Senior Olympic games take over Mission Valley
Rob Zolman
Poy Wong competes in the 100-yard breaststroke.
Rob Zolman
Alaete Fish competes in shot put.
Rob Zolman
Brian Dinsmore rolls the ball in the bowling competition.
Rob Zolman
Terry Souhrada goes long during the long jump.
Rob Zolman
Dick Moore launches a ball during the golf ball driving competition.
Rob Zolman
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MISSION VALLEY – In the spirit of Olympic competition, some of the best ageless athletes in the state made their way to the Mission Valley this past weekend to compete in the 33rd Montana Senior Olympics Summer Games.
This is the second consecutive year that athletes in age brackets starting at 50 and up put their athleticism to the test right here in the Mission Valley.
“I think the games all went well,” co-organizer Beth Trosello said. “I think the athletes are all good sports and had a good time.”
This year, the senior games brought more than 340 athletes along with another estimated 500 family members and spectators to the valley for the three-day event that started on Thursday and finished on Saturday afternoon.
Athletes competed for gold, silver and bronze medals in more than 14 activities in 10 age categories that were held at various venues around the valley.
Events were hosted at the following venues: golf at Polson Bay Golf Course; pickleball and tennis at Linderman tennis courts; cycling events at Valley View School; swimming events at Mission Valley Aquatic Center; horseshoes at Valley Club; bowling at Sportspage Bowl; archery at Polson Sports Complex; basketball and table tennis at SKC’s Joe McDonald Gymnasium and all track and field events took place on the Ronan High School track.
Boasting nearly 50 competitors, pickleball was by far and away the most popular sport at this year’s games.
The activity of the fast-growing sport drew Heidi Middleton into pickleball doubles competition for the first time on Thursday. “We lost but we had fun,” Middleton said.
The games are a mix of seriousness and fun, with some competitors looking to qualify to participate inthe 2019 Senior National Olympic Games which will be held in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in June, while others simply are looking to stay competitive and active.
