By the Numbers

By the Numbers – Jane Kaiser, 65, St. Louis, Missouri Jane Kaiser may not be the most gifted senior athlete, but she just might be the healthiest. It seems fitting that a native of St. Louis would be the poster child for our motto to “Be Your Personal Best.” After all, the Gateway City is

Targeting the Heart

Targeting the Heart – Little Big Eagle, 58, Midland, North Carolina There he stood on the awards podium in Cleveland, proudly celebrating his Gold Medal in archery won at the 2013 National Senior Games Presented by Humana. His name was announced – Little Big Eagle – and it seemed to convey to every observer that this

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

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

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

“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

“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.

“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

“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

“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.