money Here's the status of the Highmark Quad Games after director Kelly Latimer's resignation
Kelly Latimer wouldn't officially refer to the Highmark Quad Games in the past tense.
However, her tenure as director of the 40-year competition definitely is done.
Latimer told the Erie Times-News on Friday she's cancelled the final leg for the 2022-23 Quad, Sunday's cross country ski race, because of poor course conditions at Wattsburg's Wilderness Lodge.
Start of 2022-23 Quad: Terella, Holland reigning champs as Highmark Quad Games open Sunday with swimming event
That expected announcement, though, was overshadowed by others.
Latimer cited current work and family issues as reasons she has resigned as the Quad's director after an eight-year tenure. Craig Latimer, her father-in-law, also was in charge of a swimming-cycling-running-skiing competition he helped found and ran from its 1983 origin through 2013-14.
Curt and Julie Cardman were in charge of the Quad for one season before Kelly Latimer took over.
What's next for the Quad Games?
Kelly Latimer also confirmed there will be no Games for 2023-24.
“Alex Zarger verbally committed (to take over as) director,” she said. “However, he made his decision too late to get funding from Highmark (for 2023-24). I'm hoping he can get to a place where we're able to bring it back.”
Zarger is an orthopedic physician. The Harbor Creek and Gannon University graduate also is a former Quad medalist.
Which athletes won the 2022-23 Quad?
The cancellation of Sunday's cross country ski race marks the third time since the 2016-17 Quad that it's been reduced to three events because of warm weather. The Quad swimming leg typically takes place in April, the cycling leg in July and the running leg in September.
Latimer's decision also assured Matt McWilliams and Desiree Terella would be the overall men's and women's champions for the 2022-23 Quad.
It's the second title for McWilliams, a Fort LeBoeuf graduate and former Ironman Triathlon gold medalist.
Quad bike race: Matt McWilliams breaks own course record
Terella, a former Edinboro University swimmer, repeated as the women's titlist. It was her fifth such victory since 2016-17.
For subscribers: Erie County female sports pioneers: Women who have made a difference in area athletics
Latimers to be lauded
Past and present Quad participants will have chances to thank the Latimer family for their four decades of Quad involvement at a March 19 banquet in Erie at the Brewerie at Union Station, 123 W. 14th St.
The event, which is free and open to the public, will run from 1 to 3 p.m.
Contact Mike Copper at mcopper@timesnews.com. Follow him on Twitter @ETNcopper.
More:Quadri honored before Mandel, Proctor win Quad Games run
This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Highmark Quad Games could come to end after 40-year run, might restart
