Three Lakes, Englefeld Quill Lake and Watrous coaches have earned awards from the Horizon Central Athletic Association (HCAA) for their outstanding contributions to school athletics programs this past season.
The 2011 HCAA Recognition Award recipients were announced at a meeting on April 18.
Trevor Otsig, a teacher at Three Lakes School in Middle Lake was the first of those recipients.
According to a news release issued by the HCAA, Otsig has been teaching and coaching at Three Lakes School since 1998. In this time, his student-athletes have seen great success. This past year, he coached the cross-country team to their third consecutive provincial gold medal, the senior girls' soccer team to provincial gold, and the senior girls' basketball team to provincial silver, earning their fourth provincial basketball medal in five years.
Otsig also coaches track and field, with many of his athletes also receiving provincial medals.
Otsig makes every aspect of athletics fun, it was noted. The athletes learn valuable skills as well as life lessons such as responsibility, commitment, drive, team work, and goal-setting from his methods. He demonstrates respect and trust to both students and staff, and exhibits calm even in tense moments.
He is a great mentor and friend for the athletes/students. It is because of these traits that many of his athletes end up being great leaders not only in high school, but also later in life.
In spite of a very busy family life, Otsig finds time to volunteer in the school, helping in the canteen and refereeing when need be. He sets up activities for intramurals and special events, and also created a Sunday Nite Basketball league for everyone to participate in if they wish.
He has fundraised for athletic equipment such as a new score clock, crash mats, score table, new basketballs, and glass backboards, and is in the midst of raising money for a new gym floor. He has also redone the fitness centre at the school, which the students can enjoy on a daily basis.
Otsig is an active member of the community, serving as a councilor for the Village of Middle Lake and as a member of the Middle Lake Lions Club.
He has gone above and beyond for his school and students, taking a leadership role in creating a well-rounded athletics program at Three Lakes School. He is the epitome of dedication to high school athletics and dedication to his school and school community.
Desi Zimmerman of Englefeld School also received an HCAA Recognition Award.
Over the past several years, Zimmerman has coached senior girls' volleyball and senior badminton in Englefeld. Because of his dedication to these programs, the school has participated at the Provincial level on several occasions, bringing home gold and silver medals in badminton and the Sportsmanship Award in senior girls' volleyball.
Kellie Maslin received an HCAA award for her involvement in athletics at Quill Lake School.
Maslin's contributions at Quill Lake School, it was noted, are countless and greatly appreciated.
She currently coaches senior girls' volleyball, badminton at all levels, track and field, and she is currently coaching a Quill Lake athlete that is going to attend the Special Olympics in Athens, Greece in June of this year.
The organization and operation of Quill Lake School's SRC has traditionally been a two-person job and Maslin has taken this on alone this year.
Maslin is also an active leader in the school's inMotion, Breakfast for Learning, and Nutrition Positive programs. No matter what is going on at Quill Lake School, Maslin is involved and usually in a leadership role.
Rob McGregor is a strong advocate of student athletics at Watrous Elementary School. McGregor has been involved in District athletics as a coach, official, organizer, and supporter. He has coached senior and junior volleyball as well as junior basketball and has also been instrumental in organizing basketball and badminton leagues for the elementary school athletes to develop in.
McGregor has also been heavily involved in officiating in the district in volleyball, football, and basketball.
During the past 10 years, Steve Armstrong has given countless hours of his time to both the students of Winston High School in Watrous, as well as the district , especially in the areas of basketball and track and field.
Armstrong is one of Winston High School's football coaches and for several years has been the junior girls' basketball coach. During his coaching tenure, he has organized tournaments, league playoffs, and District championships in Watrous.
Armstrong has also been an integral part of the pre-district and district track meets. He has volunteered to learn the new track program and has not only operated it at all levels of track, but has also been an important part of educating others on how to use it.
He is always available to help others who are having trouble with its operation. His commitment has allowed track days to operate efficiently and without major problems.
Also receiving awards were Terry Gaudet of école St.-Isidore in Bellevue, Nevin Halyk of Foam Lake Composite School and Jordann Casler of Punnichy Community High School.
