Mel Fox Award continued


the big eight finals in 50 free in open international competition with a seventh-place finish. From there, Brindle placed in the top 30 in a world-class field of swimmers at the Santa Clara International, followed by an eighth-place finish at senior sectional champions and his history-breaking swim at junior national championships. “Carson is a serious, diligent and tenacious athlete, and a fine student of sport,” Coach Alex Nikitin says. “He is really engaged in the training process, and learns the fine skills of swimming intentfully, day in and day out.”


Aidan Daly-Jensen Alpine skiing


Seventeen-year-old Aidan Daly-Jensen has been a top member of the MAC ski team since he joined the Mighty Mite ski program in 2004. As a junior he has consistently been in the top of his age group both among teammates and in the Pacific Northwest, and more recently, on a national level.


“He has set goals each year since he started racing as a Mighty Mite and has worked very hard year after year in pursuit of his passion and dreams,” says Ski Committee Chair Laura Mittlestadt. “He is not just a dreamer but has an excellent work ethic and is always doing whatever training he can do to keep working toward bigger achievements.” Daly-Jensen’s recent accomplishments are many. At the J2 nationals, he finished 19th in slalom, 22nd in giant slalom, 41st in Super G, 25th in downhill, and eighth overall. Only seven male athletes from the Northwest qualified, and this was a first for any MAC racer.


Aidan Daly-Jensen


Daly-Jensen was named to the 2011 Pacific Northwest Ski Association (PNSA) Alpine team. The team had only nine male members, and Daly-Jensen was also the first MAC skier ever to be chosen. He is ranked seventh in PNSA (including U.S. Ski Team members) for downhill.


“Aidan is also a fantastic team member and a very good example to his teammates,” Mittlestadt says. “He is consistently polite and friendly to kids on the team, and he is gracious and personable to parents and coaches.”


Cameron McAlpine Rowing


Cameron McAlpine is a devoted rower. He missed his 2009 graduation from Lincoln High School to compete in the USA junior national rowing competition in Cincinnati, Ohio. The trip was worth it, since McAlpine secured the first-place win in two-men rowing with partner Michael Evans. McAlpine is currently in his sophomore year at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Besides competing in rowing for the school, he is on the board of his dormitory; is treasurer for


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Joe Loprinzi Award continued


high fives,” Dawson says. “She stays informed and connected with what is going on with our team.” The DesBrisay sisters have teamed up for more than just the MAC Mile. The two model a healthy lifestyle by staying fit and racing together. As a result of a little friendly rivalry with one another, the two improve their finish times from year to year. “Michele is inspiring because she doesn’t worry about how she is going to do in a race; she just goes out and enjoys the experience,” Dawson says.


Anne Lazar Yoga, swimming


On any given morning, Anne Lazar attends yoga class, practices her breathing, and works on her poses just like any other loyal yogi. She can also be found taking swimming lessons or working out in the pool. But unlike most, Lazar has overcome serious physical obstacles. She grapples with DeVic’s Syndrome, also known as Neuritis Myelitis Optica, a rare, painful, debilitating neurological disease. “Despite, or perhaps because of, her disease, Anne inspires all who know her in the MAC yoga community by the manner in which she faces her challenges with cheerful determination and grace,” says Yoga Committee Chair Stephen Brown.


The first signs of Lazar’s disease appeared while she was training for the New York City Marathon in 2002. A numbing and weakening sensation in her feet kept her from running the marathon, and during the next year, slowly robbed her of movement. In August 2003, Lazar was in the hospital, paralyzed and fighting for her life. For six weeks she was unable to move or see. As Lazar began to regain mobility and sight, she started looking for exercise options. Her decision to choose yoga was the beginning of her journey. “On any given day, Anne can be seen wheeling into yoga and positioning herself in the corner of the room, which has a wall bar as support,” explains Brown. “When seeing her attempt poses, it inspires us all to be all we can be. “What makes Anne special is not her greatness in her sport, but instead her incredible spirit,” Brown continues. “She not only represents the beauty of yoga as a practice, but continues to exude greatness as a leader.”


Anne Lazar


Mike McDermott Exercise and Conditioning


“I had to learn a Joe Loprinzi lesson the hard way,” says Mike


McDermott. “I didn’t make time for fitness so I was forced to make time for illness.” McDermott nearly lost his leg to diabetes. After nine surgeries and two years of recovery, he was grateful for the privilege of exercising.


continued on page 50 JANUARY 2011 | The Wınged M | 49


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