(L to R) Simone Crevier, Asha Gurney, Liam Kristjanson, Isaak Fast
For Immediate Release
Thursday, February 28, 2019
Dr. Dale Iwanoczko Memorial Volleyball Scholarship 2018-2019 Recipients
The Manitoba High Schools Athletic Association and Volleyball Manitoba are pleased to announce the 2018-2019 recipients of the Dr. Dale Iwanoczko Memorial Volleyball Scholarships. These $1,000 scholarships are awarded annually in memory of Selkirk, Manitoba volleyball player Dr. Dale Iwanoczko.
Dale began his volleyball career playing for Lord Selkirk Regional High School and the University of Manitoba Bisons where he was named a five-time All-Canadian. He was selected as the CIS/CIAU Most Valuable Player in 1990 and led the Bisons to the national championship title in 1991. He also played on Manitoba’s Provincial and Canada Games Teams. Dale was selected as Valedictorian, Governor General Award winner, and Athlete of the Year at Lord Selkirk Regional Secondary School (Gr 11 & 12). He obtained his medical degree from the University of Manitoba, and sadly passed away at the age of 30, after succumbing to Hodgkin’s disease, a battle he had fought valiantly for 14 months. Several of Dale’s close friends have organized an annual golf tournament to raise funds for this scholarship which is named in his honour and memory.
To be eligible for this scholarship a student must be proceeding to a post-secondary institution and have a minimum 75% academic average. The individual must have proficiency in volleyball, while academic standing, and involvement in their school and community are also considered.
This year four student athletes have been selected:
Simone Crevier, Portage Collegiate Institute – holds an academic average of 95% and also participates in badminton, cross country and track and field. She started playing volleyball in Grade 4 and fell in love with the game. She is an assistant coach for the middle school volleyball team, the Special Olympics basketball team, and the youth club volleyball team Prairie Fire. Simone participated in the final four of Boston Pizza “AAAA” Provincial Volleyball Championships. She competed with her Jr. Bisons team and placed 2nd at the Best of the West tournament in Calgary and received a silver medal in Division 3 at Nationals as well as competing with Team Manitoba in the USA Volleyball High Performance Championships. She has signed on to play with Women’s Volleyball team at the University of Manitoba next year where she will be studying Kinesiology.
Asha Gurney, Lord Selkirk Regional Comprehensive Secondary School – holds an academic average of 94.6% while being an active member in her community. She is a multi-sport athlete and was the leader of her volleyball team. She was selected as a MHSAA Athlete of the Week and was a member of the graduating All-Star volleyball team. As Co-captain of her team, she helped lead them to a second place finish at the Boston Pizza “AAAA” Provincial Volleyball Championships, and was ranked 9th in the province by the Winnipeg Sun. She is a member of the indoor and outdoor track team, plays hockey for the “AA” Predators. She volunteers at community events including the Selkirk Soup Kitchen, Terry Fox Run and officiates different elementary sports. While not playing sports Asha is involved in choir and concert band as well as assisting with the Special Olympic program at the school. Asha will be attending the University of Manitoba in the Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Science program and also participating on the Bison’s Women’s volleyball team.
Isaak Fast, Westgate Mennonite Collegiate – holds an academic average of 95% and will be attending the University of Manitoba as an undergrad in Biochemistry and then on to medical school with plans to specialize in pediatrics. He was a member of the school’s SCAC AAA volleyball championship team, and also participated with Winman and Volleyball Manitoba’s 18U Provincial Championship team. He is an assistant coach for the grade 7 boys and grad 8 girls volleyball teams and is a spiritual care assistant at the Misericordia Hospital. He participates in the church choir and is student council secretary and community leader. He will be a member of the Bison Men’s volleyball team in the fall.
Liam Kristjanson, Crocus Plains Regional Secondary School – will be attending the University of Winnipeg in the field of Applied Computer Science and also playing volleyball for the Wesmen Men’s volleyball team. Liam is also involved in basketball, baseball, the school’s major dinner production and he plans on attending the Waterloo math competition. He was a member of the 18U provincial team and is also playing volleyball in Winnipeg with the 204 volleyball club. Liam was captain of his school’s volleyball team and help lead the team to victory at the Neelin Dig tournament, where he was named MVP. He also helped his team place second and third at tournaments while being named an All-Star. Liam was a member of the Graduating All Star team, and he demonstrates outstanding leadership and dedication and was able to assist his fellow teammates with these concepts and skills.
The Manitoba High Schools Athletic Association and Volleyball Manitoba work in co-operation to support the academic and athletic endeavors of Manitoba High School student athletes.
Dr. Dale Iwanoczko