Some of the award winners from Tuesday night's Athletic Awards Banquet at JPII. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

Crusaders sports

JPII celebrate during Athletic Awards Banquet

Jun 15, 2022 | 4:01 PM

It was a full house at the John Paul II Collegiate gymnasium Tuesday night as the high school celebrated the best of the past school year on the court, field, ice, and track at their Athletic Awards Banquet.

With about 180 people attending the night’s festivities.

Principal, Bruce Yockey said it was a great evening celebrating the return of high school athletics this year.

“You could tell people were just happy to be back competing again and having kids take part in athletics,” Yockey said. “It was a really outstanding year at JPII, from district and tournament medals to a number of provincial medals both individual and team, so we’re very proud of all of our athletes and coaches.”

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Among the winners on the night were senior boys’ standouts, Declan Mercer and Marc Revet, who were recognized for their play on both the school volleyball and basketball teams.

Mercer was named MVP of the senior basketball team and Top Defensive Player with the volleyball team, and said it was nice just to celebrate the season together with teammates from both sports.

“We had a lot of the same guys as our volleyball team [in basketball] too, so it was just a great vibe with our group,” Mercer said. “It feels good to win MVP, but it could have gone to anyone on the team. We all played hard and we all competed, so I’m very grateful to receive this award.”

Revet, who mirrored his teammate as MVP of the senior volleyball team and Top Defensive Player with the basketball team, was also gracious but modest in his acceptance of the awards, even letting out a wry smile when talking about his defensive exploits on the basketball court.”

“I think the coaches may have given me this award based entirely on my last game because I had about three backboard blocks and that’s probably about the only outstanding defense I had,” he said with a light-hearted laugh. “But it’s pretty awesome just to have all the guys together again as it was a really tight-knit group.”

Grade 11 student, Ameris Wasmuth took home the Crusader Award with the senior girls’ basketball team and was also named Top Golfer. She said it was special to be able to get back to competing with the school teams this year.

“It feels so nice to receive this award, because last year our basketball season didn’t happen, so I’m just grateful to be able to play again and receive this award that I think we all could deserve, but I’m happy to receive.”

JPII Collegiate will hold their Academic Awards tonight, June 15, in the gymnasium, beginning at 7 p.m.; graduation day at the high school will be June 29 at 1 p.m.

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Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @MartyMartyPxP1