The 2011 NCSG Athlete of the Year Award Recipients Announced

The Athlete of the Year Program recognizes outstanding athletes from State Games nationwide.  Athletes of the Year are chosen based on the following criteria:

• Participation in the State Games and medals won
• Sportsmanship
• Attitude and effort
• Overall athletic participation and achievement
• Athlete’s motivation/reason for being involved in sports
• Special attributes or circumstances within the sport/community
• Why the athlete represents the spirit of amateur athletics and the State Games movement.

The National Congress of State Games has selected its male and female Athletes of the Year for 2011, continuing a tradition that began in 1994. Cecil Pegram of Billings, Montana was selected as the Male Athlete of the Year.  Pegram, Female Athlete of the Year Whitnee Johnson, of Columbia, Missouri and Youth Athlete of the Year Justin Liedke of Papillion, Nebraska will be honored at the National Congress of State Games Athlete of the Year Banquet, September 28 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma during the NCSG Annual Symposium. 

PAPILLION DISTANCE RUNNER NAMED NATIONAL ATHLETE OF THE YEAR 
 
Photo courtesy of Mark Coffey

 LINCOLN, NE - Thirteen year-old Justin Liedke, already a 10-time national champion in track and cross country, has added another national title: State Games Youth Athlete of the Year. 

Liedke, who was nominated by Cornhusker State Games Track & Field Director Steve Morrison and the Nebraska Sports Council staff, will receive the award Sep. 28 at the annual banquet of the National Congress of State Games in Oklahoma City.  Two adults and one youth are chosen annually from among more than 400,000 athletes participating in state games events in 35 member states.

Liedke added three Cornhusker State Games gold medals to his career collection of 15 with wins in the 800M, 1,500M and 3,000M races in July.  He is respected nationally as a good sport and friendly competitor and is the sixth Nebraskan to earn the national State Games honor, joining soccer player/martial artist Jerry Owen in 2000, powerlifter Mike Hafenbrack in 2001, tennis player/runner Kerry McDermott in 2003, wrestler Rob Pilcher in 2005 and 25-sport participant Dave Sutko in 2009.  View Justin's story.

SHOW-ME STATE GAMES ATHLETE OF THE YEAR WINS NATIONAL AWARD

COLUMBIA, MO - 2011 Show-Me STATE GAMES Female Athlete of the Year, Whitnee Johnson, has been named the 2011 National Congress of State Games Female Athlete of the Year. 

Whitnee Johnson, 18, from Columbia, MO, has participated in the Show-Me STATE GAMES for the past 8 years, winning numerous medals in the gymnastics event.  Over the years, Whitnee has won gold medals on each of the four gymnastics apparatus and holds the Show-Me STATE GAMES record for the all-around in the Senior Optionals division. 

The 2011 Games were special for Whitnee, as they were her final competition in club gymnastics, after 11 years in the sport.  She will soon depart for Kent State University, where she has earned a full gymnastics scholarship.  Show-Me STATE GAMES Gymnastics Commissioner, Kathy Sanford, who is also Whitnee's club coach, said, "Whitnee is such a great competitor, a great role model for younger gymnasts, and an ambassador for all sports. I have been so lucky to coach such an amazing young lady.  She really is the ideal athlete - she is hard working, has a great attitude, gives it her all and has achieved great success.  I know she will be successful in whatever she does, and look forward to seeing her on the Kent State University team.  They are very lucky to have her."

As a former student at Rock Bridge High School, Whitnee was a member of Tri Theta, a senior girls service organization which serves the school and community.  She also participated in Rock Bridge Reaches Out, a student run club working to "reach out" to the community by encouraging students to volunteer around Columbia.  Whitnee was also a member of the National Honor Society. 

The National Congress of State Games will formally recognize Whitnee Johnson at its Athlete of the Year award banquet during the NCSG National Symposium, September 28, in Oklahoma City, OK. 

“It is always exciting to have one of our accomplished athletes of the year be recognized on a national level.  Whitnee really embodies the spirit of the Show-Me STATE GAMES, and is most deserving of this national award,” said Ken Ash, Executive Director of the Show-Me STATE GAMES.

The Show-Me STATE GAMES was established in 1985 as a non-profit program of the Governor's Council on Physical Fitness & Health.  Now the largest state games in the nation, the Show-Me STATE GAMES is hosted by the University of Missouri. In addition to the summer games, the Show-Me STATE GAMES offers events throughout the year to promote health, fitness, family and fun. For a complete schedule of events and more details about the Show-Me STATE GAMES, visit www.smsg.org or call 573-882-2101.  View Whitnee's story.  

The  Big Sky State Games has been a family affair for Pegram.  He and his daughters Helen and Kara have run, biked and competed in the biathlon and the triathlon at the State Games.  In 2010, he competed in every State Games event he could including Biathlon, 5k Road Race, Cycling Road Race, Cycling Time Trial, Ballroom Dance, Duathlon and Track and Field.  This past year Pegram had to overcome an injury that kept him from running in the Big Sky State Games, but he was able to cycle. On Saturday he participated in the 40 mile Cycling Road Race earning a Silver medal. He went on to fight the winds in the Cycling Time Trial Saturday evening where he was a Bronze medalist. Since Cecil could not run, he volunteered for the 5K Friday night, serving as a road guard and cheerleader, and on Sunday helped with the Triathlon/Duathlon.

Pegram has been running and cycling for over 22 years.  He routinely is a top age group finisher in races throughout the region.  Pegram finds exercise and participating in events a great way to catch up with his family and they can do it together.  He considers participating in the Boston Marathon three times with his daughters as a real highlight.   

Pegram not only participates in sports, he also helps others by volunteering for numerous events. He was in charge of the Yellowstone Valley Cycling Club’s tours for numerous years coordinating rides through Yellowstone Park or 100 mile adventures from Billings to Hardin or Billings to Columbus.  He also volunteers for the Montana’s Women’s Run, Montana Velo Bella Tour and has been an officer in the Yellowstone Rimrunners.  Pegram’s passion for health, fitness and people has made a dramatic impact in the lives of his children and those who have been privileged to know him and compete along side him.

Pegram believes in the importance of family and in sports keeping families together in a healthy way. Sports, and in particular the Big Sky State Games, have given the Pegram family memories and quality time that can never be taken away.

Major sponsors of the Big Sky State Games are First Interstate Bank, Kampgrounds of America and Montana Cycling and Ski.  Wendy’s sponsors Opening Ceremonies.  View Cecil's story. 

CLICK HERE to view past NCSG Athlete of the Year winners.