CHECKERS

CHATTER

 Dec 01/January 02

 

HIGH SCHOOL X-COUNTRY INVITATIONAL

       The 20th Checkers High School X-Country Invitational was run Sunday, November 18th at Elma Meadows Golf Course. The weather was a drastic change from the previous year's 8" of snow and cold temperatures. A sunny sky and race time temps in the 60's greeted this year's runners. A field of 40 boys and 35 girls competed for the title of Western New York's High School X-C Runners of the Year. The Boy's Race was won by John Beyer from St. Joseph's Collegiate High School in a time of 16:52. The Girl's Race was won by Tammy Putt from Allegany-Limestone High School with a time of 20:34. A full list of results and photos are up on our club's web-site.

      I would like to thank the many people who made this year's race a success. Dave Borodzik of Runners Roost for the long sleeve race shirts, Tom Donnelly of Donnelly Designs for snappy new design and look of this year's shirt. Peter Morris of H & K Publications for putting together the race bag of goodies, Mark Struebel of Adelphia Business Solutions for the water bottles, etro-Rural for providing the free EMT and ambulance coverage during our race, and to Pete Szymanski of John F. Kennedy Middle School for this wonderful job as the Poll Coordinator throughout the X-C season.

To following Checkers Members: Amy Fakterowitz, Diane Sardes, Tony Garrow, Donna Carr, Jeanne Chiarmonte, Roger Roll, Eileen D'Arcy-Smith, Karen Crissey, Marty Courtney, Jim Kenny, Jim Baldwin, Mark Hermanson, Joan Crouse, Tom Donnelly, the Sipo's and Peter Morris, thank you for helping make the 20th running of our club's race one of the most memorable races during my tenure as race director. Best Regards, Stephen Seerey

 

 

 

Casino Niagara Marathon

Joseph Powers, Jr. (2:40:33)  4M 30 - 34; 

Tom Appenheimer, Sr. (2:54:16,  custom-designed course time)  1M 55 - 59    

Matt Ruddy (3:01:26) 4M 25-29

Stephen Hoadley (3:05:37)    

William Schimpf  (3:21:45)

Billy Flynn (3:23:25)

Jeff Tracy (3:33:31)

Mike Schiavone (3:33:51)

John Feroleto  (3:36:32)

Frank Brigante (3:40:32)

Diane McGuire (3:41:42

Julie Doell (3:45:34)

Douglas Ackerman (3:48:15)

Eric Twichell (3:48:35)

Thomas Cumbo (4:02:34)

Loretta Jacob (4:10:18)

Paul Wandel (4:13:49)

Stephen Burgeson (4:15:26)

Bob Kolodziej (4:19:28)

Aimee Barone (4:23:43)

Franz Kiefer (4:26:22)

Kathy Melling (4:26:56)

Scott McLeod (4:32:08)

Patrick Dalton (4:59:53)

 

Casino Niagara 1/2 Marathon

David O'Keeffe (1:11:12) 1M 40-44    

Judy Arlington (1:26:05)  1F 35-39  

Dan D'Arcy (1:29:47) 8M 40-44    

Amy Fakterowitz (1:33:12)3F 30-34  

Dan Daudelin (133:11) 12/52  M 40-44    

Sam Neal (1:36:10) 4M 50-54    

Robert Johnson (1:36:30)

Eileen D'Arcy-Smith (1:43:25) 1F 45-49  

Sara Neal  (1:46:49) 2F 50-54 

Suzanne Fenger (2:01:58) 2F 55 - 59  

Ed Mills (1:37:40)

Ellen Ode  (1:59:27)  

Eileen Leary (2:07:11)

Sandy Hebeler (2:16:18)  

Debra Meier (2:36:17)

 

CHICAGO MARATHON  Three Checkers members Jim Schaffstall, Patrick Garrity, and Karen Jann joined Dublin Marathon friend, Jamie Donigan, in Chicago for the 2001 marathon.  Jamie rolled out the red carpet for the three-some.  The weather was perfect as thousands cheered on the 39,500 runners (a record).  First-timers, Patrick and Karen, of course, PR’d.   Jim finished with a respectable 3:18.

 

PRs

Susan Munson—Turkey Trot 8k  (29:35)

Ed Mills—Casino Niagara 1/2 Marathon (1:37:31)

Therese Vita—Turkey Trot 8K (45:15)

Joanne O'Loughlin--Linda Yalem (19.51)

Dave Ward - Netols 8k Richmond (41:20)
Amy Fakterowitz—Casino Niagara 1/2 marathon (1:33); and Turkey Trot  (32:30)
David Szafran Turkey Trot  33:40

 

 

Social/Events Calendar

12/29   Last Race of the Year, Parkside Lodge, Delaware Park, 11:00 AM,                  662-9379

 01/01  Resolution Run, Village Glen, Noon, 633-1635

 01/12  Checkers Holiday Party (details inside)

 01/18  Happy Hour, Marriott Hotel, Amherst  

Always verify information on race applications

 

 

 

Results

 

The Jack O'Lantern 5K

1st  Michael Heitzenrater (16:01)

2nd Matthew Glynn (16:08)

3rd Tom Proctor (16:27)

4th John McMahon (17:11)

1st female, Susan Munson (18:11)

Larry Krajewski  1M 45-49 (17:42)

David Peterson 2M  50-54 (18:37)

Peter Forrestel 3M 45-49  (19:11)

Judy Arlington 1F 35-39 (19:13)

Amy Fakterowitz  1F 30-34 (20:15)

Jeanne Chiarmonte  3F 35-39 (21:08)

Joseph Antkowiak  1M 65-69 (22:19)

Diane McGuire 1F 45-49 (22:28)

Sean Lane 1M 11-15 (22:52)

Patricia Kunselman  1F 55-59 (23:08)

Jackie Martin 2F 20-24 (23:27)

Ted Sullivan 2M 65-69 (24:55)

 

2nd Brigade 10k

1st and 2nd overall, and in the 35-43

age-group, Joe Biasillo (33:35) and Kenny Rodrigues  (36:36). 

First female,  Amy Fakterowitz (41:54). 

Eric Butler  4M  26-34 (43:20)

Susan Russell 3F 35-43  (48:04)

Ellen Ode 4F 35-43 (51:23)

Timothy Neddy  5M 53+ (58:46)

Scott Jeffers 18M 35-43  (59:46)

Chestnut Ridge 10k  

1st Open Women

   Susan Munson  38:53 

1st Masters Women

   Kathy Ellwood 2F 40-49 48:51 

John McMahon  1M 30-39  

Hermann Pohl 3M 30-39  37:59 

Larry Krajewski  4M 40-49  39:24

Jerry Bergman 3 M  50-59  45:47 

Joseph Antkowiak 1M 60-69  49:10 

Missy Raney 2F 20-29 49:57

Patty Farrell  4F 30-39 55:56

Edye Radice 1F 60-69 1:00:43

 

OPTA Scholarship 5k

Marty Farrell 2M 35-39 20:13

Mark Kucharski 3M 40-44 20:39

Mindee Mutty 1F 25-29 24:41

Laurie Whiteside 2F 40-44 26:59

 

Niagara Gorge 5k

Steven White, first male 17:22

Maria Knapp, first female 20:37            

Fred Lew 1M 45-49 18:26      

Thomas Miller 3M 45-49 19:00      

Bill White 1M 55-59 22:01      

Loretta Jacob 1F 40-44 23:02      

Joanne Cunnigham 1F 55-59 23:30      

Fran Rowe 1F 60-64 28:28      

Joyce Farrell 2F 50-54 29:22      

Charles McDougald 5k

Tom Dessauer 2M 30-34 18:40

Fred Lew 1M 45-49 19:09

Thomas Donnelly 2M 45-49 19:13

Thomas Miller 3M 45-49 19:17

Gary Raby 4M 45-49 19:56

Joan O'Loughlin 1F 35-39 20:02

David Szafran 3M 40-44 20:37

Peggy Towers 1F 50-54 22:14

Philip Halpern 2M 55-59  22:21

Kathleen Yesny 1F 40-44 22:22

Karin Fountain 2F 50-54 22:55

Jan Lindenau 2F 60-64 27:48

Jerry Rivard 1 M 70+28:14

Rootie's 5k

1st Mike Heitzenrater  15:55

2nd Ryan M. Forrestel  16:28

3rd Christopher J. Kudla 16:41

Stephen Forrestel  1M 50-54M 17:20

Larry Krajewski 2M 45-49 17:34

Gary Hastings 2M 50-54 17:38

Vicki Mitchell 1F 30-34 17:40

David S. Carroll 1M 35-39 17:44

Warren Elvers 3M 45-49 18:47

Stephen J. Hoadley 3M 30-34 19:05

Joanne York-Rappl 1F 40-44 19:17

Amy Fakterowitz 2F 30-34 19:24

Joann Oloughlin 1F 35-39 19:56

Kenneth R. Gordon 2F 55-59 20:13

Carl E. Emens 3M 55-59 20:24

Elizabeth Welkley 3F 30-34 22:03

Karin Fountain 1F 50-54 23:31

Emily Frank 2F 45-49 25:00

Suzanne F. Fenger 1F 55-59 26:12

Melody F. Seiling 2F 20-24 26:25

Jerry Rivard 1M 70 + 29:16

 

BOB IVORY

1st place, Mike Heitzenrater (15:41)

2nd overall, Jeff Gruendike 2M (15:45)

Taylor Dewey 3M 20-24 (16:47)

Tom Garey M2 45-49 (19:31)

Joanne York-Rappl  F1 40-44 (19:34)

Tom Miller M3 45-49 (19:37)

Joanie Hays F1 35-39 (20:06)

James Prentiss M4 40-44 (20:08)

Jessica Hamm F1 0-14 (20:34)

Sue Devlin F2 40-44  (20:41)

Caitlin English F2 0-14 (20:53)

Robert Krug M3 30-34 (21:17)

Ted Sullivan M1 65-59 (25:09)

Sandra Hebeler F3 45-49 (27:10)

Edye Radice  F1 60-64 (27:24)

Jerry Rivard M2 70+ (29:01)

Joyce Farrell F3 50-54 (30:53)

Chin-Li Pompeo F2 55-59 (32:52)

 

GBTC Parkway 10k, Oct 13

Checkers takes 1st, 2nd, and 3rd: 

Mike Heitzenrater  (32:45), Matt Glynn (33:18),

and Joe Biasillo (33:33).

First woman - Susan Munson (37:42).

Sam Burroughs  2M 25-29 (35:21)

Larry Krajewski 2M  45-49 (37:12)

Scott Hoot  3M 40-44 (37:58)

David Peterson 1M  50-54 (38:17)     

Judy Arlington 1F 35-39 (38:31)

Peter Forrestel 3M 45-49 (39:38)

Fred Lew  4M 45-49 (40:23)

Tom Appenheimer Sr  1M 55-59 (41:02)

Joanne McKinley-Molodynia 2F  40-44 (41:32)

Amy Fakterowitz 1F 30-34 (41:53)

Catherine Levine  2F 45-49  (43:35)

Jerry Bergman  4M  55-59  (43:56)

Samuel Neal  3M 50-54 (44:06)

Jeanne Chiarmonte 4F 35-39  (44:17)

Jane Edwards  3F 40-44 (44:27)

Diane McGuire 3F 45-49 (45:25)

Julie Doell  2F 30-34 (46:02)

Joseph Antkowiak  2M  65-69 (46:12)

Patricia Kunselman  2F 55-59 (49:04)

Joanne Cunningham  3F  55-59  (49:58)

Ted Sullivan 4M  65-69 (51:13)

Edye Radice 2F 60-64 (57:45)

Melody Seiling 3F 20-24 (58:00)

Chin Li Pompeo  4F 55-59  (1:05:58)

Joyce Farrell 3F 50-54  (1:05:58)

 

 

 

Great Floridian--Tony Garrow- swim 1:31:01,bike 6:04:23, run 4:16:58 total 12:08:56, 1st in age group.  Bob Giardini-swim 1:24:03, bike 6:13:33, 5:20:50 total 13:12:47.  David Ireland- swim 1:42:34, bike 7:26:04, run 5:50:34 total 15:27:19.   This was Bob's 5th Ironman and a PR, and it was Tony and David's first Ironman.

 

President’s Corner  by Diane Sardes

     While I was racing to finish my last cross country race for the season, people were  screaming to get the girl in front of me, every head counts.  I passed her and so did Jane Edwards.  I didn’t dare turn around.   Someone was throwing up and it wasn’t Jane.  I had my own problems.  I had to hurry and run in the woods as my heart was still beating in my throat. 

     I wrote this to my son in college, and he thought it was odd that we would go through all that.  I explained to him that it’s not only the masters that feel like that, all ages go through it.  You go through things that are not of any real importance to anyone but your coach, teammates and yourself.  My son asked, “Mom, why would you do things like that make you feel so bad?”  I told him you only feel bad for a very little while, and it goes away in a very short time. 

     Some runners were talking about how hard we work in races at our Tuesday night run in the park.  What makes us do what we do?  And how long will we do it?  I have heard you should do it as long as you’re having fun.  No, I don’t call feeling sick fun; the anxiety the morning of a race is enough to make some sick.  How many of you have had a restless night before a race?  Forget about a restless night, how about no sleep at all? How do the athletes in our club feel before Triathlons?  They have three events!

     Is the process you go through to race worth the discomfort you feel?  Part of the fun of racing is doing better than you thought you could, the training that got you there, being with friends, talking, going for your warm-up and cool-down together.  A lot of us still go out and eat together quite often.  A non-runner might say they could do a lot of those things without the restless nights sleep and the sick feeling you get from pushing.  You might be right.  But for the people that race, there are more reasons.  Next month — Reasons why people choose to sign up for a race.  It’s not always to race hard.  If you would like me to include you in the next newsletter, please email me at dianesardes@msn.com.

 

SHORT AND SWEET...

¨       Checkers had representation from the Newfane X-C teams at Sectionals and the State meet. Brandan "Monk" Molisan placed 4th at the section meet, and 32nd in the state meet. Tim Martin placed 28th at the section meet.  Lacey Watkins won the girls "C" race at section and was 3rd at states. Monk went undefeated in N-O league races this year. Both Brandan and Lacey led their teams to co-championship in the N-O league, 2nd place in the section.  Brandan (Monk) and Lacey ran at the Footlocker Race on 11/24. Monk placed 44th out of 295 Juniors, and Lacey placed 2nd in the Juniors race.  Congratulations and Good Luck to our young Checkers.

¨       Congratulations to Lauren Truesdell. She medaled at the State x-country meet at Elma Meadows--she finished 20th. She was featured on WIVB as the scholar-athlete of the month in November.

¨       Betsy Schultz set an all-time cross-country PR, 19:18, at the Mayor’s Cup running for SUNY Cortland.

 

¨       Gary Raby, Jr. won the Mount St. Mary's Hospital Greater Niagara Family 5k on 10/28/0.  It was his first overall win in the road 5k's.  He ran 17:18:81.  His brother Jason Raby placed first in the 19-29 age group in 19:28:89.

 

¨       Caitlin English ran the All Catholic XC, 10/29, and finished 3rd overall. She set an PR in her 5K by breaking 20 minutes.

 

 

In Memory of one of our own,

who was taken too soon.

Kathleen Kavanagh was taken from her son, her family, and her friends, this October by the senseless and selfish act of a drunk driver.

 

  The running community responded, as we all have come to

expect, with an outpouring of love and empath. 

Our heartfelt wishes continue to go out to her loved ones.

We will always remember her enthusiasm, her zest for life,

 her humor, and her smile. 

 

.

 

Getting to Know You,   by Paul Wandel

 

 

 

Buffalo News Runner-of-the-Year Awards

Checkers’ Members

 

Men

1. Michael Heitzenrater

2. Matt Glynn

3. David O’Keeffe

4. Jim Dunlop, Jr.

6. Joseph Biasillo

8. Thomas Proctor IV

9  Bob Carroll

10. Jeffrey Gruendike

 

25-29—2. Ryan Forrestel 

35-39—2. John McMahon

45-49—1. Larry Krajewski

50-54—1. Stephen Forrestel; 2. David Peterson; 3. Fran Emmeerling

55-59—3.  Tom Appenheimer, Sr.

65-69—1. Joseph Antkowiak; 3.  David Willett (tied)

 

 

 

Women

1.  Judy Arlington

2.  Susan Munson

3.  Jaonne McKinley-Molodynia

4.  Rebecca Heuer

6.  Viki Mitchell (tied)

8.  Amy Fakterowitz

10. Deana Sikora and Joanne York-Rappl

 

25-29—1. Maureen Hamilton; 3. Lynda Hogan

45-49—2. Diane McGuire; 3. Diane Sardes

50-54—Peggy Towers;

55-59—Patricia Kunselman

60-64—Edye Radice

 

Condolences ...To Diane Sardes on the recent loss of her mother and step-father.

...Paul Pietraszewski on the loss of his father.

 

 

Last race of the year

Sponsored by The BTC, Inc.

to Benefit the “Olmsted Park  Conservancy”

December 29^th, 2001, 11:00 am race start

3.6 mile run, Delaware Park Ring Road

 

Cross-Country Comments

“Cross-Country..It's not how fast you run, but how long you run fast.”

Having run only one XC course, ( Chili ) I can tell you how impressed I was at what I didn't see. That is, the other Checkers runners who were so far out in front of me. Running XC is a whole lot different than a blacktop road race. My hat is off to all the Veterans and Masters who are so involved with this sport and committed to making Checkers proud. They are an inspiration and should be proud of their accomplishments. I did eventually catch up to them at the finish line.  Tom Garey

 

Championship Day  - The race was challenging; typical for XC. The first 3 miles are slightly rolling on the Cornell golf course. Shortly after mile 3, the course drops down into the gully on a trail. There is a long downhill, a flat, and a hard climb back up to the golf course. The last pitch before the top of the hill is brutal. After cresting the hill, it's a 400 meter sprint to the finish on the grass again. Becky crushed the women's race in about a 23:30.  Bob won the Master's.  Dave Carroll (HAHM) ran a solid race, passing me on the hill like I was standing still, and finishing in 24:00. Jerry Irving finished first for our veterans team at about 24:05; I was about 7 seconds back. The other veterans in that race were Gary Hastings, Dave Peterson, and Peter Hogan. Our veterans team won all 5 races for the team championship. The other members who competed in previous races were Dave Ward, Fran Emmerling, Larry Krol, Fred Lew, Sam Neal, Ralph Zimmerman, and Paul Duttge.  Steve Forrestel

First Annual Checkers’ Autumn Gala a Huge Success  Thanks to Donna Carr and Tom Donnelly for planning an event that promises to be a long-running Checkers’ tradition.  It was an evening of good food, good friends, and good fun for Everyone.  The event was held at the beautiful Franklin Park North, catering by My Personal Chef, Fred Rzemek.  More pictures at the web-site.

 

New York City Marathon

 

    The resiliency of the American people was evident as I ran the streets of New York in the 2001 NYC marathon. The slogan for the race, “United We Run” was fitting. The battalions of NYC firefighters in full gear with hook and ladders brought tears and cheers to the crowd of runners. New York City’s finest police patrolled the course, in some places, every  50 feet.

    The start on the Verazzano Bridge was well controlled and fair. There were several accesses to the course, so the crowd never slowed you down. (Gee, I was hoping to use that excuse for my time.)

    The crowds of spectators were howling with enthusiasm. Loudest areas seemed to be in Brooklyn, Manhattan and, of course, going into Central Park. I am a middle-of-the-pack runner, and these people did not seem to be tired of trying to keep me and the other runners motivated.

     As a runner, I must say, New York has my vote for the best marathon to do. There have been few times in my life when I felt more patriotic than during that race. I may have been one of thirty thousand, but I felt like one of the elite. The dozen white roses and the tear in my husband’s eye at the finish didn’t hurt either.  Marcy Sheehan

 

 

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE MENS’ VETERANS TEAM FOR

SWPEEPING THE SERIES!!!!

Pete  Szymanski and

Stephen Seerey

 

Brenda Litzinger  will be running her portion of the Olympic Torch Relay to benefit Carly's Club, a not-for-profit organization that is trying to raise awareness and funds to support pediatric cancer research at Roswell Park Cancer Institute.  In 1999, eight-year  Carly was diagnosed with medulloblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer.  Unfortunately, this was not the first time Carly was touched by cancer. She lost both of her biological parents to cancer during a five-year period.  Her father, a marathon runner and non-smoker, died of lung cancer in 1993.  Her mother, Judy, died of an inoperable brain tumor on Christmas Eve of 1998.  Carly's Club helps other kids facing cancer.  Carly's hope is that other kids will not have to experience what she has gone through.  To support Brenda's effort please send donations to: Carly's Club Torch Run, PO Box 255, Getzville, NY 14068.  All proceeds go to RPCI

 

TURKEY TROT  What a difference a year makes—sunny skies instead of piles of snow.  Last year the City barely dug out in time to maintain the record for the longest running, consecutive foot race in the nation.  Despite the clear skies, a strong head-wind (“all the way  to the finish line,” Diane),  still made it a tough and competitive run. 

AWARDS

Mike Heitzenrater  (25:40) 2 M19-24

Thomas Proctor, IV  (25:51) 2 M25-29

Bob R. Carroll (27:20) 1 M45-49

John F. McMahon (27:36) 1 M35-39

Rich Grimm (28:04) 2 M40-44

Stephen Forrestel (28:43) 1 M50-54

Larry F. Krajewski (28:50) 2 M45-49

Rebecca E. Heuer (29:16) 1 F35-39

David R. Peterson (29:34) 3 M50-54

FIRST PLACE, WOMEN’S MASTERS:  Susan A. Munson (29:35) 1 F40-44

Judy S. Arlington (29:56) 2 F35-39

Victoria Mitchell (30:05) 1 F30-34

Joanne York Rappl (32:06) 2 F40-44

Amy Fakterowitz (32:30) 2 F30-34

Cathy M. Levine (34:55) 1 F45-49

Diane Sardes (35:37) 2 F45-49

Peggy L. Towers  (36:02) 2 F50-54

Joseph G. Antkowiak (36:10) 1 M65-69

Edye Radice  (45:07) 2 F60-64

 

 

 

HAPPY HOUR

January  18th

Marriott Hotel

Millersport Highway

Amherst

Pizza, wings, and drink specials

during happy hours.

       

 

 

 

 

 

HOLIDAY PARTY

January 12th, 7:00 pm

78 Hillside Ave. Cheektowaga

Hosted by Roger + Mary Roll

Please bring an h'oeurvres or a $5

donation.  rsvp Mary at 833-0070 to let her know what you are bringing.

Directions:  90E to Cleveland Dr. exit. 

Left on Cleveland to Birkdale.  Left on Birkdale. Left on Hillside.

SEE YOU THERE!

 

 

happy birthday

Jill Falkowski 12/2

James Kavanagh 12/4

Alan Wrobel 12/4

Bob Farrington 12/6

Mary Roll 12/6

Thomas Cumbo 12/7

Noreen Jajkowski 12/7

Carl Emens 12/8

Matt Daniels 12/9

Eileen Leary 12/9