Athletes of the Year playing the long game

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When it comes athletics, Winnipeg School Division’s 2019 Athletes of the Year are both looking beyond the game at hand.

After earning the honour at their June graduations, Kyla Clarke and Asher Wood gave St. John’s High School the rare distinction of producing both of WSD’s Athletes of the Year. Both students received a plaque and a $250 bursary to mark their accomplishment.

“It was a big honour to get this award, especially with so many big schools out there like Sisler and Kelvin,” Asher said.

“I was really amazed by all of it, it’s kind of crazy that both of us won,” Kyla said.

Both athletes were extremely active in sports during their time at St. John’s.

Asher earned MVP honours on his school’s varsity soccer, volleyball, basketball and football teams.  He was also recognized by his opponents and peers as he was named a league all-star in volleyball, basketball and football. Asher was chosen as one of 70 football players in Canada to participate in the first ever Nissan Titan All-Canadian Football game in Edmonton during Grey Cup week; he was also named the best overall football player in the Winnipeg High School Football League’s Division 3 (Currie Conference). He helped propel the St. John’s Tigers to their first football championship in 38 years.

“I think it’s important to be active year-round. I’m not the kind of guy to go to the gym and do weights, so staying active and playing sports year-round helps me keep in shape,” said Asher, who has also been playing club soccer since he was 10. “I also think that playing sports just makes me feel better mentally. Especially if you have practises in the morning, getting off to an active start is a great way to start your day. It wakes you up.”

Kyla was a constant figure in St. John’s athletics during her time at the school; she participated and excelled in basketball, volleyball, soccer, golf, rugby, track and field and cross-country running. Her leadership and athletic spirit earned her St. John’s Athlete of the Year honours from Grade 7 to 12. Kyla was especially dominant in basketball, averaging over 40 points a game.

“Sports is where I go to feel good about myself,” Kyla said. “When it comes to choosing a sport, I highly recommend people try a bit of everything. Even if you don’t like one sport, there might be another sport out there for you.”

This fall, Kyla will be playing with the Red River College Rebels basketball team, while studying to become an educational assistant. She has a goal to work with young people and eventually hopes to become a high school coach. Kyla cites her teachers at St. John’s, including Melissa Steeves, as inspirations for that career path.

Sports continues to be an important part of Kyla and Asher’s lives, and both are grateful for the many doors athletics has opened.

Kyla will be an athlete at the 2020 North American Indigenous Games, being held in Halifax in July. She’ll be playing as part of Team Manitoba’s basketball squad. It will be her second time representing Manitoba at the games, after playing on Team Manitoba’s soccer team in the 2017 Indigenous Games in Toronto.

“I’m pumped, excited and definitely grateful for the opportunity,” Kyla said.

Meanwhile, Asher is attending the University of Manitoba, where he is taking Business Administration. He continues to play club soccer and rec league pit football, and is also looking to join an ultimate team. He credits his athletics experiences at St. John’s with helping him to obtain several scholarships to attend U of M.

“Playing sports definitely helped me to stay focused in school and get those scholarships,” he said. “Sports is something you can always put on your resume when you’re applying for certain awards. And if you’re in a younger grade and are new to the school, joining a sports team is a great way to meet people, make new connections and become more comfortable in school.”