Oakville Senior Olympians Prepare to Compete This Weekend

The St. Louis Senior Olympics is a popular attraction that features area men and women more than 50 years of age competing in more than 85 individual, partner and team events. Thanks to a multitude of corporate sponsors, the efforts of the Jewish Community Center in Creve Coeur and many volunteers, the event  has grown over the last 32 years and now has more than 1400 participants.

Several Oakville residents are competing or volunteering for the 2011 St. Louis Senior Olympics.

Name: Patricia Johnson

Age: 66

Event/ Events: Tap dancing

Medals: She received a gold medal for orienteering in 2004 and a silver medal for tap dancing in 2003. Tap dancing is no longer a competitive event.

Comment: “Performing at the Senior Olympics is great fun. I meet people and have a wonderful time. Tap dancing is good exercise, too. My teacher, Norma Cobert, is 76 and is a great instructor.”

Name: Tony Betancourt

Age: 71

Event/ Events: Table tennis; badminton

Medals: Tony has two gold medals in table tennis.

Comment: “I have all laudable things to say about the Senior Olympics. It encourages people of all ages to come out and participate. Many of the events do not require great athletic skill, so there is something for everyone. I especially enjoy the opening and closing ceremonies. They are very well done.”

Name: Pat Mann

Age: 68

Event/ Events: Pat is an official timer for the track and field events at John Burroughs High School.

Comment: “I have been volunteering for 10 or 12 years now and always enjoy being a part of the Senior Olympics. It is great to watch the seniors participate each year. Originally, I met some people through the Jewish Community Center and they mentioned that they could use some volunteers at the Senior Olympics. I’ve been doing it ever since.”

Name: Marty Pelch

Age: 60

Event/ Events: Marty will be competing in more than 12 events over the four days of this year’s contests. A few of his events are badminton (singles and doubles), the football throw, the soccer kick, the softball home run derby, tennis (singles and doubles) and the dart throw.

Medals: He has received gold medals in tennis singles, tennis doubles and the soccer kick in past events. Silver and bronze medals were earned as well.

Comment: “I competed for six years then I took a break. My neighbor, Tony Betancourt, was interested in participating, so we decided to sign up this year. It is a fun time. You see the same people every year and get to know your fellow competitors.”

Name: Michael Riley

Age: 77

Event/ Events:  He will be playing in both the the 9-hole and the 18-hole golf competitions.

Medals: He earned two medals, in 2006 and 2008.

Comment: “The St. Louis Senior Olympics is an excellent venue for older athletes. In addition to participating in the golf events, I also work behind the scenes with letters, name tags and anything thing else that needs to be done.”

Name: Carol Murray

Age: 65

Event/ Events: Tap dancing

Medals: Tap dancing is not a competitive event. Dancers from various studios and teachers perform at the Senior Olympics just prior to the opening ceremony.

Comment: “This is my second year of performing at the Senior Olympics. I see the Senior Olympics as a great opportunity for people over 50 to participate in. I tapped many years ago and started again when I was 60 years old, and am so glad that I did. I take lessons at Dancing Thru Life owned by Christine Dehart.”

For more information about the 2011 St. Louis Senior Olympics contact the Jewish Community Center at 314-442-3279 or email solympics@jccstl.org.