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.
“Service With a Smile” – October 2017 Athlete of the Month
John White, 66, Milwaukee, Wisconsin John White takes his sports seriously, make no mistake about it. But we’ve noticed that even in the heat of a triathlon, he’s always the one who waves and manages to beam a smile as he makes his way by spectators. The more you learn about the lifelong Milwaukee
- Published in Athlete of the Month
“Daughter Inspires Mom to Get Back in the Saddle” – September 2017 Athlete of the Month
Candace Kennedy-Hess, 63, Kintnersville, Pennsylvania Six years ago, Candace Kennedy-Hess thought her cycling days were long over. The challenges of a single mom raising kids, earning a master’s degree at NYU, and pursuing a successful sales and marketing career had relegated her custom bike to be a garage wall hanger for 16 years. “I
- Published in Athlete of the Month
“On Top of The World” – August 2017 Athlete of the Month
Curt Davison, 92, Kirkwood, Missouri Curt Davison is not known to throw his weight around, other than on the field of play at Senior Games. But when he does, he really lets it fly, and it has landed him in the record books. After 35 years in Senior Games, he now holds a world record.
- Published in Athlete of the Month
“Out with the Old, In with the Newsom” – July 2017 Athlete of the Month
Wanda Newsom, 77, Taylor, Texas Birthdays seem to bring extra luck for Wanda Newsom. She won her first archery gold medal at the 2005 National Senior Games on her 65th birthday, and by happy coincidence, she earned another gold as the Texan celebrated her 77th birthday at the 2017 National Senior Games presented by Humana in
- Published in Athlete of the Month
“Plus Factor” – May 2017 Athlete of the Month
Dick Lane, 87, Livonia, Michigan An exciting new development for the 2017 National Senior Games presented by Humana is the addition of the 85+ age division for men’s basketball. This five-year shift upwards means that there will be now an 80-84 age group of teams under this new age threshold. One of the main
- Published in Athlete of the Month
“Triple-Digit Comeback” – April 2017 Athlete of the Month
Julia Hawkins, 101, Baton Rouge, Louisiana As we often say, it’s never too late to get into The Games. It’s also never too late to set and pursue goals. This year, NSGA’s poster child for these axioms is 101-year-old Julia Hawkins, who decided to try competitive running at the 2017 National Senior Games presented
- Published in Athlete of the Month
“Motivated by a Memory” – March 2017 Athlete of the Month
Whitman “Pete” Cross, 85, Charlottesville, Virginia During this 30th anniversary year, NSGA has asked athletes to send in their favorite “Memories of the Games” to share on our website and on our National Senior Games Instagram and Facebook pages. One came from a brand-new competitor whose memory goes back to 1987. An excerpt: “I never realized until
- Published in Athlete of the Month
“Bringing the Heat” – February 2017 Athlete of the Month
Ronnie Lakatos, 56, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida Ronnie Lakatos has always promoted physical fitness, both as an individual and through a long career as a coach and parks and recreation manager in south Florida. Five years ago, with retirement approaching, she started talking up the idea of having a senior basketball team with her friend
- Published in Athlete of the Month
“Banner Year, Bright Future” – January 2017 Athlete of the Month
Sue McCarthy, 53, South Portland, Maine Spectators and the media frequently spend more time lauding the accomplishments of our oldest athletes, and they are truly worthy of the attention. On the other hand, there are also equally impressive performances in the youngest sport age divisions. Case in point: Maine sprinter Sue McCarthy, whose first
- Published in Athlete of the Month
“Christmas Hit Maker Runs Like a Reindeer” – December 2016 Athlete of the Month
Elmo Shropshire, 80, Novato, California While visiting the 2016 Florida Senior Games, we found an athlete whose name may not be familiar, but whose voice is instantly recognizable. That’s because Elmo Shropshire is the man who gave the world the smash hit holiday novelty song “Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer.” The 80-year-old runner hails from
- Published in Athlete of the Month
