2022 | Massachusetts | BOYS

The Governor’s Academy | The Governor | BOYS

Ian Olenik

Ian came to The Governor’s Academy four years ago, and has grown as a person and athlete during his time. He’s been a boarding student during his years at Governor’s and has been a friend and leader to all since his arrival. I have been fortunate to be Ian’s coach, and teacher and have always thoroughly enjoyed our daily interactions. When Covid came along in the spring of 2020, Ian did all he could to be part of the school during an uncertain time period. One thing that did not change about Ian during Covid times was his ability to lead.

Ian’s leadership can be seen in a more tangible way through him being selected as a dorm proctor (Dorm proctors obtain their position by vote of their peers, and faculty members) and him being voted captain by his peers his senior year for both the hockey and lacrosse programs. With regard to the hockey program Ian was instrumental in helping our program have a somewhat “normal seasonâ€_x009d_ during Covid (his junior year) as he helped organized practices off campus when students were remote. Ian was regularly the voice of reason during games, often settling things down when games became heated, as he regularly had conversations with opposing players…not confrontations. Ian is very much a blue collar type player who understands his strengths and weaknesses. He improved on his weaknesses while maintaining his strengths. This year Ian was our leading scorer as his 37 points were ten points more than our second leading scorer. Two things stand out to me about this statistic. As a team we had to win 8 of our last 9 games in order to get into the postseason. We were able to accomplish this remarkable feat due in large part to Ian, as he scored 23 of his 37 points in the last 9 games. Secondly, Ian could care less about personal statistics, as making the tournament was his only concern so he could celebrate this accomplishment with his teammates.

It has been great to see Ian grow over the last four years and I am not surprised to see the progress he has made as a player, a scholar and a person during his time here in Byfield. Ian has regularly earned grades that have landed him in High Honors and commitment toward his academics match his athletic commitment. Kids like Ian come along seldomly and you often find yourself rooting for them, because you know what they represent and hopefully what they will become as adults and people.

Sincerely,

Mike Delay
Coach