Capital Striders scholarship program for high school cross-country athletes in Polk county began in 1999 with one $500 award. The number of awards and the amount per scholarship has grow since then and this year, we were able to again present five $1200.00 scholarships.
Three of these scholarships are named after supporters of Capital Striders:
1. Dave Hurd was an avid runner and patron of running and wellness in Central Iowa.
2. Chuck Jipp, who lost his battle with ALS in 2000, was a long-time Striders Board Member, volunteer, and runner.
3. Stan Smith was one of the first members of the organized version of the Capital Striders, and contributed endlessly to the running community whether it be youth programs, high school, collegiate, or lifetime.
For the third year in a row we have been able to offer an additional scholarship, named for Kinetic Edge, for donated additional scholarship funds. Special thanks to Kinetic Edge Physical Therapy and Todd Schemper, a long-time Striders member.
The 2019 Capital Striders Scholarship Winners are:
Dave Hurd Scholarship: Kate Snodgrass, Valley High School. College, undetermined.
Chuck Jipp Scholarship: Helen Gould, Valley High School. Planning to attend the University of South Dakota.
Stan Smith Scholarship: Noah Mable, Urbandale High School. Planning to attend Iowa State University.
"Kinetic Edge" Scholarship: Paige Blackford, Southeast Polk High School. Planning to attend the University of Nebraska Omaha.
Capital Striders Scholarship: Ben Russell, Roosevelt High School. Planning to attend the Rochester Institute of Technology.