50-and-over athletes compete at annual Senior Games
Athletes come in a variety of packages. Some are tall and muscular, while others are petite and quick. And sometimes athletes have more than 50 years of experience on their side.
That was definitely the case with all of the athletes at the 22nd Southwestern Pennsylvania Area Agency on Aging Senior Games held Wednesday at Laurel Highlands Senior High School.
This year’s theme was “Catch the Spirit.” Participants had to be at least 50 years old and a resident of Fayette, Greene or Washington counties. This year’s games saw about 200 competitors competing in various events, including the 50-yard dash, basketball toss, bocce, horseshoes, putting, one-mile walk, shuffleboard, stationary bike, football and softball throws.
The spirit was not the only thing Leslie Greenfell, executive director of Southwestern Pennsylvania Area Agency on Aging, wanted participants to catch.
“We want people to understand the importance of a healthy lifestyle that includes exercise and fitness,” said Greenfell. “Those elements are really the magic bullet to good health.”
One participant who understands the keys to a healthy lifestyle is Mary Semonick of Tower Hill 2.
Semonick, who recently celebrated her 94th birthday, is an avid senior games participant. Semonick has been a participant in the games since its beginning 22 years ago. Even before there were local senior games, Semonick had been a participant in the state senior games.
“I have been participating for 40 years,” said Semonick. “I have 48 gold, silver and bronze medals.”
Semonick competed in horseshoes, bocce, the stationary bike and the softball and football throw. She was hoping to add more gold medals to her collection.
Semonick’s competitive spirit began many years prior to these senior games.
“When I was young, I was always self-conscious,” said Semonick. “I needed something to make me feel better. I was dyslexic. I did well in math, but I wasn’t a good speller. I was an honors student, but I still felt inferior. So, I competed in sports to build my self-confidence.”
When asked her secret to winning all her medals, she replied, “I find the time to practice. I go and practice every night.”
Semonick’s dedication is not just in the sporting arena, but also in the classroom.
Semonick was a schoolteacher in Luzerne Township for 40 years, said her daughter, Charlotte Check of Brownsville.
“In 1996, she was awarded the Humanitarian Award. We are really proud of her,” Check said.
Everyone involved in the senior games displayed a sense of pride. While some senior center members competed in the sporting events, everyone marched in the Parade of Athletes. Senior centers were encouraged to gather a unit to make a banner. All members marched in the parade in front of the judges in competition for best unit and banner.
“We started working weeks ago,” said Kassie DeWalt of the Uniontown Senior Center. “I’ve been a volunteer at the senior center for 28 years. I make sure we have a marching unit and banner.”
DeWalt gathered the participants weeks ago to make a banner that would best showcase how they “capture the spirit.” The Uniontown Senior Center held marching practice Monday and Tuesday before the games. A special system was created to relay information.
“When I blow on the whistle once, it means line up,” said DeWalt. “When I blow it twice, it means move and three times means stop.”
After the parade and opening ceremony, visitors were invited to the Prime Time Health Fair at the high school. Numerous area agencies and businesses were present to provide free health screenings and information.
Once visitors completed their tour of the health fair, they could enjoy the various food booths and enter contests to win prizes. Those who were feeling lucky could play super bingo sponsored by the Mountain Citizens Action Group Senior Center.
The winners of the 2008 Senior Games will be announced and awarded at the Annual Senior Games Victory Celebration and Awards Banquet that will be held at the Summit Inn Resort in Uniontown on Thursday.
When asked if she had any advice for her fellow competitors, Semonick replied, “Practice and enjoy the game. That is what is most important.”