Lincoln, NE (November 8, 2024) – The Nebraska Sports Council (NSC) presented awards Tuesday to several top athletes and volunteers at its annual awards banquet at the Graduate Hotel in Lincoln.
Cornhusker State Games (CSG) 2024 Athletes of the Year included: Youth Female – Cady Spence, 12, Omaha, Swimming; Youth Male – Brennan Heck, 17, Papillion, Bowling; Female – Wendy Thomas, 52, Lincoln, Tennis; Male – Jarred Russell, 25, Lincoln, Multi-Sport Competitor; Senior Female –Dorinda Beatty, 80, Fremont, Swimming; Senior Male – Tom Saunders, 82, Omaha, Archery.
Spence won seven gold medals across all her individual races. Additionally, she stepped in for two relay teams on short notice, winning a bronze and a silver, showcasing her team spirit and dedication.
Heck won gold in the U18 category, bowling a perfect 300, followed by a 298. He is also Nebraska’s reigning high school individual state champion.
Thomas, who has previously won seven silver medals in the Games, won her first gold medal this year in the women’s 3.5 tennis singles.
Russell walked away with four medals: gold in the 800-meter run and 1500-meter run in Track and Field, gold in his age group for the 5K Road Race, and a bronze in Adult Indoor Volleyball. He also competed in Taekwondo.
Beatty, a four-time cancer survivor, won gold in her age group in both the 50 breast stroke and 50 freestyle. She also holds the Master’s State Record in the Women’s Long Course 50 free and 50 breast.
Saunders, with decades of involvement in the sport of archery, is known for his contributions to the youth programs, participation in shoots for fun, and valuing camaraderie over competition.
Joey Neal, son of Joe Neal, received the Joe Neal Memorial Volunteer of the Year Award in recognition of his tremendous dedication and hard work for the Cornhusker State Games, particularly for his commitment to the CSG Opening Ceremonies.
Jim Tubbs won the Russ White Memorial Sport Director of the Year Award. He has served 20 years as the CSG Archery-NASP Sport Director.
The John Axe Memorial Board Service Award was presented to two outgoing board members: Dr. JoAnne Owens-Nauslar, who has contributed 40 years of service since the founding of the Nebraska Sports Council, and Brian Larrington, who has served for the past 20 years. Together, these two individuals also co-founded the NSC Endowment.
Pistol Shooting Director Bill Schlichtemeier was honored, and received a standing ovation, for 35 years of service. Other Sport Director Service Awards included: Five-Year – Nic Ridder, Curling; Sylvana Airan, Table Tennis. 10-Year – Kayla Sellhorn, Diving. 15-Year – Mike Gooch, Chess. 20-Year – Jim Tubbs, Archery-NASP; Mike Watmore, Adult Trap & Skeet. 25-Year –Kris Sonderup, Mountain Bike.
The Awards Banquet was sponsored by Lincoln Federal Savings Bank. Hosted by The Graduate Lincoln. Contributing Partners include: University of Nebraska – College of Journalism and Mass Communications, Kinkaider Brewing Company, Single Barrel and Certified Piedmontese.
The Nebraska Sports Council has one remaining event in 2024, the Heartland Havoc Wrestling Tournament Nov. 9-10 at Sandhills Global Event Center. Thus far in 2024, more than 29,000 Nebraskans from more than 80 Nebraska counties have participated in NSC events.
The Nebraska Sports Council is a 501 c 3 non-profit organization whose mission is to promote healthy/active lifestyle choices and provide quality competition for athletes of all ages and abilities. Platinum Partners include Pepsi-Cola of Lincoln, Farmers Mutual of Nebraska, The Nebraska Medical Association and Nebraska Orthopaedic Center. Learn more at NebraskaSportsCouncil.com.