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September 28, 2005 NEWS RELEASE FROM: Nebraska Sports Council / National Congress of State Games CONTACT: Dave Mlnarik 402-471-2544 or Steve Kearney 719-634-7333 ext 1006 Colorado Springs, Colo.—Rob Pilcher, an Omaha soldier currently serving in Iraq, was named the National Male Athlete of the Year by the National Congress of State Games Tuesday. Pilcher and female winner, Patricia Jaffray of Montana were chosen from among more than 500,000 athletes who competed in 40 State Games competitions across the country. Pilcher, 25, planned his two-week leave from active duty in Iraq to compete in the Cornhusker State Games wrestling tournament. Pilcher’s 13 victories in Greco, Freestyle, Scholastic and Takedown helped propel him to five gold medals and a seventh “Wrestling Iron Man” award. Over the last nine years in Cornhusker State Games competition he has amassed a total of 31 overall medals. Jaffray, a distance runner from Billings, Montana, earned the Female Athlete of the Year honor by overcoming severe fatigue from over 30 days of radiation treatment to capture the bronze medal in the 5K race. Competing in the Big Sky Games for 19 of the last 20 years, she started running to reduce stress but turned it into a much-enjoyed daily routine. To go along with running, she has also competed in swimming and cycling events. Pilcher became the fourth Nebraskan in 12 years to be honored with the national award, joining Kerry McDermott and Jerry Owen, both from Lincoln and Mike Hafenbrack, of Yutan. Pilcher is serving with the Army National Guard 313th Medical Company. The National Congress of State Games is committed to the development of sports, the promotion of grassroots competition and the lifelong success of athletes nationwide. The Nebraska Sports Council, a member of the NCSG, conducts the Cornhusker State Games, N-Lighten Nebraska and N-Lighten Kids.
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