Burlington High School athletes of the year

By Chris Dooley

June 15th, 2026

BURLINGTON, ON

They say that confidence comes from knowing you’ve put in the work to handle the moment. You’ve trained and practiced for years, and now is your time. It takes perseverance and focus on future plans while enjoying and maximizing the moment.

If that’s the case, this year’s group of Burlington High School athletes of the year has put in a great deal of effort over their four years. This week the Burlington High School athletes of the year were feted at a classy afternoon event at Jake’s Grill and Oyster House. Hearing them talk about their journeys so far and future goals is inspiring. They spoke with confidence in front of their peers from other schools, their parents and a few coaches. There was a sense that they are confident in what they have accomplished, with their feet firmly on the ground with what lies ahead.

Ron MacVinnie and his wife Marg

The event was the brainchild of long-time supporter, referee, and former Burlington Sportsman of the Year Ron MacVinnie, who wanted to resurrect the efforts of former Halton Athletic convenor Peter Moore. “26” as was his nickname, used to host a similar event every June for all Halton athletes before he passed away in 2013.

Athletes of the year – 2026 feted at a classy afternoon event at Jake’s Grill and Oyster House.

To set this event up Ron’s first call was to current Halton convenor Darrin Curtis, who took on the task of spreading the word to the 8 schools to send their athletes and fill out personal profile sheets. Darrin has been a class act on the high school scene for a long time and this event showed his continued passion to support young athletes.

Ron’s second call was to Dave Foxcroft who agreed to provide a bursary to each athlete through the Foxcroft family and their company Fox 40. Committee member Murray Drinkwalter, himself a retired police officer and highly regarded football official, found a perfect site in Jakes Grill and Oyster bar, one of the of the great restaurants in Burlington for years. Many thanks to owners Mack and Jamie Myers for their support of these athletes and for encouraging the event to become an annual affair. The final piece was recruiting Steve Foxcroft to act as Emcee. No other choice, Steve is the best there is. He did his usual fantastic job of interviewing each athlete, providing a personal touch, depth and humour to their journeys.

These young people are not just athletically inclined. Of the 12 athletes in attendance, 11 are going to attend university and the other is headed to Police College at Fanshaw College to follow his passion to help others. What a thrill to listen to their impassioned thoughts.

Matthew Svacina is a three time OFSAA competitor in the shot put and two-time hockey MVP at Corpus Christie High School, all while being selected as class valedictorian. This goal-oriented athlete has his eyes set up on getting into the Ivey School of Business at Western University.

Classmate Cassandra De Iuliis showed depth of character as she was the MVP of three different sports and received the Sportsmanship Award. She is off to Brock’s Sports Management program and hopes to work with the Toronto Tempo of the WNBA in marketing.

Nelson’s Allison Gauley was also MVP of three sports but it’s her leadership that stood out. Her hero is Lauren Messier of the PWHL and has been coaching a lot already and has her sights on being a French teacher down the road. Ryan Jones is a three-sport athlete who has been recruited for football, but his love is hockey. He is off to the University of Guelph for sports management. Another future leader.

Hayden High School’s Jaxton Maggio

Hayden High School’s Jaxton Maggio comes from an athletic family, who is another three-sport athlete. Jaxton will be taking his talents to the University of Guelph to study Sports and Event Management and play Gryphon football.

Natalie Wahlgren, already a two-time athlete of the year, will be back at Hayden HS in the fall of 2026 but has her sights on playing volleyball at McMaster University in the future. She has been a member of the U17 Canada Youth National Volleyball Team. This fine athlete wants to study Mechanical Engineering.

At MM Robinson Ben Wallace played Hockey, Rugby and Cross Country but even with all that, it’s his academic performance that stands out. In the fall of 2026, he will be attending the University of Toronto for computer science after maintaining a 95% average over his four years at MM. Yes, a 95% average while playing three sports.

Anna-Mae Cavalli brought a lot of success to her school as a four-sport athlete who played for a HSSAA Championship in each of her four years of high school. She is off to Trent University to study Forensic Psychology and play for the varsity soccer team.

Aldershot High School sends us Landon Lucier, who played on six different teams this year, participating in GHAC golf and a Halton Champion in Basketball and Touch Football. He will now be seeking further education at Guelph in economics.

Pluto Cardenas is Aldershot’s Female athlete of the year. Pluto was a member of five teams but it’s her tennis that stands out. A three-time tennis MVP who will take her talents, and her academic brilliance, to the University Of British Columbia to study Mechanical Engineering with an Aerospace Concentration. And she’d love to play Victoria Mboko some day.

Brock Gordon from Notre Dame is another stellar leader whose journey is one of passion to help others. A football linebacker, Brock showed leadership when injured during the Field

Lacrosse season and he coached the team! His future path has been set for a while as he will be studying Police Foundations at Fanshaw College, following in his father’s footsteps.

Central High School’s Joshua Rice Racioppo is a nine-time Halton medalist over his four years at the Brant Street school. He was on four teams this year but it’s his track expertise that sets him apart. Specializing in the 800m and 1500m he is a national level competitor who will be attending the high level track program at the University of Guelph where his goal is to be an honours student in the Human Kinetics program.

Central’s Maya Markowska

Perhaps the most decorated athlete in this class is Central’s Maya Markowska who will take her two OFSAA championships to the University of Michigan where she will continue to strive for her personal best on the track while studying in the intense science program at the Ann Arbor school.

In addition to the bursary from Fox 40 each athlete received a Certificate of Achievement from the City of Burlington courtesy of Mayor Marianne Meed Ward and from the province of Ontario via Minister of Sport Neil Lumsden.

From the people of Halton and the school’s they represent, congratulations and good luck to all.