school, in which the collected nine zone banners and medalled provincially in handball and badminton with potential for more at track this weekend, specifically with nine athletes going to Lethbridge.
“You can see from the banners we hung up on our stage, it was a great year, a banner year,” said Castellan.