State Flag Bearers - State Games of America

State Flag Bearers
2015 State Games of America
Alabama | Sarah Shirley
Twelve-year-old Sarah Shirley from Ft. Hood, Texas, will lead the Alabama participants in the Parade
of Athletes. Sarah will swim in a variety of races at the 2015 State Games of America, including the
breaststroke, freestyle, butterfly, and her personal favorite, the backstroke. Other than swimming,
Sarah enjoys running cross country. One of her biggest achievements is making it to age group
sectionals at the age of 12.
Alaska | Ronald Hohman
All the way from Juneau, Alaska, 75-year-old, Ron Hohman, will compete in Pickleball at the 2015
State Games of America with his playing partner, Dick Johnson, who is the flag bearer for Idaho.
Arizona | Andrew Webb
Seventeen-year-old, Andrew Webb, from Avondale, Arizona, will be diving at the 2015 State Games of
America. Andrew has been diving since he was three-years-old, and is the youngest of the Webb
“diving” family. His first State Games experience was in 2005 at the age of seven, when he competed
in both 1M and 3M diving events in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He returned to Colorado Springs for
both the 2007 and 2009 SGA to competitively dive, yet again. For the entirety of his diving career,
Andrew has been coached by his mother, who will also be diving at SGA 2015. Throughout Andrew’s
high school career, he has had the pleasure of representing his school at the past three Arizona State
Swim and Dive Championships.
Arkansas | Kay Self
In addition to carrying the Arkansas flag during the Parade of Athletes at the Opening Ceremonies,
Kay Self of Springdale, Arkansas, will run the 10k road race at the 2015 State Games of America with
her team, the Ticking Tri Bombs. Kay ran her first 5k in college, and 14 years later, she’s still hooked.
Her current goal is to finish a marathon in all 50 states.
California | Paige Chabot
This 15-year-old from Valencia, California, will make the trip to Nebraska this summer for the 2015
State Games of America to figure skate with her team, California Girls, and to represent the state of
California during the Parade of Athletes. At a young age, Paige is achieving big things, both on and off
the ice. One of her greatest accomplishments thus far is traveling to Thailand to work with an
organization that rescues children from human trafficking.
Colorado | Jacinda Krueger
Carrying the flag for Colorado during the Parade of Athletes is this 19-year-old track and field athlete
from Denver, Colorado. Jacinda currently runs for Metropolitan State University of Denver, and holds
the record for 300 meter hurdles at Hold Holyoke High School. She will run the 100, 200, and 400
hurdles this summer at the 2015 State Games of America.
Connecticut | Pippa Leigh
The flag bearer for the Nutmeg State is 17-year-old figure skater, Pippa Leigh, of Greenwich,
Connecticut. Before she makes the trip to Nebraska for the 2015 State Games of America, she will
compete to be Miss Connecticut at a preliminary round for Miss America 2015. She earned a spot into
this round after being crowned Miss Hockanum Valley 2015. If Pippa isn’t training on the ice, she can
be found singing, writing songs, or even playing the piano.
Delaware | Nicholas Barbato
Leading Delaware in the Parade of Athletes will be 11-year-old Nick Barbato. Nick will compete in
archery at the 2015 State Games of America, having qualified in 2014 at the Keystone State Games.
He has been involved with archery since the age of seven, and absolutely loves the sport. Nick
recently finished his indoor archery season with eight 1st place finishes, six 2nd place finishes, and
one 3rd place finish.
Florida | Tommy Barden
Nine-year-old, Tommy Barden, from Saint Cloud, Florida, will contend in a variety of different
swimming events at the 2015 State Games of America, including the Breast Stroke and Back Stroke.
Georgia | Katie Waters
Katie Waters is an 11-year-old from Metter, Georgia, who will lead her state during the Parade of
Athletes this summer at the 2015 State Games of America. She will compete in shooting, specifically
in BB Gun. Katie is passionate about cooking, shooting, and art, and she loves going to the beach. She
hopes to one day receive a scholarship in a shooting sport.
Hawaii | Merritt Burch
Nineteen-year-old Merritt Burch will compete in fencing at the 2015 State Games of America,
representing the Aloha State. Merritt is from Hilo, Hawaii, and studies Biology at the University of
Hawaii. This summer, she is working at University of Nebraska-Lincoln, researching plant genetics.
Merritt has fenced in numerous tournaments, including the 2012 Junior Olympics, as well as Nationals
in both Women’s Foil and Epee. Other than receiving various medals and awards from fencing, Merritt
has also been granted the Unsung Hero Award for defending the First Amendment rights of students
across the University of Hawaii system.
Idaho | Dick Johnson
Representing Idaho during the Parade of Athletes will be 75-year-old, Dick Johnson, from Boise. Even
though Dick will only compete in pickleball at this year’s SGA, he is an all-around sports enthusiast,
having earned a variety of different titles in tennis, table tennis, basketball, baseball, and even fast
pitch softball. He has only been involved with pickleball for three years, and has been rather
successful, raking in gold medals from a variety of different tournaments. Dick is a proud father of
four daughters, and a proud grandfather to 15 grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.
Illinois | Nicholas Kohn
From Orangeville, Illinois, 13-year-old, Nicholas Kohn, will carry his state’s flag during the Parade of
Athletes. Nicholas is competing in taekwondo at the 2015 State Games of America as a member of the
Monroe Martial Arts team. He is an honor roll student, and enjoys drawing, gaming, weight-lifting, and
of course, taekwondo.
Indiana | John & Jackie McDowell
Both John and Jackie McDowell of Pine Village, Indiana, will carry the flag for their state at the Parade
of Athletes. John, 73, and Jackie, 65, will both participate in the SGA ENERGY Walk, walking the 2mile course. Together, this married couple runs a farm operation, and they enjoy volunteering for local
church projects, as well as for Habitat for Communities.
Iowa | Tanner Weitzel
Tanner is an 8-year-old wrestler from Boone, Iowa, competing in all the wrestling events at SGA 2015,
with hopes of earning the Master Wrestler plaque. During the 2014 Iowa Summer Games, Tanner was
named Male Athlete of the Year. If Tanner isn’t wrestling, he is training for taekwondo. He recently
became not only the youngest taekwondo black belt in Iowa Games history, but also the youngest
taekwondo black belt in the state of Iowa’s history. Before he carries the flag for Iowa during the SGA
Parade of Athletes, he will carry the torch at the Opening Ceremonies for Iowa’s 2015 Summer
Games.
Kansas | Jamie Johnson-Shaffer
Jamie, 32, will make her way to Nebraska this summer to run the 10-mile road race at the 2015 State
Games of America. She is from Mayetta, Kansas, a small town outside of Topeka. Jamie started
running in 2012, and since then, she has placed in a variety of different half marathons. In the 2014
Sunflower State Games, she placed 1st in her age group in the 10k race, and 3rd overall. In
September of 2014, she completed her first full marathon.
Kentucky | Hope Auxier
Thirteen-year-old Hope Auxier from Paintsville, Kentucky, will compete in Archery at the 2015 State
Games of America alongside her younger brother, Kal, and older sister, Abby Ray. Hope qualified for
SGA 2015 by earning a silver medal in Archery during the 2013 Bluegrass State Games. She has also
competed in soccer for several years at the Bluegrass State Games as a goal keeper. Hope is an
outstanding student, as she has been on the Honor Roll the last four years, and she is also a member
of the Highland Church of Christ, where she and her sister regularly teach Bible classes for younger
students.
Louisiana | Jimmy Moak
Jimmy Moak, 42, from Monroe, Louisiana, will compete in disc golf at the 2015 State Games of
America. He has been involved with disc golf for 16 years, and loves everything about the sport.
Jimmy was a member of the U.S. Navy for four years, and served the Louisiana Army National Guard
for six. He has been married for 16 years, and is a proud father of two girls. Jimmy is also a founder
of the Monroe/West Monroe Disc Golf Club, and looks forward to helping this sport grow.
Maryland | Rorie Tressel
Rorie Tressel is a 16-year-old figure skater from Easton, Maryland. When the 2015 State Games of
America rolls around, Rorie will be 17, and will vie for gold on the ice amongst over 450 other figure
skaters from across the country. Rorie medaled in both the 2014 and 2015 Keystone State Games,
qualifying for SGA 2015.
Massachusetts | Lindsay VanderZouwen
Lindsay VanderZouwen is a 12-year-old figure skater from Reading, Massachusetts. She has been
figure skating since the age of five, and will take to the ice at the 2015 State Games of America. 2014
proved to be a big year for Lindsay, as she received a silver medal in figure skating at the Bay State
Games, and earned the Girl Scouts of America bronze award for all her hard work with the Reading
Food Pantry. Lindsay is also an Honor Roll student at Austin Preparatory School.
Michigan | Kordelia Ulrich
Fourteen-year-old, Kordelia Ulrich, will lead Michigan in the Parade of Athletes. Kordelia is from
Coldwater, Michigan, and will compete in a variety of different swimming events at the 2015 State
Games of America. Having competed in the 2013 SGA in Hershey, Pennsylvania, the 2015 SGA won’t
be her first go-round with this national event. Kordelia is an honor roll student, the treasurer for her
4H club, and currently holds several swimming records for her swim team.
Minnesota | Abby Newman
Eleven-year-old figure skater, Abby Newman, from Victoria, Minnesota, can be found competing on
the ice this summer along with over 400 other figure skaters at the 2015 State Games of America.
Abby qualified for this national event in 2013. Other than figure skating, Abby devotes much of her
time to school activities, such as choir, student council, yearbook committee, and tutoring younger
students. She enjoys reading and writing stories, as well as spending time with her friends.
Mississippi | Hope Berry
At the age of 12, Hope Berry is the youngest black belt in her karate school, and has been training for
six years. At a young age, Hope is already exuding strong leadership characteristics, as she started a
fundraiser called “Kick Out Cancer,” which raised over $12,500 for the Blare E. Batson Children’s
Hospital. Hope will showcase both her athletic abilities and her leadership skills this summer at the
2015 SGA when she competes in Martial Arts, and leads the Mississippi athletes during the Parade of
Athletes.
Missouri | Jonathan Bowen
Jonathan Bowen is a 31-year-old wrestler from Mexico, Missouri, who will compete in several 2015
SGA wrestling events. He has been involved with wrestling for several years, but at the age of 21, he
had to walk away from the sport after being told he was risking paralysis – or even death – if he
continued to wrestle. After coaching for nine years, he was finally old enough to qualify for the
Veteran’s Circuit. Jonathan is striving to become a UWW Veteran World Champion in his weight class
by the time he’s 35. When wrestling, he seeks inspiration from his wife and daughters. As Jonathan
leads Missouri in the Parade of Athletes, his two daughters will join him, and they will also be in his
corner during all of his matches to cheer him on.
Montana | Nikolai Wallery
Twelve-year-old Nikolai Wallery of Helena, Montana, has been playing hockey for eight years, and will
compete on the ice at the 2015 State Games of America as a member of the Missoula Jr. Maulers
team. Nikolai has been involved with the sport for eight years, and has been a goalie for five. His
favorite non-playing hockey experience happened last year when he attended game five of the Stanley
Cup Playoffs, and was able to see his favorite team, the LA Kings. In 2014, Nikolai took home gold
after a shootout in the State Games of Montana. Hockey is Nikolai’s favorite sport, followed by
lacrosse and football. If he isn’t playing sports, he loves to go fishing, especially bass fishing.
Nebraska | Robert Chandler
Representing the 2015 State Games of America host state in the Parade of Athletes, will be Robert
Chandler of Bellevue, Nebraska. Robert is a 45-year-old Minnesota native, and was once a competitive
springboard diver in high school. He has always wanted to continue competing at a higher level, and
moving to Nebraska made this dream a reality for him. He competed in the 2013 Cornhusker State
Games, earning a silver medal, and was determined to return the next year with hopes of taking home
gold. While training for CSG 2014, he suffered a catastrophic injury, breaking his neck in multiple
spots. Robert thought he would never be able to walk again, let alone dive. With the endless love and
support from his family and friends, and after countless surgeries and hours spent in rehab, Robert
was able to start training again in January of this year. This has been one of the most difficult
journeys of his life, but he could not be more excited to compete with his son in SGA 2015. According
to Robert, “I am living proof you can accomplish anything you set your mind to.”
Nevada | Jason Hiew
The 2015 State Games of America will be an entirely new experience for 17-year-old Jason Hiew from
Las Vegas, as he has never before participated in this biennial sports festival. Jason will compete
against other fencers at SGA 2015 in Cadet and Foil events. At the 2014 Nutmeg State Games, Jason
earned a bronze medal in Cadet Fencing, ultimately qualifying for the 2015 State Games of America.
Fencing has been a part of Jason’s life since middle school, and he also enjoys competing in cross
country and swimming. In his free time, he enjoys doing volunteer work.
New Hampshire | Kiley McNeil & Meghan Lapointe
Friends and figure skating teammates, Kiley McNeil and Meghan Lapointe, will share the honor of
carrying New Hampshire’s flag during the Parade of Athletes. Kiley, 14, has been skating since grade
school, but didn’t start competing in the sport until she was almost 10. Kiley represents the Gate City
Figure Skating Club, the largest skating club in New Hampshire. If Kiley isn’t skating, she is teaching
Learn-to-Skate classes. Meghan, 15, has been skating since age 12. Besides skating, Meghan enjoys
playing mallet percussion and competitively showing her dogs in obedience and showmanship. Both
Kiley and Meghan are members of the Synchro Stars Synchronized Skating Organization, the only
non-collegiate synchronized skating team in New Hampshire.
New Jersey | Bridget Wiedemann
Nine-year-old, Bridget Wiedemann, is one of the many flag bearers figure skating at the 2015 State
Games of America. She will make the trip to Nebraska this summer from Bridgewater, New Jersey.
New Mexico | Claire Rosenberg
Carrying the flag for New Mexico is Claire Rosenberg, 14, of Albuquerque. Claire will fence at the 2015
State Games of America in various saber events. Claire has fenced in Nebraska before at the
Cornhusker State Games, since the New Mexico State Games does not offer the sport of fencing. The
Nebraska fencers have been very welcoming to Claire in the past, and she is looking forward to seeing
them again this year.
New York | Juliana Martilotto
From New York, New York, 11-year-old Juliana Maritlotto will come to Nebraska for the 2015 State
Games of America to compete in figure skating, and to carry the flag for New York during the Parade
of Athletes. Juliana has been figure skating since she was four, and loves the sport because it’s
unique, fun, and great exercise. Her favorite moves are the flip, loop, and double axel. She aspires to
one day be an Olympic gold medalist and a figure skating coach.
North Carolina | Jacob Molina
Jacob Molina is an eight-year-old from Wilmington, North Carolina, competing with his team, Seidokan
Karate, in the karate competition at SGA 2015. He will take on a variety of different karate events,
including Kata-Gold, Weapons-Gold, and Kumite-Silver.
North Dakota | Jeff & Eli Koppenhaver
Together, this father and son duo will carry the flag for North Dakota during the Parade of Athletes.
Jeff, 52, and Eli, 14, from Fargo, North Dakota, will both compete in track and field events during the
2015 State Games of America, notably in the Shotput and Discus events. Eli has helped his dad
officiate many college track and field meets, and his other interests include boy scouts, co-ed youth
softball, ham radio, old cars, 4-H, and playing violin in the Fargo-Moorhead Area Youth Symphony. It
is an especially touching honor for Eli to carry the flag for North Dakota and compete in SGA 2015 this
summer, after battling cancer this past year. Currently, Eli is enjoying life in remission from Hodgkin's
lymphoma.
Ohio | Kenneth Shooter
Kenneth Shooter is a 75-year-old track and field athlete from Centerville, Ohio. He will compete in
high jump, long jump, and triple jump at the 2015 State Games of America. At the 2014 Ohio State
Senior Olympics, Kenneth raked in three gold medals. He also received three gold medals at the 2014
Missouri State Games, and earned an additional three at the 2014 Indiana State Senior Olympics.
Oklahoma | Douglas Yarnell
Even though Douglas Yarnell of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, will represent the Sooner state in the
Parade of Athletes, he’s a Nebraska Cornhusker fan at heart. As a Husker fan, he immediately jumped
at the opportunity to attend the 2015 State Games of America, when he heard it was going to be in
Nebraska. Douglas is 32, and will bowl at the SGA with his soon-to-be, seven-year-old son. Together,
they will compete in the Adult/Youth Doubles. They are both looking forward to having a great time in
the Cornhusker state.
Oregon | Marshall Allen
From Tillamook, Oregon, 11-year-old Marshall Allen will lead Oregon in the Parade of Athletes. He will
compete in swimming at the 2015 State Games of America with his team, the Tillamook YMCA Sharks.
Marshall will swim the Freestyle, Fly, Breaststroke, and Backstroke. He has been swimming since he
was two-months-old, and could hold his head above the water. Marshall loves participating in any type
of sport, and enjoys leading a healthy lifestyle.
Pennsylvania | Miranda Murphy
Recent high school grad and experienced gymnast, Miranda Murphy, will compete at the 2015 State
Games of America with the Spirit Gymnastics team. Miranda, 18, is from Lansdale, Pennsylvania. She
has been involved with gymnastics since 2004, and began competing in 2007. SGA 2015 will be her
third time competing in this national event, as she competed in both the 2009 and 2013 SGA,
receiving first place medals at each. Once autumn rolls around, Miranda will attend Rhode Island
College and will be a member of their gymnastics team.
Rhode Island | Jhomphy Ventura
From Providence, Rhode Island, 43-year-old Jhomphy Ventura will travel to Nebraska this summer for
the 2015 State Games of America to compete in martial arts.
South Carolina | Brett & Caleb Bailey
Ten-year-old twin brothers and swimmers, Brett and Caleb Bailey, from Spartanburg, South Carolina,
will share the honor of carrying their state’s flag during the Parade of Athletes. Both Brett and Caleb
began swimming at age five, and haven’t stopped since. They both have a wide range of athletic and
academic accomplishments, and are consistently recognized for their leadership skills within their
school. They will be swimming in a wide range of events at the 2015 State Games of America,
including the Breast Stroke, Backstroke, and the Butterfly. The two of them aspire to someday be
Olympic swimmers.
South Dakota | Jolene Loetscher
Originally from Wayne, Nebraska, Jolene Loetscher of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, will return to her
home state for the 2015 State Games of America to compete in powerlifting. Jolene is 36-years-old,
and already has a handful of remarkable accomplishments under her belt. When she was 19, she
began working as a TV reporter and anchor, and received several regional and national awards for her
work. What Jolene is most proud of though, is her work with children who have been sexually abused.
She founded Selfspiration, an organization which holds day camps for children who have been sexually
abused, and in 2014, the South Dakota legislature passed a law called “Jolene’s Law,” which creates a
task force to study sexual abuse in the state.
Tennessee | Alice Tym
Alice Tym, 72, of McDonald, Tennessee, will compete in pickleball at the 2015 SGA with her playing
partner, Bart Brannon, who will also carry the flag with her during the Parade of Athletes. Alice lives
on a horse farm, and is a proud mother and grandmother to three children and seven grandchildren.
In July of 2014, she retired from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, where she taught
Geography and Geology for 40 years. At UTC, she started the women’s tennis team, and coached
them to three national titles. As a player, Alice was ranked 13th in the world in women’s tennis. She
has played in all the major championships in the world, and has national and/or continental titles in
South America, Asia, Africa, Europe, and North America. Alice is a member of Gator Hall of Fame and
the Tennis Collegiate Hall of Fame. To this day, she remains committed to both men’s and women’s
athletics.
Texas | Timothy Demeritt Jr.
Timothy Demeritt Jr., a 15-year-old from Hearne, Texas, can be found running the 400M Dash at the
2015 State Games of America. He is passionate about running track, and enjoys playing football and
basketball as well. He is extremely dedicated to his athleticism, and has worked hard to reach the
level he’s at now. He is a humble athlete, and continuously exudes great sportsmanship. Timothy’s
mom is his number one fan, but due to the rare illness she suffers from, called Multiple Endocrine
Neoplasia, she has not been able to visibly see him compete for the past year. By the time SGA 2015
rolls around, Timothy’s mom will have undergone cornea transplants so she will be able to physically
see him represent Texas on a national level, making a dream come true for both of them.
Utah | Luke & Grace Cobabe
Siblings, Luke and Grace Cobabe from Midvale, Utah, will
carry the flag together during the Parade of Athletes.
Both of them will compete in various track and field
events at the 2015 State Games of America. Luke, 16, is
a four time gold medalist at the Utah Summer Games.
He ran is first 5k at the age of six, and he ran his first
half marathon this last fall, finishing in just under one
hour and 35 minutes. Grace, 15, has received seven gold
medals in just five years of competing at the Utah
Summer Games. She also ran her first 5k when she was six years old, and she aspires to be an
Olympic hurdler someday. When these two aren’t training together, they enjoy other activities such as
surfing, snorkeling, longboarding, playing the piano, and engineering.
Virginia | Hannah & Emma Hale
Hannah and Emma Hale are 14-year-old twin sisters from Axton, Virginia. Together, they will bowl at
the 2015 State Games of America in Youth Doubles, Youth U15, and Female Singles. Both of them
have been bowling for eight years, and have competed in leagues in Virginia, Pennsylvania, and North
Carolina. Hannah and Emma are also competitive in horseback riding, and they are both members of
the National Beta Club after making the Honor Roll every semester thus far.
Washington | Ron Snipe
Ron Snipe is a 71-year-old former high school teacher who has competed in the Senior Games since
1995 in 45 different states, earning more than 1,350 medals. He participated in both the 2009 and
2011 State Games of America, and was ready to compete at SGA 2013, where he was selected to be
Washington’s flag bearer. However, he was unable to compete due to an ulcer in an artery, resulting
in the loss of five pints of blood. SGA 2015 gives him another chance to not only compete, but to be
Washington’s flag bearer as well. This summer, he will compete in the Breast Stroke, Back Stroke, and
the Butterfly at SGA 2015 swimming event.
Washington D.C. | Eliska Peacock
Representing Washington D.C. at the 2015 State Games of America is 13-year-old Eliska Peacock. She
will compete in track and field, throwing Discus. At the 2013 SGA, Eliska competed in track and field,
running the 200M, throwing Javelin, and took first place in Discus. Eliska also dominates the ball field,
where she is a three time All-Star softball player.
Wisconsin | Gemma Sutkiewicz
Gemma Sutkiewicz from Sheboygan, Wisconsin, will head to Nebraska this summer for the 2015 State
Games of America where she will compete in figure skating. Gemma has been skating since she was
three, but one day, she was almost forced to hang up her skates for good; the day she was diagnosed
with Type 1 Diabetes. Fortunately, she was able to continue hitting the ice, and she continues to do so
to this day. She has attended four State Games of America events, in addition to numerous other
skating competitions with her synchro team. Gemma used to care for her diabetes with daily shots,
but thanks to technology, she now walks and skates with an insulin pump. She loves coaching young
skaters at the Sheboygan Lakers Figure Skating Club, and also enjoys being a member of her school’s
dance team.
Wyoming | Jayden Currah
12-year-old Jayden Currah from Pinedale, Wyoming, will lead the Wyoming competitors during the
Parade of Athletes. Jayden will contend for gold in ice hockey in the U12 division
Flag bearers were selected through a special nomination process in the spring of 2015. Each flag
bearer will lead their state in the Parade of Atheltes at the Opening Ceremonies held on Friday, July 31
at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska.