The Belleville Sports Hall of Fame congratulates a pair of Bayside Secondary School students for earning the 2025-26 McDonald’s Belleville High School Athletes of the Year awards.
The awards were presented to Jessie Prevost and Josh Thomas at a ceremony hosted by the Belleville Sports Hall of Fame at the Dr. R.L. Vaughan Atrium in the Quinte Wellness Centre on June 22, 2026.
Tricia Sagriff of Belleville McDonald’s Restaurants was on hand to present the awards.
Through the generosity of the Belleville McDonald’s Restaurants, the Hall of Fame Committee conducts the annual High School Athlete of the Year Program.
This program recognizes the Senior Female and Male Athletes of the Year from eight local High Schools – Albert College, Bayside, Centennial, Eastside, Nicholson Catholic, Quinte Christian, Sir James Whitney and St. Theresa – and selects the overall Senior Female and Male High School Athlete of the Year for Belleville. During the ceremony, each nominated athlete was introduced and celebrated with remarks highlighting the exceptional achievements of their high school sports careers.
The Belleville Sports Hall of Fame is proud to celebrate the achievements of all the nominated student-athletes. Participation in school sports, made possible through the support of volunteer teacher coaches and community volunteers, helps young people develop confidence, resilience, leadership, and lifelong healthy habits. By recognizing these outstanding students, we honour not only their accomplishments today, but also the positive impact that sport can have throughout a lifetime.
Complete list of Nominated Athletes:
Rya Nazzer, Albert College
Jason Han, Albert College
Jessie Prevost, Bayside SS
Josh Thomas, Bayside SS
Khloe Langdon, Centennial SS
Greydon Newbatt, Centennial SS
Brooklyn Maracle, Eastside SS
Cooper Angus, Eastside SS
Whitney Milne, Nicholson CC
Liam Lomond, Nicholson CC
Erika VanderWilp, Quinte Christian
Luke Vreugdenhil, Quinte Christian
Sophia Mohammed, Sir James Whitney
Alexzander Evans, Sir James Whitney
Nora Genereaux, St Theresa CSS
Maddox Vespa, St. Theresa CSS
JESSIE PREVOST
2025-2026 McDonald’s High School Athlete of the Year
Jessie Prevost, Bayside Secondary School’s Female Athlete of the Year, made significant contributions to the school’s athletic programs throughout her high school career. Competing in basketball, swimming, wrestling, soccer, rugby, and ultimate frisbee, Jessie brought commitment, consistency, and a positive attitude to every team she joined.
During her graduating year, Jessie contributed to championship and medal-winning performances in basketball, rugby, wrestling, and swimming, including a Bay of Quinte rugby title, a Bay of Quinte wrestling championship, and an OFSAA rugby silver medal. The result capped a rugby career that included four consecutive OFSAA appearances and provincial finishes of silver, bronze, and antique bronze (fourth place). Jessie qualified for four OFSAA championships in her graduating year, representing Bayside in basketball, rugby, and wrestling after a scheduling conflict prevented her from attending the soccer championship. She also qualified for two consecutive OFSAA wrestling championships, reaching the second day of competition in Grade 11. Jessie’s contributions were recognized through several school awards, including the Bayside GAP Award, presented to the graduating athlete with the most participation and success in school sports, the Basketball Team Energy Award, and the Bayside Kindness Citizen Award for Grades 9–12.
This fall, Jessie will enter the Bachelor of Science (Honours) Nursing program at Loyalist College while pursuing two-sport status in rugby and basketball. Congratulations to Jessie Prevost, the 2025-2026 McDonald’s High School Female Athlete of the Year.
JOSH THOMAS
2025-2026 McDonald’s High School Athlete of the Year
A multi-sport competitor in ultimate frisbee, volleyball, basketball, and track and field, Josh Thomas demonstrated exceptional athletic ability, dedication, and leadership throughout his high school career and was named Bayside Secondary School’s Male Athlete of the Year. In track and field, Josh emerged as one of Ontario’s top jumpers. He captured Bay of Quinte championships in both high jump and long jump before earning gold in high jump and silver in long jump at COSSA. He repeated those results at the East Regional Championships and capped his season with a silver medal in high jump at OFSAA, earning recognition as Bayside’s Top OFSAA Male Athlete.
Over the past two years, Josh has earned medals in high jump at the provincial and national levels, including gold at the 2025 Athletics Canada Indoor Championships, silver at the 2025 Athletics Canada Outdoor Championships, bronze at the 2025 OFSAA and Ontario Outdoor Championships, and bronze at the 2026 Ontario Indoor Championships. Beyond competition,
Josh is dedicated to giving back; he helps coach younger track athletes, volunteers with youth basketball programs, assists with intramurals at Bayside, and supports United Way events. This fall, Josh will attend the University of Guelph to study Biomedical Engineering while continuing his athletic career with the Gryphons track and field. Congratulations to Josh Thomas, the 2025-2026 McDonald’s High School Male Athlete of the Year.
