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 Year #22 2007 In 2007, the Big Sky State Games celebrated its 22nd year with 10,000 athletes from 250 communities participating in 36 sports and 2,500 volunteers. The Big Sky State Games still stands as the largest State Games per capita in the nation.
Three-time Olympic Gold Medalist Rowdy Gaines was the special guest athlete to light the Big Sky State Games torch during Opening Ceremonies. The Opening Ceremonies took place at the Wendy's Field at Daylis Stadium. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and the Equestrian Horse Show event were added to the 2007 Games. Cycling added a Time Trial and Triathlon added a team division and youth event. Dance Sports numbers broke 500 for the first time and required an extra day of competition. Volleyball Commissioner Mike Nys competed in 10 separate sport in an effort to promote participation The Osborne Volunteer of the Year award recognizes and reward volunteers who demonstrate spirit of service, commitment, and enthusiasm for the Big Sky State Games. Kampgrounds of America provided the awards. The 2007 Volunteers of the Year included Kate Novakovich (Triathlon, Road Race), Laurel & Matthew Struck (Dance Sports), Leonard Harkless & Family (Tennis, Arm Wrestling, Flag Football), Nancy McRae (Medical Coordinator). Denby Gardiner of Billings (Swimming) and Alan King of Billings (Road Race, Track and Field), were named the Big Sky State Games Athletes of the Year and Men's Flag Football team Karma was named Team of the Year following the 2007 Games. This award recognizes the top athletes of the Big Sky State Games who best personify the ideals of participation, effort, sportsmanship, and positive attitude. The Big Sky State Games Character Counts! Scholarship continued for the seventh year and was awarded at Opening Ceremonies to Auriele Fain fo Billings, Stephanie Stremcha of Havre, Rick Haluszka of Harlem and Casey Rogers of Billings. Character Counts! recipients were juniors in high school during the 2006/2007 school year. The Character Counts! Scholarship is an annual award designed to promotesportsmanship. Applications/nominations forms are available each year at the Big Sky State Games office. The Athlete Assistance Program continued for the seventh year assisting athletes that might not be able to enter the Games due to financial hardship. Shape Up Montana, a team wellness program of the Big Sky State Games had a total of 7,299 participants. The Activity teams logged over 1,803,664 miles (72.4 times around the world) during the 3 month contest. The Weight Loss teams shed 5,941.8 pounds of fat. All SUM participants were automatically entered into the Fitness Walk during Opening Ceremonies. Big Sky Fit Kids the youth component of Shape Up Montana in it's second year finished strong with 6,498 participants. BSFK ran in conjunction with SUM. BSFK is a free program encourages youth teams (school classes, 4-H clubs, after-school programs, church groups, etc.) to increase their individual physical activity levels in an accumulated activity contest. Big Sky State Games office awarded 3 $500 grants to drawing winners to be used to promote physical activity and healthful nutrition. Go The Distance Day was also also a success with 7,774 kids. GTTD is a free one day event. Schools planned a 30-minute segment of consecutive aerobic activity. Those schools that had 100% participation were put into a drawing to win 1 of 3 $500 awards.
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