Lorelle Weavers of the Niagara College golf team has been named the 2014 Sport Niagara Female Athlete of the Year. Weavers was named recipient at the third annual Sport Niagara Awards Breakfast on June 4th at the Americana Resort and Spa in Niagara Falls.
The Female Athlete of the Year award is presented to an athlete based on their achievements, performances, and contributions. Additional criteria include displaying outstanding leadership and sportsmanship, serving as a positive role model, and inspiring other community members to achieve at a higher level.
Competing in her first year with the Niagara College golf team, Weavers was a dominant force on the links. The Burlington native captured the CCAA Individual Women's national championship, was named a CCAA All-Canadian and Academic All-Canadian, captured the Niagara College Female Athlete of the Year and Top-Scholastic Awards, was named an OCAA all-star, and earned an OCAA silver medal.
Perhaps most impressive in regards to Weavers' 2014 season was the fact that she recorded the lowest score in eight of her nine rounds of competition.
"This season was incredible for me and I am very thankful that I was able to enjoy the level of success that I did," said Weavers. "With that being said, I know that I am going to have to continue to work on my game over the summer and put in even more time and hard work than I did last season. I definitely think that there is potential for me to have a successful season next year, but I know any success isn't going to come easily."
Weavers competed for two seasons with the Chicago State Cougars in NCAA division one. She enrolled in the Niagara College professional golf management program beginning in September of 2014. She was unable to attend the Niagara Sport Awards Breakfast as she is currently completing her academic co-op placement at the Banff Springs Golf Club in Alberta.
Weavers continued, "working at one of the top ten courses in North America is an incredible experience, and being able to play the course is an even better experience. I am learning from some of the best in the industry and playing one of the most beautiful golf courses in the world. To say that I am lucky to be where I am would be an understatement."
"Lorelle is an outstanding individual" said Ray Sarkis Niagara College's intercollegiate coordinator. Sarkis, who accepted the award on Weavers' behalf continued "her 2014 season represents one of all-time best student-athlete performances in the history of Niagara College athletics. The entire Niagara Knights community is proud of all of her accomplishments."
Other finalists for the Female Athlete of the Year award included Bridget Atkinson (Basketball, Guelph University), Carlene Sluberski (Brock University, Wrestling), and Lindsay Sferrazza (Rowing).
As an added incentive for Weavers and the rest of the Knights golf team is the fact that Niagara College will serve as the host of the 2015 OCAA Golf Championship being held from September 28-30. The event is being held at Hunters Pointe Golf Course in Welland, the home course and training facility for the Knights.
"I was very excited to hear that Hunters Pointe and Niagara College are going to be hosting the 2015 OCAA golf championship," added Weavers. "Once I return from Banff, I am looking forward to spending plenty of time out on the course preparing for the championship. Hunters is a tough links style course, and hopefully I will be able to make use of the home course advantage."
