“Christmas Hit Maker Runs Like a Reindeer” – December 2016 Athlete of the Month

Elmo Shropshire, 80, Novato, California While visiting the 2016 Florida Senior Games, we found an athlete whose name may not be familiar, but whose voice is instantly recognizable. That’s because Elmo Shropshire is the man who gave the world the smash hit holiday novelty song “Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer.” The 80-year-old runner hails from

“At Your Service” – November 2016 Athlete of the Month

Carroll Marty, 82, Ames, Iowa Carroll Marty has found the key to happiness and longevity, and it’s the same for all senior athletes: just keep moving. However, the 82-year-old has taken it to a level where it’s hard to keep up with the Iowa native and longtime resident of Ames. It’s not that he’s been a

Dover, Delaware

Personal Best Tour – November 5, 2016, Dover, Delaware NSGA’s visit to the Delaware Senior Olympics annual award luncheon could not have been better timed. DSO just completed its 25th anniversary games and wanted to do something special for this year’s gathering. So, in addition to presenting a Personal Best Award to 77-year-old Georgia Billger

Heart and Soul

Heart and Soul – Georgia Billger, 77, Rehoboth Beach, Delaware Georgia Billger has a competitive heart. This is evident by watching the senior athlete’s passion on the pickleball court, and from a history of participating in multiple sports going back to her high school and college days in Pennsylvania. At one point, she was the

“Senior Strider” – October 2016 Athlete of the Month

Brenda Matthews, 67, Anaheim Hills, California Trackster Brenda Matthews is at the top of her game. Last year, the four-time National Senior Games competitor scored four gold medals at the 2015 Games in the women’s 65-69 50, 100, and 200 meter races, plus the long jump. She also helped her 4×100 relay team earn a silver

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Personal Best Tour – September 10, 2016, Milwaukee, Wisconsin   In Photo: Don Hoeppner is congratulated for his Personal Best Award by NSGA CEO Marc T. Riker, along with Wisconsin Senior Olympics President John White (left) and Executive Director Mollie Bartelt.   NSGA visited the swimming competitions for the 2016 Wisconsin Senior Olympics at Shorewood

“Hot on The Trail” – September 2016 Athlete of the Month

John Younce, 68, South Shore, Kentucky Just about anyone who golfs has a bucket list of courses they hope to visit while they chase the little white ball and ponder life. There are dozens of individual dream courses such as Pebble Beach, Pinehurst and TPC Sawgrass, but one name on many lists represents a collection

“Medals of Honor” – August 2016 Athlete of the Month

Jean Davies, 71, Los Lunas, New Mexico The beaming lady you see here is 71-year-old track and cycling athlete Jean Davies of Los Lunas, New Mexico. She is not just smiling to celebrate winning gold medals in five events at last month’s New Mexico Senior Olympics, where she caught our eye. Jean is also happy

“Museum Quality” – July 2016 Athlete of the Month

Fred Winter, 101, Holland Michigan Many recall the epic battle of centenarians in Minnesota last summer at the 2015 National Senior Games presented by Humana. The matches between Fred Winter and John Zilverberg in men’s 100-104 discus, javelin and shot put were hotly contested and caught the attention of many media outlets, including Sports Illustrated and

“Like Father, Like Daughter” – June 2016 Athlete of the Month

Jane Katz, 73 New York City, New York   Dr. Jane Katz has made a lot of waves in her field. She earned her doctorate degree in gerontology and geriatrics from Columbia University and is nationally recognized as an educator, aquatics innovator and author of 14 books on swimming, fitness, and water exercise. She has