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Year # 16 2001
In 2001, the Big Sky State Games
celebrated its 16th Anniversary with over 11,000 athletes
participating in 29 sports. Olympic Greco-Roman Wrestling Gold Medalist
Rulon Gardner was the special guest Torch Lighter at Opening Ceremonies. New records were set in the Montana Mile, an annual Opening Ceremonies highlight, as Chuck Sloan ran a 4:12.15 to capture the men's record and Nicole Hunt ran a 4:59.74 to set the women's mark. Swimming, Road Race, Cycling and Triathlon athlete, Laura Esp and Road Race athlete Tony Banovich, both of Billings, were named the Big Sky State Games Athletes of the Year. The award recognized the top male and female among the participants of the 2001 Big Sky State Games who best personified the ideals of participation, sportsmanship, effort, and positive attitude. Laura went on to be honored as the National Congress of State Games Female Athlete of the Year. She was chosen from over 500,000 athletes who competed in one of the 40 recognized State Games programs held annually throughout the country. The Big Sky State Games Character Counts! Scholarship continued for the second year and was awarded at Opening Ceremonies to Hannah Warfield of Sydney and Shane Hensleigh of Colstrip. Both Warfield and Hensleigh were seniors in high school during the 2001/2002 school year. The Character Counts! Scholarship is an annual award designed to promote sportsmanship. Applications/nominations forms are available each year at the Big Sky State Games office. In addition, the Athlete Assistance Program was also continued for the second year to assist athletes who might not be able to enter the Games due to financial hardship. |
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