Chatham-Kent September Athlete of the Month Voting
Below are CKSN’s nominees for the September 2014 Chatham-Kent Athlete of the Month.
Voting will continue until Wednesday, October 8, with the winner being named Thursday, October 9. Poll votes, comments below, as well as Facebook comments (www.facebook.com/cksportsnetwork) and Twitter Retweets (www.twitter.com/cksportsnetwork) will be counted as votes. See below the poll for monthly accolades for each athlete.
Nominees in Alphabetical Order and Monthly Highlights:
Jake Hooker (Chatham) – Hooker, a 14-year-old sport stocks driver at South Buxton Raceway stole the show during the last weekend of September at the Canadian Fall Shootout, winning the sport stocks feature race. In the sport stocks season championship on September 20, Hooker finished second in his heat, and sixth in the feature. To open the month, Hooker was fourth in the sport stocks race at South Buxton.
Zack Horvath (Chatham) – At tenth in Great Lakes Junior C scoring, with less games played than most above him, Horvath is the top scorer for the Blenheim Blades. Scoring 5 goals and 2 assists for 7 points in 6 games, Horvath has been Blenheim’s top offensive threat. He scored a hat trick for the Blades to close out the month on September 28 in an 8-2 win over Alvinston.
Ty Jackson (Wheatley) – After being named captain of the GOJHL’s Lambton Shores Predators, Jackson lead his team to an unprecedented 3-3 record, one of the best starts in franchise history. Through September, Jackson had a goal and 4 assists for 5 points in 5 games, however, his real impact couldn’t be felt on the scoresheet, but rather through his leadership of what is likely the GOJHL’s youngest team.
Dillon Liberty (Thamesville) – Sitting second in Great Lakes Junior C scoring, Liberty has been a force for the Dresden Kings throughout the opening weeks of the season. Through the first 7 games, Liberty has compiled 4 goals and 5 assists for 9 points, including 3 multi-point games in September.
Brooke MacKinnon (Chatham) – MacKinnon won multiple championships during the month of September. She was the first ever LKSSAA golf champion, pounding her competition by 9-strokes representing Chatham-Kent Secondary School. At SWOSSAA, MacKinnon missed a title by one stroke, but qualified for OFSAA golf for the second straight year. MacKinnon was also CKSS’ leading scorer for the Junior Girls basketball team en route to a tournament win in Georgetown, scoring 48-points in 4 games, including 11 in the final. MacKinnon was also CKSS’ leading scorer in their LKSSAA basketball season opener, and scored 16-points in CKSS’ first win to close the month.
Breanne Nicholas (Blenheim) – As the reigning CKSN Chatham-Kent Athlete of the Month, Nicholas continued her dominance in the world of womens rugby, returning to the Western University Mustangs squad and getting off to a strong start in OUA competition. Nicholas currently sits third overall in OUA rugby scoring with 35-points in 4 games. Nicholas had 2 tries and 2 conversions in Western’s first win, a 49-0 decision over Brock. She also had a huge game in a lopsided 75-13 win over Laurier, scoring 2 tries and 3 converts.
Jonah Pataki (Wallaceburg) – Pataki was the leading rusher for the OUA’s Queens University Gaels football team through the first month of the season. In five games, Pataki ran for 268-yards, and caught one touchdown pass in a September 6 loss to Ottawa. Currently, Pataki sits 12th in the OUA in rushing yards, and 14th in yard per game.
Dalton Shuian (Blenheim) – Shuian power the Blenheim Bobcats football team through their first month of LKSSAA 8-man senior boys football, starting with a 3 touchdown and 118 rushing yard performance in a 34-0 win over Sarnia St. Clair September 12. In his second game of the season, Shuian exploded for 193-yards and another 4 touchdowns in a win over John McGregor. Shuian closed out the month scoring 1 touchdown, catching a two-point convert, and collecting 90-yards in a win over LCCVI to keep Blenheim perfect in September.
Shaun Suisham (Wallaceburg) – Suisham opened the month by being named one of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ captains. He then got off to an excellent start, going 8-for-8 in field goals to open the season, and breaking a Pittsburgh Steelers record for most consecutive field goals made at 23, spanning back to last year. Through the month, he finished 9-for-10 on field goals, and was 100% in point after attempts.
Loved all the write ups but one stands out. He is a paid professional and in my estimation (biased of course ) doesn’t belong in this voting poll. These are high school students who aren’t getting paid to get the job done. Thanks Diane
Pros have always, and will, remain a part of our voting. Historically they don’t get much support in these polls, but we feel it’s important to recognize local athletes excelling on a higher level. Being a pro doesn’t automatically get you on to this list however, you still have to excel at the level you’re competing at, which Shaun did this month.
Is he the best candidate on the list this month? Not in my personal opinion. He didn’t get my own vote, but it doesn’t mean he isn’t worth recognizing. Seth Griffith is another pro many thought belonged this month, and had his performances been regular season action, he definitely would have been on the list as well.
Thanks for you feedback. I understand the difference in calibre and compensation, and I think from experience, voters do too.