Full Cycle
Full Cycle – Larry Johnson, 94, Albuquerque, New Mexico When he turned 90, Larry Johnson’s grandson challenged him to ride his bike 90 miles to celebrate. Not only did he accept the challenge, he made it an even 100 miles and staged the ride on a spin cycle at his gym in Albuquerque. Now 94, the
- Published in 2014 PB, Personal Best Featured Athletes
Going Great Lengths
Going Great Lengths – Vivian Stancil, 67, Riverside, California Photo (below) By: Cathy Wilson If you had told a young Vivian Stancil she would one day be swimming and competing in Senior Games, she would have laughed out loud at the notion. She was always deathly afraid of water, and could have easily quit with
- Published in 2014 PB, Personal Best Featured Athletes
Forever 21
Forever 21 – Karen Newman, 52, New Greenwich, Connecticut It would be easy to survey the athletic accomplishments of seven time All- American triathlete Karen Newman and assume her road has been a relatively easy one. Of course, a natural runner with an intensely competitive attitude would be able to return to form after taking
- Published in 2014 PB, Personal Best Featured Athletes
“Balls and Strikes” – March 2014 Athlete of the Month
Samuel “Doc” Morton, 76, of Newport News, Virginia Bowlers at the National Senior Games in Cleveland last year may have admired one athlete with a different approach. Samuel “Doc” Morton, 76, of Newport News, Virginia, took on all comers from a wheelchair. However, none would have guessed what a gifted athlete and true hero was
- Published in Athlete of the Month
“Winning by Losing” – February 2014 Athlete of the Month
Dianna Laverdiere, 53, Charlotte, Michigan For the first half of her life, 53 year old Dianna Laverdiere of Charlotte, Michigan enjoyed good health and an active lifestyle. Then, her career job kept her at a desk. Marriage and raising three children provided some activity, and she made efforts to exercise and enjoy some bike riding.
- Published in Athlete of the Month
“Really Cool Runnings” – January 2014 Athlete of the Month
Harris Richardson, 69, Sumter, South Carolina In the Caribbean the expression “cool runnings” means “peace be the journey.” For Trinidad born and raised runner and cyclist Harris Richardson, the saying took on a literal meaning because 28 of his 69 years have been spent working and living in less-than-balmy Alaska. As a young tradesman Harris landed
- Published in Athlete of the Month
“Illinois Athlete Has the ‘Chi’ of the Tiger” – December 2013 Athlete of the Month
HUMANA Heroes: December 2013 Athlete of the Month Illinois Athlete Has the “Chi” of the Tiger Dorothy Sinson of Chicago has embraced challenges for her entire life. “When I went to Oak Park High School in the 1940’s the prevailing belief was that the pressures and athleticism of competing would interfere with a girl’s reproductive
- Published in Athlete of the Month
“Heartfelt Thanks” – November 2013 Athlete of the Month
HUMANA Heroes: November 2013 Athlete of the Month Heartfelt Thanks On June 22nd, 2007, John Bates was having the time of his life, sharing a tennis court with his doubles partner and wife Janice Sullivan. They had traveled to Louisville, Kentucky from their home in east Tennessee to compete in the 2007 National Senior Games.
- Published in Athlete of the Month
Family Extended
Fran Allison, 80, Kinston, NC & Jackie Allison, 56, Youngsville, NC Fran Allison’s motor never stops, and the energy has rubbed off on her family and everyone else around her. She played what high school sports were available for females in the early ’50s and her husband taught her to play tennis and golf, but
- Published in 2013 PB, Personal Best Featured Athletes
Greenville, North Carolina
Talk about a “family affair!” Bonds of affection and dedication could be felt throughout our visit to Greenville, and it went well beyond our Personal Best award presentation to 80 year old Fran Allison and her 56 year old daughter Jackie, made during a break in competition at the 20th annual North Carolina Senior Games
- Published in Personal Best Tour Blogs

