Awards and Recognition
Maine Senior Games would like to acknowledge all of the athletes, volunteers, and supporters who help make Maine Senior Games successful. We would like to honor and acknowledged those individuals who have gone above and beyond in their athleticism and support for the games.
Maine Senior Games / Martin’s Point Celebration of Athletes
Annually the Maine Senior Games athletes, volunteers, and guests gather for the Maine Senior Games/Martin’s Point Celebration of Athletes. This event serves as an opportunity for athletes and supporters to connect and celebrate the accomplishments of their peers. During this event we acknowledge our Male and Female Athletes of the Year, our Volunteer of the Year, as well as the induction of the newest class to the Maine Senior Games Hall of Fame.
During years in which the National Senior Games are held, we also use this event as a celebration and send off to all of the athletes representing Maine at nationals.
Claudia Lackee Volunteer of the Year Award
The Maine Senior Games is proud to announce that our Volunteer of the Year Award will now be known as the Claudia Lackee Volunteer of the Year Award, in honor of the late Claudia Lackee, a beloved and tireless supporter of the Maine Senior Games.
Claudia was a cornerstone of our volunteers and embodies the spirit of service and commitment to the Maine Senior Games. She was the first person that most athletes saw and spoke with at registration. The cycling event in Brunswick was the last event that Claudia attended.
Renaming this award is a small but heartfelt way to recognize Claudia’s incredible contributions and ensure her legacy lives on. Each year, this award will honor a volunteer who, like Claudia, gives selflessly of their time and energy to make the Maine Senior Games a success.
2024 – Frank & Nancy Yocono
Frank and Nancy have been longtime volunteers for Maine Senior Games, particularly for Pickleball, Tennis, and Bowling greeting everyone with a welcoming smile and sometimes a joke. Their attention to detail is outstanding and the number of times they have really come through helping the coordinator is too many to count. In addition, they are always ready to step in to help when we have a partner shortage, they just run out to their trunk, come back with their equipment, and our doubles problem is solved. Our Ambassador Program is also the beneficiary of their support of the games as they have both become an Ambassador for Androscoggin County. Thank you, Nancy and Frank Yocono, for all that you do for the Maine Senior Games, it is greatly appreciated by many.
2023 – Robin Kessler
2022 – Carolyn Clark
2021 – Nancy Fortin
2018 – Pete Gleason
2017 – Beverly MacLean & Gloria Perry
2016 – Dot Lee
2015 – Ann Babbit
2014 – Claudia Lackee
Female Athlete of the Year
2024 – Kathleen Judice
Our 2024 Female Athlete of the Year is Kathleen Judice, a Track & Field athlete and Cyclist, but that is just the Maine Senior Games part of the story. Kathleen has always been a very active engaged person as a swimmer, a runner, a cyclist, triathlete, and an accomplished snowshoe racer. While she raised four children with her husband Stephen, she was always active physically and was also involved in coaching several sports. As of this past June she had a run streak of 2700 days – which is running at least one continuous mile for more than seven years. While Kathleen has been running some marathons this year, she likes that the Maine Senior Games offer her the opportunity to try some events that she previously had not considered outside of coaching. Bravo Kathleen for living a healthy active lifestyle and continuing to explore your capabilities.
2023 – Tracy Burke
2022 – Jackie Belanger
2021 – Marcia Chute
2018 – Betty Perry
2017 – Betty Moberg
2016 – Gloria Miro
2015 – Kim Coombs
2014 – Linda Hunt
Male Athlete of the Year
2024 – Ernie Milner
The 2024 Male Athlete of the Year is Ernie Milner, a Road Racer and Track & Field athlete. Ernie started running about 7 years ago. The first time he tried to run, he couldn’t make it once around an elementary school soccer field without walking and gasping for breath. Slowly he started building his mileage and speed and Ernie went from not being able to run 400 meters to regularly qualifying for the Boston Marathon and winning frequent age group awards in local races. He has even done some ultramarathons. In the Maine Senior Games Ernie has stuck with the distance races on the road and the track and has competed in the Fort Lauderdale, Pittsburgh, and Des Moines National Senior Games.
Ernie is a retired federal government project manager, and his wife Margaret is also a Maine and National Senior Games competitor as a Race/Power Walker.
2023 – Charlie Cary
2022 – Jeff Gerhart
2021 – David Young
2018 – Dan Bence
2017 – Bob Randall
2016 – Frank Arsenault
2015 – Paul Hawkes
2014 – Joel Stinson
Jo Dill Spirit Award
The Maine Senior Games board of directors have created the Jo Dill Spirit of the Games award in honor of Jocelyn Dill. Presented annually at the Maine Senior Games Celebration of Athletes starting in 2024, this award will be for an individual who most embodies the spirit of the Maine Senior Games and demonstrates the qualities Jo exhibited throughout her tenure as the Games Coordinator. These qualities include participation, engagement, enthusiasm, inclusivity, sportsmanship, dedication, perseverance, joy, leadership, community, and camaraderie.
Jo we are so appreciative of the work that you have done to keep the flame burning for the Maine Senior Games. You have been a great ambassador and role model for Game Coordinators in the Northeast and you and your work have been recognized at the National Senior Games.
2025 – Jack Ginty
Jack Ginty is the 2025 winner of the Jo Dill Spirit of the Games Award for living the qualities of the award daily. Jack is a Cyclist, who since 2013 has been on the podium for the 20- or 40-kilometer road race events numerous times.
Nominated by one of his fellow cyclists: “Jack’s competitive attitude coupled with his sincere enjoyment of the Senior Games organization, the venue, and his competition has made the event just plain fun. Some people simply and comfortably share their enthusiasm and good sportsmanship while leaving no doubt they are racing to win. Jack is that person. Truly a man for all seasons and one that I feel embodies the core values of the Senior Games here in a state he loves – Maine”
Jack trains 3 plus times a week and fills the rainy days with rowing. While he’s enjoyed running, rowing, x-country skiing, and tennis, his passion for biking has always been foremost on the list. Fifty plus years ago he rode his bike with one child in a seat in the front, and another in a seat in the back. One of his sons is an avid cyclist today, as is a grandson.
When Jack heard about the Senior Games, he signed up and it was a perfect match. “I went to race and found a community of like-minded people. It has afforded me the opportunity to meet and make many friends and acquaintances through biking both on the state and national level. I continue to ride several days a week with two very close friends that I met while racing. Now at 85+ I am still in the game, win or lose. I expect to go until I can’t.” Congratulations Jack on being the Spirit of the Games Award Winner for 2025!
2024 – William, Bill Preis, Jr.
Bill is the first recipient of this new award, named in honor of longtime coordinator, Jo Dill. This award highlights people who show enthusiasm, sportsmanship, dedication, joy, and leadership in the world of the Maine Senior Games. Bill has been a driving force behind Maine Senior Games Table Tennis. He works to publicize the event by writing articles, taking photos, and encouraging people to come out and play. He has found a home for the sport at the Bridgton Recreation Center where he hosts weekly play days and is the first one there to set up on MSG tournament day. Along with his own play and enthusiasm for Table Tennis, Bill does a great job of promoting the sport to all. Keep up the great work!
Martin’s Point Medallion Award
This award honors individuals who inspire and motivate others who strive for their best personal health. 2014 was the inaugural year for this inspirational award. This award is given periodically to the person most influential in the health journeys of Maine Senior Games athletes.
2025 – Bob Randall
The 2025 honoree of the Martin’s Point Medallion Award is Bob Randall. Bob is a longtime runner who started his journey after the Blizzard of ’78 when he needed to get himself in shape. He started out walking and worked his way up to running the Boston Marathon 13 times and breaking 3 hours in the event at the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington D.C. This award honors individuals who inspire and motivate others to strive for their best personal health and is given periodically to the person most influential in the health journeys of Maine Senior Games athletes. Bob has truly been that person in many ways. Besides being an avid runner, he has encouraged many to get moving and given back to the running community in many ways. He took the lead on developing the Road Racecourses at the Sanford YMCA for the One Mile, 5K and 10K Road Races where the Maine Senior Games hold its events annually. Along with running in the races, he helps set up the course and has done whatever necessary to see that it is a successful day at the races. Never one to sit around and be idle, he could be seen directing traffic at the Maine Marathon Expo prior to the Maine Marathon this fall in Portland as a member of the Maine Track Club. Congratulations Bob and thank you for all your work on behalf of the Maine Senior Games and all of your fellow runners.
2017 – Rocky Clark
2016 – Jerry LeVasseur
2015 – Deb Smith
2014 – Jo Dill
National Senior Games Personal Best Award
There’s a new definition of “personal best” that anyone can achieve. It’s not about a peak time or distance in sports. It’s about overcoming obstacles, surviving challenges, and staying motivated throughout your life. This results in greater longevity and a health, active lifestyle – and that is your Personal Best!
In 2014, Maine athlete, Jerry LeVasseur was selected as a Personal Best Athlete. Jerry has overcome a tragedy in his youth and many challenges throughout his life. His outlook and positivity are an inspiration to us all. Congratulations Jerry! – read about Jerry LeVasseur more.
