USA Triathlon Multisport Award Winners

USA Triathlon recognizes those who have fueled the multisport lifestyle over the past several years.   

JEFF JEWELL SPIRIT AWARD
This award honors Jeff Jewell, a massage therapist for Team USA from 2001-2009, active triathlete and devoted USAT annual member. He lost his battle with brain cancer on November 15, 2010. He was one of life’s biggest cheerleaders and was an inspiration to everyone he met. The recipient of this award is someone who truly embodies the spirit of Jeff Jewell.

  • 2021 Winner: 
  • 2020 Winner: Janelle Alexander
  • 2019 Winner: Joella Baker
  • 2018 Winner: Dr. Jason Diehl (Dublin, Ohio)
  • 2017 Winner: Not awarded
  • 2016 Winner: JoAnna Younts, Chapel Hill, NC
  • 2015 Winner: Derek Fitzgerald, Harleysville, PA
  • 2014 Winner: Anne Chrzanowski, Peachtree City, GA
  • 2013 Winner: Chris Mosier, New York, NY
  • 2012 Winner: Hector Picard, Fort Lauderdale, FL
  • 2011 Winner: Jennifer Kilinski, Tallahassee, FL

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
This award recognizes those who have made significant contributions to USA Triathlon and the multisport lifestyle. These contributions, whether they have been in performance, leadership, volunteerism or mentorship, must demonstrate impact on the multisport lifestyle and support an extended commitment to the sport. 

  • 2021 Winner:
  • 2020 Winner: Dan Empfield
  • 2019 Winner: Joni Briganti
  • 2018 Winner: Jim and Joyce Donaldson (Sylvania, Ohio)
  • 2017 Winner: Fred Sommer, Clermont, FL
  • 2016 Winner: Tom Reilly, St. Petersburg, FL and Steve Tarpinian, New York, NY (in memoriam)
  • 2015 Winner: Russ Jones, San Juan Capistrano, CA and Brad Leonard, Missoula, MT
  • 2014 Winner: Don White, Apex, NC 
  • 2013 Winner: Barb Recchia, Healdsburg, CA
  • 2012 Winner: Robert “Vigo” Vigorito, Columbia, MD
  • 2011 Winner: Richard Ferrel, Marietta, GA and Tom Miller, Fountain Hills, AZ

MILITARY SPORT AWARD
This award recognizes the multisport successes achieved by the men and women of the US Armed Forces. 

  • 2021 Winner:
  • 2020 Winner: U.S. Army Sgt. First Class Michael D. Smith
  • 2019 Winner: LCDR Kyle Hooker
  • 2018 Winner: Not awarded
  • 2017 Winner: Jonathan Mason, Fort Collins, CO
  • 2016 Winner: CPT David Mudek, Fort Polk, LA
  • 2015 Winner: Samone Franzese, Henrico, VA and Barrett LeHardy, St. Robert, MO
  • 2014 Winner: LTJG Erin E. Lopez, Oakland, CA 
  • 2013 Winner: 2Lt. Samantha Morrison, Goldsboro, NC and SSgt. Brad Williams, Westworth Village, TX
  • 2012 Winner: Robert Hilton, Oceanside, CA and Jolene Wilkinson, Boise, ID
  • 2011 Winner: Jolene Wilkinson, Boise, ID, U.S. Air Force Reserve/Guard and Michael Danish, Miami FL, U.S. Coast Guard

MOST INSPIRATIONAL COMEBACK AWARD
This award recognizes athletes who have compelling and inspirational stories to tell. It can include a memorable story about a great race that was accomplished post a traumatic event or perhaps a story about the recovery process and impact it has had on the athletes and/or others around them.

  • 2021 Winner:
  • 2020 Winner: Tracy Kochian
  • 2019 Winner: Remiga (Remi) Davis
  • 2018 Winner: Jennifer Stack (Towson, Maryland)
  • 2017 Winner: Kevin Simmons, Lake Mary, FL
  • 2016 Winner: Daniel P. Nolan, Upper Arlington, OH
  • 2015 Winner: Sam Tullis, Rome, GA 
  • 2014 Winner: Clara James-Heer, Coopersville, MI and Karen Newman, South Burlington, VT
  • 2013 Winner: Minda Dentler, New York, NY, Alice Farmer, Chicago, IL, Austin Foster, Crandall, TX, Tim Kettenhofen, Appleton, WI, Howie Sanborn, Fayetteville, NC
  • 2012 Winner: David Davala, Manchester, NH, Chad Goldsmith, Coralville, IA, Tony Handler, Poinciana, FL, Brian Hicks, Pike Road, AL, Michelle Mehnert, Boulder, CO
  • 2011 Winner: Katherine Rivera, Miami Shores, FL, Maureen McGowan, Brooklyn, NY, Sean VanGerena, Orlando, FL, Melissa Stockwell, Chicago, IL, Jordan Rapp, Thousand Oaks, CA

SPIRIT OF MULTISPORT AWARD
This award seeks to recognize individuals who illustrate the principles of the positive spirit of the sport by identifying athletes who display excellent sportsmanship and leadership in multisport, with no deference to athletic ability.

  • 2021 Winner:
  • 2020 Winner: Hector Torres
  • 2019 Winner: Julie Walker
  • 2018 Winner: Kevin Crossman (Fort Edward, NY)
  • 2017 Winner: Leo DiCanio, Las Vegas, NV
  • 2016 Winner: Nancy Reinisch, Glenwood Springs, CO
  • 2015 Winner: Celia Dubey, Tarpon Springs, FL
  • 2014 Winner: Christine Thompson, Sun Prairie, WI 
  • 2013 Winner: Janie Langford, Montclair, VA
  • 2012 Winner: Charley Perez, Englewood, CO
  • 2011 Winner: Janit Romayko, Vernon, CT

VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARD 
This award is to recognize an individual or organization whose volunteer leadership in the multisport movement has been transformative and who has mobilized and unified athletes, programs and organizations that improve the events, youth or others affiliated with the sport.

  • 2021 Winner:
  • 2020 Winner: Dave Lasorsa and Leslie Battle
  • 2019 Winners: Dr. Kam Hunter and Dr. Bruce Helming
  • 2018 Winner: Steve Sutherland (San Diego, CA)
  • 2017 Winner: Dr. Tekemia Dorsey and the International Association of Black Triathletes
  • 2016 Winner: Not awarded
  • 2015 Winner: Richard Gossow, Wayne, PA
  • 2014 Winner: Jim Weaver, Chicago, IL 
  • 2013 Winner: Triabetes captains Wendy Ludbrook, Amy Flores, Brad Williams, Brian Colvert, Megan Schmid, Scott Craven, Vic Kinnunen
  • 2012 Winner: Larry Creswell, Ridgeland, MS and Dori Spaulding, Dayton, OH
  • 2011 Winner: Beth Sanden, San Clemente, CA and Chuck Graziano, Ramsey, NJ

DOUG CLARK SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD 
Doug Clark was a highly-decorated triathlete and a multiple-time National Masters Champion who inspired others through his dedication and commitment to the sport, his humility, his ability to inspire others, his ambassadorship for the sport, and his high standards of ethical behavior both on and off the field of competition. Award created in 2017.

  • 2021 Winner:
  • 2020 Winner: Chris Nikic
  • 2019 Winner: Susan Haag
  • 2018 Winner: Davis Frease (Carlsbad, CA)
  • 2017 Winner: Dr. Patricia DeLaMora, Larchmont, NY