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.
“Nieces and Nets” – August 2015 Athlete of the Month
Vickie Campbell, 62, Hillsboro, Missouri Volleyball players, like those of any team sport, speak about the way their teams become like family. For Vickie Campbell of Hillsboro, Missouri, this took on a literal meaning when she fulfilled a dream to play in the 2015 National Senior Games presented by Humana with her two nieces. However,
- Published in Athlete of the Month
“Unexpected Plot Twists” – June 2015 Athlete of the Month
Jane Pittman, 60, Alexandria, Virginia In her mid-50s, independent filmmaker Jane Pittman was looking for her next documentary subject. A friend suggested she check out the nearby NOVA United Senior Women’s Basketball Association, in which more than 50 women between the ages of 50 and 76 from all around the metro Washington, DC region practice
- Published in Athlete of the Month
“Medal Worthy – In More Than One Way” – May 2015 Athlete of the Month
Jane Soeten, 88, Wasilla, Alaska Jane Soeten has earned many medals as a senior athlete, including one gold and two bronze in field events at the 2013 National Senior Games presented by Humana. Last year, however, she picked up a special medal from a very different field of play when she traveled from Wasilla, Alaska
- Published in Athlete of the Month
“Carving the Lanes – and Birds” – April 2015 Athlete of the Month
Jim Barksdale, 80 and Jan Weisel, 55 – Steeleville, Missouri Some people take up sports as a hobby. Jim Barksdale of Steeleville, Missouri certainly has fun bowling, but considers his five decades of rolling the rock as a bit more than a hobby. Along the way he has collected a 25 year American Bowling Congress
- Published in Athlete of the Month
“Fleet Fox” – March 2015 Athlete of the Month
Vicki Fox, 56, Huntington, New York People not familiar with the Senior Games Movement often assume that all of the athletes have been active in sports for their entire lives, or at least were once elite athletes who returned to compete as seniors. While this is true for many who participate, especially for those who
- Published in Athlete of the Month
“‘Team Conaway’ Supports a Victor” – February 2015 Athlete of the Month
Victor Conaway, 75, Escondido, California Victor Conaway is a retired mechanic and continuing education teacher who once owned his own motorcycle shop. Known among endurance racers, his favorite challenge was the grueling Baja 500 desert run in Mexico. He admits to not always taking the best care of himself, but when he needed heart surgery
- Published in Athlete of the Month
“Without a Wagon” – January 2015 Athlete of the Month
Inez Ross, 84, Los Alamos, New Mexico Inez Ross of Los Alamos, New Mexico is a self-described “wild and crazy 84 year old retired teacher, writer, jogger, star gazer, tap dancer, and ukulele player” who enjoys traveling to state and National Senior Games with fellow runner Carolyn Robinson of Santa Fe. She trains for the
- Published in Athlete of the Month
“Setting His Own Pace” – December 2014 Athlete of the Month
Harry Carothers, 71, Pinellas Park, Florida Recently, the syndicated Daytime TV morning show, which is based with WFLA in Tampa, Florida and airs in 102 cities, featured a basketball shooting display by 71 year old Harry Carothers from nearby Pinellas Park. The spry marksman did not fail to impress the show hosts and audience, and
- Published in Athlete of the Month
“No More Regrets” – November 2014 Athlete of the Month
Susan Adams Loyd, 56, Edina, Minnesota When Susan Adams Loyd competes in senior track events, she proudly sprints in an official University of Minnesota women’s track team uniform complete with her name on the back. She jokingly tells people “I’ve got four years of eligibility left – I redshirted for 38 years!” Fact is, the
- Published in Athlete of the Month
“Isabelle’s Relay” – October 2014 Athlete of the Month
Isabelle Daniels Holston, 77, Decatur, Georgia One of our National Senior Games athletes is best known as a member of an Olympic track relay team that won a Bronze Medal. Taken at full perspective, 77 year old Isabelle Daniels Holston’s entire life can be viewed as one big relay fueled by an Olympic spirit. First
- Published in Athlete of the Month

