Washington County Enterprise-Leader
Weather Doesn’t Affect Seniors In Games
HARRISON — The weather was not great — it was cold, rainy and windy — but that didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of 350 senior adults competing in the annual Senior Games sponsored by Area Agency on Aging.
When the announcer called out, “Let the games begin,” the senior participants were ready.
The games are a precursor to the Arkansas Senior Olympics, though participants do not have to qualify for the state games. The agency mainly organizes a regional competition to encourage seniors to be involved.
“We want to keep our seniors as active and as independent for as long as possible,” said Angie Dunlap, community program specialist with the Area Agency on Aging.
About 30 senior adults from the Farmington, Prairie Grove and Lincoln senior centers competed at the games held May 2 at Harrison High School’s new football stadium and indoor practice facility. These seniors brought home about 30 medals in events that included track and field competitions, less strenuous activities such as beanbag toss and spincasting and mental contests, including dominoes and Skip-Bo card games.
Senior centers from nine counties were represented at the games.
This was the 29th year for the agency’s Senior Games. Dunlap said seniors at this year’s games ranged in age from 50 - 94. Six of the participants were 90 years or older.
Track and field events included a 50-meter dash, 100-meter dash, a 200-meter walk and a 400-meter walk. Some of the seniors competed in a 3K. Other track contests were softball throw, football throw, long jump, discus, shot put and javelin. The seniors also competed in stationary cycling, basketball and shoot- ing a Daisy air gun.
Gold, silver and bronze medals were awarded and the senior athletes competed based on their ages.
Roy Rinehart, 80, of Lincoln has been coming to the Senior Games for six years and he said he participates because he wants to support his senior center and because he enjoys the competition.