Middlefield Sportswoman to be Honored at 75th Gold Key Dinner

By the Connecticut Sports Writers’ Alliance

The Connecticut Sports Writers’ Alliance has announced the six 2016 John Wentworth Good Sport Award winners, including a Middlefield resident.

Jennifer Schulten will be among those honored at the 75th Gold Key Dinner on Sunday, April 24 at the Aqua Turf Club in Southington.

When Schulten, a former Olympic hopeful in crew, started the Go Far, Go Fast running program a decade ago, she just wanted to keep her son active. But, now, 10 years after approaching her son’s principal with the idea of a running program at recess, Schulten has helped sparked a passion for running in Middlefield and Durham.

In the past decade, the program has gone from a few curious runners at recess to a group that holds an end of the year race that attracts more than 400 runners from several different age groups.

Last May, Go Far, Go Fast celebrated its 10th year. Kids run, chart their mileage and through running learn the benefits of pursuing a long-term goal and working with the community. They start in kindergarten and go through middle school. The program now has about 50-60 past participants running track and field and cross country at Coginchaug-Durham and working as mentors.

Go Far, Go Fast is now funded by races and donations. In the beginning, most of the costs came out of her pocket. The program is now at three elementary schools and one middle school, where it is held after school.

Schulten, a graduate of Fordham, grew up in New York and was an elite rower. She rowed in the junior nationals and won Canadian and U.S. National championships as a sculler and was the first female member of the New York Athletic club. She competed at the Olympic trials and other top competitions.

She has two children, Kate and Pete, who were both part of Go Far, Go Fast, and now run for Coginchaug. Her husband, Chris, is a top local marathoner and triathlon athlete.

Other Good Sport recipients will be Ray Aramini of Columbia, Tom DeFilippo of Bethany, John Greco of Middletown, Bill Nataro of Torrington and David Pelletier of Wolcott.

The award is given in memory of the late sports editor of the New Britain Herald and honors individuals who have dedicated their time to helping their communities through sports.

Former welterweight boxing champion Marlon Starling, New England/Hartford Whalers owner and founder Howard Baldwin, 1960 U.S. Hockey Olympic gold medalist Bob McVey, Trinity College squash coach Paul Assaiante and longtime Greeenwich High boys swimming coach Terry Lowe will receive Gold Keys at the dinner.

Tickets to the 2016 Gold Key Dinner, which begins at 4 p.m., are $75, and can be purchased by contacting CSWA Vice President and dinner chairman Tim Jensen of Patch Media at tim.jensen@patch.com. Tickets can also be obtained by mailing a check to the Connecticut Sports Writers’ Alliance, P.O. Box 70, Unionville, CT, 06085.