Nick Kahanic, right, and Aaron Lee share a moment together during the Jamestown Regional Celtic Festival at Lakeside Park in Mayville last month. Photo courtesy of Steve Garvey

MAYVILLE — Nick Kahanic decided to “dust off his boots” at the Jamestown Regional Celtic Festival at Lakeside Park at the end of August.

It had been a while.

Kahanic hadn’t competed in the Scottish Highland Games New York State Championships since 2019 — the pandemic canceled them in 2020 and 2021 — so when he arrived on the shores of Chautauqua Lake he wanted to see if he “could say goodbye the proper way.”

He did just that.

“After winning the heavy hammer, light hammer, caber, light weight for distance, braemar stone and open stones; taking second in weight over bar; and third in heavy weight for distance and sheaf, I was crowned New York state champion one last time,” he said.

After spending most of the last decade chasing titles and records in those tests of strength, the Falconer native is calling it quits.

“It was kind of poetic that not only did I win the Open Men’s state championship,” Kahanic said, “but just before my announcement the board of the entire festival … chose an ‘athlete of the day’ between all the classes, and I was given that award.”

The announcement caps quite a career.

An all-state thrower while at Falconer Central School, Kahanic went on to an All-American career at Roberts Wesleyan College. He then took the Highland Games by storm, ultimately setting world records and claiming amateur world championships.

“I’m sore, I’m tired, I’m proud and I’m thankful,” he said, “but most of all I’m blessed. My mother, my fiance, my in-laws, my fiance’s siblings, and my countless friends and chosen family were there to hug me as I closed my final chapter to my athletic career.”

Also competing with Kahanic was his friend, Aaron Lee.

“He didn’t want to compete because he hasn’t in over three years as well,” Kahanic said.

But Lee, who decided he couldn’t turn down a chance to share the field with his buddy one last time, performed well, finishing in fifth place.

“Top five in the state, and he just decided (days before) to step on the field,” Kahanic said. “The kid is incredible.”

The same could be said for Kahanic’s career.