Record-Setting Day in Willow Creek
By SANDRA RHODES
The Sixth Annual Willow Creek Triathlon is one for the record books. There was a record number of participants as well as a record number of dollars donated to the Disabled American Veterans of McKean and Warren counties.
The pouring rain did not dampen the spirits of the participants in Saturday's triathlon. More than 360 - over 100 more people than last year - either swam, rode a bicycle or ran - or did all three. But the number that really counted - $22,192.57, the amount donated to the DAV - dwarfed last year's amount of just over $11,000. The money goes towards funding the transportation network for veterans, which ensures veterans transportation to and from appointments at VA hospitals and clinics.
Dan Pierce and Sandy Trocki, overall male and female winners, were awarded the Master Sgt. Thom Maholic Award. Maholic, a Bradford native, died in 2006 while fighting with the Special Forces in Afghanistan. The awards are custom made knives from W.R. Case & Sons Cutlery.
"Today is a great day to honor the memory of Master Sgt. Thom Maholic, he was an American hero," said Matt Windsor, director of veterans affairs for McKean County. Windsor was the guest speaker before the awards ceremony. "He answered the call and paid the ultimate price for our freedoms. And in doing so, in his memory, this group of people is here today to help raise money for our other American heroes, our veterans.
"We measure success by our accomplishment so for me and the rest of the veteran community, you are all winners," Winsdor said. "May this event continue to grow and be a great success."
The triathlon is a bi-state, bi-county event. It starts with a 300-yard swimming event at Quaker Lake in Allegany State Park in New York and crosses over into Pennsylvania and Warren County with a 15-mile bicycle ride to the Corydon Hotel in McKean County and a three-mile run to the Willows Restaurant on Route 346.
The triathlon committee couldn't be happier with the success of Saturday's event.
"This was our biggest donation. This is a very exciting moment," said committee member Shane Oschman. "In the past five years, we have given more than $35,000 to the DAV. To now give over $22,000 is beyond anything we could have hoped for."
"We just find it astounding that this triathlon, which started with less than 100 participants, has grown to what it has become today."
Much of this success, according to Oschman, comes from the athletes as well as the sponsors, including Northwest Savings Bank, Zippo Manufacturing Co. and Dresser.
Veterans were also recognized at the awards ceremony. Sam Johnson Jr., who served as master of ceremonies, asked for any veterans on hand to raise their hands. He then asked veterans who participated in the triathlon to raise their hands. Both groups received a deafening applause.
Time was also given to remember those who could not be there. A moment of silence was observed to remember Jack Hull Jr., race director, who died last month.
The Disabled American Veterans mobile outreach RV was also on hand with workers giving tours of the RV and help any veteran who sought it.
The Braveheart Award, given to the person who make an extra effort under extenuating circumstances to compete in and complete the triathlon. This year's award was given to Jenny Graves who was hit by a car in June while training for the triathlon. Although she was severely injured, Jones came back and was able to not only participate, but finish the triathlon.
First, second and third place winners received medals in their age groups. Medals were also given to teams.
Pictured, A bicyclist approaches the Corydon Hotel Saturday during the Willow Creek Triathlon; the colorguard from the Federal Correctional Institution - McKean stand at attention while the National Anthem is sang Saturday morning before the Willow Creek Triathlon; a runner nears the end of the Willow Creek Triathlon Saturday; members of the Disabled American Veterans are joined by employees of Northwest Savings Bank for the presentation of a check of more than $22,000 for the Disabled American Veterans of McKean and Warren counties Saturday after the Willow Creek Triathlon.
The Sixth Annual Willow Creek Triathlon is one for the record books. There was a record number of participants as well as a record number of dollars donated to the Disabled American Veterans of McKean and Warren counties.
The pouring rain did not dampen the spirits of the participants in Saturday's triathlon. More than 360 - over 100 more people than last year - either swam, rode a bicycle or ran - or did all three. But the number that really counted - $22,192.57, the amount donated to the DAV - dwarfed last year's amount of just over $11,000. The money goes towards funding the transportation network for veterans, which ensures veterans transportation to and from appointments at VA hospitals and clinics.Dan Pierce and Sandy Trocki, overall male and female winners, were awarded the Master Sgt. Thom Maholic Award. Maholic, a Bradford native, died in 2006 while fighting with the Special Forces in Afghanistan. The awards are custom made knives from W.R. Case & Sons Cutlery.
"Today is a great day to honor the memory of Master Sgt. Thom Maholic, he was an American hero," said Matt Windsor, director of veterans affairs for McKean County. Windsor was the guest speaker before the awards ceremony. "He answered the call and paid the ultimate price for our freedoms. And in doing so, in his memory, this group of people is here today to help raise money for our other American heroes, our veterans."We measure success by our accomplishment so for me and the rest of the veteran community, you are all winners," Winsdor said. "May this event continue to grow and be a great success."
The triathlon is a bi-state, bi-county event. It starts with a 300-yard swimming event at Quaker Lake in Allegany State Park in New York and crosses over into Pennsylvania and Warren County with a 15-mile bicycle ride to the Corydon Hotel in McKean County and a three-mile run to the Willows Restaurant on Route 346.
The triathlon committee couldn't be happier with the success of Saturday's event."This was our biggest donation. This is a very exciting moment," said committee member Shane Oschman. "In the past five years, we have given more than $35,000 to the DAV. To now give over $22,000 is beyond anything we could have hoped for."
"We just find it astounding that this triathlon, which started with less than 100 participants, has grown to what it has become today."
Much of this success, according to Oschman, comes from the athletes as well as the sponsors, including Northwest Savings Bank, Zippo Manufacturing Co. and Dresser.
Veterans were also recognized at the awards ceremony. Sam Johnson Jr., who served as master of ceremonies, asked for any veterans on hand to raise their hands. He then asked veterans who participated in the triathlon to raise their hands. Both groups received a deafening applause.
Time was also given to remember those who could not be there. A moment of silence was observed to remember Jack Hull Jr., race director, who died last month.
The Disabled American Veterans mobile outreach RV was also on hand with workers giving tours of the RV and help any veteran who sought it.
The Braveheart Award, given to the person who make an extra effort under extenuating circumstances to compete in and complete the triathlon. This year's award was given to Jenny Graves who was hit by a car in June while training for the triathlon. Although she was severely injured, Jones came back and was able to not only participate, but finish the triathlon.
First, second and third place winners received medals in their age groups. Medals were also given to teams.
Pictured, A bicyclist approaches the Corydon Hotel Saturday during the Willow Creek Triathlon; the colorguard from the Federal Correctional Institution - McKean stand at attention while the National Anthem is sang Saturday morning before the Willow Creek Triathlon; a runner nears the end of the Willow Creek Triathlon Saturday; members of the Disabled American Veterans are joined by employees of Northwest Savings Bank for the presentation of a check of more than $22,000 for the Disabled American Veterans of McKean and Warren counties Saturday after the Willow Creek Triathlon.
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