Athlete 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.
Female Athlete of the Year
2025 – Catherine Lyons
Our Female Athlete of the Year from season 2025 is one of those athletes who did very well, perhaps much to her surprise. She is a very humble person who just goes out and does her thing. Catherine Lyons is a swimmer and competed in three events in Des Moines, winning Silver in the 200 Freestyle, Bronze in the 100 Individual Medley, and 4th Place in the 50 Freestyle. She is a longtime Maine Senior Games competitor in Swimming but 2025 was her first time at Nationals and she did it up in style. Having a daughter in Des Moines was the added attraction motivating her to decide 2025 was the year to do it. Catherine was always a swimmer in the ocean growing up and still swims in the lake daily in the summer, and 3 days a week at the Y in colder weather. When she was young there was no opportunity for competitive swimming, one year in college a team was formed but again, opportunities were limited. When she was 62, she met some accomplished women swimmers who encouraged her to get involved with the senior games and start swimming competitively. She started doing it and as they say – the rest is history! Congratulations, Catherine!
2024 – Kathleen Judice
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
2025 – Roger Zimmerman
Our Male Athlete of the Year from season 2025 is a multi-sport athlete and a person who doesn’t sit still a lot. He also competed in Des Moines last summer in Track & Field. At the Maine Senior Games, he has competed in Cycling and Track & Field over the last several years. Roger was a man in motion competing in the 200, 400, and 800 meters in Track & Field in Des Moines and Track & Field and Cycling here in Maine. He won the Silver Medal in the 400 and 800 meters in Des Moines and 4th place in the 200-meter dash, despite a fall in that race at the finish line. A retired psychologist, Roger is also a registered Maine Guide and in his spare time, he leads trips for people who want to get out and experience nature. Congratulations Roger!
2024 – Ernie Milner
2023 – Charlie Cary
2022 – Jeff Gerhart
2021 – David Young
2018 – Dan Bence
2017 – Bob Randall
2016 – Frank Arsenault
2015 – Paul Hawkes
2014 – Joel Stinson
Additional Awards
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.
