Topeka ? Lawrence’s Joanie Starks and Salina’s Maure Weigel have been selected as the 2004 Sunflower State Games Athletes of the Year.

Starks, a teacher at Lawrence High, won gold medals in the 50 breastroke, 50 freestyle, 100 freestyle, 200 freestyle, 400 freestyle and diving.

Starks has been participating in the Sunflower State Games for eight years and also has competed in track and the Governor’s Cup run.

Weigel, who owns Weigel Insurance Agency in Salina, was the 2004 gold-medal winner in track high jump, long jump and triple jump.

Beginning with the 2002 Games, Weigel has won eight gold medals and one silver in the track and field events at the SSG, the state’s amateur athletics festival held every July.