By Jeff D’Andrea

Local sports heroes honoured at Sports Banquet

Nov 10, 2014 | 7:19 AM

Three important Prince Albert sports figures were awarded for battling through adversity in Saturday’s 7th annual Kinsmen/Raiders Sportsman Banquet.

Winning the Athletes of the Year award were gymnast Brent Ertman and Paralympian Brittany Hudak. Zenon Markowski won the Sportsman of the Year Award.

Brent Ertman

Four years ago, Ertman was diagnosed with Osteomyelitis, the infection and inflammation of bone marrow which can be life-threatening.

There were worries that Ertman had to lose a limb at one point, but after many days in a hospital bed, and even more in the gym, Ertman has vaulted up to the national level of gymnastics—the sport he loves.

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Last year, Ertman was ranked third in Canada and had his eyes on the top spot at the elite level this upcoming season.

Ertman will head to the Canada Winter Games, National Championships and at the World Gymnestrada in Finland this year. 

Brittany Hudak

Hudak, who was born without part of her left arm, was working in a Canadian Tire when she ran into legendary Paralympic athlete Collette Bourgonje. She encouraged Hudak to get into cross country skiing and could get into the Paralympics.

About two years later, Hudak represented Canada at the Sochi Paralympics. She finished 6th in the 1kilometre (km) sprint standing race, 4th in the relay, 10th in the 15km and 12th in the 5km.

She qualified for the Paralympics with a top-five finish at the IPC World Cup in Canmore, Alta., after only competing domestically for one year.

Although she’s just gone through her first Paralympics, Hudak already has her eyes set on the 2018 Winter Paralympics in South Korea.

Zenon Markowski

Markowski has been the Prince Albert Mintos president since 2000 and is still the president even after a stroke back in March.

Markowski helped transform the Mintos from a middle-of-the-table team to a perennial contender by opting to import players from around the province, while still showcasing good local talent. The Mintos have won three Telus Cup Championships since Markowski joined the team. With back-to-back victories in 2006 and 2007 and this year’s win in Moose Jaw in April.

Here’s more on Markowski’s story.

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