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!
“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
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“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
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“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
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“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
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“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,
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“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
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“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
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“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
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“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
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“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
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