September 6, 2012

Iowa Games Athletes Win National Athletes of the Year Awards

Danna Kelly of West Des Moines and Carroll Marty of Ames have been named the 2012 National Congress of State Games Athletes of the Year.  Both will receive their award on October 11 at the Annual State Games Symposium in Blaine, MN.  Two adults and one youth are chosen annually from among more than 400,000 athletes participating in state games events in 35 member states.

For the first time in the 18 year history of the award, both the male and female athletes have resided from the same state.

This past summer Kelly qualified for the Olympic Trials Marathon in Houston, Texas.  Finishing in the top half of the field, she has already set a goal of returning to the trials in 2016 to improve her place and time. 

“I am competitive and l love the feeling of challenging myself and others, no matter the sport.” Kelly said.

Over her years competing in the Iowa Games, Kelly has accumulated 10 gold medals, 3 silver medals and 3 bronze medals.  In the 2012 Summer Iowa Games Triathlon, Kelly finished 1st place in the elite female division with a time of 1 hour, 14 minutes and 28 seconds.  That time was good enough for being tied 3rd overall for both males and females.

Carroll Marty is what some people might call a “regular” at the Iowa Games.  Since the annual sports festival’s inception in 1987, Marty has either participated or volunteered every summer Iowa Games.

Marty has competed in track and field, badminton, disc golf and racquetball over the years.  At the age of 77, his accomplishments are many earning more than a combined 25 gold, silver and bronze medals.

This past summer while competing in track and field, Marty earned a gold medal in the long jump and discus and silver in the shot put.  While earning medals and doing well is nice, Marty says he really just loves to compete and will continue to be a part of the Iowa Games.

Not only has Marty been an avid participant in the Games but he has also volunteered his time for numerous special projects as well.  Marty currently serves as the commissioner of badminton for the Iowa Games.  Badminton was never a part of the Iowa Games until Marty decided to do something about that in 2004.  Marty has been serving as commissioner and sometimes competing each summer since.

“I love to compete and volunteer.  I really enjoy it and hope others enjoy it as well.” Marty stated. 

Kelly and Marty join fellow Iowan’s Cindy Hauber in 2009, Houshang Bozorgzadeh in 2002, and Jamie Beyer in 1999 as past winners of the national award.