Amputee Adapts to Find His Sport September 2021 Athlete of the Month
Gary Bertelsen , 75, Westerville, OH Gary Bertelsen figures he has good sports genes. His brother Jim played football for the Texas Longhorns and for another five years in the NFL. He walked on the track team at the University of Wisconsin. When told he would be getting scholarship, he trained as hard as he
- Published in Athlete of the Month
Courting History
Joyce Jones, 91, Seattle, Washington Joyce Jones has compiled an admirable athletic record by winning more than her share of championships in three racket sports over seven decades. She can’t even guess how many medals and tournaments she has won in badminton, tennis and pickleball, because her focus has been more on the pursuit of
- Published in 2021 PB, Personal Best Featured Athletes
Keeping Up with Kathy Bergen August 2021 Athlete of the Month
Kathy Bergen, 81, La Canada, California It’s hard to keep up with elite track and field star Kathy Bergen, whether it’s her competitors or the statisticians. She was the most decorated athlete at the National Senior Games in Albuquerque in 2019, chalking up three American and five National Senior Games records. After nine appearances, Kathy’s
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Like Father, Like Family
Ray Tingstrom, 78, Colorado Springs, Colorado Mick Tingstrom, 54, Woodbridge, Virginia “It’s like a family” is a phrase commonly heard among Senior Games athletes to describe their feeling of connection with others pursuing the same goals to live active and healthy lives. There are real family ties when a son or daughter decides to follow
- Published in 2021 PB, Personal Best Featured Athletes
“I’m Grateful for Cycling” July 2021 Athlete of the Month
Patrick Bohan, 57, Buena Vista, Colorado Some senior athletes have to adapt to medical conditions and disabilities to compete, and most will tell you their activity is helping to keep their situation under control. When someone facing extreme challenges performs well enough to earn medals, the accomplishments are even more impressive. “I should be needing
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Speedy G’s Speedy Recovery June 2021 Athlete of the Month
Juanita Gonzalez, 82, Los Angeles, California Juanita Gonzalez found a midlife love for running 28 years ago, awakening her competitive spirt and a goal to always win her age group. Since then, “Speedy G” has been rewarded with Gold Medals in 72 road races. Ironically, it was a 2nd place finish at the 2015 National
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2022 National Senior Games Celebrates “One Year Out” In Greater Fort Lauderdale
Major media platform, new way for states to compete announced GREATER FORT LAUDERDALE, Florida (May 10, 2021) – Organizers, athletes and supporters gathered at the Hilton Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort to hear “What’s New for 2022?” with the upcoming 2022 National Senior Games presented by Humana, marking one year from opening day for the massive
- Published in Press Releases
“Leaps of Faith” May 2021 Athlete of the Month
Brian Hankerson, 62, Hollywood, Florida It’s easy to assume that athletes just have a gift and that it’s not something you could go out and do, especially in midlife. Brian Hankerson no longer believes that and offers his story as proof. While he always knew he could jump and run, he never knew how good
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Living a New Chapter
Yvette Matthews, 67, Durham, North Carolina For most of her life Yvette Matthews enjoyed good health to the point that she didn’t know what feeling very sick was like. Genetics can contribute to such good fortune, but we suspect her regular involvement in a variety of sports since youth, including playing semi-pro volleyball as an
- Published in 2021 PB, Personal Best Featured Athletes
Just Another Archer Having Fun April 2021 Athlete of the Month
Rick McKinney, 67, Gilbert, Arizona When Rick McKinney began with archery, he was told he should choose another sport. “I was all thumbs and clumsy,” he admits. “But man, there was nothing like it and a lot of fun!” It’s a good thing Rick pushed on or he wouldn’t have given us one of the
- Published in Athlete of the Month