WPRO's Jen Saunders a Finalist for Manitoba's Athlete of the Year

The Manitoba Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association had announced on December 7, 2011 the finalists for the selection of Manitoba's Team of the Year and Athletes of the Year for 2011.

Jen Saunders, Ranks #9 on the WPRO Tour and one of the finalists for the top Female Athlete of the Year in Manitoba.  She won in 2009 as Manitoba's Female Athlete of the Year and recently won her fourth Canadian Women's Singles Championship in racquetball.  We wish her the best of luck! 

Others nominated are:  Swimmer Chantal Van Landeghem (Two-time winner of Sport Manitoba's Junior Female Athlete of the Year) won four individual medals and one relay medal at the FINA World Junior Swimming Championships. Jocelyne Larocque starred on defence for Canada's national hockey team in the 4 Nations Cup, and was a first team All-American for the University of Minnesota-Duluth.

Sarah-Anne Brault (past winner of Sport Manitoba's Junior Female Athlete of the Year) won the Canadian Triathlon Championship, and Manitoba Bison assistant soccer coach Desiree Scott was selected to play as a midfielder for Team Canada in the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup.

As a result of final voting by the Manitoba Sports Media, the winners will be declared at the 56th annual Athletes of the Year awards dinner on Sunday, January 29th, 2012, at the Delta Winnipeg Hotel.

Ticket information is available from MSSA Secretary-Treasurer Bob Picken (contact info below).

Among the MSSA awards to be presented at the dinner are the Cactus Jack Wells Memorial trophy, to recognize the event or individual creating a major impact on the Manitoba sports scene, the Dallis Beck Memorial Good Guy/Gal award to an individual providing exceptional support to the sport media, and the Jack Matheson Memorial awards to post secondary students interested in a career in sports journalism or sports public relations.

In addition, sportswriter Tim Campbell of the Winnipeg Free Press will be inducted into the MSSA Media Roll of Honour, recognizing his dedicated service to the sports community.

For more information: Bob Picken, MSSA Secretary-Treasurer
Phone: 489-8642 or e-mail: bponsport@shaw.ca