Michael Mannozzi, 39, who grew-up on Erskine Ave. in Boardman, came from a diverse and unusual athletic background for a race walker. While he ran one year of track at Boardman High School, he was a member of the Spartans football team for four years and wrestled for two years.
      He was a walk-on athlete at Notre Dame College in Euclid, Oh. as a member of the cross country team while also wrestling for the school as well as throwing the javelin a bit during track season. He also played a season of semi pro football at one point.
      When a senior at Notre Dame, Mannozzi became a racewalker. After finishing near the back of most events in which he competed, at the NAIA championships to finish the season, he claimed a first place and became a national racewalking champ.
      17 years later, Mannozzi is now a religious affairs airman stationed in California with the U.S. Air Force, where he is still competing in racewalking as a member of the military’s athletic team.
      Most recently this May he represented the United States competing in the 35k Pan American racewalking championships in Anapoima, Columbia where he finished 20th with a time of 3:19:22, his best international time in the event by some 8 minutes.
      He is looking forward to competing in the USA Track and Field Championships where in will compete in the 20k later this summer.
      “Remaining healthy and consistent in training,” is Mannozzi’s goal as he looks forward to the national event.
      This past March, Mannozzi made a strong statement in his first World Masters Athletics Indoor Championships. The event took place in Gainesville, Fla. Over 3,700 athletes from 99 countries took part. Ages of participants ranged 35 to 104-years-old. The event included track and field, cross country, and road racing, race walking and outdoor long throws.
      Mannozzi competed in the 35-39 age group where he won a world silver medal in the 3,000 meter and road 19k race walks. He also led the men’s team to a team silver in the 10k.
      In both events, Mannozzi and Amaro Teixera of Portugal shared the podium as they had epic battles in the 3,000 and 10k race walk. Teixera crossed the finish line a scant three seconds ahead in both races.
      Mannozzi is a religious affairs airman, stationed at Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif., and was a member of the military’s World Class Athlete Program. He is a 15-time U.S. national champion and eight-time Team USA member in race walking. He balances his military duties with training for international competitions.
      PICTURED:  IN WET AND RAINY CONDITIONS, U.S. Airman Michael Mannozzi, of Boardman, competes in international competition in Anapoima, Columbia.