JARVIS—From the baseball diamond to the basketball court, 15-year-old Linken Marcoux of Jarvis has built a reputation as an athlete whose drive extends far beyond the scoreboard.
Now, the teen is taking that passion to the national stage as he competes in the Youth Athlete of the Year contest, run by Colossal.org.
The contest is searching for an “exceptional young athlete who represents everything we love about sports: a dedication to greatness, fierce competition, and a commitment to their teammates and competitors alike.”
The winner will appear in a 3BRAND advertisement in Sports Illustrated and receive $25,000 to help set them up for the future.
For Marcoux, sports have been transformative.
“I really like playing sports and being athletic,” said Marcoux. “It really helped me with my confidence growing up. It helped me make friends and connect with people.”
Baseball is Marcoux’s primary sport, where he plays as a pitcher, shortstop, and second baseman for the Haldimand Bulls Jr. Mens team, and the U15/17 Jarvis house team. While the Jr. team competes against players with years of experience, Marcoux views it as an opportunity to grow.
“We’re a junior team playing against guys who have been playing for 25 years,” he said. “They’re great ball players. It’s cool to get recognition and see their coaches watch us and think, ‘These kids are 15 and competing against 35-year-old pro softball athletes.’”
In addition to baseball, Marcoux plays volleyball, basketball, and ultimate frisbee at school, but it’s the diamond that holds the biggest place in his heart.
Marcoux’s father, Sasha, has coached many of his teams over the years. He sees his son’s growth not just as an athlete, but as a person.
“We’re proud of Linken’s journey – not just the athlete he’s become, but the young man he’s growing into,” he said. “His dedication, resilience, and transformation have been nothing short of inspiring.”
That hard work has already been recognized locally, with Marcoux recently named Junior Male Athlete of the Year.
Marcoux draws inspiration from his own personal growth and from athletes he admires, such as Russell Wilson, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander – stars known for leading with heart, grit, and purpose.
“It’s about seeing how far I’ve come and how much more I can do,” he said.
Should Marcoux win the contest, he plans to invest the prize in both his future and his sport.
“I’d probably put a lot of it in my savings,” he said. “Some would go toward new baseball equipment. I’m looking for a couple upgrades for my gear, and maybe I’d save for a car and school.”
The contest also benefits two charitable causes: The V Foundation for Cancer Research and Russell Wilson and Ciara’s Why Not You Foundation. The V Foundation has funded nearly $400 million in cancer research grants, while the Why Not You Foundation focuses on fighting poverty through education, supporting youth empowerment, and improving access to opportunities.
Marcoux and his family have been promoting his nomination through social media, sharing links on Facebook, Snapchat, and TikTok. The support from his community, teammates, and coaches has been an important part of the experience.
Marcoux is especially thankful to the local mentors who have helped guide him along the way, including his father and coach Andrew Phibbs, a former pro pitcher for Team Canada.
“They’ve probably helped me the most because they’re local and I actually know them in person,” said Marcoux. “They know me as a player and as a person, and that’s really valuable.”
To vote for Linken, visit
athleteoftheyear.org/2025/linken-da8b.
