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!
“Most Interesting” – March 2016 Athlete of the Month
Harold Vealey, 77, Charleston, West Virginia When the West Virginia Generals men’s 75-79 basketball team won a hard-fought gold medal in the 2015 National Senior Games presented by Humana, the players celebrated another accomplishment: four of the five teammates played for the same high school in Charleston six decades ago. Asked how it felt to
- Published in Athlete of the Month
“There’s Gratitude in My Attitude” – February 2016 Athlete of the Month
Luise Easton, 77, Olmsted Falls, Ohio Luise Easton was no stranger to the triathlon when she got the notion to give it another go in 2008. “I did them years ago, but then I had several foot surgeries. I didn’t do another one for 20 years,” the former high school physical education teacher recalls. After
- Published in Athlete of the Month
“Buzzing Along” – January 2016 Athlete of the Month
Buzz Gagne, 68, Concord, New Hampshire The most publicized event of the 2015 National Senior Games presented by Humana was the heated battle of javelins between centenarians John Zilverberg and Fred Winters, which was seen on The Today Show and on numerous media websites. While noteworthy, the cameras did not catch a younger athlete setting
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“State-to-State Recovery” – December 2015 Athlete of the Month
Mike Devaney, 65, Miami, Arizona Mike Devaney only started his career as a track and race walking senior athlete last year, but his face is rapidly becoming as familiar as any of his more experienced peers. That’s because Mike, who went through a serious health scare in 2014, is acting on an inspiration to go
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“Swimming With Piranhas” – November 2015 Athlete of the Month
Rosemary Sexton, 65 Kingsport, Tennessee For Rosemary Sexton, returning home to Kingsport, Tennessee with two swimming medals from the 2015 National Senior Games presented by Humana “was right up there with my wildest expectations considering the level of competition.” She had only started training a few years ago, but her efforts resulted with a bronze
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“Fun with Fitness” – October 2015 Athlete of the Month
Jim Runge, 72, Eldorado, Texas We promote Senior Games as an opportunity to find fitness, fun and fellowship. Jim Runge of Eldorado, Texas has been in the business of promoting fun, so it’s natural he would want to incorporate his style into his sports. Runge, now 72, provided midway games and novelty acts for parties,
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“Aiming for 100” – September 2015 Athlete of the Month
Charlie Edwards, 96, Springfield, Virginia It’s not everyone who can pick up a sport at the age of 92, overcome a last place finish at his first national event and come back undaunted and capture a gold medal two years later. For Charlie Edwards of Springfield, Virginia, it was just another interesting challenge to conquer.
- Published in Athlete of the Month
“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,
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“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
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“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





