They say that confidence comes from knowing you’ve put in the work to handle the moment. You’ve trained and practised for years, and now is your time. It takes perseverance and focus on future plans while enjoying and maximizing the moment.
If that’s the case, this year’s group of Burlington high school athletes of the year has put in a great deal of effort over their four years. Last week, the Burlington high school athletes of the year were feted at a classy afternoon event at Jake’s Grill and Oyster House. Hearing them talk about their journeys so far and their future goals is inspiring. The students spoke with confidence in front of their peers from other schools, their parents, and a few coaches. There was a sense that they are confident in what they have accomplished and with what lies ahead, with their feet firmly on the ground.
The event was the brainchild of long-time supporter, referee, and former Burlington Sportsman of the Year Ron MacVinnie, who wanted to resurrect the efforts of former Halton Athletic convenor Peter Moore. Peter, or “26,” as was his nickname, used to host a similar event every June for all Halton athletes before he passed away in 2013.
To set this event up, Ron’s first call was to current Halton convenor Darrin Curtis, who took on the task of spreading the word to the eight schools to send their athletes and fill out personal profile sheets. Darrin has been a class act on the high school scene for a long time, and this event showed his continued passion of supporting young athletes.
Ron’s second call was to Dave Foxcroft, who agreed to provide a bursary to each athlete through the Foxcroft family and their company, Fox 40. Committee member Murray Drinkwalter, himself a retired police officer and highly regarded football official, found a perfect site in Jake’s Grill and Oyster House, one of the great restaurants in Burlington for years. Many thanks to owners Mack and Jamie Myers for their support of these athletes and for encouraging the event to become an annual affair. The final piece was recruiting Steve Foxcroft to act as emcee. No other choice, Steve is the best there is. He did his usual fantastic job of interviewing each athlete, providing a personal touch, with depth and humour, to their journeys.
These young people are not just athletically inclined: of the 12 athletes in attendance, 11 are going to attend university, and the other is headed to police college at Fanshawe College to follow his passion for helping others. What a thrill to listen to their impassioned thoughts.
Matthew Svacina is a three-time OFSAA competitor in the shot put and two-time hockey MVP at Corpus Christi Catholic Secondary School, all while being selected as class valedictorian. This goal-oriented athlete has his eyes set on getting into the Ivey School of Business at Western University. Classmate Cassandra De Iuliis showed depth of character as she was the MVP of three different sports and received the Sportsmanship Award. She is off to Brock University’s sports management program and hopes to work with the Toronto Tempo of the WNBA in marketing.
Nelson High School’s Allison Gauley was also MVP of three sports, but it’s her leadership that stood out. Her hero is Lauren Messier of the PWHL, who has been coaching a lot already, and has her sights on being a French teacher down the road. Ryan Jones is a three-sport athlete who has been recruited for football, but his love is hockey. He is off to the University of Guelph for sports management. Another future leader.
Dr. Frank J. Hayden Secondary School’s Jaxton Maggio comes from an athletic family and is another three-sport athlete. Jaxton will be taking his talents to the University of Guelph to study sports and event management and play Gryphon football.
Natalie Wahlgren, already a two-time athlete of the year, will be back at Hayden in the fall of 2026 but has her sights on playing volleyball at McMaster University in the future. She has been a member of the U17 Canada Youth National volleyball team. This fine athlete wants to study mechanical engineering.
At M. M. Robinson High School, Ben Wallace played hockey, rugby, and cross country, but even with all that, it’s his academic performance that stands out. In the fall of 2026, he will be attending the University of Toronto for computer science after maintaining a 95% average over his four years at M.M. Robinson. Yes, a 95% average while playing three sports. Anna-Mae Cavalli brought a lot of success to her school as a four-sport athlete who played for a HSSAA championship in each of her four years of high school. She is off to Trent University to study forensic psychology and play for the varsity soccer team.
Aldershot High School sends us Landon Lucier, who played on six different teams this year, participating in GHAC golf and a Halton champion in basketball and touch football. He will now be seeking further education at Guelph in economics.
Pluto Cardenas is Aldershot’s female athlete of the year. Pluto was a member of five teams but it’s her tennis that stands out. She is a three-time tennis MVP who will take her talents and her academic brilliance to the University of British Columbia to study mechanical engineering with an aerospace concentration. And she’d love to play Victoria Mboko someday.
Brock Gordon from Notre Dame Catholic Secondary School is another stellar leader whose journey is one of passion for helping others. A football linebacker, Brock showed leadership when injured during the field lacrosse season, and he coached the team! His future path has been set for a while, as he will be studying police foundations at Fanshawe College, following in his father’s footsteps.
Burlington Central School’s Joshua Rice Racioppo is a nine-time Halton medallist over his four years at the Brant Street school. He was on four teams this year, but it’s his track expertise that sets him apart. Specializing in the 800 m and 1500 m, he is a national-level competitor who will be attending the high-level track program at the University of Guelph, where his goal is to be an honours student in the human kinetics program.
Perhaps the most decorated athlete in this class is Central’s Maya Markowska, who will take her two OFSAA championships to the University of Michigan, where she will continue to strive for her personal best on the track while studying in the intense science program at the Ann Arbor school.
In addition to the bursary from Fox 40, each athlete received a Certificate of Achievement from the City of Burlington, courtesy of Mayor Marianne Meed Ward, and from the Province of Ontario via Minister of Sport Neil Lumsden. From the people of Halton and the schools they represent, congratulations and good luck to all.
