STEVE SERGENT 11/10/66 - 8/27/02

With great sorrow we have to announce that Steve Sergent, long-time friend and fellow racer, lost his battle with lung cancer in late August, 2002. Steve was a gem of a guy who was always the first to offer his assistance or racing advice, or just a chuckle to his teammates and to those he didn't even know their name. I don't recall a time when I saw Steve that he didn't have a smile on his face, as ornery as he was. He showed great sportsmanship and dedication to the sport and teammates. Steve was an excellent mechanic and really had the moves on the track; he seemed like he had the edge and was willing to take a chance and won a lot of trophies because of his racing abilities. He was always one of the "ONES TO WATCH" as he was as fast as lightening!

Even when Steve wasn't able to race anymore due to his health, Steve loved mower racing so much that he loaned his mower to a fellow racer so that he could still be a part of the action. Last August, 2002, his mower came in 1st Place in the races in Marysville, Ohio. This trophy was presented to Steve at home following the race and he was just as proud as ever and showed it off. Steve will be greatly missed, but never forgotten as he will always live on in our hearts and memories. Below are a couple of pictures that his family sent in for his web page to share a more intimate side of who Steve was.

Above is a shot of Steve with his race face on.

This is a shot of Steve while serving in the Navy in Guam back in the day.

This is a picture of Uncle Steve with his niece, Kelsey, when she was 6-months-old. Steve was very much a family-oriented man.

Steve was a little brother with the Big Brothers organization as a young boy, and unfortunately was one of those "unmatched littles" who spent more time waiting for a "match" than he was actually "matched." During the brief time he had a Big Brother, he was so proud of their friendship, he often wanted to take his turn to "treat" when he and Big Brother, John Millisor, took their weekend trips to the Dairy Queen. (Steve inherited his Grandpa Charlie's love of ice cream and lawnmowers!)

When Steve's Mom, Jan Rusbuldt, was asked to join the Marion Big Brothers/Big Sisters Board of Directors 5 years ago, knowing first-hand the anguish that young "unmatched" boys and girls feel while awaiting volunteer "bigs," it became her priority to make sure these children didn't feel left out and were included in local events during their wait for a match. While serving an unprecedented 3rd consecutive year as President in August, 2002, her beloved Steve succumbed to his brief illness. The Board of Directors soon developed the Big Brothers/Big Sisters Steve Sergent Memorial Fund in Memory of Steve and in Honor of Jan. Money raised for this fund is used to enable unmatched boys and girls to participate in group events, trips and camps. Donations in Steve's memory can be sent to Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Marion County, 460 Kensington Place, Marion, Ohio, 43302.

Please read on to check out Steve's accomplishments and mishaps during his racing career.

Here's a shot of Steve taking his victory lap at the 1998 STA-BIL Regionals. Steve had been laying low all Summer -- he showed up at some races but without his mower! He shows up at the Nationals/Regionals races on September 5, 1998, and was lapping the field (on the outside I might add) without any trouble! Steve won the 1998 National Championship as well as the Regional Championship for AP Class! Congratulations Steve!

Steve has been traveling the countryside to many races the 1999 season. On June 6, 1999 Steve attended three regionals in Mendota, Illinois. In the first regional he was too busy taking straw baths to place. There were 19 mowers in his class on this race day so it was tough to maneuver. In the second regional, Steve finished in 2nd Place. In the third regional, Steve pulled off a 1st Place victory (almost wiping out on the final lap)! Atta Boy!

Steve attended the Fire Cracker Regional on, you guessed it, the fourth of July. This race was held in Lisle, Illinois and was hosted by STA-BIL. We were told that if Steve could have stayed out of the straw baths he could have won the race! I know -- woulda/coulda/shoulda.........

Steve also attended the Motor City Regional on July 22, 1999, and kicked some grass! There was an elimination race because there were too many mowers for the small track and Steve made the cut. This race was "under the lights" and on a dirt hair-pinned track. He drove a strong race and came from the back of the pack to win!

Steve attended the STA-BIL races in September, 1999 (two regionals and the Nationals) and experienced some major engine problems during the first eliminations and had to pull out of the race. Fellow teammate, Larry Potenza, had rib injuries from a previous race day, but had brought his mower just in case he wanted to race. Larry decided to loan Steve his engine to keep in the point standings. It all paid off and Steve finished in 1st Place for the Season's points after all!! Way to mow Steve!!

We don't have any of his mower information but if you're reading this Steve, please email the webmadster your mower information! He's probably just wanting to keep his secrets!

Steve attended the River City Regional in Decatur, Alabama, on May 7, 2000, and kicked some Bammy Butt!! Steve received the checkered in the AP Class!! Bravo Steve-o!!

Steve attended the Show Down USLMRA Regional on July 1st, 2000, in Lisle, Illinois and brought home the AP Class Championship! Steve beat out Evan Billingsley (MT) and Mitch Kiper (IL).

On July 30, 2000, the USLMRA hosted the Ohio Regional in Celina, Ohio. Steve brought home another AP Championship! Coming in 2nd was Mitch Kiper (IL) and Kevin Kiper (IL) coming in 3rd.

The USLMRA hosted the Wolverine Regional in Adrian, Michigan on August 13, 2000. Out of the 12 competitors, Steve finished 7th in the AP Class.

Here's a shot of Steve in Marysville. On August 19, 2000, the USLMRA hosted three different regionals at the All Ohio Balloon Festival in Marysville, Ohio. In the 1st AP race, Steve finished in 13th (out of 15). Coming in 1st Place was Kary Koelliker (IN), while Mike Boris (MD) and Trish Potenza (OH) came in 2nd and 3rd, respectively. In the 3rd Regional, Steve finished with a respectible 3rd Place (out of 14 racers), being beat out by Evan Billingsley (MT) in 1st and Mark Boyce (GA) coming in 2nd.

Steve attended the Indianapolis Regional and Nationals events on September 1, 2000. In the AP Class Regional race, Steve finished with an excellent 2nd Place finish (out of 24 racers!!). Coming in 1st was Kurt Schwengle (WI) and 3rd was Dink Strunk (AL). At the Nationals event, Steve finished with another great 3rd Place finish (out of 24 racers). Coming in 1st for the Nationals was Evan Billingsley (MT) and 2nd Place was achieved by Kurt Schwengle (WI).

In the USLMRA 2001 Point Standings, Steve finished overall in the AP Class with an awesome 3rd Place!

Lets see how Steve had done over the years..... (BY WEBMADSTER'S MEMORY)