Three Bermudian student-athletes, Jackson Taylor, Madison Schindel and Xavier DaPonte have been honoured for sporting excellence at Trinity College School’s Fall Athletic Awards in Canada.

The awards celebrated students and teams for their various achievements during the fall term, with the three Bermudians among those recognised.

Taylor, a former Somersfield Academy student, picked up the MVP accolade for the school’s American football team. DaPonte, who also plays in the same Littleside team as Taylor, shared the top lineman award, while Schindel, one of Bermuda’s most promising triathletes, was presented with the Adrian Smith Trophy Novice Harrier for her cross-country prowess.

By winning an award for a sport he only took up in August, the 15-year-old Taylor emulated his uncle Cameron Snaith, who lifted the same trophy in 1992.

“I really enjoyed a new sport in my first year of playing it,” Taylor told The Royal Gazette.

“I have never played this version of football in Bermuda. I worked with a coach in August so that I could better understand the technical aspects since I knew I wanted to try out for the team this year.

“I then started playing the sport in September and we played against other high schools in Ontario. This season I had eight touchdowns and six conversions as a running back.

“I enjoy playing sports because it helps build character, discipline and leadership skills. When I was in Bermuda I played basketball, rugby and tennis.”

Taylor accepted the award in the presence of his mother, Malika Taylor, and grandfather Kenneth Snaith, who decided to surprise him by being in attendance.

“I knew he worked hard to achieve what he achieved with the team,” Malika Taylor said.

“He didn’t know that he was winning the award either, so our presence and the award came as a surprise.

“My brother Cameron Snaith attended the school and in 1992 he was awarded the exact same trophy.”

Schindel’s award came after she competed in the Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations Cross Country Championships. She was one of 268 runners who took part in the second-largest cross country championships in North America.

To qualify for the OFSAA event the Bermudian finished fourth at the Conference of Independent Schools of Ontario Athletic Association Championships.

A day after the awards, Schindel finished as the second student in the Oxford Cup, a 5km race that has been held since 1896. She was joined by her mother Allison Petty, with families, staff and alumni allowed to run.