December 15/12 13:18 pm - Wheels of Bloor Awards Bursaries to Young Riders

Posted by Editoress on 12/15/12
 

On Friday night, the Toronto-based Wheels of Bloor Masters team held its end-of-season party, and presented bursaries to two young athletes.  This is the second year that the team has contributed to the future of the sport with its bursary program.  Team member Bruce Bird explained that the team members agreed to pool prize money during the season towards the bursary.  In the Fall they invited young athletes to submit applications, and received 15 strong responses.

Members of the Wheels of Bloor team celebrate the 2012 season.

Wheels of Bloor's Bruce Bird with bursary winners Brandon Etzl and Saskia Kowalchuck

Two bursaries of $1000 each were awarded to Saskia Kowalchuck and Brandon Etzl.  Kowalchuck, on Team CHCH out of the National Cycling Centre Hamilton, is the 2012 Junior Women's Time Trial Champion, while Etzl finished second in the Junior Men's Road Race at the Nationals and has signed with Jet Fuel/Norco for 2013.  Both are also active in volunteering, a key element of the selection criteria.

Congratulations to the two bursary winners, and applause to Wheels of Bloor for their initiative and their very successful 2012 season.

The Wheels of Bloor team with bursary winners Saskia Kowalchuck and Brandon Etzl