“Being one of the first families to live in the Cedar Creek neighborhood - our house was actually the neighborhood builder’s home at one point - we have been around to see the area grow and change from a small two street neighborhood to a large community. Growing up in Cedar Creek also meant that we grew up at the pool and saw it transform from one pool with a separate baby pool, two diving boards, and tiny trees surrounding it, to a large lap pool, one huge diving board, and tall trees that kept the shade during the swim meets!

     Kathy Minerd was with the swim team from the beginning too. She started out as a team parent to us, Ryan and Alyson, and moved into a volunteer for timing, concessions with our dad, David, and bullpen duty during the meets. This then turned into upgrading the team’s manual record system to a modern digital system. After some time, she converted the team from hand-written rosters, records, ribbons, and rewards, to printed labels for the ribbons, a database for the rosters and split times, and storage for records sent in for the County Swim Meets. She was also the lady that calculated the total meet points and told the Cedar Creek Stingrays (used to be known as the Cedar Creek Fleet) that they won!

     From the beginning, Kathy was always there to help and constantly put others before her. She always showed the most genuine kindness to all that she came into contact with, and she was willing to do whatever it took to help the team and children succeed. Growing up in Pennsylvania and moving to Georgia to become a teacher, she has always had a passion for children, and teaching them to be the best that they could be. She was the most patient person anyone could ask for in a friend, neighbor, and Mom, therefore, she was a leader to many! To win the Kathy Minerd award is not only an honor, it says wonderful things about the character, dedication, teamwork, and outstanding efforts of the recipient.” – Alyson (Minerd) Leady

Kathy Minerd Award

     Kathy passed in 2003 after a five year battle with cancer.  She is survived by her husband, David, and their children, Alyson and Ryan, and their families. Kathy's legacy lives on every year through the female recipients of the Kathy Minerd Award. Voted upon by the coaching staff, each swimmer embodies athleticism and solid character and are recognized at the season ending celebration for always wanting the same amount of light to shine on everyone.

2019 - Brooke Davis

2018 - Cecilia "Ceci" Mayhan

2017 - Lauren Kobe

2016 - Annie Witlock

2015 - Helena Aarts

2014 - Savannah Larkin

2013 - Katie Thomas

2012 - Julie Seals

2011 - Jenna Detar

2010 - Natalie Goza & Mallory Hoffman

2009 - Robin Detar

2008 - Aubrey Miranda

2007 - Allie Griswold Wilker

2006 - Alexis Baird

2005 - Sarah Brice

2004 - Andrea Haney