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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. |
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2012 - Charesse Foye (as presented by Gina Soloperto)
We are dedicated, determined and tenacious warriors. We are methodical, data-driven, heart rate zone monitoring, result-oriented geeks. Being submerged in a group of triathletes in training, is not easy. The bitching, the moaning and lamenting can be taxing at times to hear. And that's before the workout has even started. You all know you what I am talking about.Once the work is done, and the muscle fatigue sets in, and you've maybe considered dying to be a good option, a Diva appears. You might think she has wings because she knows just when to appear, how to listen and how to support us. The Diva has hands of magic and supportive words. There does not seem to be a stage she cannot handle. She listen’s to all of us strategize, vent and fret. The she reminds us we do this for fun, that we are ready and we will be awesome. If we need it, a smoothing hand is offered.
At NRGY events and races, the Diva is often the first to rise and last to rest. We think she rests when we are out training – but that’s her secret. She captures every detail of the event - she loves using the new camera. She loves ringing her NRGY cowbell. She has no problem yelling loudly to cheer us on. When we are done training and competing the Diva heals our minds and bodies. She makes sure the foundation is rebuilt enabling us to push our limits further. Her tireless and self-less contributions to Team NRGY provide us all a stronger foundation from which to build. As a part of this club and the Team NRGY community, her nurturing spirit is ever-present. She acknowledges every single accomplishment, every personal challenge and every Facebook Birthday. She is clearly more than our team masseuse. She is our sister, mother, counselor and friend. Her passion and love for Team NRGY enables each of us to excel and achieve our personal goals. We proudly present the 2012 Foundation Award, to the one and only, DIVA, Ms Charesse Foye. |
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2014 - Lisa Reavlin (as presented by Jason Santarcangelo)
The foundation award is presently annually to a non-competing member(s) of Team NRGY to recognize tireless and selfless contributions to Team NRGY. Their support, energy and passion provides significant impact on Team NRGY and enables their loved one and all members of the team to excel and achieve their personal goals. This award holds great meaning to me, because without these individuals we would not be the multi-sport athletes we are today.
In preparing to present this year’s foundation award, I took a look back at the previous winners of this award, at the folks who enriched our lives. A common theme struck me. They all worked quietly in the background – supporting, caring and uplifting the members of Team NRGY. This year’s recipient is no different. For the past two years, this individual has selflessly offered support, advice, guidance and an ever-ready warm-caring smile. Little did any member of Team NRGY know that on February 3, 2012, when this year’s foundation award winner, Lisa Reavlin, walked into Meredith Cozzarelli’s home for the All Night Run – that in just two short years, Lisa would exemplify the Foundation Award legacy. In 2012, Lisa was a “gym rat,” clearly involved in fitness. However, at that point in her life, she had never even competed in a distance run. Today, Lisa sits here having completed three world marathon majors – Chicago and New York, three weeks apart in 2013 and Berlin in 2014. As much as we taught Lisa about endurance supports, Lisa has taught us about perseverance, dedication and determination. While learning more about endurance sports, Lisa always provided every new member with a warm-welcoming email. Lisa would brave the elements to come support Team NRGY Members at races and offer a high-five before, during and after the competition. Lisa openly shared her experiences learning about endurance sports – something each of us benefited from. Lisa also assisted in educating Team NRGY about the importance of endurance sports nutrition in her position as Marketing Director for Powerbar. Lisa made sure Team NRGY always had an opportunity to sample a new product, ask questions and learn how to be properly fueled. Lisa always acted with a smile. Lisa’s dedication to Team NRGY is amazing. She has flown back from a new job in Los Angeles to join us here this evening… so I think she wins the furthest traveled award. Lisa – you embody the spirit of the Team NRGY foundation award. You have made a significant impact on Team NRGY allowing each of us to excel. I am honored to present the Foundation Award to you this evening. |