Stroke by stroke, Brian Yakiwchuk has become the leader of the University of Alberta Golden Bears swim team. Earlier this month, he received two major awards for his contributions to the program.
Yakiwchuk, among the top athletes in the history of the Prince George Barracudas swim club, was handed a President's Award and a Block 'A' Ring in separate ceremonies. The President's Award goes to U of A athletes who have made "an exceptional overall contribution to their team as an outstanding athlete, a leader and a role model." Block 'A' Rings are presented to individuals who "have demonstrated an exceptional contribution to interuniversity sport in the areas of athletics, academics, community support and leadership." Recipients must have completed a minimum of four years at the school.
Yakiwchuk, a 2006 Duchess Park secondary school graduate, is studying cell bio-technology.
Two other U of A students with ties to Prince George also received President's Awards. One is former Prince George Cougars forward Eric Hunter. The other is volleyball player Justin Merta, a Quesnel product who played countless high school matches on P.G. courts and was in action at the Northern Sport Centre last October when the Golden Bears played the Thompson Rivers University WolfPack in an exhibition match.
