Show-Me State Games Athlete of the Year Wins National Award

COLUMBIA, MO - 2011 Show-Me STATE GAMES Female Athlete of the Year, Whitnee Johnson, has been named the 2011 National Congress of State Games Female Athlete of the Year.

Whitnee Johnson, 18, from Columbia, MO, has participated in the Show-Me STATE GAMES for the past 8 years, winning numerous medals in the gymnastics event.  Over the years, Whitnee has won gold medals on each of the four gymnastics apparatus and holds the Show-Me STATE GAMES record for the all-around in the Senior Optionals division.

The 2011 Games were special for Whitnee, as they were her final competition in club gymnastics, after 11 years in the sport.  She will soon depart for Kent State University, where she has earned a full gymnastics scholarship.  Show-Me STATE GAMES Gymnastics Commissioner, Kathy Sanford, who is also Whitnee's club coach, said, "Whitnee is such a great competitor, a great role model for younger gymnasts, and an ambassador for all sports. I have been so lucky to coach such an amazing young lady.  She really is the ideal athlete - she is hard working, has a great attitude, gives it her all and has achieved great success.  I know she will be successful in whatever she does, and look forward to seeing her on the Kent State University team.  They are very lucky to have her."

As a former student at Rock Bridge High School, Whitnee was a member of Tri Theta, a senior girls service organization which serves the school and community.  She also participated in Rock Bridge Reaches Out, a student run club working to "reach out" to the community by encouraging students to volunteer around Columbia.  Whitnee was also a member of the National Honor Society.

The National Congress of State Games will formally recognize Whitnee Johnson at its Athlete of the Year award banquet during the NCSG National Symposium, September 28, in Oklahoma City, OK.

“It is always exciting to have one of our accomplished athletes of the year be recognized on a national level.  Whitnee really embodies the spirit of the Show-Me STATE GAMES, and is most deserving of this national award,” said Ken Ash, Executive Director of the Show-Me STATE GAMES.

The Show-Me STATE GAMES was established in 1985 as a non-profit program of the Governor's Council on Physical Fitness & Health.  Now the largest state games in the nation, the Show-Me STATE GAMES is hosted by the University of Missouri. In addition to the summer games, the Show-Me STATE GAMES offers events throughout the year to promote health, fitness, family and fun. For a complete schedule of events and more details about the Show-Me STATE GAMES, visit www.smsg.org or call 573-882-2101.

Click here to view Whitnee's story on YouTube.