Welcome to Columbus Champions, a free publication distributed on the first and third Wednesday of each month, featuring the people who make a difference in our community.

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Vol 02 Edition 04 (04.16.25)

Brezenski thrives as father, coach and active community member



STORY BY KRISTIN DAHL | PORTRAITS BY DESIGNS BY GINA

When Jon Brezenski steps onto the soccer field, there's an unmistakable sense of freedom and focus that washes over him. The feeling of chasing the ball, coordinating with teammates, and pushing his limits on the field creates a rare kind of clarity.

But for Brezenski, the intensity of soccer isn't just about the sport — it mirrors the way he tackles challenges in his everyday life. Whether carting his four daughters to various activities or treating patients in his career as a physical therapist, that same level of focus and adaptability is key. And just like in soccer, no two days are ever the same.

Where to get your printed copy of

Columbus Champions

  • 402 Custom Cycles and Powder

    Coating...................................................2319 11th St.

  • 10 County Title & Escrow..............1371 26th Ave.

  • Alpha Media ......................................1418 25th St.

  • American Family Insurance, Jana Rasmussen,

    Agent .................................................4504 23rd St.

  • Artzy Haven.........................................2422 13th St.

  • Barrel House.........................................2311 14th St.

  • Bill's Tires..............................................3200 6th St.

  • Behlen Manufacturing Co. ...........4025 23rd St

  • Century 21 Realty Team..................2626 23rd St.

  • CharterWest Bank Mortgage Center

    .................................................4213 38th St. Ste. 103

  • Columbus Bank and Trust...............2501 13th St.

  • Columbus Bank and Trust.......118 23rd St. #100

  • Columbus Convention & Visitor Center

    ................................................464 26th Ave. Ste. 100

  • Columbus Credit Services

    .............................................1260 27th Ave. Ste. 104

  • Columbus Innovation Center..........2311 14th St.

  • Columbus Motor Company..........2806 23rd St.

  • Columbus Physical Therapy...........3211 25th St.

  • Columbus Public Library...............2504 14th St.

  • Columbus Senior Center..................3111 19th St.

  • Cork & Barrel...................................1354 27th Ave.

  • El Tapatio Mexican Restaurant......2721 13th St.

  • Family 1st Dental............................2672 33rd Ave

  • Gaver Tire Pros & Auto Center.......704 23rd St.

  • GPS Bank - Parkway.................... 4459 41st Ave.

  • GPS Bank - Westgate...................... 3423 21st St.

  • Hair Forum .........................................2805 13th St.

  • Hy-Vee, Columbus...........................3010 23rd St.

  • It's All Fun N Games......................1158 26th Ave.

  • Picket Fence Cafe.............................2714 13th St.

  • Pinnacle Bank - East..................... 210 E. 23rd St.

  • Pinnacle Bank................................ 2661 33rd Ave.

  • Pioneer Plaza..................................2402 13th Ave.

  • Quality Inn........................................ 265 33rd Ave.

  • Regina's Kitchen.................2402 13th St. Ste. 10

  • Terrace Books..................................... 2501 11th St.

  • The Broken Mug..........................2200 28th Ave.

  • The Downtown Mug.........2500 14th St. Ste. 1B

  • The UPS Store....118 23rd St. Cherry Creek Plz

  • Valencia Salon and Spa.................. 2417 13th St.

Vol 02 Edition 03 (04.02.25)

Matteson’s late father serves as source of inspiration in life and fatherhood



STORY BY MATTHEW GRAHAM | PORTRAITS BY PETYA McCULLOCH PHOTOGRAPHY

Whether selling pizzas out of a van, making a big tackle on the football field, scoring a trophy buck on a hunt or studying to earn good grades in class, Jacob Matteson has always approached everything in his life with maximum effort.

He learned that firsthand from his late father, John Matteson, who passed away unexpectedly at age 58 in 2017 of natural causes while on a hunting trip.

By all accounts, the late Matteson was committed to...

Vol 02 Edition 02 (03.18.25)

Anderson was lost early in life, but faith helped him find his footing



STORY BY MATTHEW GRAHAM | PORTRAIT PHOTOS BY DESIGNS BY GINA

Clay Anderson was never one to follow the crowd. While most kids spent their time listening to music or watching movies, he was tearing apart VCRs and record players, driven by a curiosity that always set him apart.

“When I was a kid - maybe 4 or 5 years old - I remember taking those things apart. I was always technically-minded,” Anderson fondly recalled. “One time I...

Vol 02 Edition 01 (03.04.25)

Spitz has overcome obstacles and hopes to keep taking on new challenges


STORY BY MATTHEW GRAHAM | PORTRAITS BY PETYA McCULLOCH PHOTOGRAPHY

Shae Spitz is wholeheartedly living the American Dream.

A wife, proud mom of three and successful realtor/entrepreneur, she has more than $95 million in real estate sold, a popular local Airbnb, numerous investment properties and more.

Her dreams have morphed into realities many would be pleased with, but Spitz isn’t among them. She subscribes to one of her favorite quotes...

EDITION #24 (02.19.25)

Faust is passionate about her family, faith and helping Columbus’ youth


STORY BY MATTHEW GRAHAM | PORTRAIT PHOTOS BY DESIGNS BY GINA

Tricia Faust spent her childhood studying and eventually became a math teacher, but she soon realized the numbers weren’t adding up.

She had loved math and working with youth, but was enjoying being newly married and staying home with three young kids around the turn of the millennium. Then, Teammates Mentoring Program approached her.

“TeamMates came about and asked...

EDITION #23 (02.04.25)

Lopez-Chavez Jr. thriving thanks to faith and family despite hardships in life


STORY BY MATTHEW GRAHAM | PORTRAITS BY PETYA McCULLOCH PHOTOGRAPHY

Fernando Lopez-Chavez Jr. can occasionally be seen sporting his Air Jordan shoes and an iconic Chicago Bulls #23 jersey that are fitting for a man who has a decent jump shot and drips with swagger and style. But he can’t fly.

Although Lopez is often beaming with positivity, he’s not being cocky. His humbleness came through instantly when he was approached for this story.

“Are you sure you don’t mean my Dad?” Lopez Jr. asked, referring to his father of the same name who owns El Tapatio Mexican Restaurant in the Trackside District-Downtown Columbus. “Everyone knows me as Fernando’s son, but do they know me as Fernando?”

EDITION #22 (01.15.25)

‘The voice of Columbus’ was almost never heard, but now she’s thriving



STORY BY MATTHEW GRAHAM | PORTRAIT PHOTOS BY DESIGNS BY GINA

Even if you don’t know Riley Scott personally, chances are you’ll instantly recognize her voice.

For years, Scott has entertained and kept the Columbus area informed as the host of popular local radio show “The Morning Buzz” on Alpha Media’s KLIR 101.1 But, her life almost came to a screeching halt approximately 38 years ago before her radio career ever began.

The self-proclaimed former wild child often used to sport a leather jacket, crank the tunes (she might still do that!) and ride a motorcycle. But things changed one night in the late-1980s...

EDITION #21 (01.01.25)

PATTY PRIDES HERSELF ON POSITIVITY

After earning college degrees later in life, Long knows no limit


STORY BY MATTHEW GRAHAM | PORTRAIT PHOTOS BY PETYA McCULLOCH PHOTOGRAPHY

Between working full-time and raising four children, as well as her commitment to her faith and frequent volunteering, Patty Long has always relished being a busy person.

But in the mid-2010s, she came to the realization she wanted to accomplish more.

“I was kind of like, ‘What am I going to do with my life?’” Long recalled. “And so that’s when I decided to go back to...

EDITION #20 (12.17.24)

KEN'S GREATEST GIFTS

Curry has zest for his life, family and community knowing how he got here


STORY BY MATTHEW GRAHAM | PORTRAIT PHOTOS BY DESIGNS BY GINA

Ken Curry lives life to the fullest with his generous spirit, can-do attitude and positive outlook, maybe because he knows he was almost never here.

Curry’s late father, Donald Berton “Bert” Curry, was a U.S. Navy veteran and Purple Heart recipient who proudly served his country from August 1942 through December 1945. He was part of the crew on the famed USS Emmons that took part in the historic D-Day landings and the invasion of the South of France before being hit by five kamikaze aircraft off Okinawa.

EDITION #19 (12.03.24)

JERRY IS LIVING HIS BEST LIFE

Even in retirement, Engdahl thrives serving community in various ways

STORY AND PORTRAIT PHOTOS BY MONICA SANDOVAL

Visiting The Picket Fence on 13th Street in Columbus on any given morning, there’s one sound you can’t miss: The laugh of Jerry Engdahl as he visits with his friends over a cup of coffee.

This group – made up of businessmen and community leaders – has been getting together for coffee for over 35 years. Every day they get together to discuss the latest local happenings and share some light-hearted banter.

This group – made up of businessmen and community leaders – has been getting together for coffee for over 35 years. Every day they get together to discuss...

EDITION #18 (11.20.24)

MIKAELA and NATE Dance with PURPOSE

Brother and sister aim to inspire while teaching Columbus youth

STORY BY MATTHEW GRAHAM | PORTRAIT PHOTOS BY DESIGNS BY GINA

Siblings Mikaela Sramek-Wills and Nate Sramek haven’t just watched the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, they’ve experienced it firsthand. Rather than being among the estimated more than 3.5 million people watching it annually, they’ve had all those eyeballs looking at them on several occasions.


The two were only kids in the late 1990s and early 2000s when...

EDITION #17 (11.06.24)

CAMMY'S TRUE COLOR

Otten driven to serve community by

five sayings and with big smile

STORY BY MATTHEW GRAHAM | PORTRAIT PHOTOS BY DESIGNS BY GINA

If you’ve seen a pink Cadillac cruising through town in the last decade, then you’ve come across Cammy Otten.

The longtime Columbus resident and Mary Kay consultant has been driving the colorful ride for the last 10 years - a reward from the company for outstanding achievement.


But pink represents so much more than that for Otten...

EDITION #16 (10.16.24)

KELLI'S CALLING

Family, faith and hard work serve as cornerstones in Faltys' life journey

STORY BY MATTHEW GRAHAM | PORTRAIT PHOTOS BY DESIGNS BY GINA

There are boxes full of Hallmark Christmas ornaments and maybe some Beanie Babies packed away in Kelli Faltys’ basement to this day that offer insight into her early entrepreneurial dreams. She wanted to own a Gold Crown store; she didn’t see herself as a business coach.

So, while she was earning her Master of Arts Management degree from Doane University in the mid-2000s, a required capstone class...

EDITION #15 (10.02.24)

KIMBERLY'S WALKING ON SUNSHINE

Kimberly Henggeler making most of life with joyful attitude, family and friends

STORY BY MATTHEW GRAHAM | PORTRAIT PHOTOS BY DESIGNS BY GINA

If Columbus ever crowned an ultimate cheerleader, Kimberly Henggeler would surely take the crown. She’d have to dust off the Discoverer pom-poms, but chances are she’d know what to do.

“I was cheerleading all through high school - that was my jam,” the 1993 Columbus High School alumna said, laughing. “I tried intramural basketball as a teen and broke my pinky on like day three, so I was out. I was done.”

EDITION #14 (09.18.24)

TROY'S NOT DONE YET

With focus on family, faith and community,

Loeffelholz has no time for retirement

STORY BY MATTHEW GRAHAM | PORTRAIT PHOTOS BY DESIGNS BY GINA

Troy Loeffelholz is well aware most educators retire by age 60, something he was especially cognizant of as his milestone birthday approached last summer. But then again, Loeffelholz has never been afraid to go against the grain.

“Age is just a number, right?” he said, with a laugh.

EDITION #13 (09.04.24)

Hometown Victory

Local publication pushing forward with positivity

Bryan Chochon is not someone who wants or needs the spotlight, but when approached about being the first-ever "Columbus Champion," he graciously agreed without hesitation on a promise he could trust 402 Content Marketing to tell his story right.

Approximately six months ago, we launched "Columbus Champions" as a free publication aimed to...

EDITION #12 (08.21.24)

Flying High

Kratochvil relishes serving community in various roles

Growing up in nearby Clarkson, Neal Kratochvil was months away from high school graduation and leaving the Husker

state to pursue his dream of becoming a military pilot.

He turned down collegiate track scholarships and hadn’t really applied at any schools because...

EDITION #11 (08.07.24)

On the grind

Hirschbrunner puts in time to benefit his hometown

Dennis Hirschbrunner has know the meaning of hard work practically his entire life.

When he was about 11 years old, he had his first job-shining shoes and sweeping up in Park Barber Shop below Tooley’s Drug & Home Care.

Being a native of Columbus, Hirschbrunner knew a lot of the customers coming in but...

EDITION #10 (07.17.24)

Her Own Rhythm

Lindhorst’s upbeat spirit drives her generosity and hard work

Nicole Lindhorst had a rockstar’s ambition from an early age, learning the value of the dollar and being instilled with a strong work ethic from her divorced parents.

"I wanted this guitar, and my Mom told me that she would pay for the lessons if I bought the guitar and amp. So I worked to get my guitar and amp,” Lindhorst recalled.

EDITION #9 (07.03.24)

American dreaming

Dr. Romero honors his late father and brother by working hard, enjoying life

For Dr. Victor Romero, where he is today is a testament to his parents’ courage, support and sacrifice. It started when they relocated from their native Mexico to Los Angeles in 1987 to provide a better life for their future children.

Unfortunately and despite years of efforts, time, money and energy it took, his late father made the hard choice of giving up hope on practicing dentistry in America like he had done...

EDITION #8 (06.19.24)

NO LIMITS

Ditter prides herself on positivity and inspiration while helping area youth

Chances are if you don’t know Celeste Ditter, you’ve at least heard her name or probably know someone who has

been influenced by her.

Over the years she has dazzled audiences statewide with performances alongside her father and siblings as an

a cappella group (VoiceHouse) and...

EDITION #7 (06.05.24)

THE DISRUPTOR

Johnson doesn’t volunteer for awards,

he wants to bring positive change

Like many others, Josh Johnson grew up in his hometown thinking Columbus was like Mayberry. But he realized upon moving back in early 2020, it wasn’t like the fictional small town on “The Andy Griffith Show.”

“I thought Columbus was this small town that had no problems, but...

EDITION #6 (05.15.24)

HOME SWEET HOME

DuBray's upbringing fuels her 'can-do' attitude

It would have been easy for Jill DuBray to justify giving up on her dreams in the mid-2000s.

She was a young mom with an infant in college pursuing two majors, working two jobs and trying to break into the banking industry that had been historically dominated by older men.

The thing is - DuBray is no quitter.

EDITION #5 (05.01.24)

DREAMS COME TRUE

Columbus area sisters on cloud nine after finding older brother

After years of searching for their biological older brother who was placed for adoptions at birth, four Columbus sisters Shelly Frauendorfe, Amy Soulliere, Nicole Saalfeld and Amber Olsufka were still happily surprised when it recently came time to meet him for the first-time ever in person.

"They were all standing outside when I pulled up and all five of us had the biggest smiles on our faces," recalled their brother Greg Kathol, of their April 2024 meeting.

Greg had several questions for them, such as...

EDITION #4 (04.17.24)

WALK BY FAITH

Steve Zach hopes his journey can help influence others

Longtime Columbus resident Steve Zach is a lot of things - a husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, friend, engineer and deacon. But there’s one title that he doesn’t often bring up.

“Platte County Spelling Bee champion,” Zach said, with a big smile and subsequent laugh. “I won in seventh and eighth grade.”

Deacon Steve,” as he is affectionately referred to by hundreds of St Isidore’s Catholic Church parishioners, has served in that capacity for a year come May 6, 2024.

EDITION #3 (04.03.24)

ENJOYING THE RIDE

Rains hopes to inspire future local leaders

Brett Rains is undoubtedly the life of any party, community gathering or business meeting for that matter.

The lifelong Columbus resident is someone who handles his business while simultaneously turning any dull moment into something exciting. He has the uncanny ability to make a friend out of a complete stranger.

"Look, you're born, someday you're going to die and everything else in between is the gravy train," Raines said.

EDITION #2 (03.20.24)

ALL THE STARS

Yara Ramos Hernandez's worldly perspective inspires her creativity and kindness

Growing up in her native Cuba, a young Yara Ramos Hernandez dreamed of becoming an astronaut.

There was no particular reason for wanting to go to space; Ramos Hernandez was just fascinated with the beauty of the stars and wanted to see the world.

EDITION #1 (03.06.24)

NEVER GONE

Chochon's late grandfather fuels his generous spirit

Oddly enough, longtime Columbus resident and successful businessman Bryan Chochon discovered the true meaning of life while at a funeral. More specifically, his late grandfather’s funeral back in August 2008.

“We had to go to the high school for the funeral because it was so big. The whole gym was full of people,” Chochon recalled.


Richard “Dick” Chochon was strong in his Catholic faith, as well as a longtime educator and former Palmer High School principal/superintendent. He relished hunting with Bryan and his other grandsons (Chochon’s brothers), fishing and hunting. But he passed away unexpectedly at age 67 as a result of a four-wheeler accident.

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