Coast Guard athletes shine.

Each year, the Coast Guard selects a male and female "Elite Athlete of the Year." The 2004 selections were chosen from a large group of nominees for their athletic prowess and leadership on and off the field.

Lt. Kerry G. Karwan stationed at the U.S. Coast Guard Marine Safety Office in Houston-Galveston, Texas, was named Elite Female Athlete. As one of the best volleyball players in the Coast Guard for the past 10 years, this year she competed in the Armed Forces Volleyball competition. Although her team finished third, she was named an all-star of the tournament and represented the United States in the Conseil International du Sport Militaire Volleyball Championships held in Canada.

Named Elite Male Athlete, Chief Warrant Officer Christopher E. Whitlock distinguished himself through competing in triathlons. After breaking his back in 2001 and almost dying from complications, last year he competed in the Ironman Triathlon World Championships held in Hawaii. Whitlock finished eighth out of 15 military team members, and was the first Coast Guard team finisher with a time of 10:50:53 for the 2.4-mile open ocean swim, 112-mile bike ride and 26.2-mile marathon.