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.
“Return of the Gladiator” – September 2014 Athlete of the Month
Lorraine Lewis, 55, San Tan Valley, Arizona People tell 55 year old Lorraine Lewis she should write a book about her life. After all, it’s not everyone who has been an American Gladiators champion. She’s started the book, but is too busy living life to finish it. Her latest chapter is this year’s triumphant return
- Published in Athlete of the Month
“You Gotta Have Heart(s)” – August 2014 Athlete of the Month
James “JJ” Jones, 68, Kansas City, Kansas Listening to JJ Jones tell his story, it’s hard not to start humming “You Gotta Have Heart” from the popular musical Damn Yankees. That’s because he continues to swing a bat after not one but two heart transplants. The Kansas native spent much of his childhood in California,
- Published in Athlete of the Month
“Sister Act” – July 2014 Athlete of the Month
Janet McDonough, 56, Cranberry Township, PA and Patty Sweetall, 54, Louisville, KY It was like old times when sisters Janet McDonough (right in photo) and Patty Sweetall gave dominating swimming performances in Cleveland at the 2013 National Senior Games Presented by Humana. Janet, of Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania, earned four gold medals while breaking national records in
- Published in Athlete of the Month
“You Are What You Eat” – June 2014 Athlete of the Month
Michele Brown, 55, Lamar, Arkansas As a physical education teacher, 55 year old Michele Brown loves to be a role model for fitness. “Everyone who knows me says I am one of the most active and competitive people they know,” says the lifelong resident of Lamar, Arkansas. “When I found out about Senior Games, I
- Published in Athlete of the Month
“School is Never Out on Fitness” – May 2014 Athlete of the Month
Dr. Paul Miller, 96, Normal, Illinois When Dr. Paul Miller talks about the importance of exercise and shares his routine, he can’t help if it sounds like he is lecturing. That’s because he is a retired professor of sociology and anthropology from Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, just a few miles from his home in
- Published in Athlete of the Month
“Finding His Rhythm” – April Athlete of the Month
Dave Kirgan, 62, Bowling Green, Kentucky As a race walker, 62 year old Dave Kirgan of Bowling Green, Kentucky knows the importance of finding a rhythm and focusing on fine details to keep moving. He also knows all too well the consequences of falling out of rhythm. A career Air Force man, Dave kept in
- Published in Athlete of the Month
“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
- Published in Athlete of the Month
“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.
- Published in Athlete of the Month
“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
- Published in Athlete of the Month
“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
- Published in Athlete of the Month