A pair of talented multiple sport athletes shared the Britt Jessup Memorial Award for Male Athlete of the Year from the North Bay Sports Hall of Fame.
Co-winner and multi-sport athlete Riley Gravelle, a the grade 12 Widdifield Secondary School student, has demonstrated his prowess over his entire high school career. Though his key sports are football and hockey, Gravelle has also played basketball and soccer for the Wildcats: junior in grades 9 & 10, and senior in 11 & 12. He was recognized as MVP for his ability as a defensive soccer player, leading the Cats to a NOSSA championship in his grade 10 year.
Gravelle is perhaps best known for his achievements on the gridiron, most recently leading the Wildcats to an NDA crown, including MVP of the game. His consistency throughout the season was recognized as he was named NDA offensive player of the year and member of the NDA All Star team. Gravelle’s development as a player through the high school football program was evident well before that culminating event. He played football in grade 9 as back up quarterback, but quickly graduated to starting quarterback and kicker in grade 10. With a unique skill set at both positions (quarterback and kicker), Gravelle continued into the senior ranks, and did so quite successfully.
“Riley has always been focused at practice and a leader to his team mates with his great work ethic,” said Wildcats Head Coach Sean Mullan about Gravelle.
“He has worked hard over the last few years with offensive coordinators McKerrow Bilz and more recently, his brother Tieler (Gravelle) to become the dominant player he has this past year. This hard work and dedication to his team mates was obviously an invaluable part of the 2015 NDA championship.”
Beyond the home of the Wildcats, Gravelle played as rotating quarterback during the inaugural season for the junior varsity North Bay Bulldogs. After that year he joined the Nipissing Wild Football Club as back up quarterback and kicker. Since that time, Gravelle has started as quarterback and continued his duties as kicker. His leadership abilities were recognized at an early age, as he was named Captain of the Wild in his grade 11 year.
In grade 9, Gravelle captained the Bantam “A” West Ferris Trappers hockey team, then moved to the West Ferris House League as the demands on his time and his varied athletic interests prevented him from committing fully to rep hockey. He has continued his involvement in hockey in grade 11 and 12 as a right-winger for the Wildcats (and assistant captain).
Chris Winrow, Gravelle’s former hockey coach, won’t forget his years coaching him.
“I have had the absolute pleasure of coaching Riley through much of his minor hockey career and he has some attributes that I think transcend hockey and are reflective of who he is and how he competes in all of his activities,” said Winrow.
“The most notable characteristic is that Riley would always rather pass the puck to a teammate as opposed to shooting on net. It seems fitting that such a proficient hockey passer would be a top-flight quarterback. Simply put, Riley understands that a great athlete is an individual who allows his teammates to excel. I think the second attribute that characterizes Riley’s success in hockey would be his commitment to ensuring that the team was focussed and ready to execute our game plan. He has always been amongst the leaders in the dressing room with a level of comprehension that would rival many coaches. Ironically, it seems to me that a quarterback in football is charged with the same essential qualities. Finally, I think that Riley has had the good fortune of competing with, and against, some incredibly talented local athletes. These other athletes have brought out the best in Riley and honed his athletic skills and competitive spirit to where it is today, the co-winner of the Athlete of the Year.”
Gravelle looks forward to returning to Widdifield for a fifth season. He will be presented with his award on May 7th.
Villeneuve shines on the court and on the ice
Braeden Villeneuve is the other co-winner of Britt Jessup Memorial Award for outstanding contribution by a local athlete.
Braeden has played 4 years of Football at ESCA. In Grade 9 he played receiver on the junior team helping them win the NDA Title. The following year he became the starting quarterback and once again the Barons won the NDA Championship. That year he was selected the team’s offensive MVP. The past 2 years Braeden was the starting quarterback/captain for the senior Barons. In the 2014 season, Braeden led the Barons to their first berth in the NDA Finals in 33 years.
In 4 years of playing basketball for the Barons he has been an integral part of 4 NDA Championships and 3 NOSSA titles. Last year he helped guide the team to an impressive 38-2 record and to the quarter-finals at OFSAA. Braeden also has been playing in the Spartan club program for the past 3 years. In 2013 he was a member of the u15 team that captured a gold medal at the provincial championships. The past 2 years he has been a member of the u19 program. He was also selected to play on the Northern Ontario team for Club Basketball.
Braeden also plays in the Barons Soccer program. In 2 years playing Junior Soccer he has helped the team win 2 NDA Championships. Last year he was a member of the senior program. Prior to playing high school soccer Braeden was a member of the competitive North Bay Selects program.
Braeden also finds time in his busy schedule to continue playing competitive hockey. In his Grade 9 year while playing numerous sports, Braeden played on the North Bay Bantam AAA Trappers and led them in scoring. After giving up hockey to concentrate more on high school sports, Braeden decided to return this year to play for the AAA Midget Trappers and once again led the team in scoring.
He also affiliated and played in one game with the Powassan Voodoos of the NOJHL back in February.
In 2014, Braeden was recognized as ESCA Junior Athlete of the year.
“Braeden is one of those athletes that comes once maybe twice in a coach’s career," noted Barons Basketball Coach Tim Lowe.
"He has such a great sense of figuring a way to make things work to his advantage during the game. He works hard in practice and this, in turn, makes his teammates better. He’s been nothing but a model player and I feel privileged to have had the opportunity to coach him for 2 seasons.”
Braeden Villeneuve and Gravelle will be presented with his award at the 36th Annual North Bay Sports Hall of Fame Inductee and Awards dinner on Saturday, May 7th at the Best Western. Tickets are available from any Executive Committee member or by calling Chair Bill Jacko at 705-476-1429, Michelle Cundari 705-471-9771 or Karen Cook at 705-497-3957.
