The following athletes have been nominated for the Sask Sport Inc. October Athlete of the Month Award. The nominees are:

• Simon Bairu, Saskatchewan Athletics. Bairu captured the national title at the 2009 National 10km Championships in Toronto. In an elite field of 25, he surpassed Canada's top Marathoner and 2009 World Championship participant by nearly 10 seconds to claim the championship. Due to his performance, Bairu qualified to compete at the upcoming Chiba Ekiden team road relay as part of Team Canada.

• Ken Orr, Saskatchewan Cycling Association. At the World Masters Games in Australia, Orr won three gold, two silver and one fourth place finish in the 75-79 age category cycling events. He also attended the World Master Track Cycling Championships in Australia, where he won two silver medals and one bronze medal in the 75+ category.

• Meagan Schenher, Saskatchewan Soccer Association. Schenher competed in the U16 National Championships in Winnipeg where she helped her team to a fifth place finish. At this championship, she was selected to attend the National U17 Team Camp and Friendly Games. As a result of this participation, Schenher earned a spot with the National Team Training Centre squad.

• Fiona Vincent, Canoe Kayak Saskatchewan. Vincent won a total of ten medals at the World Master Games in Australia, earning eight gold, one silver and one bronze medal. Her outstanding accomplishment comes almost a year after undergoing knee surgery and extensive rehabilitation. Despite these challenges, Vincent persevered to retain her fitness through alternative cross training and went on to compete at the international level at the World Masters Games.

The recipient will be named later this week. For more information, contact Pat Rediger at (306) 780-9307.

For information regarding the Athlete of the Month Awards program, including previous nominees and recipients, visit www.sasksport.sk.ca/awards.php

November 24, 2009