J.J. Hawkrigg, has just had her best finish on the World Cup snowboard circuit finishing, 26th. This top 30 finish, qualifies her, to compete in the World Championships in Park City, Utah, in February. Jennifer or J.J. clinched her spot in Austria in early January. This accomplishment will help J.J. attain her ultimate goal of representing Canada at the Winter Olympics in 2022 in Beijing, China.

J.J. born, raised and still living in Etobicoke, gets from her athleticism genetically. Her grandfather Mel Hawkrigg was inducted in the Etobicoke Sports Hall of Fame as a multi- talented athlete, playing for the Hamilton Tigercats of the CFL, and still maintains a Canadian record for Track and Field. Mel is also a member of the Hall of Fame for Etobicoke Collegiate. Giving back to the school that helped launch is athletic career he awards an athletic scholarship to a ECI student on a yearly basis. Her dad, John Hawkrigg coached the Humber Valley Sharks hockey team to a Provincial Championship. J.J.’s brother Michael played hockey for Division 3, Trinity College, in Hartford, Connecticut, winning a National Championship and was named a two time All American. J.J,’s sister Kate danced competitively since the age of 5 in Etobicoke.

J.J. grew up skiing with her family in Ellicottville, in upstate New York and saw how much fun her mom Chris and her sister Kate had snowboarding, so she decided to switch from skiing to boarding at the young age of four. After, watching a race, she knew she wanted to compete, and the rest is history.

J.J. 22, is also attending Ryerson University for business and does this by attending around the snowboard circuit.

“Jennifer sure knows what it takes to be an Olympic caliber athlete,” said Joanne Noble,  president of the Etobicoke Sports Hall of Fame, which named Hawkrigg its January athlete of the month.

“Her tenacity, compete level and commitment gives her an advantage as she pursues her dream. Her character is outstanding and I can only hope that we see her atop the podium with gold around her neck”.

The Athlete of the Month is sponsored by The Etobicoke Sports Hall of Fame, Humber College, Canadian Tire-The Queensway, and The Etobicoke Guardian. To nominate an athlete, please visit www.etobicokesports.ca. Promoting, Supporting and Developing Sport in Etobicoke.