Airdrie city council endorsed three local athletes as “Elite Athletes” at Monday's council meeting.
Council was presented with three nominations under the Airdrie Elite Athlete Recognition Policy and accepted administration's recommendation to recognize them as "Elite Athletes."
According to the notes provided by City administration, Farah Walker has been a resident of Airdrie all her life and contributed to the community through sport by “inspiring more women to get on the ice.”
Farah started her hockey career in 2011 on the U7 team. This talented goalie currently plays for the Okanagan Hockey Academy Female U18 Prep team in Kelowna, BC. Farah has excelled in sanctioned national and international events.
Highlights include: Gold – 2023 IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship – Östersund, Sweden Silver – U18 Team Alberta Western Regional Championships - Portage La Prairie Manitoba.
Baton twirler Brooke Mauro is a long-standing resident, student and athlete of Airdrie who has accomplished many attributes through sport. All of Brook’s baton twirling events are sanctioned national and international events.
Highlights include: Silver and Bronze – 2017 International Cup – Porec, Croatia Team Canada Member – 2019 International Cup – Limoges, France Gold (3) – 2020 Pan Pacific Cup – Red Deer, AB Bronze – 2022 World Baton Twirling Competition – Turin, Italy.
Martial artist Makenna Vandenbrink is a long-standing resident, student and athlete of Airdrie who has mentored others and shown dedication to Taekwondo for many years. Makenna’s events are sanctioned national and international events.
Highlights include: Bronze – 2023 World Taekwondo Championships – Sparring, Tampere, Finland Silver – 2023 National Championships, Specialty Techniques, Vernon, BC Bronze – 2023 National Championships, Sparring, Vernon, BC Gold – 2022 Westerns Tournament, Specialty Techniques, Lethbridge, AB Gold – 2022 Westerns Tournament, Sparring, Lethbridge, AB.
Coun. Al Jones said he enjoyed the diversity of the sports represented by the three women for this year's Airdrie Elite Athlete Recognition program.
"What I appreciate about this program is it doesn't just centre on the mainstream sports," he stated. "I like the versatility of the (Elite Athlete) program as far as as what it covers, and the fact it is open for anybody with athletic prowess or skillsets to be nominated."
After the nominations were endorsed by council, the Elite Athletes will be recognized in a plaque unveiling ceremony at Genesis Place with friends, family and available council members.
