The City of Airdrie celebrated the accomplishments of five of Airdrie’s Elite Athletes in a ceremony at Genesis Place at the end of May.
The Airdrie Elite Athlete program has been in operation since 2011, and it recognizes and commemorates athletic excellence in our community. Since its inception, 20 athletes have received the award.
City officials, including Mayor Heather Spearman recognized this group of local athletes who have achieved exceptional success in sport at sanctioned national or international competitions, set records or earned titles on the world stage.
“Our Airdrie Elite Athlete community reflects the very best of who we are as a city, grounded in dedication, resilience and a deep sense of purpose,” says Spearman.
“Each achievement represents countless hours of commitment, quiet sacrifice and the support of families, coaches and teammates who stand behind them. Since 2011, our tradition of recognizing these athletes has been about more than results. It is a meaningful way to honour the character, perseverance and passion behind each success. Their journeys inspire a deep sense of connection across our community and encourage all of us, especially our youth, to strive for excellence while celebrating what makes Airdrie such a special place to call home.”
The five athletes that were honoured in May have achieved amazing feats. Learn more about them here:
Nico Diaz – BMX
Nico Diaz is a dedicated BMX athlete who has represented Canada at provincial, national and international levels, earning multiple titles and podium finishes. Known for his resilience, he has overcome injuries with determination and continues to inspire others through his mental toughness and passion for the sport. As a certified coach at Airdrie BMX and Calgary BMX, Diaz invests in mentoring young riders, making a lasting impact on his community both on and off the track.
Ronin Xavier Thompson – Box Lacrosse
Ronin Xavier Thompson is an exceptional multi-sport athlete and mentor whose dedication and leadership have left a lasting impact on his community. He captained the U17A Rockyview Rage lacrosse team to provincials, earned offensive MVP and rookie of the year honours in high school football, and represented Team Alberta at the North American Indigenous Games, bringing home bronze. Beyond his athletic achievements, Xavier Thompson is a certified coach who volunteers his time to mentor young players, inspiring confidence and growth in others.
Colton Jackson-McConnell – Football
Colton Jackson-McConnell is a standout linebacker and Team MVP from Bert Church High School. He has captured gold with Football Alberta’s U18 team at the 2025 Football Canada Cup, earned recognition as defensive MVP and secured a spot as an all-star linebacker with the Airdrie Spring Raiders. His impressive record includes leading teams to city championships, collecting multiple MVP honours and committing to play for the University of Calgary Dinos in 2026. Beyond his athletic achievements, Jackson-McConnell is admired for his discipline, leadership, and community involvement, volunteering with his youth group and serving as a role model for his peers.
Braylee Schell – Baseball
Braylee Schell is a dedicated baseball player who has represented Team Alberta at Nationals for the past three years, taking the mound as one of the team’s pitchers in Halifax in 2023 and Quebec City in 2024 and 2025. She has plans to return to the team for the 2026 season. Beyond her athletic achievements, Schell gives back to the community as a long-time volunteer at Tails to Tell Animal Shelter, mentors young athletes through Girls with Game and umpires games in Airdrie and Calgary. Schell is working towards a career in osteopathic medicine.
Sophie Howell – Triathlon
Sophia Howell is one of Canada’s most promising triathletes, currently ranked second nationally and 39th in the world. Since beginning her triathlon career in 2017, she has earned five international podium finishes, twice placed 10th at the U23 World Championships and advanced to Canada’s National Team in 2024. Now competing at the Olympic level, Sophia represents Canada in elite international events, including the National Mixed Relay Team. Her relentless work ethic, resilience and passion for sport fuel her ultimate goal: representing Canada at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
Each recipient will be featured on the Elite Athlete Wall at Genesis Place, alongside a short biography highlighting their achievements. For more information about the Airdrie Elite Athlete program or to submit a nomination for next year’s Elite Athlete Awards, visit airdrie.ca/eliteathlete.
