Men’s C-1 Senior 5000m
(Note: previously awarded to 10,000m)
The National Championship Senior Men’s C1 5000m event is named in honor of Frank Havens of the Washington Canoe Club (WCC), Washington, DC. Frank was a 4-time Olympian (1948, 1952, 1956, 1960), winning two Olympic medals in the 10,000-meter canoe singles, a Silver in 1948 and Gold in 1952. He also won the national canoeing championship in 1950-52, 1954, 1956-57, and 1961. Frank (deceased in 2018) was an active paddler, racer and supporter of canoesport through and into his 90’s.
Some career highlights for Frank Havens
- Only American C-1 Olympic Medalist in American History
- Sports Illustrated Top 50 Athletes of Century in 2000
- 7-Time Singles National Champion
- Virginia Sports Hall of Fame
- Arlington, VA Sports Hall of Fame
- Worlds Master Champion numerous times as an individual and with his big brother Bill Havens
- Was an active paddler, racer and supporter of canoesport well into his 80s, last competing nationally at the 2006 US Masters (USMAS) National Championships.
- Brother Bill Jr., was on the 1936, 1940, and 1948 teams also in canoe.
- His Uncle Charles competed in 1924.
Father Bill, Sr. was on the 1924 Olympic Team, the first year Canoe/Kayak was a demonstration sport. Bill, Sr. chose not to compete to be at home with his wife as she gave birth to their son – Frank. Twenty-eight years later, in 1952, Bill, Sr. received a cablegram from Frank. It was sent from Helsinki, Finland, where the 1952 Olympics were being held. The cablegram read: “Dad, I won. I’m bringing home the gold medal you should have won while waiting for me to be born.”
Winners
YEAR | AWARDED TO |
---|---|
2023 | Fernando Jorge (5K) |
2022 | Gavin Ross (5K) |
2021 | Johnny Grady (5K) |
2020 | Cancelled due to Covid19 pandemic |
2019 | Ryan Grady (5K) |
2018 | Gavin Ross (5K) |
2017 | Gavin Ross (5K) |
2016 | Ian Ross (5K) |
2015 | Zach Guay (5K) |
2014 | Justin Staubach (5K) |
2013 | Ian Ross (5K) |
2012 | Ian Ross (5K) |
2011 | Ian Ross (5K) |
2010 | Markin Borys (5K) |
2009 | TBD |
2008 | TBD |
2007 | Amniel Narranjo |
2006 | TBD |
2005 | TBD |
2004 | TBD |
2003 | TBD |
2002 | TBD |
2001 | TBD |
2000 | TBD |
1999 | TBD |
1998 | TBD |
1997 | TBD |
1996 | TBD |
1995 | TBD |
1994 | TBD |
1993 | Zsolt Molnar |
1992 | Jim Ross |
1991 | Jim Ross |
1990 | Bruce Hartzler |
1989 | Bruce Merritt |
1988 | Sandor Nyerges First awarded |