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Reflections on the 2009 National Senior Games, San Francisco Bay Area, by a Tennis Player The whole package was a truly amazing experience -- qualifying at the 2008 NV Senior Olympics, the "Athletes Send Off" by Mayor Goodman with speakers Peggy Fleming and NV Sr. Games President Gary Cotter, the 2009 National Senior Games themselves, and the "Welcome Home" news conference, again with Mayor Goodman.. About 20 tennis players from Nevada registered to compete in the 2009 National Senior Games held in Stanford, CA , Aug. 1-15, 2009. Players were grouped by age in singles, men's, women's and mixed doubles. As expected, the competition was tough as players of all abilities competed in each age grouping. |
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From Nevada, Jack Largent and his partner Joyce Jones (from Washington) won the gold in the MXD 75-79. Other notable results were accomplished in the main draw by Walter Morykwas, semifinalist in MS 85-89, Jack Largent, quarterfinalist in MS 75-79, and Bruce Janoff and Ingrid Fitzgerald, quarterfinalists in MXD 65-69. Carol Rapp and Nancy Joslin were finalists in the consolation round in WD 60-64 as were Bruce Janoff and Ken Merkey in the MD 65-69. Participating in this event was a proud experience for me. I had not been an athlete until I started playing tennis at age 40. To be walking at the Stanford venue and hearing people applauding us for our efforts and commitment to staying active made me feel like a real Olympian. The motto of the event is "Long Live the Challenge" and indeed everybody I saw there was up to the challenge. This included Roger Gentilhomme, a 100 year old man from Massachusetts who started playing tennis after retirement in 1975. He plays tennis nearly every day. At the National Senior Games, he competed in singles with the 90+ group. I saw an 80+ lady, 2 medals dangling around her neck and a proud husband by her side, telling everyone they met about his wife's accomplishments in track and field. A world record (age group) was set by a 94-year old man in the pole vault! My partner, Norma Wiebe, and I had great matches but did not win. Perhaps our time has yet to come. We'll keep improving and maybe when we're into our 90s, we will rise and shine. The Celebration of Athletes was held midway through the two week event. The program was professionally produced and performed to perfection. There were energetic singing and dancing performances by professional artists and young local talents, a parade of state flags and representative athletes (Bob Thomson, pole vault gold medalist in the 80-84 division and Nedra Paschal, badminton and tennis competitor, carried the Nevada flag), inspiring speeches by several former Olympians, quarterback Steve Young, organizers and sponsors. The torch was passed from Stanford, CA to Houston, TX where the next National Senior Games will be held in the summer of 2011. The venue and the timing may not be ideal for tennis but I will definitely try to qualify for this one just so I can participate in the Celebration of Athletes. The host committee, the national senior games organization, the sponsors and all the volunteers did an excellent job making us all feel special. There were special events every day of the two weeks. Booths of main sponsors (Humana and AstraZeneca), City of Palo Alto, Stanford Hospital, a biotech company and several other businesses and emergency care personnel generously provided free gifts and services. The National Senior Games was a two week festival for senior athletes and guests. You would not want to miss it in 2011. Written by Josie Baker, Sun City Anthem Tennis Club Edited by Nedra Paschal, Nevada Senior Games Secretary |
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