Christine Walt – 2019 –Â Weightlifting
Christine Walt continued the family tradition by being inducted into the Belleville Sports Hall of Fame in 2019. Her achievements in Masters Division Olympic Style Weightlifting, include being an 8 time Canadian Champion, a 5 time Pan American Champion and a 2 time Ontario Champion. She holds 12 Masters Records in Canadian, Pan American and World Championships.
She has made a major contribution to the ongoing development of the Apollo Bar Bell Club and was inducted into the Canadian Masters Hall of Fame in 2019.
Vi Christopher -1995 Baseball & Minor HockeyÂ
Vi Christopher was inducted in 1995 she dedicated much of her life to volunteering in Baseball and Minor Hockey. In Baseball she served at the local, Provincial and National levels, including 21 years on the Executive of the Eastern Ontario Baseball Association, 17 years on the Executive of the Ontario Baseball Association and 32 years on the Executive of the Belleville Baseball Association. In1984 she was recognized by the province with a Bicentennial Award and in 1992 she was recognized as the Ontario Baseball Volunteer of the Year. In Minor Hockey, Vi contributed her time on the Executive of the Belleville Minor Hockey Association and served as Convenor for the Ontario Minor Hockey Association.
Sherry Akey – Bowler 1996 /Bowling
Sherry Akey-Bowler entered the Hall in 1996 based on her accomplishments in Physically Disabled Sports as a swimmer. As a left leg amputee Sherry competed provincially, nationally and internationally in backstroke, breaststroke and freestyle. In 1981 she won a Silver Medal at the International Games in England and a Gold and 3 Silver Medals at the Orange Bowl Games in Florida.Â
She won 3 Gold Medals in both 1982 and 1984, a Gold and Silver in the 1988 Provincial Games and 2 Golds in the 1988 National Games.
Sarah Thompson – 1997 – Power lifting & Track & FieldÂ
Sarah Thompson lost her eye sight in 1978, but used that life changing event to channel her energy into competing in Disabled Sports Track and Field Events. She quickly progressed from the local level to the Provincial level and then on to National competitions. At one point she held Canadian records in the 3000 meters, 100 meters, shot put, discuss, Javelin and Long Jump, In 1984 she moved into Power Lifting and in 1981 held many Canadian Records in the 81 kg category.
Peggy & Jane McCutcheon – 1991 /Skating
Peggy and Jane McCutcheon were inducted in 1991. They began skating in 1954 and as teenagers they demonstrated an elite level of proficiency as Figure Skaters, achieving National Level Gold Certification in Free Style, Compulsory Figures and Dance categories. In 1966 they left the amateur ranks and joined the Holiday on Ice Touring Figure Skating Troupe, touring North America and South America for 4 years.
Madelaine James – 1995 – Bowling
Madelaine ‘Maddie’ James loved the sport of bowling and that led to her induction in 1995 as a Builder. Through the 60’s up to the 90’s she coached 5 pin bowlers, including 28 consecutive years where she coached and taught every Saturday. She also played a key role as an executive and was recognized by the City and Province for her contributions. In 1989 she was inducted into the Zone Youth Bowling Council 5 pin Hall of Fame.
Carol Ireland – 1991 –Â Archery
Carol Ireland was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1991 following a world class career in archery that extended through the 1960’s and early 1970’s. Carol won a Silver Medal at the 1969 World Championships, was a two-time Canadian Champion, a four-time Ontario Champion and was on Canada’s World Team on 3 occasions. In 1972 Carol finished 4th in the Canadian Olympic Trials.
Games and 2 Golds in the 1988 National Games.
Betty Ingram – 1997 –Â Golf
Betty made her mark in golf and continues to be a presence in the sport today at the age of 97. Her career included a domination of the Bay of Quinte GC Club Championship for over 30 years, winning the 1975 Ontario Senior Women’s Championship, finishing 2nd in the 1981 Canadian Women’s Championship and representing the Province on the Senior Women’s Provincial Team 8 times, with 5 of those teams winning National Championships.
Regyna Armonas – 2002 Volleyball
2002 Inductee Regyna Armonas broke barriers in Volleyball. In 1981 Loyalist College did not have a women’s volleyball team so Regyna played on the Men’s Team and was one of the best players in the league. She was on Canada’s National Team from 1974 to 1976 and competed in the 1976 Olympics in Montreal.
At Quinte SS she was a 5-time Athlete of the Year, competing in 5 sports and at Loyalist she was awarded the Logan Trophy in recognition of Academic and Athletic Achievements.
Regyna was selected as the Female Athlete of the Quarter Century at both Quinte SS and Loyalist College.
Paula (Stephenson) Duggan – 2017 /Swimming
Only 2 women have ever swam across all 5 of the Great Lakes. Vicki Keith and 2017 Inductee Paula (Stephenson) Duggan.
Paula got her start in the Belleville Youth Swim Team as a competitor and coach.
Her quest to cross all of the Great lakes started in 1996 when Lake Ontario was conquered. 2 years later, Lake Erie was in the books waited 7 years before taking down Lake Superior and completed her quest in 2009 when Lake Michigan was added to her collection.
Paula also swam for the Brock University Badgers and was a 2-time recipient of the Robinson Kelleher Award as Belleville’s Athlete of the Year.
Kristen MacLaren – 2019 –Â Golf
Kristen MacLaren joined the Belleville Sports Hall of Fame in 2018 in recognition of an outstanding amateur golf career. After dominating the local junior golf scene, Kristen won the 1998 Ontario Women’s Amateur Championship and was on the Ontario Team that won the 1998 National Team Championship.
An outstanding College career at University of Texas El Paso, included 3 Division 1 NCAA Tournament victories, an appearance in the NCAA National Championship, two-time selection to the All-Conference Team and an induction into the El Paso Golf Hall of Fame. Kristen is a golf pro at the Cataraqui GCC and is the Head Coach of the Queen’s University Men’s and Women’s Golf Team.
Enright Softball Team – 2018
The U18 Enright Softball Team electrified Belleville in 1988. Hosting the Provincial Championships, the team beat all comers and received a berth in the National Championship.
Under the leadership of Barry Turpin, Dave, Kay and Barb Snedden and with great community support, the team travelled to New Brunswick for the National Tournament and advanced to the finals against British Columbia. While they had to settle for the Silver Medal, it was a season that will never be forgotten.