They’ve done it all; at least all they can do at the high school level.
Chatham’s Bridget Carleton and Lee Kucera have won championships at every level they’ve played, and recently were awarded the prestigious Dr. Jack Parry Awards as Chatham-Kent’s top high school student-athletes.
“I’m really proud because I know only one male and female from each school get nominated, and then to be the one who is named after all the thought put into it,” said Kucera of winning the Jack Parry Award.
“It’s a huge honour, I’m very excited,” said Carleton. “There were a lot of great nominees here that all deserved it, but I’m very proud and humbled by winning.”
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The Jack Parry Awards are annually given to the student-athletes who best combine athletic and academic excellence, with community involvement.
Now the two are off to hone their skills, both academically and athletically, at the next level, as Carleton will attend Iowa State University on an NCAA basketball scholarship, and Kucera will head to Dalhousie University to play varsity baseball.
“I’m definitely not ready to stop competing,” said Kucera, who won an OFSAA gold in javelin, and an antique bronze in volleyball this year as a student at Chatham-Kent Secondary School.
“To get the chance to compete at the next level in university has been one of the goals I have been working toward the past few years. I’m excited about the chance to contribute to their program,” Kucera added about attending Dalhousie, where he will study marine biology.
“I am so excited to start playing in the NCAA next fall,” said Carleton, who attended John McGregor Secondary School. “It’s a little bit nerve wracking, but overall I cannot wait to start my journey at Iowa State.”
Carleton knows all about nerve-wracking situations, as she’s also a member of Canada’s national junior basketball team, and competed with the London Ramblers’ JUEL team this year.
Kucera, no stranger to pressure himself, plays baseball for the Windsor Selects, and won LKSSAA championships in basketball, badminton, track and field, and volleyball this year. All the while, despite committing countless hours to their athletic endeavors, the duo maintained 92%, and 93% academic averages throughout their high school careers respectively.
With five nominees for this year’s Jack Parry Award already committed to play post-secondary sports, Kucera and Carleton proved to be the best of the best, and able to handle the world load of school and sports, which is why they’re excited for the next step in their journey.
“The athletes all around in Chatham are rising; a lot of people are getting involved and pursuing their dreams to play at the next level,” said Carleton. “I know next year is going to be a big adjustment, but I am looking forward to the change,” she added.
With that change and challenge ahead, the duo is ready to continue striving to be the best, and working to make family, friends, and community proud.
“We’ve worked hard,” said Kucera of his and Bridget’s accomplishments to this point. “Hopefully we can keep representing Chatham at the next level, and excelling as post secondary students and athletes.”
