And then, there were six.
Local multi-sport athlete Michael Montgomery has been added to the quintet of nominees announced yesterday for Orillia’s 2017 Orillia Athlete of the Year award.
Due to technical difficulties with a new on-line registration system, the nomination for Montgomery was not received in advance of Wednesday’s noon deadline. However, officials have determined the nomination valid as it was not received strictly due to technical issues.
Chris Gammon, the city’s sport program supervisor, said it would not be fair to punish the athlete due to the technology problems. “It would have been on time had it not been for the technical issues, so we decided to accept the nomination.”
Montgomery, 17, was captain of his high-school basketball team and also played volleyball and was a member of the cross-country team at Twin Lakes Secondary School. Montgomery was a key player – and assistant captain – for the Orillia Kings Jr. B lacrosse team. He is a draft pick of the Peterborough Lakers.
Montgomery joins an impressive list on nominees that includes Kyle Heitzner, Ali Van Yzendoorn, Dipinekumar Patel, Jack Marwick and Ben Barzo.
The Orillia Athlete of the Year is chosen by a panel of judges that includes representatives from each of the three local high schools, the Elementary School Physical Education Department, OrilliaToday, KICX 106, Sunshine 89, the YMCA and the city’s recreation advisory committee.
The winner will be announced at an Orillia City Council meeting Feb. 12.
