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.
Leading by Example – July 2022 Athlete of the Month
Lynn Roman, 52 Baden, Pennsylvania Lynn Roman stood smiling on the beach in Key Biscayne as dawn was breaking on the 2022 National Senior Games triathlon competition. We had to ask what was on her mind. “This is my first time to National Senior Games. I didn’t even know they existed a year ago!” Having
- Published in Athlete of the Month, Uncategorized
“Jamaica Bob” Blends Music and Sport with Spirit June 2022 Athlete of the Month
Bob Griffiths, 62, Riverside, California “Don’t worry…about a thing…cause every little thing gonna be alright.” Attendees to the 2022 Celebration of Athletes were soothed by the words of Bob Marley that were sung by track sprinter Bob Griffiths, who also energized the crowd with his words of encouragement. The teacher, worship leader and certified wellness coach
- Published in Athlete of the Month
“The Patient Whisperer” April 2022 Athlete of the Month
Marc Sacco, 57, Reading, Vermont Cyclist Marc Sacco Marc once had aspirations for the Olympics until a road accident relegated him to recreational cycling and running in his 20s. He had no notion of returning to competition until extreme challenges prompted him to pursue it as part of recovery therapy. His professional background also gave him
- Published in Athlete of the Month
“Dousing the Fire” March 2022 Athlete of the Month
Lisa Hypnar, 68, Rochester Hills, Michigan Lisa Hypnar has an athletic nature and has always found a sport to play, from tumbling in gymnastics as a youth and playing winning tennis as an adult, and now cutting lanes as a decorated senior swimmer. She also started smoking in her early 20s. Lisa knew she was
- Published in Athlete of the Month
“Don’t Wait!” February 2022 Athlete of the Month
Bruce Boyd, 82, Neptune Beach, Florida Bruce Boyd isn’t one to shy away from second chances. When he found Senior Games, he embraced the second chance to throw things around on a field as in his youth. The two-time Florida Senior Games track and field athlete is excited to discover masters sports and to be
- Published in Athlete of the Month
“Wrong Foot Ricky” has a Penchant for Perfection January 2022 Athlete of the Month
Rick Parschen, 69, Strongsville, Ohio A 300 game is the dream of all bowlers, and most never achieve it. Rick Parschen has hit the mark many times, including posting a 300 score while raking in medals in each of his three appearances in National Senior Games since 2015. Just how many does he have? “As
- Published in Athlete of the Month
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
- Published in Athlete of the Month
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
- Published in Athlete of the Month
“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
- Published in Athlete of the Month
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
- Published in Athlete of the Month
