Senior Games continue growing

The 21st annual Green Valley Senior Games came to a close with thanks to volunteers, participants, and sponsors at the Recognition Breakfast at West Center Thursday.

Seven-hundred and sixty-eight motivated seniors, ages 50-90, tested their skills and pursued their passions in 25 different activities all over town last month. That's 74 more than last year.

"It's exciting to see so many seniors participating, enjoying the camaraderie, and the spirit of having fun," declared GVR's Executive Director Jeff Ziegler, who has witnessed the growth of the games for most of their existence.

"All of us connected with Green Valley Recreation have experienced a great deal of satisfaction in being a supporter of the games for its 21 year history," he said.

Nearly 200 came to enjoy the breakfast buffet while the big screen above them displayed slides of participants in action.

Sponsors KGVY radio, La Posada, UMC, GVR, Caregiver Connection, Wells Fargo, Jim Click, White Elephant, and the Green Valley News sent representatives.

Special recognition was afforded Sophie Odell, 88, and Mansur Taufic, 90, as the oldest participants, and it was noted that Ralph Carter of Green Valley Lanes has been coordinating the bowling activity since 1985, the longest continuing volunteer for any event.

It requires his attention on three consecutive Saturdays.

Big job

"It's a really big job," said Karen Rans, GVR liaison for the games.

She chaired the breakfast and introduced Fred Law-rence, director the last two years, who praised the efforts of all who participated and volunteered.

"I got to meet a lot of different people in the community that I would never have met otherwise," Lawrence said.

"It's great to see so many. It motivates people to get out and get into something that's exercise, for the body and the mind, which is great for their health."

There were too many great performances to mention all, but notable efforts include a 278 game and 712 series from Roy Williams to take the men's 69-73 bowling division, and Ina Wilson's 681 that took the women's 71-75 title. Marie Hale rolled a 215 and a 669 to win her division.

Eleanor Hambre turned in a 1:29.19 in the bicycling event's 65-69 age group, less than 10 minutes behind the best men's time in all age groups.

Talented athletes

Michael Andrews had the second highest overall score in the basketball shoot (Carol Friedman in the 75-79 group was only 6 points behind him to take the women's title), and showed his talent in golf, too, taking gold in putting, chipping, and the 18-hole shootout.

Lynn Boag won the 65-69 division, as well as closest to the pin, taking silver in putting, and Jim Dickey and Donald Anderson dominated in 60-plus and 80-plus golf categories.

Buck Lentzer, competing in the 50-54 age group, showed his versatility in taking gold in the 5K run with an impressive 19:50, threw the softball almost 200 feet, and turned in an equally impressive 2:34 in the 800 meters, and a 5:21.3 in the 1500 meters. He also won the 200 meters in 30.9.

Colleen Keilbart, Marv Weber, and Tudor Apmadoc won tennis gold in singles and doubles, and Jim Molski, Gary Icenogle, and Dave Goodrow turned in top performances in racquetball.

Cyrel Bandy and Jane Winkenwerder outdistanced opponents in mah-jongg, and Joann Whitelaw took gold in croquet singles and doubles.

The Laughlins and Baxters grabbed a lot of Bocce ball gold, and Janette Lucas and Joan Smith took a lot of silver in shuffleboard.

Parkie Copeland, Malcolm Hathaway, Evelyn Sprowl, and Lynn Simon shined in swimming, with Copland picking up three gold medals at 75-79, Hathaway a gold, two bronze, and a silver, Simon four gold, and Sprowl with three gold a silver.

Lynette Patterson took gold in the long jump, and won the kick, pass, punt event, the softball throw, and the 50-meter dash.

As always, the most important results turned in were the inspirational efforts of senior citizens in Arizona who refuse to let Father Time take over.

mtouzeau@gvnews.com | 547-9747