LAKE PLACID — The Uihlein-Ironman Sports Fund of the Adirondack Foundation awarded $34,250 in grants this year to 22 athletes and eight organizations. The grants were handed out at a ceremony for recipients and their families and friends on October 20 at Heaven Hill Farm in Lake Placid.

The Uihlein-Ironman Sports Fund provides financial support to competitive athletes in the greater Lake Placid/Olympic Region with regional, national and international promise, as well as nonprofits, schools and community programs that introduce youngsters to competitive sports and healthy lifestyles.

Local mountain biker Adrian Hayden received funding to help him compete in races in the United States and Canada. A Saranac Lake High School junior, Hayden has competed in more than 70 downhill and enduro races since 2013 and earned a third-place finish this year at the USA Cycling national championships in Colorado. He has his sights on World Cup competitions and proudly represents the Adirondacks wherever he travels.    

Max Durtschi, a member of the National Biathlon Team who lives and trains in Lake Placid, received funding to help him return this season to the World Cup / World Championship circuit. He works as a teaching and research assistant at a hospital while also training, and noted in his application that the greatest barrier between him and his athletic goals is financial.

The Tupper Lake downhill ski club received funding to help support its ski outings for middle and high school students, including those who may be interested in skiing, but do not have the funds to try it out. This group is looking forward to day trips to Whiteface and Gore and one overnight trip outside of the Adirondacks. 

“Henry Uihlein’s legacy is one of supporting athletes and athletic organizations from the greater Lake Placid area,” said John D. Leekley, Jr., chairman of the Uihlein Foundation. “We’re proud to continue that legacy to this day, as his generosity continues supporting competitive athletes.”

“Adirondack Foundation is proud to leverage the generosity of the Uihlein and Ironman foundations to help young local athletes thrive,” said Cali Brooks, President and CEO, Adirondack Foundation. “We extend our congratulations and best wishes to all.”

The complete list of grant recipients and their respective sports is as follows: 

·       Katherine Broderick, alpine skiing

·       Hunter Church, bobsled

·       Marli Damp, Nordic skiing

·       Max Durtschi, biathlon

·       Kai Frantz, Nordic skiing

·       Friends of Mt Pisgah, for ski lessons

·       Brian Gardiner, freeskiing

·       Tara Geraghty-Moats, Nordic combined

·       Adrian Hayden, mountain biking

·       Sean Hollander, luge

·       Madison Kostoss, alpine skiing

·       Lake Placid Elementary School, for mountain biking

·       Lake Placid High School, for the cross country running team

·       Lake Placid Outing Club, for participation scholarships

·       Van Ledger, biathlon

·       Beckett Ledger, Nordic combined

·       Sylvie Linck, Nordic skiing

·       Nina Lussi, ski jumping

·       Esther Munoz, speedskating

·       New York Ski Educational Foundation, for the Nordic junior race program

·       Rowen Norfolk, alpine skiing

·       Paul Smith’s Visitor Interpretive Center, for winter sports equipment

·       Karl Schulz, Nordic skiing

·       Scott Schulz, Nordic skiing

·       Sydney-Yu Terpening, speedskating

·       Sonja Toishi, alpine skiing

·       Tupper Lake Middle High School Down hill Ski Club

· Tupper Lake Youth Nordic Ski Develop ment Club

·       United States Luge Association, for its luge development program

·       Andrew Van Slyke, alpine skiing

·       Zachary Zientko, alpine skiing