The Super Bowl and Winter Olympics are just around the corner, but active and armchair athletes in the Gowanda area didn’t have to wait to discuss big plays, great running, expert moves. The Jan. 28 Gowanda-Area All-Sports Awards banquet provided everyone with the perfect opportunity to recall the adrenaline-pumping sports moments that made local history and offered, and still do offer, pleasant pastimes.

     Once again, the stage was set at Gowanda VFW Post 5007 for family and friends to honor this year’s award recipients.

     In its 11th year, the awards banquet is held to recognize those who have demonstrated not only their talents, but their dedication, longevity and sportsmanship in a variety of venues.

     First to be called to the “spotlight” by emcee Mark Benton was Jim Ralston. A skilled archer, Ralston has expertly wielded a bow and arrow for over 40 years. He has competed not only locally but nationally as well, traveling to Las Vegas in 1996 and soon to wing his way to Denver to compete in the Indigenous Games. A top-20 contender in last year’s Senior Olympics, Ralston enjoys sharing his knowledge of the sport with others, having taught bow hunting for the past 15 years.

     Award presenter and friend Chris “Hoot” Gerling calls Ralston “A super guy,” adding that the award winner has done everything at Collins Conservation Club from straightening tips to helping others with their techniques.

     As he accepted the award, Ralston said, “It’s not a chore to go up there [Collins Conservation Club], it’s fun.”

     Joe Tomaszewski is a guy who loves a good fender bender. Not in the traditional sense, but in the “Let’s push that bumper into the back seat area” kind of crash. Tomaszewski has nearly 300 notches on his belt to prove his love of demolition derbies.

     The demo bug hit Tomaszewski in 1972 and, although he only lasted two minutes competing in the Cattaraugus County Fair Demolition Derby, that set the stage for 27 more years of “wrecking” cars. He has won more than 100 events, competed in eight states, made seven television appearances and provided inspiration for others who can’t resist the urge to vie for the top prize and title at various competitions.

     Tomaszewski retired from competition in 1999, but remains active in the sport by promoting the Chautauqua County Fair.

     “If I had to do it all over again, I would,” Tomaszewski remarked as he accepted his award.

     Every bowler hopes for a decent game. Some consider anything in the l00s as cause for celebration, while others hope to end their game in the 200s. Bowling 200 games is not unusual for Donald “Skip” Veloski.

     Strikes and spares have been a part of Veloski’s life for more than 50 years, taking up the sport as a high school student. Through the years, Veloski honed his kegling skill, achieving a record-setting three-game set of 747 in 1977 in Gowanda, following with career-high sets in 1984-85 of 717 scratch and 789 handicap in the annual Dunkirk Bowling Association Tournament.

     A well-liked and respected team player at K&L Lanes in Gowanda, Veloski commented, ‘1 bowl with a great bunch of guys.”

     Nancy Jemison then spoke of her cousin Sandy’s accomplishments and dedication to the sport of lacrosse.

     Sandy Jemison began her career in lacrosse by playing first in high school and then in college. She was a member of the Iroquois Nationals Women’s, Team that competed in Europe, Canada and Australia. Later on she formed a team on the nearby Seneca territory, which initially competed in Western New York schools, but then branched out and joined the Midwest Schoolgirls Lacrosse Association.

     After a three-year stint as organizer and coach of a team at SUNY Fredonia, Jemison returned to the Seneca team, where she was instrumental in helping to form the First Nations lacrosse team. First Nations competed in the Cup of Nations international tournament last year, and the team is currently competing at Northwestern University, while hoping for an opportunity to compete in Australia.

     “The recognition is for them, the girls,” Jemison said as she accepted the award.

     Succeeding in any sport takes hard work, talent and plenty of practice. One of the most physical and grueling sports is martial arts. While many people associate men with martial arts thanks to many Hollywood movies - the award this year went to two women.

     Bryna Moritz has the distinction of not only being the daughter of martial arts expert Derek Moritz, but of being the youngest student, at 17 years of age, to attain the rank of Black Belt at Supreme Performance Martial Arts School. Her training with retired world kickboxing champions Joe Lewis and Bill Wallace helped prepare her for competitions, and her knowledge of the sport has enabled Moritz to be a mentor and teacher to others. She has even judged at tournaments.

     Receiving the award from her very proud father, Moritz noted that getting her Black Belt “was the most important part” of her life. She also said that she couldn’t have had a better partner, Kellie, who also received an award.

     Kellie Abers has also demonstrated her talents in martial arts, competing in tournaments and putting on demonstrations for schools and organizations. She, too, attained Black Belt status, training with her partner Bryna Moritz. Abers also shares her knowledge of the sport by teaching others at Supreme Performance Martial Arts School.

     Despite the serious nature of their sport, Moritz and Abers had fun over the years. Abers emphasized the fun aspect by exclaiming, “We were talking about purses and shoes while punching each other!” Now that’s friendship!

     It was then time in the program to reflect on those who left their mark on the local sports scene before being called “home.” The memorial awards are presented to those who exemplify the actions, dedication and love of sports that those who went before them demonstrated.

     Sean Gabel was first to be feted, receiving the Howard Hillis Memorial Award.

     A diehard football fan who has played the game since third grade, Gabel proved his mettle on the field as a member of the 1992 undefeated Gowanda team, subsequently playing in college as a Buffalo State Bengal. He now coaches in Gowanda and, according to presenter Bryan Brawdy, “really cares about these kids. He’s trying to improve the program.”

     “I’d like to become half the coach he [Howard Hillis] was,” Gabel stated. “It’s a privilege to come back and coach. I hope to give back what the community has given to me and my family over the years. There’s more to coaching than what’s on the scoreboard.”