Anna Aagenes Wins 5K Gold at Gay Games


Anna Aagenes with her gold medal that she won in the women's 18-29 5K.

Anna Aagenes with her gold medal that she won in the women’s age 18-29 5K.

Philly Track and Fielder Anna Aagenes took gold in her age group in today’s 5K at the Gay Games in Cleveland, Ohio.

She tells me she finished in 19:04, which is the fastest time in her age group and overall women’s 5K on the track. “I went out pretty fast the first mile, and just held it until the end,” she says.

Aagenes, an alum of Penn, is executive director of GO! Athletes, an organization that aims to end LGBT discrimination in sports. She is also the recent winner of Best of Philly’s Best LGBT Champion. She’s running again tomorrow and Friday, so stay tuned for updates.

Aagenes isn’t the only local athlete to take home medals this week. Here’s a recap of what I know so far:

Brian Arcedera won silver in the men's 30-34 110 hurdles.

Brian Arcedera won silver in the men’s age 30-34 110 hurdles.

On Tuesday, Brian Arcedera took home silver in the men’s 110 hurdles (age 30-34). He will compete in another relay this afternoon.

Heather Scanlon finished up her week of competitions yesterday with an impressive four medals: silver in hammer throw, silver in discus, and bronze medals in shot put and javelin.

Jeffrey Sotland, Tabu owner and member of the Philadelphia Fusion softball team, says his team beat out the Norfolk Gunners in the first double elimination game. The score was 17 to 2. They also won the second double elimination game, and are playing in a championship game this afternoon. “We’re a guaranteed silver medal,” he tells me.

Team Philadelphia Chair Bob Szwajkos tells me the Falcons soccer team won 9-0 over Toronto, and 7-1 over Washington D.C. The Fairmount Fillies softball team won two games over Cleveland, with two strikes in the lead division. And Szwajkos himself scored a 93 in golf on Monday. 

Many congrats to all the winners, and good luck in your upcoming competitions.

The ninth Gay Games continue through Friday in Cleveland and Akron, Ohio. Stay tuned to G Philly for more updates.