By RON SMITH, Brockville Recorder & Times
TISS Pirates honour top athletes Leeder, Meadus, Latham claim m
By RON SMITH
(reprinted from The Brockville Recorder & Times)
BROCKVILLE, Ont. -- The years in high school are not all about classrooms and books.
Three TISS Pirates, who excelled in the classroom as well as in athletics, were honoured at the high school's athletic awards banquet on Monday night.
It was no surprise when talented runner Matt Leeder won the award for outstanding male athlete. Quiet but determined and talented Krystal Meadus captured the outstanding female athlete while the organized and hard-working Sam Latham deservedly earned the Lisa Harris Award for outstanding athletic contribution.
Leeder will go down in TISS and Leeds and Grenville high school history as its most decorated and renowned athlete with provincial, national and international achievements along with his roomful of regional awards.
Just last week, Leeder was named the Brockville and Area Sportsperson of the Year for the second time.
"Wow, I can't believe this. It's great," said the 17-year-old Leeder of his four incredibly impressive years at TISS. "It's been amazing, the best-ever years of my life so far."
While there were other talented male athletes at TISS in a number of other sports, the accomplishments of the humble Leeder were just too overwhelming to compete against.
"You have been a dream to coach and your impact will be felt for years to come," praised track coach Randy Givogue in announcing Leeder as the top male athlete.
Leeder couldn't have imagined his high school career was going to be so amazing when he graduated from Maynard public school. Hard work, dedication and a talented coaching staff resulted in Leeder accepting a track scholarship to Florida State University in the fall after representing Canada in competitions this summer.
"I've been able to enjoy great teams, great athletes and great people in general," he said of his high school career. "The coaches are out there with us four times a week. They make all our workouts and we just run. It's been great."
The 18-year-old Meadus, the daughter of Debra and Darryl of Athens, just didn't believe the top senior girls award was going to be given to her.
The most dedicated athlete in senior girls volleyball also competed in basketball, cross-country and track and field.
An emotional volleyball coach Holly Wykes had tears in her eyes when talking about the contributions of Meadus.
"I used to look at kids getting their trophies and medals and wonder if I was ever going to get them," said Meadus, the graduate of Pineview Public School in Athens. "It's really satisfying. I just feel really special.
"It shows me that I've made an impact in the school and that all my hard work has paid off," she continued, looking forward to returning in the fall for a fifth year. "It shows me that my teachers certainly care about me."
For the 17-year-old Latham, the son of Steve and Eleni of Brockville, he's led a hectic existence in his four sports-filled years at TISS.
While also playing sports for the Pirates, he has been involved in anything and everything connected with athletics at the school from organizing before events to volunteering during events and then helping clean up after everyone else has gone home.
Coach Jack Weststrate praised Latham's commitment and dedication to helping make a positive experience for the school's student athletes, much like Lisa Harris, the well-liked TISS grad who died in 2001 at the age of 22 after a lifelong battle with cystic fibrosis.
Being involved in sports is a huge part of Latham's school life, something he could not have seen himself going through his high school years without doing. He thanked his father.
"He's really encouraged me to participate and be involved," said Latham of his dad. "It's been life-changing (sports in high school) for sure."
Latham recalled being a basketball and volleyball player when he arrived at TISS, without any real interest or skill at running.
Now, thanks to his work and the effort of his coaches, he has three all-Ontario provincial medals for running events.
Latham will be attending McGill University in Montreal in the fall, taking commerce and trying out for the university's track and field team.
Leeder and Latham were the only two athletes to receive 100-points plus athletic letters.
For a complete list of athletic awards, please see B3.
Published in Section B, page 1 in the Tuesday, June 19, 2007 edition of the Brockville Recorder & Times.
Posted 4:31:23 PM Tuesday, June 19, 2007.