Shadfly Soccer Team.
Back Row: Tyler Neuber, Samantha Mayville-Larmand (Coach), Ralph Neuber (Coach)
Middle Row: Kevin Grigg, David Mulley, Diane Woods, Joe Magilio, Shannon Johnson (Coach)
Front Row: Jackelyn Osborne, Ben Chain, Mathew Tresnak, Michael Congusti, Elizabeth Tremblay. Missing from photo: Peter Washington, Meagan Summerton and Teggan Seguin-Messenger. Submitted photos.
Special Olympics Ontario has announced its award recipients for 2015 and at the top of the list is Team of the Year --- North Bay Shadflys.
The Shadflys represented the community at the 2014 National Summer Games in Vancouver.
It is the Special Olympic soccer team which began its quest in Barrie in 2012 at the provincial qualifier.
It advanced to the Provincial games in York Region in 2013, finishing first in the division, which qualified them to the 2014 National Games.
"This team showed courage, determination and good sportsmanship and represented North Bay with dignity," said Brigitte (Gitta) Washington, of the North Bay Chapter of Special Olympics.
Cory Potter pictured with Merv Shantz at the opening ceremonies of the 2015 Special Olympics Ontario Winter Games held in North Bay.
The Male Athlete of the year is Cory Potter, a local athlete who represented the city at the 2015 Provincial Winter Games held in North Bay in January.
"His performance at these games was amazing-he entered in the Novice category and after practice trials and heats, he was moved to the Advanced group. He finished just .004 seconds behind the bronze medal winner. Even though he missed the podium, he out shone all other athletes. His movement from novice to advanced had never been seen at any previous Special Olympic games."
Potter is also a member of the North Bay Special Olympic Bears softball team as first baseman and is captain on one of the North Stars hockey clubs as well.
"His outgoing, humorous personality makes him an ideal choice for this award.
"The honour for the nominations also goes out to the hardworking coaches, especially Shannon Johnson, who leads this group and is the driving force behind this successful organization," said Washington.
