Two BSG Athletes Named National Athletes of the Year
Bay State Games • Oct 07, 2020
Teagan Dymek (Osterville) wins National Youth Female Athlete of the Year
Reese Stevenson (Harvard) wins National Youth Male Athlete of the Year
Pictured: Teagan Dymek (right) at home, and Reese Stevenson (left) at the 2019 Bay State Games Swimming Finals.
Officials with the National Congress of State Games (NCSG) announced the 2020 Athletes of the Year. A youth female, youth male, adult female and adult male athlete are chosen as Athlete of the Year. Athletes are nominated after winning Athlete of the Year at their local State Games. In 2020, 30 State Games organizations awarded Athletes of the Year and submitted their nominations for the national award.
Within the winners of the four categories, two athletes hail from Massachusetts.
- Youth Female: Teagan Dymek – Volleyball – Osterville, MA
- Youth Male: Reese Stevenson – Swimming – Harvard, MA
The 2020 recipients will be recognized at the NCSG Virtual Annual Symposium and TEAMS Virtual Conference and Expo.
Teagan Dymek, 17, exemplifies what it means to be a scholar-athlete. Not only has she excelled in the classroom, overcoming the obstacles of hearing loss and an auditory processing disorder, but she continues to be an outstanding athlete who sets her own bar for excellence very high. Teagan competes in volleyball, swimming, and rowing/crew. None of these sports are offered at her high school. Therefore, she has had to adjust her own schedules to accommodate for long drives to and from practices, as well as to and from competitions. Although physically very small in size, the size of this tiny competitor's heart continues to be evident in every sport in which she competes and throughout her life as she interacts not only with her peers, but also the community at large. Her smaller stature and competitive nature ignited a fire in Teagan to prove the coaches wrong who told her she was too short but putting in additional hours at the gym to be the best athlete she can be. Her determination is also mirrored in the classroom and community, as she has attained high honors and developed a program called “Greenwood Gives Back”, which began as a food drive and has blossomed into a program in which eyewear is collected and distributed in Africa. Teagan is also a Bay State Games Ambassador at her School, Teagan worked with her peers and Athletic Director to not only promote the Bay State Games but to also initiate the formation of a volleyball team at her school.
Reese Stevenson, 17, has been swimming in Bay State Games since 2015, winning several medals along the way. He has been swimming competitively since he was 11 and also played rugby for his school. He has not traveled the most natural path to find his success, but he has persevered. Reese chose to attend a boarding school that did not have a swim team rather than one that did because it was the right academic fit, but he found a way to make it work. He became a member of the Thoreau Sharks and trained at 5:00 AM at a community center with adults, most of whom were three times his age. On his team and during competition at the Bay State Games he has medaled, set records, won titles, and is consistently used as an example to younger swimmers. The last few summers Reese has joined swimmers from across Massachusetts as a member of Team New England and participated in the AAU Junior Olympic Games, where he has won 50 and the 100 free in back to back years. At the 2019 AAU Junior Olympics, Reese qualified for the 2019 USA Futures meet in both the 50 and 100 free. Out of the pool, Reese has been a Bay State Games High School Ambassador, been a member of the Kimball Union Academy Fire Brigade, a proctor in his dorm, assisting in theater, and was named Outstanding Male Citizen in the Junior Class, while maintaining grades for High Honor Roll. Reese is a quiet, unassuming, dedicated, humble, and supportive teammate. He is a role model to younger swimmers who have watched him achieve his dreams through hard work and dedication. Reese is currently a first-year student at Bryant University, where he is a member of the men's swimming team.
Teagan and Reese become only the third and fourth Bay State Games Athlete to be selected as the recipient of this national award. The NCSG has awarded Athletes of the Year since 1994. The last Massachusetts athlete to receive this honor was Dorian McMenemy
(Northboro, Swimming), who was named National Adult Female Athlete of the Year in 2017. The only other National Athlete of the Year from Massachusetts is Louise Wing
(Lynn, Synchronized Swimming) in 2004. For complete list of previous winners please visit www.stategames.org/aoy.
For more on the Bay State Game Athlete of the Year program, please click here.
About the National Congress of State Games
The National Congress of State Games (NCSG) is a membership organization comprised of over 30 Summer State Games and 10 Winter State Games organizations and a member of the United States Olympic Committee's Multi Sport Organizational Council. The mission of the NCSG is to support State Games member organizations in the promotion of health, fitness and character building through Olympic-Style competitions and physical activities.
About the Bay State Games
The Massachusetts Amateur Sports Foundation is a non-profit organization with the primary function of organizing the Bay State Summer and Winter Games. These programs attract more than 7,000 athletes from the State of Massachusetts, who compete in over 30 different sports. Summer Games begin with statewide tryouts in June and conclude with Sports competitions held in Eastern and Central Massachusetts throughout July. The Bay State Winter Games are annual held in the Berkshire Region of Massachusetts and attract athletes in figure skating, ice hockey, and curling. In addition to the Summer and Winter Games, the Bay State Games also organizes a number of enrichment programs including the Future Leaders Scholarship program, the Kristian Rose Memorial Scholarship, the Adopt an Athlete Program, the High School Ambassador Program, a Sports Medicine Symposium, Athlete of the Year Award, and the Bay State Games Hall of Fame.
WOBURN – Bay State Games is excited to announce a new partnership with Mass Youth Soccer. Bay State Games Boys and Girls Soccer has a long history of showcasing some of the best high school players in Massachusetts in an event well attended by college coaches from dozens of New England area schools. Many high school coaches across the state have supported Bay State Games by volunteering to serve as team coaches or providing their players with information on the competition. The partnership will help ensure that all high school players and coaches across Massachusetts are aware of the valuable opportunities available through the Bay State Games soccer competition and the outstanding programs provided by Mass Youth Soccer including District. This also allows Bay State Games and Mass Youth Soccer to coordinate their event schedules to avoid conflicts and allow players to be part of both the events. "We are pleased to collaborate with the Mass Youth Soccer Association and coordinate our tournament schedules," said Kevin Cummings, Executive Director of the Bay State Games. "We hope that this collaboration will allow Massachusetts soccer athletes to participate in and reap the benefits of competing in both the Bay State Games Soccer Showcase and Mass Youth Soccer’s Districts Program." “Mass Youth Soccer is excited to collaborate with the Bay State Games and provide opportunities for athletes across the state to participate in exciting soccer programs and events through calendar alignment and shared communication,” said Rob Holliday, Executive Director, Mass Youth Soccer. “We hope to expand the partnership with Bay State Games in future years!” Registration for the 2024 Bay State Games Boys and Girls Soccer Showcase competition is now open. The showcase tournament will take place July 11-13 at Game On in Fitchburg. Athletes can register to try out for one of six regional teams based on where they live and/or go to high school. For additional details on the competition and a link to registration, go to www.baystategames.org/girls-soccer or www.baystategames.org/boys-soccer . For additional information on the Massachusetts Youth Soccer Association, go to https://mayouthsoccer.org/ .
Woburn, Mass. – Bay State Games has been selected as a beneficiary of the Stop & Shop Community Bag Program for the month of April. The Stop & Shop Community Bag Program, which launched in May 2019, is a reusable bag program that facilitates community support with the goal to make a difference in the communities where shoppers live and work. Bay State Games was selected as the February beneficiary of the program by store leadership at the Stop & Shop located at 2 Elm Street in Woburn . Bay State Games will receive a $1 donation every time the $2.50 reusable Community Bag is purchased at this location during February, unless otherwise directed by the customer through the Giving Tag attached to the bag. “Bay State Games is honored to be selected as a beneficiary of the Stop & Shop Community bag program,” said Kevin Cummings, Executive Director of the Bay State Games. “Funds raised through this program will help support the recreation, education and personal development programs annually produced by the Bay State Games that impact thousands of participants of all ages and abilities.” Bay State Games is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that was established in 1982 to host the first sanctioned State Games of the Commonwealth. Bay State Games operates with the mission of promoting personal development, education, physical fitness, teamwork, and sportsmanship to Massachusetts and surrounding New England states citizens of all ages and abilities through athletic competitions and scholarship programs. Learn more about Bay State Games by visiting www.baystategames.org For more information on the Stop & Shop Community Bag Program, visit stopandshop.2givelocal.com .
The Bay State Games Jacket returns thanks to Marathon Sports
WOBURN, MA – Registration for the 42nd annual Bay State Summer Games is now open. The 2024 Summer Games will include thirty sports with competitions from May 11 – July 27 at venues throughout eastern and central Massachusetts including Game On in Fitchburg, Boston Sports Institute in Wellesley, Union Point Sports Complex in Weymouth, and North Star Ice Sports in Westborough. Bay State Games participants range in age from 5 to over age 75 and represent more than 300 Massachusetts communities as well as surrounding New England States in some sports. From grassroots participants to accomplished amateur athletes, the Bay State Games provide opportunities for the athlete in all of us. Seven high school showcase sports will take place for a variety of sports, including baseball, basketball, field hockey, ice hockey, soccer, softball, and volleyball. Athletes currently in grade 8-11 who live or go to school in Massachusetts are eligible to attend regional tryouts during the month of June. These tryouts will determine teams representing the various regions of the Commonwealth that will compete against each other in July. Check each sport page for specific eligibility requirements. The Summer Games include a wide variety of individual sports including swimming, track & field, figure skating, pickleball, wrestling, weightlifting, badminton, and more. These sports are open to a wide range of ages and skill levels from youth participants to masters-aged athletes. Adaptive sport divisions in archery, swimming, and track & field are offered, as well. Bay State Games also organizes tournaments for pre-existing teams in rugby, and 6v6 field hockey. Returning in 2024, Table Tennis will take place on June 1 at PingPod in Boston after a 5-year hiatus from the Summer Games sport lineup. New venues include Babson College , which will host the Girls Basketball Showcase, and NorthStar Ice Sports , which will host Figure Skating and the Girls Ice Hockey Showcase. Game On in Fitchburg will serve as a hub venue for eight sports. Bay State Games expects 1,500 athletes and their families to attend competitions at Game On during the second week of July. Bay State Games is pleased to announce a new partnership with Marathon Sports to provide athletes, officials, and volunteers with a special, traditional Bay State Games gift. Details will be released later in March. “We are excited to present the 2024 version of the Bay State Summer Games where Massachusetts amateur athletes of all ages and abilities can have their ‘Time to Shine,’” said Kevin Cummings, Executive Director of the Bay State Games. “This year will feature the addition of table tennis and ultimate as well as several new host venues including Babson College in Wellesley, Howard Park and Maplewood Park in Malden and NorthStar Ice Sports in Westborough. We look forward to welcoming athletes from across the Commonwealth as we celebrate the 42nd year of the Bay State Summer Games.” An additional feature in 2024 is that in over a dozen sports, athletes who win a gold, silver, or bronze medal at the 2024 Bay State Games will qualify to participate in the 2024 State Games of America in San Diego, California . The State Games of America features more than 8,000 athletes from over 25 different state games programs nationwide. To see the list of qualifying sports, please visit www.stategamesofamerica.com. In addition to sports programming, Bay State Games offer college scholarships, a sportsmanship initiative, college internship opportunities, and a High School Ambassador program. For more information on all sports in the 2024 Summer Games, links to online registration, and information on other programs, go to www.baystategames.org. For questions, email info@baystategames.org or call 781-932-6555.
Pictured: Howard Herman (right) receives the Berkshire Hero award from Bay State Games Executive Director, Kevin Cummings (left) on Saturday, January 27, 2024. Photo by: Berkshire Eagle
Katelynn Leclerc is the head field hockey coach at Elms College. She previously served as an assistant coach at American International College, where she played field hockey for 4 years.
WOBURN (November 20, 2023) – The Bay State Games has selected six statewide scholarship recipients for the 2023 Future Leaders Scholarship Program. These student-athletes were selected from a large applicant pool after a process that included committee reviews of all applications and virtual interviews with selected applicants. These future leaders were selected based on their achievements and involvement in academics, community service, athletics, and leadership roles. The Bay State Games Future Leaders Scholarship program was established in 1989 and has since distributed nearly $400,000 in financial aid. Each of these high school seniors will receive a $1,000 scholarship. “Since its inception in 1989, the Future Leaders Scholarship Program recognizes outstanding high school students that excel in the classroom, in the community and on the field of play,” said Kevin Cummings, Executive Director of the Bay State Games. “We are proud that this program has provided nearly $400,000 in aid to support the continuing education of these well deserving student-athletes that represent all regions of Massachusetts and over 25 different sports.” This year’s six scholarship recipients are:
WOBURN, MA – Massachusetts Amateur Sports Foundation/Bay State Games is one of the many nonprofit organizations who were accepted into the 2024 Bank of America Boston Marathon® Official Charity Program. As an Official Charity, Bay State Games is offering runners the opportunity to participate as an official entrant in the 2024 Boston Marathon®. The 128th running of the 128th Boston Marathon® presented by Bank of America will take place on Monday, April 15, 2024. The Bay State Games Charity Team gives runners the opportunity to compete in one of the world's most famous marathons and achieve their athletic goals while raising funds that go directly toward Bay State Games programming. These funds are essential to allow the Bay State Games to continue its mission of producing quality recreational, health, and educational programming for Massachusetts citizens of all ages and abilities. “For over 40 years, Bay State Games has impacted hundreds of thousands of Massachusetts athletes of all ages and abilities through its recreation, education, and personal development programs,” said Bay State Games Executive Director, Kevin Cummings. “Being selected to become a member of the Bank of America Boston Marathon® Official Charity Program will not only raise important funds that will support Bay State Games initiatives but will also provide our athletic minded constituents with an opportunity to participate in the most prestigious marathon in the world.” Team members will receive several amenities including a team singlet and Bay State Games clothing, as well as training and fundraising support. Applicants must be a minimum of age 18 and capable of running a marathon in less than six hours. Runners interested in running the marathon and raising money to support important programming, which benefits thousands of participants annually, can apply on the Bay State Games website . Bay State Games will review applications and select team members on a rolling basis. For more information on fundraising and how to join our team, go to www.baystategames.org/marathon-charity-program . For questions, email info@baystategames.org or call 781-932-6555.
(L-R) Chuck Barnes (Masters Swimming), Kali Denty (Pickleball), Mena Sheth (Swimming), Daniel Gao (Fencing)
Sports injury? Three tips to get back in the game
CONTACT
Official Member of the
QUICK LINKS
© 2020 All Rights Reserved | Massachusetts Amateur Sports Foundation | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use
