Editors Note: the following story was prepared by Shelley Zomak, Co-manager of Team Pittsburgh. Her synopsis highlights the participation of Team Pittsburgh in the 2006 Transplant Games in Louisville. For more on Shelley, please see the “Profile” that was prepared following the 2004 transplant games]. Highlights for the 2004 games can be found on the McGowan Institute web site
 The National Kidney Foundation presented the 2006 U.S. Transplant Games in Louisville, KY where we have seen the flame lit and extinguished in just 4 short days. Team Pittsburgh represented the Western portion of PA (from State College) and 13 counties in WV. The Team is comprised of 50 athletes, 8 donor families and 6 living donors as well as numerous supporters. Centers represented on our team include UPMC, AGH, Cleveland Clinic, Strong Memorial, and Hershey.
Competition began on Saturday morning prior to the Opening Ceremonies with the 5K race in which we had approximately 20 athletes from Team Pittsburgh participating. George Shimpeno (kidney) took the Gold while Samantha Scholl (heart x2) took the bronze. They completed the race in 43:36 and 37:26 respectively in their age brackets. Whether they could cross on their own or on their father’s shoulders all had a good time.
At the completion of the race we had 2 swimmers entering the pool for the long distance swimming events. Terry Starrett (kidney) took bronze in the 400M Free while Matt Repasky (kidney x2) came in 4th in the 100 IM.
 Opening Ceremonies were spectacular with Ken Howard as MC. The athletes paraded in to the stadium followed by the living donors and donor families. It has been reported that 7000 were in the stadium that evening. There were 1400 athletes competing in the Games.
The pool did us well again this year. Jared Burk (liver) took the bronze in the 25M. Terry Starrett came home with 2 more swimming medals - silver and bronze. Dana Shinko (heart) took bronze in the pool as well. Samantha Scholl swam her way to a silver medal.
At the same time the Table Tennis Courts were hot for the Team. Jane Barrett (kidney) and Nikki Redlinger-McKenna (kidney) both took Gold while Renee Moeller (double lung) and Linda Stocke (lung) took Bronze. JoAnne Weitzman (liver) obtained her first Transplant Games medal - silver.
The Racquetball Courts provided a Bronze to Carl Patrizi (kidney/pancreas) and Bill Myers (Kidney) in their Doubles Competition. They played 5 sets in less than 6 hours - talk about endurance.
Also, there were 7 Golfers [Tony Aleprete, Doug Garban (kidney), Ted Mains (kidney), Rich Morgan (kidney), Mike Pazzo (lung), Bill Schindler (liver) and Dick Schweiger (lung)] on the links enjoying the beautiful day. Sorry to report no medals there.
Basketball started Sunday evening. We had our Recreation Team consisting of Tony Aleprete (liver), Stanley Holbrook (kidney), Bill Myers, Carl Patrizi, Nathan Repasky (kidney) and Mark Shaw (kidney). A rough Game getting started but they pulled it out for night one. The Co-Ed Team grew as the day went on. With a few pre-game drop outs the team was left with Christy DeBolt (heart), Nikki McKenna and Dana Shinko. The girls were willing to give it a try knowing that they had no relief. Matt Repasky stepped up stating that he would join the Team. During the first game, which was narrowly lost, Shane Carnahan (liver) stepped up asking to join in.
Track and Field was not for the light hearted as the Temperature was noted at 4:00 PM to be 105 degrees so the athletes and those cheering them on did all they could to stay cool. Events got started at 8:00 AM with the 1500M race walk. Tracy Minnear and Mark Shaw stuck it out to get gold and silver. Tracy also took a bronze in shot-put with Dana Shinko in 4th. Wayne Rumburg (kidney) took a gold in shot put and discus (92 feet). Jamie Stroup (heart/lung) took a silver in both soft ball throw and discus. Other winners in Discus were Dana Shinko with silver and Lu Anne Bell-Willochell (heart - 11 months ago) the bronze. Samantha Scholl took a silver in long jump and 100 M.
 With athletes wanting to compete in more events, we were able to construct a male and female relay team. This was a first for Team Pittsburgh. Samantha Scholl took off out of the starting block leading her section of the race. Renee Moeller and Esther Suss (lung) continued through the middle portions. Terry Starrett took off and helped to secure 5th place for the group. We are so proud of them and look forward to the future of the Team.
The men's relay consisted of Jared Burk, Shane Carnahan, Matt Repasky and Nathan Repasky. They certainly gave it their all and placed 6th.
Other track stars include: Scotty Johnston (heart), Emily Petrillo (heart), Kelly Smith (liver/small bowel), Jordan Troup (heart), Tom McWilliams (liver x2), Stanley Holbrook, Carl Patrizi, and Linda Stocke.
 Across the street the Tennis courts provided George Shimpeno with silver in singles. Jane Barrett gave it her best shot as well.
The bowling allies also provided some medals. Nikki McKenna took gold with Bronze going to Al Jones (double lung), Huggy Hensch (heart), and Christy DeBolt. Others participating: Brad Davern (kidney x2), Rich Koper (kidney), Kim Krebs (kidney/pancreas/bone marrow), Ted Mains, Pam Shaffer (lung/kidney), Linda Stocke, Georgene Thomas (heart/lung/kidney), Jordan Troup, JoAnne Weitzman, Robb Wilson (kidney) and Kari Wisniewski (kidney).
The racquetball court was hot again for Carl Patrizi and Bill Myers who worked through their age bracket (50-59) and ended up playing against each other for the medals. In the long run Carl took gold and Bill the silver. Bill left stating that he begins the 2008 training in the morning and they will be in the same bracket again next year and he will get revenge.
 We had 12 players on the Volleyball court having a good time and trying their best against Southern California. Needless to say the beach players won and actually went on for the Gold.
With all of the energy running high, we came to the completion of the 2006 Games. This provided a chance to review things over the week with a photo parade and talking with friends from this year as well as the past. Many awards were given out but the best of all came when they announced the 2008 Transplant Games site. I know Team Pittsburgh could be loud when needed but nothing can come near the response by the Team and supporters when they announced that the 2008 Transplant Games will be in Pittsburgh on July 11-16, 2008. John Innocenti was present from UPMC to accept the honor of being the 2008 Host City.
 Judi Vensak and I gladly accepted the Transplant Games flag from the Kentucky managers. We are anxious for everyone in Pittsburgh to experience this opportunity that has touched our lives so much.
Please check our website www.teampittsburgh.org to keep up on Team Pittsburgh activities. And we hope to see everyone at opening ceremonies in 2008.
If you are a transplant recipient, living donor or donor family please contact me to find out how you can be part of the 2008 Transplant Games.
Shelley Zomak
Co-Manager Team Pittsburgh
Supervisor, Heart and Lung Transplant
Heart Transplant Coordinator
zomakra@upmc.edu |
