Surprise for Hall

[attach]370[/attach]Reece Hall always wanted to win an MVP award at his school.

Not only did he manage it for two Sir Sandford Fleming Academy teams, he was also crowned the 2009 Town Crier Athlete of the Year for the Central Region.

Even though it was a bit of a shock for Hall, it came as no surprise to his coach, Barton Harvey.

“He is an exceptional young man,” Harvey said.

The 18-year-old played every male sport at his school this year, aside from wrestling. According to coach Harvey, he played a key role on each team. He also maintained an academic average above 80 percent.

“Playing two games on the same day while juggling school work — it was tough,” the soft-spoken Hall said.

So why did Hall stand above the pack?

Here’s why: he won MVP for his soccer and cricket teams; he strode to bronze medal in track and field at the North Regionals; he took his basketball team to a silver medal at the city championship and was named the most improved basketballer this year, having never played the sport before.

“When I first met him last year, I tried to figure out what his interests were,” Harvey said. “What I learned is that he is quietly intense.

“He is really keen to learn and wants to be good at everything.”

Now that school has ended, Hall is working toward becoming a member of the national rowing team, training at least three times a week at the University of Toronto. He’ll compete for a spot on the team later this summer.

“If he continues to work at that, he is well on his way to being a part of the national rowing team,” Harvey said. “Coming from where he is to where he is going, that’s what really set him apart from all the other athletes and it’s pretty impressive.”