Adam Timlock was named Wasaga Beach's athlete of the year Sunday for his outstanding athletic ability, specifically in cross-country running.
Timlock ranked third in the county, helping propel his school's team to several first place finishes at cross-country meets this year.
Completing a six-kilometre run in 22 minutes and 40 seconds earned him a fifth place finish at the Georgian Bay Secondary School Athletics championships and a chance to compete at OFSAA - the Ontario Federation of Schools Athletic Association - where he ranked 31st overall out of 242 runners.
Timlock, 15, a Grade 10 student at Collingwood Collegiate Institute (CCI), took up cross-country running for the first time in September.
He also plays rugby and lacrosse but says hockey is his true passion.
He was not able to attend Wasaga Beach's Recognition Day Sunday to accept the trophy in person because he was scouting universities that offer hockey scholarships in Michigan with fellow members of the Owen Sound-based Grey Bruce Highlanders, his Triple A minor midget hockey team.
"It was a bit of a surprise but overall I was pretty excited," said Timlock. "I know a few people who have won before and it's good to be a part of that."
Timlock was nominated by his coach Todd Hammond who encouraged him to join the cross-country running team as a way of adding to his off-ice conditioning. He said he likes running and he likes to race.
Hammond said Timlock has played in the top line of CCI's varsity boys hockey team this year and in Grade 9. He said making the team in Grade 9 was quite an accomplishment because he was going up against athletes who were four years older.
Timlock was also the assistant captain of the 2009 junior boys hockey team, which won the York University Junior Boys Hockey Tournament.
Timlock also plays wing - the scoring runner position - on the junior boys rugby team.
Hammond notes that on top of all his athletic achievements, Timlock has maintained a 90 per cent academic average this year.