Swimming’s Spiritual Warrior

Herman Kelly, 67, Baton Rouge, Louisiana You can talk about skill, physical ability and focus as key elements needed to be a successful athlete at any age. One also needs the intangible boost and motivation that comes from having a passion for your sport to see it through. Herman Kelly’s passion for swimming goes much

Games Provide Pathway Through Midlife Challenges December 2021 Athlete of the Month

De Shann Schinkel, 57, Rawlins, Wyoming Many senior athletes have used “midlife crisis” to create midlife opportunities by starting or returning to competitive sports. After dealing with the difficult loss of both parents in her early 50’s, De Shann Schinkel got back into the game and could not have dreamed where it would take her

2022 National Senior Games Offers Historic One-Time Open Registration Period

Pandemic disruptions create unique opportunity for all to participate Clearwater, FLA. (November 9, 2021) – The National Senior Games Association announces, for the first time ever, that they will allow athletes over 50 years old to enter to compete in the National Senior Games without requiring qualification. The 2022 National Senior Games presented by Humana

“Hurricane” Hawkins Sets First-Ever 105+ Female Track Record

100-meter world record set at Louisiana Senior Games: “I wanted to do it at home” Move over, William Shatner. Julia “Hurricane” Hawkins has gone where no woman has ever gone before as the first female track and field athlete, and the first American, to set a track and field world record and establish a 105+

Formerly Homeless Man Gets His Life on Track November 2021 Athlete of the Month

Tim Jenkins, 70, Louisville, Kentucky Tim Jenkins is in awe about how his life has turned around since he found Senior Games in 2018. At the time he had been homeless after decades of misfortune. “I was really homeless for most of my life,” he says. “Just because a house has four walls and a

“Hurricane” Hawkins Going for Historic 105+ Record

Louisiana Senior Games to Host Epic World Record Attempt BATON ROUGE, Louisiana- Every time Julia “Hurricane” Hawkins steps onto a track to compete, the 105-year-old is the oldest woman in the world to do so. Now, she’s about to take it to another level…literally. On November 6th Julia will run the 100-meter race at the

“I’m fighting hard to get back on the court” October 2021 Athlete of the Month

Louise Jones, 77, San Marino, California When Louise Jones found Senior Games basketball in 2010, she had already recently overcome a bout with breast cancer. She was looking forward, enjoying the active life traveling and competing with her Cougars Gold team through four National Senior Games. Then came the bad news. “I was disease free

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

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

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