St. Catharines native Madalyn Weinert earned a special hometown honour after being named the city's 2025 Athlete of the Year.
The fifth-year guard/forward was honoured by the St. Catharines City Council during its meeting on Monday, March 9.
"We are thrilled to present Madalyn with the 2025 St. Catharines Athlete of the Year Award," said St. Catharines Mayor Mat Siscoe. "I can't think of anyone more deserving than one of, if not the most decorated, impactful basketball players in the history of our community. Being at the top of so many meaningful statistical categories with the Brock Badgers doesn't tell the whole story; her leadership on the court demonstrates what a fantastic talent she truly is."
Taking place one day after International Women's Day, Weinert was honoured alongside Niagara River Lions president Michelle Biskup, who was named Sportsperson of the Year.
"It is an incredible honour to be recognized by the City of St. Catharines," Weinert said. "It is never lost on me how special of an opportunity I have had over the last five years to play in front of family and friends every weekend. I am incredibly grateful for this community and how they have supported me through every step of my journey."
Weinert's 2025 was full of accolades on the university and world stage.
The local St. Catharines native was named a U SPORTS First Team All-Canadian as well as the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) Player of the Year and OUA First Team All-Star at the conclusion of the 2024-25 campaign.
That summer, the Medical Sciences major got the chance to wear the Canadian jersey for the first time, playing for the under-23 team that defeated Team USA 72-65 (represented by the Texas Longhorns) at the GLOBL JAM tournament in Toronto.
In addition to those accolades from last year, Weinert was recognized in the past two weeks as the U SPORTS Player of the Year and First Team All-Canadian while also earning OUA Player of the Year and First Team All-Star honours for the third consecutive season.
"Basketball has provided me with so many tools that have shaped who I am and the person I have become," Weinert said. "The sport has strengthened my work ethic, resilience and perseverance, while providing a place to make mistakes and learn. These skills that I have learned on the court will translate and help me in my life off the court as well."
Weinert's next path may include playing professionally overseas or pursuing further studies, but her link to the St. Catharines community will remain wherever she ends up.
"I would encourage the community to continue to support our local teams," Weinert said. "We deeply appreciate it when you show up for us and it brings us all together. Going into the 150th anniversary of the city, I hope we can continue to support local initiatives and build up local businesses throughout the city; we will always be stronger together."
