B6

JON MACNEILL
TELEGRAPH-JOURNAL

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FREDERICTON - Luke Donovan is no stranger to a challenge.

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Luke Donovan

While training for the 2005 New Brunswick Canada Games freestyle ski team, Donovan suffered a spinal chord injury that abruptly ended his freestyle career.

But the then 16-year-old was determined to bounce back, adapting to sit-skiing and eventually becoming a top competitor in his class of alpine paralympic skiing.

Donovan was named the 2009 Male Athlete of the Year during the 16th annual Pitney Bowes, Sport New Brunswick Awards Saturday night in Fredericton.

"I've been out west for four years, a small fish in a big pond. I wouldn't say I've been neglected there, but I haven't shone as bright as I could have and coming back home to realize that people are here for me and they know my name just gives me that drive to continue through the hard times," said Donovan, 23.

The native of Dalhousie left the province in 2005 to train in British Columbia, where he also studies at the College of the Rockies in Crandall. In early 2009, Donovan captured silver and bronze medals at IPC NorAm Cup events and placed sixth in the giant slalom event during the IPC World Cup Finals. Now he's preparing for his greatest challenge yet, to qualify for the national team for the 2010 Paralympic Games.

"I've been training for this for like three years and it's getting to the part where it's getting tense, so it's perfect timing for me to get this award," he said.

Krista Betts was the other big winner of the night, claiming the 2009 Female Athlete of the Year for the second time in her wrestling career. She won the honour in 2005 and was a finalist the following year.

After winning gold medals at the University of New Brunswick Open, Canadian Junior Nationals and the Romanian International, the 20-year-old Betts separated the cartilage between her rib and sternum while training in Germany. She has since recovered and is ramping up her training as she enters senior competitions and a new weight class.

"I know there's a lot more to come and it's going to be tough, but that's part of being in sport."

Alyssa Cleaves also spent some time in the spotlight Saturday, winning the women's President's Award and the Spirit of Sports award.

The 15-year-old St. Stephen wrestler brought home New Brunswick's only gold medal from the 2009 Canada Summer Games.

An impressive feat made even more outstanding when you consider the Grade 10 student has only been wrestling for little more than a year.

"It's pretty amazing; I was surprised to win one and wasn't expecting to win two," Cleaves said. "It's a good feeling."

Other winners include: Caleb Jones of Saint John (President's Award - Male); Christopher Falconer (Official of the Year); New Brunswick's Canada Games Men's Eight Rowing Team (BellAliant Team of the Year); Marta Belsh (Female Coach of the Year);Pat Zwicker (Male Coach of the Year); Kevin Barrett (Oustanding Media Coverage); Cynthia Benson (Volunteer Sport Administrator Award); Atlantic Lottery Corporation (Corporate Award); Jack Campbell (Lifetime Volunteer Achievement); Canada Games Men's Wrestling Team (Roly McLenahan Award); Lucy Francis, Trey Lewis and Dakota Bernard (Tom Longboat Award recipients); Sheila Francis (New Bruinswick Aboriginal Coaching Award - Female); Jason Peters (New Brunswick Aboriginal Coaching Award - Male).