ALCGPSC 031/19 - 2018 ELITE MALE AND FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR AND UNIT SPORTS TEAM OF THE YEAR

22 MAR 19

UNCLAS //N01710//
ALCGPSC 031/19
SUBJ:  2018 ELITE MALE AND FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR AND UNIT SPORTS
TEAM OF THE YEAR
1.  I am pleased to announce the 2018 Coast Guard Elite Male and Female Athletes of the Year.
2.  The Coast Guard Elite Female Athlete of the Year is LTJG Sheila Bertrand, stationed at the
CG National Command Center.  LTJG Bertrand distinguished herself in the sport of Rugby.  She
currently trains with Scion Rugby, competing nationally at the “elite” level.  LTJG Bertrand
helped lead Scion Rugby to victories in several tournaments during the summer of 2018,
resulting in a second place overall ranking amongst all nationally ranked “elite” Rugby teams. 
She also competes nationally with Northern Virginia’s Rugby Club at the Division I level. 
Additionally, LTJG Bertrand was selected as the sole USCG member to compete on the US
Armed Forces Women’s Rugby team at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in a multi-day
tournament that served as the pathway to the first Armed Forces Women's rugby
tournament scheduled for 2019.  Her exceptional athletic ability has placed her in the
player pool for the USA Olympic women's rugby team in 2020 and on the roster of the
USA (national) Eagles team in non­Olympic years.  LTJG Bertrand regularly gives back
to the community by volunteering. This past year, she participated in the Bay Area,
Texas Women's Rugby clinics in conjunction with a local Major League Rugby team in
support of Houston area youth. In addition, she supported a clinic in the Northern
Virginia area to promote and grow women's rugby in the Delaware­ Maryland-Virginia
(DMV) area for children aged five and older.
3.  The Coast Guard Elite Male Athlete of the Year is BM2 Benjamin Lind, stationed at CG STA
New Haven.  BM2 Lind distinguished himself in Martial Arts.  He was able to win one gold, one
silver, and two bronze medals during the 2018 International Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Federation
championships.  He earned two silver medals during a 2018 Pan American submission-only Jiu
Jitsu championship.  Additionally, he won three gold and two silver medals at the 2018 regional
Jiu Jitsu championships. In addition to these accomplishments, he currently holds the 95th place
standing in his division, which includes more than 1,700 athletes internationally. In the sport of
Judo, he placed second in his division during the 2018 Ocean State International Championship
and third in the 2018 Northeastern Open Judo Championship.  BM2 Lind gives back to the
community as an active participant of Judo and Jiu Jitsu groups, and a member of USA Judo and
the International Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Federation. He often works with junior members at his
martial arts gym to facilitate their personal understandings and growth within the sport. He is
currently working to coordinate an association of Coast Guard Judo and Jiu Jitsu practitioners.
He volunteers within the Coast Guard Enlisted Association and was the founding president of the
local branch in New Haven. His leadership led to significant overhauling of the Sector Long
Island Sound's fitness facility. Furthermore, BM2 Lind mentored and subsequently improved
results for the two members who struggled to pass the personal fitness test and weight standards.
4.  The Coast Guard Unit Sports Team of the Year:  No nominations submitted for 2018.
5.  Not only have these athletes distinguished themselves in their respective sports, they have
also been outstanding role models on the job and in their communities.
6.  ME3 Mary Gillan, stationed at CG STA Apra Harbor, Guam, is the runner up Coast Guard
Elite Female Athlete of the Year, distinguishing herself in Women’s Volleyball competition.
7.  LT Tiago Goncalves, stationed at CG MSU Baton Rouge, LA, is the runner up Coast Guard
Elite Male Athlete of the Year, distinguishing himself in Martial Arts competition.
8.  Although not selected, the following military athletes were nominated by their commands for
this award and can take pride in their athletic endeavors and in representing the Coast Guard in a
very positive way.
LTJG Nikole Barnes  CG SECTOR Miami   Sailing
LT John Botti   CG SECTOR Honolulu  Running/Triathlon
CS1 Karl Edwards  USCGC WEDGE (WLR-75307) Bodybuilding
LCDR Ronald Epperson COMDT (CG-DCO-8)  Running/Marathon
MKC Michael Genereux CG STA Apra Harbor, Guam             Free Dive Spearfishing
BM2 Jacob Halligan CG STA Lake Worth Inlet             Golf
LTJG Rodion Mazin CG SECTOR Long Island Sound       Sailing
GM1 Charles Petrotto CG Academy             Marksmanship
LT Ernest Saponara CG PACAREA             Mountain Biking
LT Duane Zitta CGD FOURTEEN             Ultramarathon
9.  Released by:  CAPT G. T. Prestidge, Commander, CG Personnel Service Center.  The Service
Center for our most important resource – Our People.
10.  Internet release authorized.