Swain County Senior Games saw a great turnout this year with a grand total of 14 participants.
The senior games kicked off April 1 and ended April 24 with a performing arts comedy show and closing banquet.
“Participants registered for the basketball shooting, softball throw, football throw, bocce, cornhole, pickle singles, pickleball doubles, pickleball mixed doubles, 5K run, standing long jump, running long jump, horseshoes, bowling, shuffleboard, comedy, woodworking, general fiber arts, poetry and photography,” said Taylor Woodard, director at Swain County Recreation Department.
Donna Baker competed in the 65-69 age group to earn first place in softball throw, pickled ball mixed doubles, 5K run and bowling singles, as well as first, second and third in general fiber arts.
Howard Baker also competed in the 65-69 age bracket. He ended up
winning first place in pickled ball mixed doubles and basketball shooting. Baker was first, second and third in woodworking.
Alan Carvalho competed in the 85-89 age bracket, winning first place in football throw, comedy, softball throw, shuffleboard, and horseshoes. But that was not all. Carvalho earned first in running long jump, leaping 5.4 meters, and standing long jump with a distance of 2.25 meters.
Alan Desilets competed in the 75-79 age group, winning first place in pickleball mixed doubles and pickleball singles.
Mary Ellen Hammond competed in the 70-74 age bracket to earn second, third and fourth in poetry.
Les Knight competed in the 75-79 age group, winning first place in bocce and pickleball.
Judy Manley competed in the 80-84 age group to earn four first place titles in pickleball mixed doubles, distance run, bocce and cornhole.
Richard Schaddelee competed in the 90-94 age group, pulling off first place wins in digital photography and bowling singles. Schaddelee was also awarded second and third in digital photography.
William Thomas competed in the 75-79 age bracket, winning first place in poetry.
Kelly White competed in the 60-64 age group to win first place in softball throw at 56.75 meters. White also earned first in cornhole.
“Winners within their age bracket and activity will be able to participate in the North Carolina State Senior Games beginning in September,” Woodard said. “These games are held every year in Cary for participants that have won a registered activity within their local games.
This year we had one ambassador for the Swain County Senior games and her name is Judy Manley. Each year the Swain County Recreation Department is hoping to expand participation through the Swain County Senior Games with increasing the number of Ambassadors from our local community.”
Swain County Senior Games volunteers included Swain County High School, Swain County Senior Center, Swain County Recreation Department, Swain County Health Department, Swain County administration and Swain County commissioners.
Woodard is the Swain County Senior Games Local Coordinator. If you are interested in becoming an ambassador, contact Woodard. You must have participated at least one year in the Swain County Senior Games.