2007 Glenn Cunningham Memorial Award
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Frances Barger |
Frances Barger received the 2007 Glenn Cunningham Track Award for
outstanding performance in track events in national and state games. She was also
the 2006 recipient.
Glenn Cunningham was the greatest miler of his day. He overcame a serious handicap
of being badly burned as a nine year old child. Doctors said he would never walk again. However, years later,
he broke the mile world record of 4:6.9 in 1934. Once again he broke the indoor record of 4:4 in 1938. He presented
the first award at the Arkansas Senior Olympics in 1988.
Glenn Cunningham Memorial Awards are presented each year for the track performances the
preceding year. Athletes are chosen by the following method. The award is for all age groups 50+, male and female.
Points are calculated as follows (using only the sanctioned National Senior Olympic running events): Gold medal = 5
points; silver medal = 3 points; bronze medal = 1 point.
Former recipients include "Jim" Sunao Yamanaka, Joan Scarlotta, Henry Hawk, Frances Barger, Roy Davis, Nominah Arthur,
David Samuel, Leon McClinton, Elizabeth Gann, Nash Abrams, Betty Whitaker, Jean Schooler (twice), Everette Bolton, Richard
Burlson, Shirley Golf, Orlie Parker, Rod Parker, Angie Ransom and Jack Gentry.
Frances, North Little Rock, began doing competitive running in the lat 90's and her first entry in the Arkansas
Senior Olympics was the 5K in the Fall of 2000. That race result qualified her to participate at the 2001 Nationals
in Baton Rouge, where to her suprise she placed 5th. Winning that award got her hooked on all levels of Senior Olympic
competition. Every year since, she's participated in our State Games and has always qualified for Nationals, not only
in the 5K road race and the 10K, but in the running events on the track. At Nationals in Hampton Roads VA in 2003, Frances
won a bronze medal in the 400 meter race. In Pittsburgh in 2005, she placed 5th in the 800 meter run. This past
June in Louisville KY, she placed 5th again in the 800 meter run, and also took 5th place awards in both the 5K and 10K road
races. Placing so well in fields of approximately 25 of the top national runners in her age group, she has reason to
be proud of her accomplishments as a "late starter" into Senior Olympic competition. She keeps improving with age.
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David Cotner |
David Cotner of Booneville, Arkansas, participated in 100m, 200m, 400m, running
long jump and shotput events. He broke the 200m state record for 50 and 55 year groups, the 400m record for 55 year
group, and 100m record for 50 year group. In Louisville KY at the 2007 National Senior Games, David won a gold medal
as part of the Arkansas 4x100 meter relay team. He also won a silver medal in the 200m, a bronze medal in the 100m and
a bronze medal in the 400m.
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2007 Van Matre Field Memorial Award
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Roy Morgan |
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Craig Burrow |
Craig Burrow and Roy Morgan were awarded the 2006 Van Matre Memorial
Award for outstanding field performance.
This award, established in 1997, is earned by the competitors
who have the greatest number of first places in sanctioned field events. The award is in memory of Jan and Art Van
Matre, educators and athletes from Northwest Arkansas. They dedicated their lives to helping people have better lives and
made great contributions to the beginning of the Arkansas Senior Olympics.
Former recipients: Joyce Hopgood, Susan
Clower-Smith, Helen Keene, Carl Wofford, Naomi Smith, Lyndle Taylor, Norma Stotts, Paul Beckman, Don Pellman (two years),
Carlotta Barnhill, Jerry McBride and Johnny Hopgood.
Craig Burrow, Hot Springs, holds records for 50 and 55 year group
in long jump, high jump for 55 year group, standing long jump for 50 year group, and triple jump (N.A.).
Roy Morgan, Jacksonville, participated in the most field events. He holds
record for discus for 75 year group.
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