Power Player Awards 2009

The Power Player award is given to select individuals who demonstrate exceptional character and sportsmanship as a participant in the Grand Canyon State Games. Select athletes who display extraordinary character as defined by the six pillars of Character - - Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring and Citizenship – will be identified by Games officials for consideration.

Lori Piestewa National Native American Games

Basketball
Nugalfti "Guf-T" Tahamont

The 2009 Lori Piestewa National Native American Games Power Player Award for Men’s Basketball is presented to Nugalfti "Guf-T" Tahamont. A member and resident of the Tonawanda Band of Seneca Indians from Basom, New York, Guf-T has entered and competed in every one of the Native Games since their inception in 2002--coming all the way from his hometown in western New York State to play on a basketball team. This year, he was a member of a first-time team from the Ute Mountain Ute Reservation near Cortez , Colorado , and his son entered the track & field events. As a Veteran, Guf-T states that he deems it critical to honor Lori's name, legacy and memory through his participation in these games. He displayed great sportsmanship, positive attitude and respect throughout the event. Congratulations.

Cross Country

Lenny Esson

The 2009 Power Player Award for the sport of Cross Country in the Lori Piestewa National Native American Games was presented to Mr. Lenny Esson. Lenny was an inspiration to all runners and had a great attitude. He was helpful to other runners and was very respectful to other athletes & officials. Lenny is the perfect choice for the Power Player as he exhibits many of the six pillars of character.

Softball
Ray Dickson and the Outlaws

The 2009 Power Player Award Winner in the Lori Piestewa National Native American Games in the sport of Softball is Ray Dickson and the Outlaws men’s slow pitch softball team. Ray has played and coached slow pitch softball for many years. He enjoys the camaraderie and pure enjoyment the sport offers whether winning or losing. The Outlaws team rarely complains and is respectful of the umpires and Games officials. Good role models for the younger softball players. Congratulations.

Track
Robert Barraza

The 2009 Power Player award Winner in the Lori Piestewa National Native American Games is Mr. Robert Barraza. Robert displays many of the 6 pillars of character attributes that define a Power Player winner. Robert shows great determination, good sportsmanship and a very caring attitude toward other competitors. He is also very gracious whether winning or losing. A very good role model for young athletes. Congratulations Robert.

Summer Games

ROY CLARK POWER PLAYER AWARD

The Power Player Award is given to select individuals who demonstrate exceptional character and sportsmanship as a participant in the Grand Canyon State Games. Select athletes who display extraordinary character as defined by the six pillars of Character - - Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring and Citizenship will be identified by Games officials for consideration. The 2009 International Summer Games Power Player Award in the sport of Adult Track & Field is dedicated to decorated amateur track athlete Mr. Roy Clark. The recipient of this prestigious award for the 2009 International Summer Games will be named on June 20th, 2009

Arm Wrestling
Richard & David Grover

The 2009 International Summer Games Power Player Award Winners in Arm Wrestling was presented to Richard & David Grover. Richard (on right in picture) and his son David competed in several events and displayed great sportsmanship throughout the competition. They entered the event as a father/son opportunity on fathers day weekend and enjoyed the competitive experience. They were also very respectful to opponents and State Games officials as they displayed many of the 6 Pillars of Character.

Badminton

Phil Bruner and Janet Khamashta

The 2009 International Summer Games has awarded the Power Player Award for Badminton to Phil Bruner and Janet Khamashta. Both players showed great sportsmanship throughout the Badminton competition whether they were winning or losing. Both Phil and Janet were good role models for all players to emulate. They were both very willing to assist other players with their game and were deserving of this prestigious honor.

Basketball

Live Hoops Varsity Team

Live Hoops Varsity team embodied the spirit of good sportsmanship, character, trustworthiness, and respect for others through the International Summer Basketball Games 2009. Their exemplary performance on and off the court reflected the best of citizenship and fairness that epitomizes the State Games.

Tucson Oro Basketball Team

The 2009 International Summer Games Power Player Award in Basketball was presented to the Tucson Oro Basketball Team. The team showed good sportsmanship throughout the competition and they were very gracious in winning. They displayed good teamwork and served as a good role for the younger players.

Power Player

Basketball: GCSG-ABCA HS Basketball Championships
Alan Lambert

The 2009 GCSG / ABCA Arizona Summer State High School Basketball Championships is pleased to present the Power Player Award to Mr. Alan Lambert. Alan has spent a majority of his life in and around the sport of Basketball as a player, coach and administrator. Alan spent countless hours contacting coaches and organizing this year’s competition for the participants. Alan’s effort and tenacity was the predominant reason the event was the success it was in its inaugural year. His competitive fire, coupled with a rare compassion for the sport of basketball and the young athletes made Alan the perfect choice for this award. Alan encompasses the six pillars of character in all phases of his life.

Baton Twirling
Allyssa Burns and Adrianne Graziano

In 2009 the Power Player for Baton Twirling Summer Grand Canyon State Games was presented to both Allyssa Burns & Adrianne Graziano. Allyssa (top photo) has been twirling a baton since she was 8 years old. She enjoys twirling baton, soccer, swimming, jumping rope, and jumping on the trampoline. The Summer 2009 Games were her 4th competition twirling solo. She did one competition as a team member when she was 8 years old. She is an excellent competitor but shows great sportsmanship as well.

The Co-Power Player is Adrianne Graziano- 19 years old Adrianne twirled in her first parade when she was only 3 years old. She started taking formal twirling lessons at 7 years old. Adrianne has competed at numerous state, regional, and national competitions. She is the current advanced Teenage Miss Majorette of Arizona , advanced state strut and solo champion. Adrianne was the feature twirler for Salpointe Catholic High School in Tucson , Arizona , and twirled all four years of high school. Currently, Adrianne is a University of Arizona twirler. Adrianne is on a full academic scholarship at the University of Arizona .

Power Player

Bean Bag Toss

Wayne Johnson

The 2009 Bean Bag competition Power Player Award goes to Wayne Johnson. Wayne has crossed over from table tennis where he ran tournaments for years. Wayne was called back into the director’s role once again due to a family emergency with the original director. Wayne was able to organize the competition where everyone involved had a great time. Wayne really enjoyed being involved in a new sport and hopes interest will continue to grow. Thanks again Wayne for showing all your sportsmanship to our new sport in the Grand Canyon Games.

Pictured from left to right are: Brian Erickson, Doug Hastings and Wayne Johnson

Dodgeball

Justin Payan

The 2009 International Summer Games Power Player Award Winner in the sport of Dodgeball is Justin Payan. Justin is one of the most passionate dodgeball players in the community. He attends every tournament and makes himself and his team available with officiating and other tasks to ensure the GCSG Tournaments are the best they possibly can be. Justin and his team make the bi-annual pilgrimage from San Diego , CA every year to compete in the Game's tournaments and once here, works tirelessly to make our event great. His dedication to the sport of dodgeball and its community make Justin the 2009 Dodgeball Power Player.

Diving
Jerolyn Webb

The 2009 power player award receipient for the Diving Venue is Jerolyn Webb, Head Coach for the AKD-Goodyear Sharks and AKD-Buckeye Diving Dolphins. Jerolyn has serves as the Diving Commissioner for the past two years and Co-Commissioner four year prior to that. Her entire Goodyear Dive team of over 40+ divers received this same award in 2006. Nominations were requested during opening ceremonies for individuals that exhibited the characteristics described in the six pillars of character and at the final award ceremony, Mr. Jeff Kunselman, Head Coach for AKD-Anthem did the honors of awarding Mrs. Webb with this prestigious award.

Congratulations, Jerolyn, for a job well done.

Golf

Garett Sanders

The Power Player Award went to Garett Sanders who is 15 years old and because we had only one girl, Meghan Kuebler age 14, playing in the tournament Garett volunteer to join her for the day so she would not be by herself. He was very cordial and polite and did not have a problem when the suggestion was made to him if he would like to forgo playing with three other boys and play with Meghan.

Karate

Amanda Lombard

The 2009 Summer Games Power Player Award winner in the sport of Karate is Amanda Lombard. Amanda is 8 years old and is in the gifted program in the Madison School District. She has been training with Sensei & Sara Rabino for 3 ½ years and has earned her green belt. She is competitive yet very gracious in winning. She is respectful of the officials and other competitors. Even at 8 years old a good role model for other Karate athletes.

Sand Volleyball
Manny Berumen

The 2009 International Summer Games Power Player Award Winner for Sand
Volleyball is Manny Berumen. Manny was an inspiration for us all. Coming
off a serious car crash only a month ago, Manny played in both days of our
event, entering both the co-ed 2's and co-ed 4's divisions. It was his
first time playing since the accident. On top of being an inspiration,
Manny is also a long time supporter of our event and always is respectful to
other players and the referees. He showed great sportmanship and exhibited
all of the pillars that the Power Player award represents. We are thankful
to have Manny back and pleased to have him represent our sport as the 2009
award winner.

Shooting

Ed Roberts

The 2009 Power Player Award Winner in the International Summer in the sport of Shooting is Mr. Ed Roberts. Ed has been a hardworking & energetic Discipline Director for many years. He encourages kids to excel not only on the range but in the classroom as well. Ed is involved in numerous shooting activities & events on a year round basis. He is also a very respected and valuable part of the shooting community and volunteers numerous hours to many causes. Ed’s support of the Grand Canyon State Games competition is much appreciated. Congratulations Ed.

Squash
Tara Dugel

Tara started taking lessons from Roy Ollier (Village Squash Pro) and has been playing since 2007. Her game is improving rapidly. She is an extremely fair player, never questioning any call from the referee or her opponent. After every point, she always has a smile on her face.

Watch for her to climb up the Arizona squash ladder rapidly in the next few years.

Synchronized Swimming

Mary McBain

Our 2009 Power Player award went to 79 year old, Mary McBain. Mary started synchronized swimming at the age of 64 under the training of Sue Cox, Arizona Desert Gems. Mary has competed in almost every Grand Canyon State Games over the past 15 years. Mary has also competed in several US National Masters competitions and even competed in the World Master Synchronized Swimming Event in Italy in 2004 where she took 2nd place with her solo. Mary has been an exemplary example to all of us of her courage, her sportsmanship, and her ability to do whatever one sets their mind to at any age.

Mary’s husband of 61 years passed away in February this year and he never missed one of Mary’s swimming performances. Mary asked if she could swim a solo in tribute to her husband at this year’s Grand Canyon State Games. Mary’s daughter, son in-law, son, daughter in-law, and grandchildren were all on deck for Mary’s final performance. She swam to her husband’s favorite song “Looking for the Eyes of Love”. Mary emerged from the Pool to a standing ovation and not a dry eye on the Pool deck.
Synchronized Swimming is proud to have Mary McBain as our Power Player of the year and would like to thank Mary for her contributions to our sport.

Table Tennis

Jay Turberville

Jay Turberville, a dedicated table tennis player, continues to play in many tournaments in the Phoenix area. Along with playing, Jay umpires as many matches as possible and helps out anywhere he can. Whether he wins or lose, Jay displays great sportsmanship before, during, and after every match. He is respectful of the sport, and to the people that play the sport. Jay is a great person to represent the sport of Table Tennis.

Tennis
Christian Sponholz

The 2009 International Summer Games Power Player Award Winner in Tennis is Christian Sponholz. Christian is 15 years old and is an avid player. He displayed good sportsmanship and respect toward opponents, tournament officials and staff throughout the competition. Christian never complained about line calls and served as a good role model for all young players. Congratulations Christian, an honor well deserved.

Track
Atwood Coleman (on left)

The 2008 International Summer Games Power Player Award in the sport of Adult Track & Field is dedicated to decorated amateur track athlete Mr. Roy Clark. The recipient of this prestigious award for the 2009 International Summer Games is Atwood Coleman. Atwood is a M40 sprinter in the 400m and 100m events. All year long he has brought his time down in the 400m. He has 2 daughters that run track for youth track club. His goal was to beat their fastest time. He accomplished that goal at GCSG Summer Games. Atwood is always encouraging other athletes to do their best with his positive attitude and he shows a total respect for his sport and games officials. He has participated in Track & Field for many years. Our congratulations to Mr. Atwood Coleman.

Weightlifting
Travis Hyde

The 2009 International Summer Games Weightlifting Power Player was presented to Travis Hyde. Travis is currently in training to become a fire fighter and is using competitive weightlifting as part of his regimen to obtain that goal. Travis displayed good sportsmanship during the competition and was continually assisting other lifters to become better competitors. Travis displays many of the 6 Pillars of Character and was the perfect choice for this award.

Winter Games

Adventure Racing

Jared Ihnen

The Power Player Award winner in the sport of Adventure Racing is Jared Ihnen. Jared is an avid racer and a wonderful sport. He even stopped in the middle of his race to assist a competitor who was struggling. He shows not only a competitive fire but a rare compassion for other athletes. He is an excellent choice as he encompassed the six pillars of character in all phases of his life. Congratulations Jared – an award well deserved

Archery 3D

Rick Douville

The Archery 3D Power Player Award Winner in the Winter Games was presented to Rick Douville. Rick is from Mesa and has shot for several years. He is an avid outdoorsman and truly enjoys the competition. He is always willing to assist other archers and never allows winning or losing to affect his positive attitude. Congratulations to Rick as our very deserving Winter Games Power Player award Winner.

Archery Target

Angi Lopez

The 2009 Target Archery Power Player was presented to Angi Lopez. This is Angi's third year as a volunteer and she always gives the participants her best. This year Angi was at the Range before sunrise to start setting up the field and preparing for the archers. Her dedication is what makes the Grand Canyon State Games archery competitions as successful as they are each year.