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Award winner's return tops RRFS honors for year
McCOOK, Neb. — The purpose of the Republican River Fitness Series is to celebrate fitness, to encourage an active lifestyle and to provide an outlet for that competitive spirit in all of us...even if that means always coming in second to someone faster in your age division.
On Saturday night, the Republican River Fitness Series recognized the accomplishments of dozens of these athletes with the year-end banquet in McCook.
These runners and walkers (and bikers and swimmers) were among the hundreds who strived to be fit, healthy and active over the past year as part of 11 events.
Jim Gonzales received the Michelle Walter Memorial Award, which is awarded to the athlete who best exemplifies Michelle’s mantra: If not now, when?
After suffering a heart attack, Jim began participating in road races as part of his recovery plan. He also added in triathlons, which requires biking and swimming in addition to the running.
So he began to accumulate countless miles on the treadmill, laps in the pool and hours in the bicycle saddle. Jim was also the lone participant to make all 11 events in the fitness series, leading the large group of “series qualifiers” which requires doing 9 of the 11 events to earn a series jacket.
Joining him as a series qualifier were Chayse Keith, Mike and Rambler Farr, Ashley Ambrosek, Brandi White and Kevin Stritt, Tonya Koeppen, Rose Cayer, Tess Brown, Amanda Felker, Beth Anderson, Roxann Geisler, Sharon Beiber and Staci and Jason Blomstedt, along with three of their children, Jackson, Rinlee and Axel.
Participants were also recognized for placing in the top five of their age division in the fitness series. There is no cost to be part of the fitness series.
When you sign up for a race, you are automatically part of the series, receiving participation points along with age-group points if you place in the top 5 at a race.
RRFS is a collaboration between Community Hospital and the YMCA to foster a healthy, active community.
The 2020 RRFS kicks off Saturday, March 28 with the Knights of Columbus Shamrock Shuffle.
Registration is now open online at republicanriverfitessseries.com along with the complete schedule.
Age Group Awards
Women: 19 and under: 1, Chayse Keith, 2. Rinlee Blomstedt, 3. Emma Graff, 4. Grace Cappel, 5. Kori Koeppen.
Men 19 and under: 1. Jackson Blomstedt, 2. Davien Hanson, 3. Colin Rooney, 4. (tie) Axel Blomstedt and Caleb Wilkinson, 5. Rambler Farr.
Women 20-29: 1. Ashley Ambrosek, 2. Amanda Brush, 3. Amanda Kahny, 4. Emily Hasenauer, 5. Amanda Dafoe.
Men 20-29: 1. Jonathan Solorzano, 2. Jake Hasenauer, 3. William Ortiz, 4. Kyle Bottom, 5. Joshua Shiach.
Women 30-39: 1. Staci Blomstedt, 2. Brandi White, 3. Rebecca Vyzourek, 4. Heather George, 5. Carrie Junker.
Men 30-39: 1. Kevin Stritt, 2. Dustin Dold, 3. Timothy Miller, 4. Bryce Jarzynka, 5. Peter Bogardus.
Women 40-49: 1. Tonya Koeppen, 2. Shelley Wilkinson, 3. Beth Anderson, 4. April Jones, 5. Dannette Kloepping.
Men 40-49: 1. Mike Farr, 2. Jason Blomstedt, 3. David Junker, 4. Scott Boucher, 5. Troy Swartz.
Women 50-59: 1. Martha Chmiel, 2. Rose Cayer, 3. Malinda Hayes, 4. Roxann Geihsler, 5. Kristy Pollnow.
Men 50-59: 1. Jim Gonzales, 2. Kevin Geihsler, 3. Tim Garniss, 4. Tom Bredvick, 5. Stacy Priebe.
Women 60 and over: 1. Sharon Beiber, 2. Tess Brown, 3. Dari Olson, 4. Leslie Stramel, 5. Rosemary (Josie) Lytle.
Men 60 and over: 1. Ray Chmiel, 2. Jim Olson, 3. Dave Smith, 4. Bruce McDowell, 5. Wayne Wallace.