Our 2024 Club Awards Winners

Photo left - right, Anne Teutsch, Andrew Cornett, Cherie Revells, Brian Mahoney, Stefan Bergström, Daniel Mahoney, Holly Smith

Pierre Brassard Memorial Award – Orienteering Spirit

James Connell 

This young man is deeply passionate about orienteering in all its forms—whether it's adventure racing, rogaining, foot orienteering at local, national, or international meets, ski orienteering, or designing courses (and yes, the long ones are his specialty!). 

Orienteering runs in the family for him—he started with a rogaine years ago alongside his mother, now competes with his son, tackles multi-day adventure races with his sister and brother-in-law, and actively coaches his two young boys (watch out, they’re catching up fast!). 

Do not let his good nature deceive you—he’s a fierce competitor who sets incredibly high standards for himself. His dedication is evident in his rigorous daily training schedule, proudly showcased on Strava. He thrives in elite and extra-long categories, enjoying the challenge of competing against younger athletes. This past year, he even traveled to Europe to compete in ski orienteering, embracing some of the toughest competition the sport has to offer. Wherever he goes—be it Europe, the United States, or SilverStar for ski training—he’s always searching for courses to download and conquer. 

You’ll often spot him at local meets, chatting enthusiastically with anyone and everyone about route choices and challenges, or at training nights and competitions near and far (plane trips included!). His passion and energy make him a true ambassador for the sport of orienteering. 

It is our absolute pleasure to present the Pierre Brassard Award for orienteering spirit to James Connell.

Colin Kirk Memorial Award – Aspiring Junior of the Year

Holly Smith

The Colin Kirk Memorial Award recognizes Orienteering Ottawa’s Aspiring Junior of the Year. This year, it is awarded to a young athlete who has not only excelled in the forests and parks, but also as a mentor and role model to young orienteers across the club.

This athlete’s dedication and hard work have not gone unrewarded and have resulted in remarkable improvement over the years, and outstanding achievements at the Canadian Orienteering Championships and North American Orienteering Championships. Included in these results were top Canadian finishes in both the COC Middle and Long distances, a 3rd place in the Sprint and a 2nd place in the NAOC Middle distance event.

Outside of competition, this athlete played a pivotal role in the club’s Youth Programs, where she worked with the youngest participants and served as an excellent mentor and role model for the next generation of orienteers. This Fall, she led a group of over 12 participants, aged 8 to 12, with varying levels of experience, and guided them with energy and confidence, ensuring that each child felt included and motivated. Her leadership was instrumental in fostering a love for the sport among these young athletes, and her warmth and kindness left an indelible mark on these children. She never seemed to stop smiling.

For her considerable improvements in performance, her contributions to the improvement of other junior athletes, and for being a fantastic role model for other juniors, we congratulate this year’s Aspiring Junior of the Year, Holly Smith.

Brian Graham Memorial Award – Orienteer of the Year 

Daniel Mahoney

This year’s recipient of the Brian Graham Memorial Award for Orienteer of the Year is being recognized for outstanding orienteering performances resulting from an impressive dedication to training and skills development.

This orienteer delivered excellent results throughout the season. His participation in the Club’s Sunday events, particularly long advanced courses, showcased his dedication and passion for the sport and inspired others through his hard work and sportsmanship. His achievements at the Canadian Orienteering Championships (COCs) and the North American Orienteering Championships (NAOCs) were truly commendable, securing 2nd place in the Middle distance and claiming 1st place in the Long distance at the COCs. At the NAOCs, he again landed on the top of the podium by achieving a 1st place overall in his age group.

The long hours he has spent criss-crossing North America with his family to compete demonstrates his passion and commitment for the sport. And, perhaps most impressive of all: he is receiving this distinction while still a junior.

For his dedication to training and continuous development, and for displaying exceptional orienteering skill and accomplishments, we are happy to present the Brian Graham Memorial Award for Orienteer of the Year to Daniel Mahoney.

Pat de St. Croix Memorial Award – Volunteer(s) of the Year

Anne Teutsch, Stefan Bergstrom, Andrew Cornett, Cherie Revells, and Brian Mahoney 

What does it take to pull off a world-class North American Orienteering Championship (NAOC)? For this dream team, the answer was simple: countless hours of dedication, passion, teamwork, and maybe a little bit of magic. 

Meet the Powerhouses Behind NAOC 2024 

  • Anne Teutsch: The fearless NAOC Meet Director who wore about 27 other hats while staying cool under pressure. If it needed organizing, Anne made it happen. 
  • Stefan Bergstrom: The "quiet persuader" and all-around organizer. From being the NAOC Technical Director to planning the long course and controlling the Knock-Out Sprint, Stefan turned logistics into an art form. 
  • Andrew Cornett: The “Sprint Guy” with a knack for course planning, brainstorming, and sprinkling expertise on the Knock-Out Sprint and everything else. 
  • Cherie Revells: The tech wizard behind the NAOC website who made sure people far and wide were pumped to attend. And let’s not forget her brainchild—the wildly successful kids’ camp! 
  • Brian Mahoney: The ultimate Kingston connection. From coordinating sprints to opening his home to mappers and hosting training camps, Brian’s contributions (and his family’s) were the glue holding Kingston’s events together. 

The planning for NAOC 2024 began all the way back in 2019. The original venue? Buckingham. But when developers swooped in, the team had to pivot. Then came COVID, which threw a wrench into everything. To make matters even more complicated, California’s NAOCs were rescheduled to 2023, pushing Ottawa’s event to 2024. 

Undeterred, this crew rallied. Over two years, they poured their time and energy into creating an unforgettable event. They planned every detail—mapping, course setting, permissions, venues, logistics, you name it. Weekly meetings became the norm, along with countless trips to Kingston and Calabogie. 

These five volunteers went above and beyond to make NAOC 2024 a reality: 

  • Securing iconic venues like Calabogie Peaks Resort, Queen’s University, Kingston Pen, and more.
  • Convincing landowners and partners that orienteering is a world-class sport worth supporting. 
  • Mapping and setting courses that will be talked about for years to come. 
  • Recruiting and coordinating an army of volunteers from the Ottawa Orienteering Club. 
  • Balancing their passion for the sport with family, careers, and the occasional moment of sleep (we assume). 

A Special Shout-Out 

  • Anne: Your leadership was second to none. How you navigated the maze of permissions, deadlines, and challenges is beyond impressive. 
  • Stefan: Your calm demeanor and technical brilliance earned the trust of landowners and athletes alike. 
  • Andrew: Sprint planning and beyond—you brought creativity, precision, and dedication to every task. 
  • Cherie: From your brilliant website to the kids’ camp, you brought innovation and joy to NAOC 2024. 
  • Brian: Your Kingston connections and incredible hospitality were game-changers. Thanks for opening your home, updating first-aid procedures, and growing the sport with Frontenac Legends! 

Not many people would take on an event of this magnitude, let alone do so with such grace, passion, and humor. These five individuals embody the spirit of orienteering, rallying a community and delivering an event we’ll be proud to talk about for decades. 

Congratulations, Anne, Stefan, Andrew, Cherie, and Brian—you are the heart and soul of NAOC 2024, and we are endlessly grateful for all you’ve accomplished!

Event of the Year

North American Orienteering Championships

In recognition of the monumental effort of volunteers and organizers who made the championships an unforgettable experience. From the scenic waterfront and university sprints in Kingston to the challenging forest races in Calabogie, the event attracted top orienteers from across North America and internationally, offering a thrilling competition that challenged participants and left a lasting impression. The success of the NAOC was a testament to the dedication and hard work of numerous volunteers over several years.

Thank you and congratulations to everyone involved!

Ottawa Sports Awards

Each year the Ottawa Sports Awards recognize and award the best amateur athlete in Ottawa in 65 different sports. This year’s winner for orienteering was Daniel Mahoney! Check out his write-up on their website.

https://ottawasportsawards.ca/2024-complete-list-of-winners/