It is with much excitement that Patrick and I announce the 2016 Gwen Jorgensen Scholarship recipients. The Gwen Jorgensen Scholarship was founded in 2014. It was created to assist junior draft-legal triathletes and paratriathletes in pursuit of excellence in the sport.
This year there were 223 applicants. Patrick and I loved reading through the applications as it allows us to feel more connected to the current junior racers. Deciding on the recipients is the hardest part. Thank you to all who applied, and to those who were not awarded, Patrick and I encourage you to apply in the future.
Special thanks to USA Triathlon Foundation, ROKA, the New York Athletic Club, Sleep Number, Jennie-O Turkey and the other private donors for their financial contributions. Patrick and I contributed over $10,000; however, thanks to the other donors, we are awarding over $35,000.
The following juniors are awarded $5,000 this year:
· Owen Cravens (13-year-old paratriathlete from Algonquin, Illinois)
· Lauren Steinke (17-year-old triathlete from St. Cloud, Minnesota)
· Austin Hindman (18-year-old triathlete from Wildwood, Missouri)
· Jocelyn Bonney (18-year-old triathlete from Long Beach, California)
· Drew Kroeker (15-year-old triathlete from Colorado Springs, Colorado)
· Christy Lausch (coach of MC Elite, a junior triathlon team from Mount Airy, Maryland) is awarded $5,000.
· Deanna Gellineau and Allysa Seely are awarded $5,000 for a paratriathlon camp in Arizona
The following two individuals will receive a new Specialized bike:
· Veronika Davis (16-year-old triathlete from San Diego, California)
· Nick Johnson (17-year-old triathlete from Des Moines, Iowa)
The Gwen Jorgensen Scholarship will continue in 2017. More information about the application process will be available in 2017.
Thank you,
Gwen Jorgensen and Patrick Lemieux