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George Simmerly
Award |
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By
Mike Twigg |
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The George Simmerly Memorial Award.
Again the officers vote, this time
for a single winner. February 15,
1992 was a dark day in Club history.
On that day George Simmerly lost his
life to a workplace accident. The
Club created some light by naming an
award for him. It is given to a Club
member who best represents the
positive attitude and spirit of
running that George defined.
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George was an ironman before there
was such a race. He built
skyscrapers and had an amazing sense
of balance. At trails, he used to
challenge us to dash across logs
that had fallen over ravines. "Now
try it 100 ft. off the ground!" he
bellowed. He was also an active Club
member and was there for every race.
He would help mark the course, run
the race and help clean up. His
legacy lives with many longtime
members. Former Club President Andy
Bemer said: "He was a strong, quiet
type of person. Whatever he said, he
meant. Never said anything bad about
anyone, not even in jest. Always
upbeat. We tried to think of those
qualities when picking the award
winner." Former Club Vice President
Jon Kolozvary said: "He was close to
my sons. When one of them won a
race, I asked him what he'd done
differently that day. My son said:
"I listened to George." |
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Sunday regulars would have to run
hard just to catch his shadow. But
it was at Thursday trails where
George ruled the roost. He really
liked to get muddy. The pine forest
by Cedar Point Rd. was his favorite
area. In fact, it's been said that
running was George's religion and
trails were his church. While
running up Horse Hill to commune
with his trees, he would say: "This
is as close as I come to
spirituality." There are several
trees in the Metroparks that were
planted in his name. And if you look
at some of the other trees (Ford
Hill, Scenic Park), reminders of
George remain to this day. |
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George Simmerly Award Winners |
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1992 Leo
Lightner |
2002
Irene Weston |
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1993 Gerry
Nemeth |
2003
Liese Naniger |
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1994 Tom
Hord |
2004
Nancy Desmond |
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1995 Bob
Blum |
2005 Amy
Jamieson-Petonic |
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1996
Michelle Mead |
2006
Charlie Farrel |
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1997 Rich
Medykowski |
2007
George Klier |
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1998 Mark
Breudigam |
2008
John Sobolewski |
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1999 Bob
Pavlas |
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2000 Colleen
Theusch |
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2001 Kathy
Dugan |
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