Chippewa student and international cyclist the city’s top male athlete
An 18-year-old from North Bay who continues to make his mark on the international cycling stage has been named the city’s male athlete of the year.
Grayson Franks, a Grade 12 student at Chippewa Secondary School, is the 2025 recipient of the Britt Jessup Memorial Award.
He competes in mountain biking and cyclocross at both the national and international levels.
Officials say Franks rode with the Stimulus Trek Race Team last season, beginning the campaign with training camps in Spain and Victoria, B.C., setting the stage for a year that would see him race across Canada and Europe.
He finished fourth at the Canadian Cyclocross National Championships in Quebec City, a result that earned him selection to Team Canada for the Belgian “Christmas Cross” race block from mid-December to early January.
Franks was also named by Cycling Canada as one of four junior male riders selected to compete at the UCI Cyclocross World Championships in the Netherlands at the end of January 2026.
The hall says despite the demands of elite sport, he remains a dedicated student at Chippewa, completing coursework remotely while travelling. Coaches and teachers describe him as internally motivated, disciplined, and committed to long-term goals.
Franks will receive his award at the 45th Annual Induction and Awards Dinner on Saturday, May 2, at the Davedi Club.
Tickets can be purchased through Larry Tougas at 705-303-8104. Tickets are also available at the Davedi Club by calling 705-474-4190.
Richard Coffinhttps://www.mynorthbaynow.com/Richard Coffin has been a reporter and news anchor on the radio in North Bay for over 25 years. From premiers to people in the neighbourhood, he enjoys connecting with newsmakers and writing stories that matter to area listeners on a variety of topics including healthcare, education, politics, sports and more.
