2011 - Lenore Imhoff (as presented by Jason Santarcangelo)
This year’s Foundation award goes to Lenore Imhoff, the consummate friend to everyone on Team NRGY. Lenore embodies the Foundation award as she continuously and selflessly gives to everyone on Team NRGY. Lenore is the first one to share a caring word and a friendly thought. She is always first in line to help any of us as individuals or the entire team. Lenore has given countless swim lessons, in fact, she helped Payton learn to swim three years ago. Lenore is not only an amazing cyclist, but is a tremendous coach. Who in this room has not received a cycling tip from her?
Lenore often sacrifices her personal goals for the betterment of Team NRGY. I fondly remember Lenore pacing me through many swim workouts; although she has drafted off me on the bike. Even though she went screaming by me on the bike at the end of my pickup, she knew I would respond. Yep, Lenore asked me for one more gear, one more minute until I reached my maximum. Lenore is always inspiring each of us to look in the mirror and dig deeper to become better athletes and citizens.
Lenore leads by example. She has always made sure each of us has everything we need to be successful. In fact, this July, just days before Ironman Lake Placid, Lenore received a call from Jill who had crashed and damaged her bike. Lenore responded quickly by lending Jill a bike, arranging a bike fit, and reassuring Jill that everything would be all right. Everything was more than all right. In fact, everything at Ironman Lake Placid was perfect as Jill beamed from ear to ear this past July, thank in no small part to Lenore.
Lenore is a mentor to each of us. She openly shares stories of her life experiences so we can remember what is most important; family and the opportunity to share with our loved ones, our passion for fitness, and our pursuit of healthy competition. Lenore, on behalf of Team NRGY, thank you for everything you have done to enrich each of our lives, empowering us to achieve our dreams. It is my privilege and honor to present Lenore Imhoff with the 2011 Team NRGY Foundation award.
2010 - Bethany Monot Clark (as presented by Andrew Clark)
Hi everyone, my name is Andrew Clark (Clarky) & I have come to know alot of you over the last year via Team NRGY. I'm the Aussie member of the team. I got into the sport because I work at the same place as another NRGY member - Ken. Ken heard that I liked to ride my bike & had participated in a company bike race & therefore started to pester me about doing triathlons. Being a very competitive person I decided to give it a go & said "yes I will do a race." I entered my first race as a 1/2 Ironman at Timberman in New Hampshire not even knowing where this was or being able to locate it on a map. One cold winter's day last year I went home & told my fiancée that I was going to compete in a triathlon & had signed up for a 1/2 distance Ironman race in another state...and by the way "I have joined a triathlon team called NRGY based in Montclair." Doesn’t this story sound familiar?
Bethany - who was busy in a new job at a new company & preparing for our wedding at the time - was very supportive & said "that would be great...you'll be good at it.” Doesn’t this story sound familiar?
Over the next few months I started to train more & more in preparation for my race. I'd wake up very early (most mornings at 4:15am to leave to get to Montclair by 5:15am) & although I tried not disturb her before leaving the house to go for a bike ride I knew she opened her eyes and somehow lost a few more minutes of sleep. Other mornings I'd set up the bike machine in the living room & spin for an hour or so. We are here from our native Australia and soaking in the culture - so imagine the sacrifice when I would come home from a long day at work and I'd tell her we couldn't go out to restaurants because I had to do sit ups or weights..or even go for an occasional swim at the Montclair YMCA (where I'm an unofficial member). Doesn’t this story sound familiar?
I love to bike and my weekend morning and sometimes a little more were consumed with 3-6 rides. Triathlons have consumed my life and hers. Every step of the way my wife has been supportive rescheduling our together activities around training sessions. Without Bethany’s support, energy & the passion she showed towards me & the sport , I would not have been able to achieve my personal goals. But I knew this as that's why I love her & married her. Doesn’t this story sound familiar?
We all have become successful because of our loved ones and without their indispensable support our athletic goals would not be possible. Just as Bethany was learning to adjust to my new sporting life, Bethany quickly threw herself in Team NRGY Support Person. A lot of you have gotten to know Bethany really well over the last 6 or so months & realized she is also happy to support the team. Pregnant she came to Timberman, stuck close to Tracey & Deb and was all over the course. She was always there smiling. Ringing a cowbell. Taking a Picture. Grabbing Dry Clothes. I think she learned quickly that being a support person is harder than competing.
Her smiley & helpful face is always at the team functions & races I have competed in. She has quickly assumed the role of "official team photographer" when she’s at races. She has prepared food for the team - who can forget the fairy bread, invites team members around for dinner so we can get to know people. She has cheered loudly for you when racing. She has played with many kids at team races. Bethany has been right there by our sides. She has enabled us as Team NRGY members to become better athletes and better people. Bethany has thrown herself into Team NRGY & the sport 100%.
Her contributions have embodied the spirit of the Foundation Award & been an essential part of helping others achieve their goals & creating a fun team environment for everyone to enjoy. When Jason first asked me what I thought about giving Bethany the Foundation award, at first I was a bit embarrassed & thought there must be someone more deserving, but when I stepped back & thought about it, realized why he was suggesting her. I am proud of my wife, very grateful for the support she has given everyone & hope that you too will join me in congratulating her & acknowledging this important award. Congratulations Bethany.
2009 - Michael and Kathleen Santarcangelo (as presented by Jason Santarcangelo)
This year’s award goes to Michael and Kathleen Santarcangelo, my parents who have enabled me to excel and achieve my personal goals, and in turn have enabled this team to achieve its goals. These two individuals represent the foundation of Team NRGY. Their encouragement, support and unconditional love provided me with the inspiration to start Team NRGY. The very idea for Team NRGY took shape after completion of my second Ironman. While relaxing on the porch over looking mirror lake, they encouraged me to become a coach and to start a team so I could enable others to experience the same sense of fulfillment and accomplishment I felt and continue to feel competing as a triathlete. My dad selected the name and together they vetted the Team NRGY colors as they wanted to in their words “be able to see us coming a mile away” and of course, we know that Carolyn achieved that. Thank you, Carolyn. My parents edited the website and all of you know that they braved the torrential rains and cold temperatures to be there for our very first event as Team NRGY, the NJ Marathon and Long Beach Half. Mom donned the Team NRGY colors and ran a half marathon and Dad manned the tent or rather held down the tent so that the wind didn’t blow it away. Sure it was rainy and cold but they were right there by our side making sure we had everything we needed to be successful. Nothing can or will prevent Kathleen and Michael from always supporting each of us and ensuring this team’s success.
Their words of encouragement and their selfless acts have inspired many. The Lambert family who will be competing in the Myrtle Beach Marathon in February as a result of conversations with my parents after Ironman Lake Placid. As many of you now realize, we are gathered together this evening in celebration of the creation of Team NRGY. The Foundation of the our team is Kathleen and Michael. Again, I would like to extend a very special thank you to my parents for believing, caring and supporting my dreams and those of Team NRGY. I cannot personally thank you enough. Mom and Dad, it is my honor and privilege to award you both with the first Team NRGY Foundation Award for your tireless and selfless contributions enabling us to excel and achieve our personal goals.

