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BSSG ANNOUNCES ATHLETES OF THE YEAR & TEAM OF THE YEAR The Big Sky State Games 2008 Athletes of the Year are Marlene Tetrault or Red Lodge (Swimming, Road Race, Tennis, Cycling, and Triathlon) and Garth Kallevig of Sidney (Handball). The award is designed to recognize individuals who best personify the ideals of the State Games movement: participation, sportsmanship, effort, and positive attitude. This special distinction is awarded to a male and female athlete in each of the forty recognized State Games programs in the United States. The Big Sky State Games Team of the Year is “Montana Hoops” who participated in the girl’s ninth and tenth grade division of scholastic basketball. The team’s participants reside in Billings, Bozeman, Fairfield, and Helena. THE BIG SKY STATE GAMES FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR: Marlene Tetrault.
Over the past eleven years, Marlene has participated and medaled in a variety of State Games events including; Road Race, Cycling, Swimming, Tennis and the Triathlon. This year she earned three gold medals in the State Games, one each in the ½ marathon, tennis, and the triathlon. Throughout the past eleven years Marlene has achieved a great deal at the Games, taking home 24 gold medals, two silver medals and one bronze medal. Her diverse sports, however, are not what make her so amazing. It is her smiling disposition and “everyone is a winner attitude.” Marlene sincerely believes that “anyone who starts and finishes in the Big Sky State Games is a winner.” Marlene is a true life role model in the way that she perceives and lives her life. Having been diagnosed with polio at the age of three, and growing up in an era when women were told to be “ladylike,” she remained active. As a result of the polio, she wore braces for three years. With parents who were active, Marlene became involved in softball and swimming, a passion she holds to this day. She also taught tap dancing, acrobatics, baton twirling and swimming. In 1955, Marlene attended the University of Montana, majoring in physical education and biology. While in college, she played golf, tennis and intramural sport, not the norm for a woman of that era. While in her twenties, she took a three month bicycling tour through Europe, this being the first of three such adventures. Today she stays active running 4-6 miles everyday, participates in area running events, swims up to an hour three times a week and rides a bike 20-30 miles two or three times per week. On top of that, she hikes 8-16 miles every Thursday and plays tennis four or more times a week. During the winter when outside activities are limited, she plays racquetball, paddle tennis and skis both downhill and cross country. Marlene does not limit her activities to athletic endeavors, however. She is a familiar face in Red Lodge, having served on many boards and in a multitude of organizations, including Habitat for Humanity, Friends of the Library and the Red Lodge Hiking Club. Marlene Tetrault is truly an inspiration to all to be active in athletics as well as the community.
THE BIG SKY STATE GAMES MALE ATHLETE OF
THE YEAR: According to his family, Garth is a dedicated athlete and devoted family man that incorporates a healthy lifestyle and good sportsmanship into his family teachings. He plays handball over his lunch hour, basketball, golf, hunts, and enjoys walking in the evenings with his wife. Accomplishments don’t end at athletics with Garth. He is a well known businessman throughout Sidney, as he holds the position of President at Stockman Bank of Sidney. Garth is also the president of the Health Works board at the Sidney Community Fitness Center, a board member of Kiwanis and of the Educational Foundation, a Chairman of the Friends of Scouts and for the Boy Scout popcorn sales. He was a volunteer firefighter for 20 years and served on the school board as a trustee. In 2005 he received a plaque for Outstanding Volunteer from the Montana Counsel of Boy Scouts of America. Kallevig’s motivation for being active has always been an athletic drive and love for sports. He loves the exercise and fitness, as well as the team camaraderie and friendships. He has instilled these ideals in his own children as well as the youth he has coached. Garth Kallevig personifies the ideals of the State Games in his participation, sportsmanship, effort, and positive attitude, both on the court and in the community
THE BIG SKY STATE GAMES TEAM OF THE YEAR
TEAM: The team is composed of a melting pot of Montana athletes; eight from Bozeman, one from Fairfield, two from Helena, and one from Billings. The team displayed outstanding sportsmanship. This year’s team had been together for just two tournaments prior to the Games. The team recently returned from the National Youth Basketball Championship in Las Vegas, Nevada where they finished second. Members of the Montana Hoops Team are; Brianna Robinson, Lexi Dawkins, Mikaela McLeod, Taylor Parker, Rosie Nickelson, Abby Rustan, Molly Klinker, Kyndal Williams, and Sydne Simanton. Coaches include; Mike McLeod, Marvin Williams, Dale Dawkins, and Marty Klinker. Tetrault and Kallevig will be nominated for the National Congress of State Games (NCSG) Athlete of the Year Award. The national winners will be selected from a field of over 500,000 athletes of all ages and abilities. No team award is offered at the national level. The national individual winners will be announced at the NCSG Symposium Thursday, September 25th, in Rochester, New York. The Big Sky State Games is a multi-sport Olympic-style festival for Montana residents of all ages and abilities. The 23rd Annual event included 36 sports. Finals were held July 18, 19 and 20 in Billings. The 2009 Big Sky State Games Finals will be held July 17, 18 and 19 in Billings. Major sponsors of the Big Sky State Games are First Interstate Bank, Kampgrounds of America and Bresnan Communications. Wendy’s sponsors Opening Ceremonies.
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