ALCGPSC 038/21 - 2020 ELITE MALE AND FEMALE ATHLETES OF THE YEAR

R 07 APR 21

ALCGPSC 038/21

SUBJ: 2020 ELITE MALE AND FEMALE ATHLETES OF THE YEAR

A. Coast Guard Morale, Well-Being and Recreation Manual, COMDTINST M1710.13 (series)

1. I am pleased to announce the 2020 Coast Guard Elite Male and Female Athletes of the Year.

2. The Coast Guard Elite Female Athlete of the Year is ENS Kathleen Spotz, stationed at Sector Northern New England, South Portland, ME.

3. ENS Spotz distinguished herself in the sport of running. She is an endurance athlete and charitable ambassador that has raised more than $400,000 for clean water projects worldwide. In 2020, ENS Spotz organized Run4Water initiatives and set records becoming the first woman ever to do nonstop runs across the states of New Hampshire (61.71 miles in 11:08) and Vermont(73.85 miles in 13:09), and the first person ever to do a nonstop run across the state of Maine (137.87 miles in 31:26). Her accomplishments garnered national attention in news media and publications in SHAPE and Runner's World magazines. Furthermore, Run4Water generated more than $26,000 in contributions and helped raise awareness about the need for clean drinking water in underdeveloped countries. Her next challenge will be Ride4Water, where she will cycle across Maine's 308-mile Atlantic shoreline, raising funds along the way. ENS Spotz not only competes at the highest level of excellence for herself, but she strives to inspire and empower female athletes through a good cause.

4. The Coast Guard Elite Male Athlete of the Year is LTJG Christopher White, stationed at Sector Long Island Sound, New Haven, CT.

5. LTJG White distinguished himself in the up-and-coming sport of ninja warrior. He is a year-round competitor that has achieved success at multiple competitions across the nation. LTJG White qualified for the Season 5 National Ninja League (NNL) World Finals and competed against 300 plus athletes from several countries. He is now competing in Season 6 of the NNL, where he has earned first, second, and third-place finishes, placing top five in eleven of thirteen competitions. As a result, LTJG White qualified for the Northeast and New England Regional Championships. He currently sits in first place in both the Nationwide Adult Division (200 athletes) and New England Region (63 athletes) and is in line to automatically qualify for the World Finals. LTJG White aims to have a second appearance on the televised show American Ninja Warrior in 2021. He also started a fundraiser by selling t-shirts that he wears during competitions to raise money for Coast Guard Mutual Assistance. LTJG White serves as the Unit's Health Promotion Coordinator and on the committee for Partnerships in Education.

6. The Coast Guard Elite Female and Male Athletes of the Year runners-up are LT Margaret Morgan, ATC Mobile, and CAPT Jeffrey Novak, COMDT (CG-1A).

7. Not only have these athletes distinguished themselves in their respective sports, but they are outstanding role models on the job and in their communities.

8. Released: RDML S. N. Gilreath, Commander, Personnel Service Center. The Service Center for our most important resource Our People.

9. Internet release authorized.