Story by Tom May | Photos by Bill Hanson
Every year, the season of spring brings us face-to-face with real winners. The NCAA crowns winners in men’ s and women’ s college basketball. A garland of roses is placed around the neck of the horse who wins the Kentucky Derby. Milk becomes the drink of choice for the winner of the Indianapolis 500 auto race. The winner of golf’ s prized tournament, The Masters, slips his arms into the sleeves of a green sports coat.
What makes one athlete reach the sport’ s pinnacle while leaving the other athletes in the dust? What defines a winner? A quote on the heading of a local Facebook page explains,“ Winners must have two things: definite goals and a burning desire to achieve them.”
MAY / JUNE 2026 NEWS AND TRIBUNE SPORTS MAGAZINE PAGE NO. 25