Despite not holding events in 2020, the Bay State Games selection committee is still honoring athletes based on past participation in the Games and other athletic achievements. It selects an Athlete of the Year in four categories. The 2020 selections for Athlete of the Year are as follows: Female Athlete 18 & younger: Teagan Dymek (Osterville); Male Athlete 18 & younger: Reese Stevenson (Harvard); Female Athlete 19 & older: Ildiko Szekely (Beverly); and Male Athlete 19 & older: Seth Trahan (Sturbridge).

Beverlys Ildiko Szekely has competed in Bay State Games Masters Swimming since 2014, winning gold every year in the 200-meter butterfly. She holds the Bay State Games record in Women 35-49 200-meter butterfly.

As a member of New England Masters, Szekely has achieved many national and international accomplishments, highlighted by winning gold in the 100-meter and 200-meter butterfly at the 2014 World Masters Swimming Championships in Montreal, Canada. She has also won several U.S. Masters Swimming National titles, and currently holds the U.S. Masters Swimming National record in the 400-meter freestyle relay.

Her swimming resume includes 10 individual and three All-American honors, and 59 Top 10 swims. Prior to becoming an accomplished Masters swimmer, Ildiko swam at Michigan State University, where she was a team captain and an Academic All-Big-10. She held program records in the 100-yard and 200-yard butterfly and 400-yard IM, all of which she still ranks in the Top 10 in program history.

Ildiko is currently the Connors Family Learning Center Assistant Director at Boston College.

The Bay State Games Athlete of the Year program was established to recognize individuals that excel above and beyond their athletic participation in the Bay State Games. Individuals are chosen based on overall achievements, involvement in the Bay State Games, involvement in their community, effort, sportsmanship, overcoming adversity and attitude on and off the athletic field of endeavor. The selection committee reviews nominations submitted by coaches, commissioners, parents, volunteers and other players.

Individuals chosen as Bay State Games Athlete of the Year have also been submitted for recognition as the National State Games Athlete of the Year. If chosen as the National State Games Athlete of the Year, recipients will be recognized at the National Congress of State Games annual symposium. National Athlete of the Year winners will be notified in October.

For more information on the Bay State Games Athlete of the Year program and past winners, go to http://protect-us.mimecast.com/s/GFyZC31rZ2hm6nNpjfgwxx8?domain=baystategames.org.

The Massachusetts Amateur Sports Foundation (MASF), an independent, non-profit organizer of the Bay State Summer and Winter Games, provides Olympic-style athletic competitions and developmental programs for amateur athletes of all ages. Founded in 1981, the MASF operates statewide and year-round to promote personal development, education, physical fitness, teamwork, sportsmanship and mutual respect. From a modest beginning of four sports and 300 athletes, the Games have grown to include over 30 summer and winter sports. The MASF is a member of the National Congress of State Games, comprised of over 35 states nationwide.

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Beverlys Ildiko Szekely chosen as a Bay State Games 2020 Athlete of the Year recipient - Wicked Local Beverly