Athletes of the Year
Posted: October 20, 2011 Filed under: 2011 Show-Me STATE GAMES Leave a comment »
If you have read posts on our blog, you know naming our athletes of the year is a tough decision as we have such an incredible number of inspiring and talented athletes. However, we had to narrow it down to just one female participant and one male to honor as our Athletes of the Year. We are pleased and proud to honor these athletes at the Mizzou football game this Saturday, Oct. 22 on the field just prior to kickoff. If you’re at the game, make sure to get there early and cheer them on!
Female Athlete of the Year: Whitnee Johnson, 18, from Columbia, MO, has participated in the Show-Me STATE GAMES for the past eight 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 has since departed 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.”
Whitnee was also named the National Female Athlete of the Year by the National Congress of State Games! She was presented this National award at the NCSG Athlete of the Year Banquet in Oklahoma City on September 28.
Male Athlete
of the Year: Gavin Bernskoetter, age 10, hails from Jefferson City, MO. Gavin participated in the baseball event with his team, the Mid-Missouri Wildcats, who brought home a bronze medal. As a first year participant in the 2011 Show-Me STATE GAMES, Gavin went 10-15 at bat with 3 doubles, a triple and a home run! He also had 11 stolen bases and made quite a few great defensive plays at shortstop. Show-Me STATE GAMES baseball commissioner Damon Wren said, “As I kept watching Gavin, I got to see the skills he has as a baseball player. He hit the ball very well and his soft, quick hands at shortstop have been developed at a higher level than the age he is. Watching Gavin play baseball for the time that I did gives you hope and confidence in our youth. With all of the games and all of the players I had seen, Gavin represents what the Show-Me STATE GAMES are all about.”
