It’s no surprise that all-round athletes have been nominated as Westman Journal high school male athletes of the year for the 2009-10 season.

Thomas Harper of Vincent Massey, Kirby Sinclair of Neelin and Cody Lyons of Crocus Plains are this year’s finalists.

Harper was a member of six teams at Massey. He was the most valuable player on his basketball, soccer and track and field teams and was a standout middle attacker and defender for the varsity boys’ volleyball team. He also competed in badminton and bowling.

In basketball, Harper was team captain, finished second in scoring and rebounding, and led the team to the high school provincial tournament. He also made provincials in soccer and track and field.

His nominator, teacher Jim Hartle, said his academic achievements rival his athletic accomplishments. “In a climate of mediocrity, it is refreshing to see a student who still strives for perfection.”

Sinclair was a member of the varsity football, basketball and volleyball teams at Neelin.

As a star on the basketball team, on which he has been a two-year starter, Sinclair was named an all-star in six tournaments during the past year, including the provincial AA tourney. On the football team, Sinclair was the team’s leading receiver as the Spartans made the league semi-finals. Sinclair was also a starter on the volleyball team for two years.

“Kirby Sinclair is easily the best raw athlete we’ve had at Neelin in the last 12 years,” said athletic director Don Thomson. “He played in three major sports and dominated in them all.”

Lyons excelled at both varsity basketball and volleyball at Crocus Plains. He was co-captain of the volleyball team and was the team’s starting middle hitter. He was third overall in points on the team and was selected for two tournament all-star teams.

On the basketball squad, Lyons was the starter at the post position and played in every game. Basketball coach Bart Walker says Lyons “has overcome medical challenges with strength and determination, not allowing them to keep him from doing things that he loves.”

The winner of the male athlete of the year will be announced in next week’s Journal.