Athlete of the Month
Each month, NSGA selects an interesting athlete to highlight from the vast diversity of people who participate in National Senior Games. These stories demonstrate the spirit of The Games and the benefits of fitness, fun and fellowship that athletes enjoy through their competitive efforts. Everyone has a story to share – what’s yours?
Click Here to submit your information, or nominate someone who inspires you!
Use the search box to find athletes by name or year of story.
Lifting and Loving Life
June 2025 Athlete of the Month By Del Moon, NSGA Storyteller Faith O’Reilly, 82 Saguache, Colorado Look anywhere online and you’ll see Powerlifting is having a moment. Older women who powerlift have particularly captured the spotlight. Catherine Kuehn, 95, inspired the “Strong Grandma” documentary, and one Instagram video promoting the film racked up over 11
- Published in Athlete of the Month
Mind Over Racket
May 2025 Athlete of the Month By Del Moon, NSGA Storyteller Dr. Rajeev Trehan, 70 Lawrence, Kansas Dr. Rajeev Trehan has a secret weapon he uses to defeat opponents in badminton, and it’s not because he was born in India, where the sport originated. It’s not because he has played most of his life. What
- Published in Athlete of the Month
Overcoming Fear by Example
April 2025 Athlete of the Month By Del Moon, NSGA Storyteller Ann Hegstrom, 69 De Soto, Iowa The National Senior Games showcases older adults performing impressive athletic feats, but some, like Iowa native Ann Hegstrom, stand out from the crowd with their personality and presence. Ann captured our attention in Albuquerque in 2019, dressed in
- Published in Athlete of the Month
One Sport Leads to Another
March 2025 Athlete of the Month By Del Moon, NSGA Storyteller Treba Young, 60 Eric Young, 62 Mobile, Alabama Many older adults find recreation and sports are a healthy way to pursue an active life with social connections. For Treba and Eric Young of Mobile, Alabama, Senior Games has opened a new vista for enjoying
- Published in Athlete of the Month
A Classic Recipe for Success
February 2025 Team of the Month By Del Moon, NSGA Storyteller Legendary UCLA Men’s Basketball Coach John Wooden once famously said, “If you want to watch pure basketball, watch the women play.” If you want to watch women play Basketball in the National Senior Games, look no further than the Connecticut Classics 2. Team sports
- Published in Athlete of the Month
Recovery with a Pickleball Prescription – and Guardian Angel
January 2025 Athlete of the Month By Del Moon, NSGA Storyteller Mike Welter, 72 Cape Coral, Florida In 2017, senior athlete Mike Welter of Cape Coral, Florida, was flying high. The former tennis player had mastered pickleball and won two gold medals at the Super Seniors International Pickleball Association (SSIPA) World Championships as his peak
- Published in Athlete of the Month
A Breath of Inspiration
December 2024 Athlete of the Month By Del Moon, NSGA Storyteller Sherry Kemp, 68 Columbus, Ohio In 2019 at age 63, Sherry Kemp was struggling with her health. She needed a walker and carried an oxygen bottle due to a rare, incurable condition. Today, her disease is in check, and she’s planning to compete in
- Published in Athlete of the Month
Veteran Ends 55-Year Drought with Senior Swimming Career
November 2024 Athlete of the Month By Del Moon, NSGA Storyteller Joel Lockwood, 90 Lake City, Michigan Joel Lockwood is having the time of his life by returning to competitive swimming after a 55-year hiatus caused by career and family duties. Despite current challenges, the 90-year-old says he’ll never get out of his lane again.
- Published in Athlete of the Month
The Pickleball Pioneer: Fran Myer’s Unexpected Journey
October 2024 Athlete of the Month By Del Moon, NSGA Storyteller Fran Myer, 78 Kenmore, Washington Some people just have a knack for falling into situations and finding themselves in the middle of history. When it comes to the early development of pickleball, Fran Myer shows up everywhere. “I’m the Forrest Gump of pickleball,” she
- Published in Athlete of the Month
“Gary the Gazelle” Reinvents Himself
September 2024 Athlete of the Month By Del Moon, NSGA Storyteller Gary Yeager, 75 Phoenix, Arizona Gary Yeager knows what to do with a curveball on a baseball field, being a natural athlete and playing through college. Perhaps this taught him to find opportunities when life threw some real curveballs at him. The West Virginia
- Published in Athlete of the Month