MHSAA 2025 Award Winners
Dairy Farmers of Manitoba Athlete of the Week
Athlete of the Week is awarded to outstanding rural and urban student athletes.
Be sure to check out the Dairy Farmers of Manitoba Instagram account,@manitoba_dairy, where each week they will post the weekly recipients and encourage their followers to show their support for the Dairy Farmers of Manitoba Athlete of the Week!
Every Tuesday the winners will be posted to Dairy Farmers of Manitoba Instagram story. Please ensure you are following for your chance to share!
Coaches and schools, get your nominations in by every Monday morning!
Please note, you must be logged into mhsaa.ca to complete your nomination.
Sponsored By
Recipients
| Name | School | Location | Award Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pascale Kihn | École St.-Joachim | Rural | Jun 4, 2025 |
| Luize Creer | Maples Collegiate | Urban | Jun 4, 2025 |
Dr. Dale Iwanoczko Memorial Scholarship
Dale Iwanoczko was an outstanding student and athlete who began his volleyball career playing for Lord Selkirk Regional Comprehensive Secondary School. He advanced to the University of Manitoba where he was named a five time All Canadian and C.I.S. Most Valuable Player in 1991. He was also a member of Volleyball Manitoba’s Provincial Team & Canada Games programs. Dale was Valedictorian, Governor General Medal Award Winner, and Athlete of the Year at Selkirk in Grades 11 & 12. He proceeded to obtain his medical degree from the University of Manitoba. Dale Iwanoczko left the sports world at the age of 30, after succumbing to Hodgkin’s Disease, a battle he had fought for fourteen months. Friends and colleagues of Dale have come together to create $1,000 scholarships in his name to be presented to rural and urban high school volleyball players.
Recipients
| Name | School | Location | Award Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Matthew Brown | River East Collegiate | Urban | Feb 19, 2025 |
| Anna Filippin-Buller | Collège Jeanne-Sauvé | Urban | Feb 19, 2025 |
| Owen Giesbrecht | Lord Selkirk Regional Comprehensive Secondary School | Urban | Feb 19, 2025 |
| Jersey Hansen-Young | Vincent Massey High School | Urban | Feb 19, 2025 |
| Julia Martens | Westgate Mennonite Collegiate | Urban | Feb 19, 2025 |
Frank L. McKinnon Award
The Frank L. McKinnon Award is presented to an outstanding contributor to high school atheltics. The award is named in honour of long time Principal of Carman Collegiate, Frank McKinnon who was a past Board member and President of the Manitoba High Schools Athletic Association.
Recipients
| Name | School | Location | Award Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Russ Harder | Glenlawn Collegiate | Urban | Jun 16, 2025 |
The 2025 Frank L. McKinnon Award goes to Russ Harder of Glenlawn Collegiate. A coach, mentor, educator, and leader in every sense of the word.
From gym class to the provincial stage, Russ has coached volleyball and soccer teams to countless championships, but it’s his integrity, passion, and people-first leadership that set him apart.
Russ currently serves as President of the SCAC Zone Council and has been a tireless advocate behind the scenes to keep opportunities available for all student-athletes.
Students don’t just want to win with him; they want to learn from him. That’s the mark of a great coach!
Congratulations, Russ!
Grey Cup Legacy Male and Female Coach of the Year
The 1990 Grey Cup was held in Winnipeg for the first time and as a result, a profit was generated. Part of the profit was directed to a legacy for high school coaching. Each year the MHSAA selects its Male and Female High School Coach of the Year and a $1,000 prize is awarded to both individuals courtesy of the Grey Cup Legacy Fund.
Recipients
| Name | School | Location | Award Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Donnie Smith | Collège Garden City Collegiate | Urban | Jun 16, 2025 |
| Stacy Hawash | Institut collégial Vincent Massey Collegiate | Urban | Jun 16, 2025 |
Stacy is the force behind one of Manitoba’s top AAAA girls basketball programs. She’s a mentor, motivator, and fierce advocate for her athletes. Four provincial titles. Three Team Handball banners. A culture of excellence that continues to grow.
Donnie has built a powerhouse in baseball and hockey, and a home for students who needed to belong. With multiple provincial championships, his impact is felt in every inning and on every bench, where athletes find opportunity, connection, and confidence.
Each award includes a $1,000 honourarium courtesy of the 1990 Grey Cup Legacy Fund.
Congratulations to you both!
Hall of Fame – Athlete Category
Nomination as a athlete shall not be considered for the Hall of Fame until ten (10) years after graduation from a Manitoba High School. Such athletes must have competed in a MHSAA sanctioned sport and have distinguished himself/herself in the field of athletics while a student at a Manitoba High School. Among the accomplishments taken into account will be individual and team accomplishments, individual school or team records held, and impact on teams and the overall athletic program at their high school during their era and accomplishments thereafter in university/college or beyond.
This could include:
- individual school, zone, or provincial records or championships. Statistical leader for school, etc.
- selection for tournament, conference, zone, and/or Provincial Honors (MVP, All-Star, Player of the Game, etc.)
- qualifying as an individual or team in Provincial competition, considering number of times, number of sports, placings, etc.
- Being recognized as an all-round athlete in high school in any sport while attaining several team selections, captaincy, and leading teams to the league, zone, or provincial championships.
- An athlete not so honored for high school achievements, but who participates in university, college, professional or amateur sport and gains honors at this level or beyond, may also be considered by the Hall of Fame Selection Committee.
Recipients
| Name | School | Location | Award Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Andre Smith | River East Collegiate | Urban | May 25, 2025 |
| Karl Sproll | St. Paul’s High School | Urban | May 25, 2025 |
Hall of Fame – Builder Category
Nomination of a builder shall not be considered unless they have at least ten (10) years of service within the high school athletic community in Manitoba and have contributed to the success of Manitoba high school athletes over a period of time. Would include any individual who has distinguished himself/herself by demonstrating exceptional leadership and character. This may include contributions as a coach (head or assistant coach), volunteer, official and/or administrator. Will have been instrumental in the development of the sport, school program and/or event.
This could include:
- having coached a team or individual that has consecutive appearances and/or won consecutive, league, zone and/or provincial championships.
- Earned conference, zone, league, provincial or national coaching award(s).
- Was instrumental in developing and building a successful athletic program.
- Involved with committees or boards that were instrumental in the development of high school sport championships, events and athlete development opportunities/policies.
- Involved in the hosting of numerous successful event, tournaments, and/or provincial championships for high school athletes, spanning numerous years.
Recipients
| Name | School | Location | Award Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ray Grynol | St. John’s-Ravenscourt School | Urban | May 25, 2025 |
| Bryan Kornberger | Glenlawn Collegiate | Urban | May 25, 2025 |
| Ron Limpright | Niverville High School | Rural | May 25, 2025 |
| Jeff Small | Treherne Collegiate | Rural | May 25, 2025 |
Hall of Fame – Team Category
To be inducted into the Hall of Fame, teams must somehow have distinguished themselves above and beyond the normal standards. These may include: undefeated seasons, consecutive league, zone, or provincial championships wins, or appearances. The Hall of Fame Selection Committee shall select no more than one team in any year and may choose not to select any team.
Recipients
| Name | School | Location | Award Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Glenboro Panthers Varsity Boys Basketball Team (2008-2016) | Glenboro School | Rural | May 25, 2025 |
Nick Laping Leadership Award
The Nick Laping Leadership Award is in honour of a great friend of high school sport, Nick Laping. Nick started his teaching career at John Taylor Collegiate and coached the John Taylor Pipers and St. Paul’s Crusaders in Basketball. Nick left teaching and went into the business community working for Jr. Achievement and later on as Vice President of Human Resources at the Birchwood Group. His was a real leader in sport and always cared about his high school sport roots.
Recipients
| Name | School | Location | Award Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Debbie Ritchot | Centre scolaire Léo-Rémillard | Urban | Jun 16, 2025 |
Leadership. Dedication. Legacy. The 2025 Nick Laping Leadership Award goes to Debbie Ritchot of Centre scolaire Léo-Rémillard!
Over 24 years, Debbie has coached volleyball, basketball, cross country, badminton, softball, and track, often at the same time. She’s built programs, mentored athletes, and led CSLR’s athletic department with unwavering commitment since the school’s opening.
More than a coach, Debbie is a community builder who has spent her career creating opportunity and helping student-athletes discover their potential on and off the field.
Congratulations, Debbie!
Manitoba’s Credit Unions Scholar Athlete
The Manitoba’s Credit Unions Scholar Athlete Award is presented to four students annually who maintain a minimum of 85% average and participate in at least two interscholastic high school athletic activities. Manitoba’s Credit Unions awards each Scholar Athlete a $2,000 scholarship.
The eight participating credit unions who contribute annually to this award are:
| Access Credit Union | Flin Flon Credit Union | Fusion Credit Union | Steinbach Credit Union |
| Stride Credit Union | Sunrise Credit Union | Swan Valley Credit Union | Westoba Credit Union |
Sponsored By
Recipients
| Name | School | Location | Award Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heleyna Moniz | St. Boniface Diocesan High School | Urban | Jun 19, 2025 |
| Nico Nadeau | Glenlawn Collegiate | Urban | Jun 19, 2025 |
| Ryleigh Schellenberg | Rosenort School | Rural | Jun 19, 2025 |
| Taylor Schepp | Dakota Collegiate | Urban | Jun 19, 2025 |
Each year, the Manitoba Credit Unions Scholar Athlete Awards shine a spotlight on student-athletes who go above and beyond in the classroom, on the field, and in their communities.
Out of 51 incredible nominees across the province, four graduating seniors have been awarded $2,000 scholarships for their exceptional academic, athletic, and leadership achievements.
Heleyna Moniz | St. Boniface Diocesan
Nico Nadeau | Glenlawn Collegiate
Ryleigh Schellenberg | Rosenort School
Taylor Schepp | Dakota Collegiate
These students are more than athletes. They’re MVPs in life! Presented by the Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba, this recognition celebrates what’s possible when talent meets tenacity and heart.
Athlete of the Year
This award recognizes students that exhibit athletic excellence in the four competition categories (A, AA, AAA, AAAA). One male and one female athlete can be nominated by their school to receive this award. Each competition category will have a male and female winner and from those winners the overall male and female Athlete of the Year will be selected.
Recipients
| Name | School | Location | Award Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kylan Solomon | Hamiota Collegiate Institute | Rural | Jun 25, 2025 |
| Colby Darragh | Warren Collegiate Institute | Rural | Jun 25, 2025 |
| Shannon Bodnarus | Collège Stonewall Collegiate | Rural | Jun 25, 2025 |
| Payton Durand | Collège Jeanne-Sauvé | Urban | Jun 25, 2025 |
| Chael Rozdeba | Hamiota Collegiate Institute | Rural | Jun 25, 2025 |
| Kai Gaudet | MacGregor Collegiate Institute | Rural | Jun 25, 2025 |
| Junior Martine | École Secondaire Neelin High School | Urban | Jun 25, 2025 |
| Magnus Carlos | Institut collégial Vincent Massey Collegiate | Urban | Jun 25, 2025 |
