The Manitoba High Schools Athletic Association and Volleyball Manitoba are pleased to announce the 2022-2023 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 and the University of Manitoba Bisons where he was named a five-time All-Canadian. He was selected as the CIAU (U SPORTS) Most Valuable Player in 1990 and led the Bisons to a 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 (Gr 11 & 12). He obtained his medical degree from the University of Manitoba in 1993 receiving the Family Medicine Award, then completed a specialty program of internal medicine and had begun a sub-specialty in infectious diseases.
Dale 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 friends have continued 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:
Ella Werbiski, Vincent Massey High School (Brandon) – Growing up her parents always took her to Bobcat Volleyball games, and she fell in love with the atmosphere and the excitement of the sport, and hearing about her brother’s experiences playing college volleyball after high school pushed her to also want to play post-secondary volleyball. A 6’1 left side player, who has also played the middle and right-side positions, Ella was co-captain of her high school team this season helping them capture the St Vital Tournament title, where she received the MVP award, and to a top 4 finish at the AAAA Provincial Championships. After the season Ella was selected as a Volleyball Manitoba Graduating All-Star, while also being named to the All-Manitoba Team. Her coach has described her as a ‘lead by example’ hard hitting, super defensive player, who is always respectful to other teams and officials. Ella also excels in the classroom, carrying a 95%+ average throughout grades 10 & 11, while also contributing to her community through volunteer roles at her school canteen, doing crosswalk patrol, participating in Youth Revolution, helping with the Rotary Annual Book sale, and as an active member of the Manitoba Metis Federation as part of the regional Youth Advisory Committee. Ella has committed to the University of Winnipeg next season where she will be pursuing a degree in Kinesiology, hoping to one day become a Physiotherapist.
Fiona Brown, École Secondaire Oak Park High School – As a nationally ranked tennis player at the time, Fiona was encouraged by her middle school Phys Ed teachers to try out for the school volleyball team, and after playing for a few months she began to think that this ‘new’ sport with its pace, athleticism and energy could be her new passion. A left side player and team captain, Fiona helped her high school team reach 5 tournament finals this past season, while being named an all-star at 2 of them, and was also selected as a Volleyball Manitoba Graduating All-Star and named to the All-Manitoba Team after the season. Her love for the game also transfers over the beach volleyball, competing at the 2022 Beach Volleyball National Championships while training with the Canada Games Beach Program. Her coaches express that Fiona is a constant positive presence on the court and on the bench, which was especially on display the previous season as she couldn’t play due to an injury but was still always positive and supportive of her teammates. In the classroom Fiona has attained a 97% in grade 11 after a 99% average in grade 10, while also being involved in numerous school programs such as Student Council, Peer Tutor, Peer Mentor, fundraising for KidSport, and volunteering at the Winnipeg Pet Rescue Shelter. Fiona has recently committed to Mount Royal University in Alberta, where she plans to pursue a degree in Business.
Noah Ouimet, Collège régionale Gabrielle-Roy – A multi-sport athlete who is also a leader on his hockey and baseball teams and someone who loves sport and health in general, volleyball is Noah’s primary passion. This past high school season, Noah was the main left side and captain of his team that won a hard-fought silver medal at the AA Provincial Championships and was also named an A-AAA Volleyball Manitoba Graduating All-Star at the end of the season. According to his varsity coaches, Noah has always been a reliable player, continually striving to keep the fight alive, quick at solving problems on the court, while also positively motivating himself and his teammates to improve. Noah also strives for excellence in the classroom, carrying a 92% average over his grade 10 & 11 academic years. Noah has also helped coach his brother’s hockey team, coached his school’s grade 7 volleyball team along with being an assistant coach last year for volleyball camps for boys in grades 6, 7 and 8 during the winter. Noah is also involved in his local church and signs for church services. Next season Noah will attend the Université de St. Boniface, playing for Les Rouges in the MCAC, while studying to one day become a teacher where he can pass on his love of volleyball, sports, and health to others.
Luke Lodewyks, École Secondaire Oak Park High School – Sports has always been a big part of this athlete’s life since he can remember, playing hockey, basketball, baseball, lacrosse, cross country running and volleyball at high levels. This right-side player helped lead his high school team this past season to wins at the Seven Oaks and Garden Valley Collegiate tournaments while being a finalist at the Sturgeon Heights tournament. Following the season, he was selected as a Volleyball Manitoba Graduating All-Star and named to the All-Manitoba Team. Luke was also a provincial club MVP in 2022 and 17U club player of the year, a 2022 national championship all-star, and trained with the Manitoba Canada Games team last summer. His high school coach has defined him as a phenomenal volleyball player, an excellent multi-sport athlete, leader, and role model for others at Oak Park High School. His involvement and leadership do not end with athletics, carrying an academic average of 90% in grade 10 and 88% in grade 11, he volunteers his time to be a part of the Big Sibs program mentoring and supporting grade nine and ten students with their transition to high school, has coached 3v3 and U9 community basketball and volunteered at the La Salle Fall Supper. Next fall Luke will be taking his game to the University of Winnipeg where he has signed to play for the Wesmen while pursuing an academic and career goal of taking education and becoming a teacher.
