In picture: [top row] Kendra Clarke (2013), Stefan Daniel (2013), Martin Giuffre (2007), [middle row] Akeem Haynes (2009), Danielle Lappage (2006), Michelle and Katherine Plouffe (2008), Ben Saxton (2004), [bottom row] Chaim Schalk (2003), Sage Watson (2010), Rudy Verhoeff (2006), Graham Vigrass (2006).

With the completion of the Olympic, and more recently, the Paralympic Games, the Alberta Schools’ Athletic Association (ASAA) would like to applaud all of the athletes who represented Canada, and to congratulate them on a job well done. Qualifying for elite-level sport competition requires hard work, dedication, and passion that starts at a young age and is shaped by outstanding coaching and athletic programs through the junior and senior high school years. Not surprisingly, many of the athletes listed below were multi-sport athletes at high school; the cross-training involved set them up for a broader athletic experience and they sought their way to national representation and in some cases, an Olympic or Paralympic medal or top placed finish.

The ASAA sends out special congratulations to athletes who train out of Alberta and recognize those who had roots in ASAA high school sport before advancing to Olympic or Paralympic level competition. Here is a list of Alberta athletes who represented Canada in the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic games, as well as the ASAA sport they participated in in high school:


Blair Bann from J.H. Picard High School participated in ASAA volleyball, badminton, and basketball (2003-2005). He competed in volleyball at the Olympics
Nicole Ban from F.P. Mercredi high school participated in ASAA cross country, volleyball, basketball, and track & field (2003-2004). She was the coach for the sitting volleyball team at the Paralympics.
Maria Bernard from Bishop O’Byrne high school participated in ASAA track and field, cross country, and badminton (2008-2010). She competed in the 3000m steeplechase at the Olympics.
Allison Beveridge from Bishop Carroll high school competed in ASAA track and field, cross country, and volleyball (2008-2010). She competed in track cycling at the Olympics, placing 3^rd in team pursuit.
Jennifer Brown from George McDougall high school participated in ASAA badminton and basketball (2001-2002). She competed in discus at the Paralympics.
Kara Chad from Strathcona Tweedsmuir high school participated in ASAA cross country (2011). She competed in jumping/reserve at the Olympics.
Kendra Clarke from Holy Trinity High School participated in ASAA track and field (2011-2013) Kendra won gold in the Junior Girls 400m and 800m event in 2013, and Intermediate Girls 100m, 200m, and long jump events in 2014 at the ASAA Provincial Championships. She still holds the ASAA 400m Track Record of 54.66 seconds which she set in 2014. She competed in the 400m at the Olympics.
Stefan Daniel from National Sport School participated in ASAA cross country, track, and Athletics Alberta cross country/distance running (2012-2014). Stefan placed first in the Intermediate category at ASAA Cross Country Provincials in 2013. He competed in triathlon at the Paralympics and placed 2^nd.
Martin Giuffre from Western Canada participated in ASAA badminton (2005-2007), winning Intermediate Boys Singles in 2006 and Senior Boys Singles in 2007. He competed in badminton at the Olympics.
Akeem Haynes from Crescent Heights participated in ASAA track & field and cross country (2007-2009). Akeem won gold in the Junior Boys 100m event in 2008, Intermediate Boys 100m in 2009, Senior Boys 100m and 200m in 2010, and the 4x400m Intermediate Boys Relay at the ASAA Provincial Championships in 2009. Akeem still holds the Intermediate Boys ASAA 100m Track Record of 10.59 sec and the 200m Intermediate Boys Track Record of 21.41 sec, both set in 2009. He competed in the 100m and 4x100m relay events at the Olympics, bringing home a bronze medal in the 4x100m relay.
Jen Kish from W.P. Wagner High School participated in ASAA basketball and Edmonton High School rugby (2004-2005). She competed on the women’s rugby team at the Olympics, captaining the team to a bronze medal performance.
Yuri Kisil from Bishop Carrol high school competed in ASAA cross country (2012). He competed in the 4x100m relay, 50m freestyle, and 100m freestyle swimming events at the Olympics.
Danielle Lappage from Olds high school participated in ASAA rugby, wrestling, and volleyball (2005-2007). Danielle placed first in Rural Wrestling Provincial Championships in 2006 and 2007 in the 61kg event, and the 65kg event in 2008. She competed in the 63kg wrestling event at the Olympics.
Alister McQueen from Centennial high school participated in ASAA football, track and field, and swimming (2006-2008). He competed in javelin at the Paralympics and brought home a silver medal.
Ben Moronchuk from Victoria school participated in ASAA basketball and volleyball (2011-2012). He competed in wheelchair basketball at the Paralympics.
Kate O’Brien from Lester B. Pearson high school participated in ASAA track and field (2002-2004). She competed in track cycling at the Olympics.
Jessica O’Connell from Western Canada participated in ASAA track & field and cross country (2004-2006). Jessica still holds the ASAA 1500m Track Record of 4:35.16 seconds set in 2007. She competed in the 5000m event at the Olympics.
Jennifer Oakes from William Aberhart high school participated in ASAA volleyball (2013-2015). She competed in sitting volleyball at the Paralympics.
Heidi Peters from Barrhead Composite high school participated in ASAA badminton and volleyball (2009-2011). She competed in sitting volleyball at the Paralympics.
Katherine Plouffe from Harry Ainlay high school participated in ASAA basketball (2007-2009). Katherine was part of the gold winning basketball team at ASAA Provincial Championships in 2007 and 2009. She competed on the women’s basketball team at the Olympics.
Michelle Plouffe from Harry Ainlay high school participated in ASAA basketball (2007-2009). Michelle was part of the gold winning basketball team at ASAA Provincial Championships in 2007 and 2009. She competed on the women’s basketball team at the Olympics.
Michael Sametz from Springbank high school participated in ASAA cross country, golf, and badminton (2011-2013). He competed in cycling road race and 3000m individual pursuit at the Paralympics.
Ben Saxton from George McDougall high school played ASAA track and field, volleyball, and basketball (2003-2005). Ben played on the first place volleyball team in ASAA Provincial Championships in 2004 and the third place team in 2005. He competed in beach volleyball at the Olympics.
Chaim Schalk from Central Alberta Christian high school participated in ASAA basketball and volleyball (2002-2003). Chaim played on the volleyball team that won the ASAA Sportsmanship Award in 2003. He competed in beach volleyball at the Olympics.
Amber Skyrpan from Ecole Plamondon participated in ASAA volleyball (2007-2009). She competed in sitting volleyball at the Paralympics.
Ashley Steacy (Nee Patzer) from Lethbridge Collegiate Institute ASAA track & field and basketball (2002-2004). She competed in Rugby 7s at the Olympics, bringing home bronze.
Heather Steacy from Winston Churchill high school participated in ASAA track and field (2003-2005). She competed in hammer throw at the Olympics.
Rudy Verhoeff from Calgary Christian high school participated in ASAA badminton, volleyball, and track & field (2004-2006). Rudy played on the gold medal winning volleyball team at the ASAA Provincial Championships in 2006. He competed in volleyball at the Olympics.
Graham Vigrass from Western Canada participated in ASAA basketball and volleyball (2004-2006). Graham played on the gold medal winning volleyball team at the ASAA Provincial Championships in 2005 and the third place team in 2006. He competed in volleyball at the Olympics.
Sage Watson from Medicine Hat High participated in ASAA track and field, cross country, and volleyball (2009-2011). She won gold in the 200m and 400m track events in 2010 and the 100, 200m, and 400m events in 2011, and the 400m in 2012. Sage still holds the ASAA 400m Track Record of 54.22 seconds set in 2007. She competed in 400m hurdles and the 4x400m relay at the Olympics.
Angela Whyte from Ross Sheppard High School participated in ASAA track and field (1995-1998), winning 6 gold, 1 silver and 3 bronze medals. Angela competed in the 100m hurdles event at the Olympics, having previously. This is her third Olympics and she was inducted into the ASAA High School Sports Hall of Fame in 2010.
Arinn Young from Morinville Community high school participated in ASAA basketball, track & field, and volleyball (2011-2012). She competed in wheelchair basketball at the Paralympics.

If you notice any discrepancies in the ASAA records or if we have missed any athletes, please notify shanna@asaa.ca so we can amend this article accordingly.