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FORKS, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) Special Olympics North Dakota honored 17 individuals, organizations and businesses throughout the state for their outstanding levels of commitment and support.  These recipients, along with two inductees into the Hall of Fame, were recognized on November 14th at the Special Olympics North Dakota State Awards Banquet in Fargo.

Valley City’s Adam Maresh was named the Male Athlete of the Year:

Maresh’s successful career with Special Olympics began in 2010.  His greatest achievement has been as a power lifter but also competes in bowling and track and field.  Adam represented North Dakota at the 2014 USA Special Olympics Games in New Jersey in power lifting and brought home 3 gold medals.  His hard work and determination led him to the 2015 Special Olympics World Summer Games as a member of the Special Olympics USA power lifting team where he also won 3 gold medals.

Local individuals and organizations that were nominated:

Female Athlete of the Year-RoxAnne DeKrey

Youth Service –Trevor Breske

Outstanding Area Volunteer-Mary Tangen

Outstanding School-Northern Cass High School

Outstanding Area Organization- The ARC of Barnes County

2015 State Award Winners include

Bailey Bjorge, Grand Forks – Female Athlete of the Year

Josh Parrill, Grand Forks – Coach of the Year         

Will Archinal, Minot – Youth Service

Petra Hulm, Bismarck – Outstanding Area Volunteer       

Willie Ressler, Minot – Outstanding State Volunteer         

Stan and Deb Thompson, Bismarck – Family of the Year                                

Concordia College SAAC – Outstanding Area Organization          

Town and Country Credit Union – Outstanding State Organization       

Bishop Ryan High School, Minot – Outstanding School   

Joan Beyer, Wahpeton – Continuous Service          

Matt Fowler, Fargo- Continuous Service

Alex Nagel, Grand Forks- Continuous Service

Dave Reuter, Fargo- Continuous Service

Daniel Bower, Minot -LETR Flame of Hope              

Julie Blehm, Fargo Daryl Bjelde Memorial Award

Erin Baumann, Grand Forks – Roger Kerns Character Award

Jennifer Hummel, Fargo – Hall of Fame                      

Kevin Austin, Grand Forks – Hall of Fame