Hamilton, ON Third year Psychology student Chelsey Gotell (Antingonish, NS) was named the Bill Stirrup Trophy winner for the Golden Horseshoe Athlete of the Year at the CYO Celebrity Dinner tonight.

Gotell swam to five medals and set two world records at the 2008 Paralympic Game in Beijing last September.

An award like this is the biggest thing Ive ever won other than my medals in Beijing, and Athens, and Sydney,” said Gotell to AM900 CHML's Rick Zamperin. This is absolutely amazing, going up there and receiving this, it just reminds me of all the hard work Ive done and everyone that helped me get there. Its been a great experience.”

Gotell was up against Burlington boxer Jacqueline Park and Olympic soccer player Melissa Tancredi.

The CYO Dinner helps fund summer programs at Camp Brebeuf and Camp Marydale by raising the $50,000 needed each year to make it possible for families and their children to attend summer camp.

Gotell will be featured this Sunday on the McMaster Sports Report that airs on AM900 CHML between 12:00 and 1:00 p.m. with archived interviews to follow online.

Source: Charlotte Peer, Athletic Communications