TAAF Athlete of the Year Awards Go To Local Swimmers

KIXS 108 is always happy and proud to see local youth achieve their goals through hard work and perseverance. Maddison Stanush and Jay Mowdy have done just that and deserve to be recognized.

Maddison Stanush and Jay Mowdy, both of Victoria, received the Region 16 Texas Amateur Athletic Federation Local Athlete of the Year Award for participation in the local TAAF swimming program. The Victoria Parks and Recreation Department presented the awards on Aug. 29.

Maddison, 8, has been in the TAAF swimming program for five years. She has competed in the state games for three years and in the winter games for two years. She received one bronze and four gold medals at the summer games; and won three gold medals and two silver medals at the winter games. Maddison has also competed at nationals in San Diego, Calif. and will compete next summer in Hershey, Pa.

Jay has competed in the TAAF swimming program for three years. He competed at this year's state games in Corpus Christi, where he placed second in the 100 free. He plans to compete in the winter games and also at the 2013 National Swim Meet. Jay swims for his high school team and has aspirations of swimming at college.

Maddison and Jay were nominated for the award based on their participation, sportsmanship, overall athletic participation, achievement and number of years participating in TAAF.