Simon says he Iikes a challenge
Simon Romero appreciated a pat on the back for all the shots he has taken to the rest of his body.
The 19-year-old Welland native was thrilled to be named Male Athlete of the Year and awarded the Earl Leonard Memorial Trophy at the City of Welland’s 50th Sports Award Banquet.
“It felt really good to be recognized for the hard work,” Romero said. “Young athletes coming up, it’s a lot of pressure, you have a lot going on, so it feels good in the heart to be recognized.
“It’s nice. Support is what’s made me and got me here. This award isn’t just for me, it’s for everyone.”
Romero was chosen based on his outstanding performances in 2023 which included a bronze medal for Team Ontario at the Canadian Winter Games in Price Edward Island. Romero also qualified to attend the Olympic boxing trials in Montreal in December where won his first bout and then lost to the national champion by split decision in the quarter-finals. Romero is currently ranked fourth of 79 Canadian boxers in the 57 kilogram division.
“Boxing is very challenging,” he said. “It’s a lot on the body, a lot on the mind and there’s always a goal you want to accomplish so you try and get there as much as you can.”
Romero has high aspirations, in and out of the ring.
“As far as it can take me. I like to test myself, not just in sports, but in life and obviously hoping for the most success,” he said.
Romero began boxing at 12 following eight years in martial arts, including jiu jitsu and kick boxing.
He was introduced to combat sports by his parents, Rene and Caroline, and older brother, professional Mixed Martial Arts fighter Anthony Romero.
“My family got me in it for self defence and it kind of took off from there,” Simon Romero. “I did a little bit of everything and ended up here.
“I wanted a new challenge to kind of test myself and see how much I could handle.”
Simon Romero keeps busy outside of the ring coaching martial arts at his brother’s gym, Genius Fitness and MMA in Port Colborne, as well as working for two sports agencies in Las Vegas. He is a also sports management student at Niagara College.
“I try and stay busy,” he said. “I like a challenge. It’s never easy but if was easy, it wouldn’t be as rewarding.”
Franco Niagara student Zoe Falardeau (baseball, hockey, volleyball, badminton) and Notre Dame graduate Nyla Morabito, currently on a gymnastics scholarship to Utah State, were named co-winners of the Female Athlete of the Year.
Neither was able to attend the awards banquet but will be profiled later by BPSN.
New York Islanders forward Cal Clutterbuck was named the winner of the H.L. Cudney Award as the Welland sportsperson of the year. The award was accepted by Clutterbuck’s father, Tim Clutterbuck.
Cal Clutterbuck had previously been profiled by BPSN https://www.bpsportsniagara.com/clutterbuck-named-cudney-winner/
The 2023 Welland Wall of Fame class was announce at the banquet. Recipients will be inducted Sunday, May 5 at 1 p.m. at the Seaway Mall.
This year’s winners are: Mike Rao, Ray Sarkis, Jack Ballantyne, Dan Girardi, Steve Latinovich, Lauren Aiello, Corey Lee, the 2016 Jean Vanier (now St. Jean-de-Brebeuf) girls basketball team, 1973 Atlas tykes baseball team and 1977 Club Richeleau midget baseball team.
The following are the 50th Annual Sport Awards Night – 2023 Award Winners.
Outstanding Achievement
Chelsea Porga – Bowling
Melissa Borowski – Niagara College Women’s Curling
Alexa Desrochers – Niagara College Women’s Curling
Canal Dragons – Para Dragon Crew
Canal Dragons Special Needs Crew
Welland 88’s – Slo Pitch
Jason Higgins – Track and Field Coach – Centennial
Arianna Romano – Wrestling
Matteo Romano – Wrestling
Ariella Donnelly – Swimming
Chase Owen – Track & Field Pole Vault
Maddie Bodnar – Track & Field Hurdles
Easton Fournier – Track & Field Discus
Jader Davis – Track & Field Discus
Lauren Clarke – Track & Field Discus
Noah Wellard – Track & Field Discus
Nalia Caesar – Track & Field Discus
Special Achievement Presentation
Welland Jackfish for their outstanding performance in 2023 becoming the Dominico Cup Champions.
Team achievement – Senior team
Harpwood Trophies Award Trophy
Notre Dame Rowing Club – Women’s Coxed Quad
Malarie Jones – Notre Dame Rowing Club – Women’s Coxed Quad
Sarah Stacey – Notre Dame Rowing Club – Women’s Coxed Quad
Emma Goedhart – Notre Dame Rowing Club – Women’s Coxed Quad
Juliette Freure – Notre Dame Rowing Club – Women’s Coxed Quad
Avery Coles Notre Dame Rowing Club – Women’s Coxed Quad
John Ruscitti – Notre Dame Rowing Club – Women’s Coxed Quad Coach
Rhiannon Zahorchak Notre Dame Rowing Club – Women’s Coxed Quad Coach
U18 A Welland Tigers – Ice Hockey (1st runner up)
Hope Floats – Breast Cancer Survivor Crew (2nd Runner up)
Gord Sykes Coaching Award
Pat McNally – Rowing
Outstanding Sport Volunteer
Doc Brauweiler Memorial Trophy
Co-Recipients
Chelsea Porga – Bowling, Volleyball & Basketball
Gerald (Gerry) Leger – Special Olympics Floor Hockey
Outstanding Sport Executive
Aurel Gervais Memorial Trophy
Theresa Brooks – Curling
Outstanding Coach
Gil Beaulieu Memorial Trophy
Ray Napper – Boxing
Master’s athlete – Female
M.T. Bellies Trophy
Lynda Lemon – Running
Master’s athlete – Male
Terry Zorgel – Marathon, Triathlon
Female Athlete
Welland Sports Council
Co-Recipients
Zoe Falardeau – Baseball, Hockey, Volleyball & Badminton
Nyla Morabito – Gymnastics
Male athlete
Earl Leonard Memorial Trophy
Simon Romero – Boxing
H.L. Cudney Award
Cal Clutterbuck – Ice Hockey
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