The Chautauqua Sports Hall of Fame is gearing up to celebrate the achievements of dozens of exceptional athletes at their annual picnic next Monday at the Lakewood Rod & Gun Club. This year, the organization will honor 41 individuals who have excelled in various sports, ranging from swimming and basketball to wrestling and track & field.
Among the honorees are several standout swimmers from Jamestown Community College (JCC), including Paiden Wittmeyer, Lindsey Spitz, Anna Jones, Ella Fosberg, Madison Kramer, Ashlyn Swan, Lukas Baer, Toby Gifford, and Brady Lindstrom. These athletes have earned multiple All-American honors and have contributed to the success of the NJCAA women’s swimming & diving team, which was crowned non-scholarship national champions. Todd Conklin, the team’s coach, will also be recognized as the NJCAA women’s swimming & diving non-scholarship women’s Coach of the Year.
In addition to the JCC swimmers, the Chautauqua Sports Hall of Fame will honor high school athletes like Abbie Derby, who was part of the NYSPHSAA composite bowling team champion from Jamestown, and Aidan McCleery, Connor Dean, Grady Moore, and Miles Moore, who clinched the NYSPHSAA 200-yard freestyle relay championship and earned All-American status.
The list of honorees also includes youth athletes who have excelled in sports like wrestling, gymnastics, and boxing. Kamdyn Schimek, Chase Beichner, Kyle Dilker, Noli Paddock, Aurora Maring, Tatum Bensink, Mason Maring, Lily Burrows, McKella Hodkin, Pete Dorman, and Emily Dorman are just a few of the young wrestlers who will be recognized for their achievements. Anais Rodriguez, a boxing champion from Dunkirk, will also receive an award for her success in the ring.
On the basketball court, the Chautauqua Christian Academy girls‘ team will be honored for their Division 5 basketball national championship, while Carson Swanson from Westfield will be recognized for his outstanding performance as a NYSPHSAA Class C First Team player. Evan Steffen from Maple Grove will also receive accolades for his achievements in boys‘ high school golf.
The Chautauqua Sports Hall of Fame will also pay tribute to adult athletes like Mike Sayers, Norman Chambliss, and Denny Furlow, who have excelled in track & field events at the Empire State Games. Trap shooter Tiffany Decker will be recognized as the NYS Lady 1 non-resident singles champion.
Overall, the annual picnic promises to be a celebration of talent, dedication, and sportsmanship, as the Chautauqua Sports Hall of Fame honors these outstanding athletes for their remarkable achievements in their respective sports.