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The youngest of the three is Karen Swisher, young in years with HRW (just 6 years) but an “elder star” in national racewalking. Karen has also served as President from Dec. 2017 to summer 2020 before moving to Wisconsin to be closer to family. Karen brought a commitment to excellence as President of the club and expanded our membership via social media. During her HRW time, she garnered many awards in national racewalking competitions, including USATF Indoor and Outdoor Gold medals, with national records in the Indoor Mile. She has won numerous medals at National Senior Games and has “owned” the Kansas and Missouri Senior Games. In 2017 she was chosen USATF Senior Racewalker of the Year in her age division (65-69), beating out former Racewalker of the Year Marian Martino, a Hall of Fame racewalker. Just as impressive as her athletic accomplishments are the love and excellence in leadership that she brought to Heartland Racewalkers.

The Second honoree is Tom Oakes, long-time Treasurer and board member of HRW. Tom joined HRW almost 18 years ago when we were located at Health Plus and he saw us on the track and was hooked. He indicated that the health benefits also appealed to him and the “use it or lose it” philosophy. He served as Treasurer for 12 years and kept our club financially secure. His racing memories include taking first place in a club Be-A-Walker 3000-meter race and being on our Patriots Day 9-hr:11-min race team. Tom stated that his memories of HRW which were reciprocated, include the wonderful friendships that he made with fellow racewalkers.

The top name on the latest plaque is Fred Adams. Fred decided to try racewalking after a a heart attack in 1988 at age 55 when he saw our sport in the St. Louis at the Senior Olympics. He was an athletic champion at an early age, being on the Tangerine Bowl winning football team representing the University of Nebraska, Omaha. He continued racewalking when he moved to Arkansas and looked up our club when he moved to Kansas City. He became a fixture in racewalking in the area and nationally. Fred has won many medals at Missouri and Kansas Senior Games and at National Senior Games and Huntsman World Games. Fred has served as both Clinic Director and Treasurer for our club. Fred performed this service to our club while commuting from homes far away to the north in Liberty and KC North. Fred also gave back to racewalking by participating in community outreach seminars and presentations. He has had his role models in Tom Young and Jean Brunnenkant, our most senior HRW members. Now Fred is a role model to his many friends in HRW.

Two new plaques were installed on the HRW bench in Roe Park on Nov. 7, 2020, honoring Sunday Cavallaro and Alan Poisner. Sunday was honored for her long time service as club secretary and clinic director, for the joy that she brought to our get-togethers, her recognition as winner during the last three consecutive years of the Alan Poisner Service Award, her significant athletic success, and the inspiration that she brought to her fellow club members while dealing with serious medical issues for several years. Alan was recognized for his longtime support of the club since its founding, for his service of 20 years as President and his support of racewalking and racewalkers in the KC area. He also has brought recognition to our club and the Kansas City area by winning Gold medals at multiple national and international competitions.

Photos of the installation ceremony can be found in an album in the Pictures link. A special section on Sunday is reported separately in the News.

It is with deep sorrow that HRW faced the loss of Sunday Cavallaro, our longtime secretary, clinic director and heart and soul of our club She passed away after several years of dealing with recurrent cancer without decreasing her joyful inspiration to all of our club members. Sunday transitioned from a full-time runner to a racewalker in 2012 and excelled in local, regional and national races.

Even more impressive was the way she could bring joy, humor and support to her fellow racewalkers, including many social gatherings at her home. Her unselfish service to our club was recognized by installation of a plaque bearing her name in November 2020 (see preceding story). We also recognize the service that her husband Rich Cavallaro provided to our club by allowing us to share her time, by frequently providing transportation, by many social gatherings in their home, and supporting HRW over the years. A link to her obituary can be found at: penwellgabelkc.com/Obituary195226/Sunday-Cavallaro/Olathe-KS. Her memory will live on in the hearts of her family, friends and her extended family, the Heartland Racewalkers.