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Almost 700 retirees and seniors from across Alabama competed for the 2012 Masters Games of Alabama state medals in Auburn, the Riverside Country Club and Community Center in Valley.
Men and women age 50 and older earned the opportunity to compete for a state championship by winning in their respective districts.
Events were judged in age and gender groups. Competitive events took place in everything from basketball free throw shooting to the 5k run.
Limestone County seniors brought home 29 state medals —19 gold, six silver and four bronze.
Limestone County state Masters Games winners in the 55-59 age group were Regina Pierce Emerson, who received a gold medal in nerfball, silver medal in frisbee, gold medal in horseshoes, gold medal in rook, gold medal in basketball free throw, gold medal in 5K run, gold medal in billiards, gold medal in shuffleboard, bronze medal in table tennis, silver medal in softball throw, bronze medal in doubles dominoes and gold medal in track; and Patricia Southard, who received a gold medal in checkers, silver medal in shuffleboard, silver medal in horseshoes and gold medal in track walk.
In the 65-69 age group, Willie Mae Baker received a gold medal in rook, silver medal in billiards, gold medal in softball throw, bronze medal in dominoes double and gold medal in track walk; Janet Murrah, who received a silver medal in shuffleboard and horseshoes and a gold medal in track walk; Fred Mitchell II, gold medal in table tennis and Lillian Adell, gold medal in track walk.
Mary Shoulders brought home a gold medal in checkers and track walk, and Ronald Altergott brought home a silver medal in table tennis and gold medal for track walk for the 70-74 age group.
Special award
Limestone Countian Willie Mae Baker was awarded the District II All-Star Award. It was presented by Nancy Robertson, TARCOG Area Agency director, and Cindy Roberts, Masters Games of Alabama president during the awards banquet.
In addition to the competition, senior athletes said they enjoyed being a part of the athletes lighting of the torch as well as lunch and dinner served daily and a banquet, which included entertainment with friends new and old.
Anyone 50 and older can participate in the Alabama Masters Games. The 2013 games will be held in Valley. District II games will be held in Huntsville.
“The Masters Games provides a great opportunity for seniors to stay both physically and mentally active and encourage a healthier lifestyle,” said Limestone County Council on Aging Nutrition Coordinator Sheilia Long. “The objective of the Masters Games of Alabama is to provide fun and fellowship for seniors age 50 and older. I sincerely hope all seniors in Limestone County will begin planning to be a part of next year’s district games.
To find out more, contact Sheilia Long at 256-233-6412.
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