Special to IFN

It’s fall again and the leaves are turning their glorious red, purple, and orange flavors to the delight of millions. Wood stoves belch the first smoke of the season, football players flex their muscles, and Iredell County seniors compete against competitors across the state for medals at the North Carolina Senior Games.

Formed in 1969 in California by folks interested in keeping senior citizens active, the Senior Games (or Senior Olympics) has become a nationwide tradition. The North Carolina Senior Games were started in 1983 to provide fun, recreation, fellowship, and adventure for seniors age 50 and up who compete in five-year brackets. The games now span 54 venues across the state’s 100 counties.

Typical events include track and field events, badminton, pickleball, corn hole, bowling, golf, archery, bocce, and basketball. Heritage arts such as painting, sculpting, woodcarving, and even cheerleading have been added over the years. Writers can compete in poetry, short stories, essays, and life experiences. Local competitions are held in April. One must finish first or second in the local events to qualify for the State Games. 

Iredell County residents turned in winners at the N.C. Senior Games include the following:

♦ David Buck placed second in the discus, third in the running long jump, and first in the softball throw;
♦ Brenda Byrd, Martha Eide, and Jeanne Miller won first place in the vocal small group singing event;
♦ Katherine Davidson placed second in her age group in the 5K race;
♦ Mary Ann Gardner placed first in the 10 K race;
♦ Nancy Reichenbach won first place in the cornhole competition; and
♦ Jeff Stonestreet won third place in the short story competition.

LEARN MORE

Visit www.ncseniorgames.org/sports for more information. To sign up for the Iredell County Senior Games, contact Daniel Lewis at the Statesville Recreation and Parks Department. He is the county coordinator for the N.C. Senior Games for Iredell County. Reach him at (704) 878-3429.

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