WESPY Award winners
The 19th annual WESPY Awards showed once again why it is a marquee event in our sports community. The event brought together the best in Windsor-Essex sport to celebrate excellence, dedication, and community impact across every level of competition.
This year’s ceremony was highlighted by a special keynote address from Italian soccer legend Alessandro Del Piero, who had the record crowd mesmerized as he added international star power to an already memorable evening honouring the region’s top athletes, coaches, teams, and contributors. Del Piero was very engaging with WESPY founder and host Dom Papa.
Windsor-Essex Sports Awards – Winners
Dennis Fairall – Track & Field (Sept–Aug)
Female: Anieu Chan (Massey Secondary School / Windsor Legion Track & Field Club)Male: Ben Tilson (University of Windsor Lancers)
Cross Country (Sept–Aug)
Female: Samara Quanz (University of Windsor Lancers)Male: Jacob Fitzpatrick (University of Windsor Lancers)
Ed Jovanovski – Hockey (Sept–Apr)
Female: Maggie Peterson (University of Windsor Lancers)Male: Liam Greentree (Windsor Spitfires)
Sasho Cirovski – Soccer (Mar–Sept)
Female: Victoria Walsh (St. Clair College Women’s Soccer)Male: Nico Fontecha (University of Windsor Lancers Soccer)
Fastpitch / Baseball (May–Sept)
Female: Jayde Melhuish McGahan (University of Windsor Lancers Softball)Male: Brady Knelsen (St. Clair College Saints Baseball)
Tim Hommel – Volleyball (Sept–Aug)
Female: Geneva Huisman (St. Clair College Saints Volleyball)Male: Markus Law-Heese (University of Windsor Lancers Volleyball)
Kylie Masse – Swimming (Sept–Aug)
Female: Tabi Main (Windsor Aquatic Club)Male: Gavin Shinkelshoek (Windsor Aquatic Club)
Gino Fracas – Football (May–Nov)
Male: Brady Lidster (University of Windsor Lancers Football)
Wrestling (Oct–Aug)
Female: Dominique Okeke (Assumption College School / Windsor Wrestling Club)Male: Francesco Lapico (Villanova High School / Windsor Wrestling Club)
Golf (Apr–Oct)
Female: Jasmine Ly (Ambassador Golf Club)Male: Riley Bentley (Kingsville Golf & Country Club)
Miah-Marie Langlois – Basketball (Sept–Mar)
Female: Mya Tate (St. Joseph’s High School)
Mike Brkovich – Basketball
Male: Mazin Tiea (St. Clair College Saints Basketball)
Figure Skating (July–Mar)
Unisex: Jake Ellis (South Windsor Skating Club)
Gymnastics (Sept–June)
Unisex: Daniel Hodare (Alpha Gymnastics Academy)
Parasport (Sept–Aug)
Unisex: Breanna Williams (Leamington Skating Club)
Major Awards
Athlete of the Year
Female: Anieu Chan (Massey Secondary School / Windsor Legion Track & Field Club)
Male: Markus Law-Heese (University of Windsor Lancers Volleyball)
Joel Quenneville – Coach of the Year
Winner: Al Bernacchi (Windsor Juniors Selects Baseball)
Ken Dryden – Executive of the Year
Winner: Frank Jeney (University of Windsor Baseball)
Mickey Renaud – Captain’s Leadership
Winner: Matt Guenette (St. Clair Saints Football)
Team of the Year
Winner: Windsor Junior Selects Baseball
Knobby Knudsen – Volunteer of the Year
Female: Nicole Coffey (Windsor Clippers Lacrosse / Windsor Minor Lacrosse)
Male: Ben Balkwill (Track & Field / Swimming Official)
Windsor Wildcats – Courage & Determination
Winner: Dave Martin (Boxing)
John DeNapoli – Community Service
Winner: Rob Moore (Track & Field)
Legacy Awards
Female: Yvette Temple (Windsor West Baseball)Male: Mike Whitehead (Canadian Paralympic Rugby)
Official of the Year
Winners: Brent Webster (Football), Bruce Carter (Football)
