Seniors bring home 34 medals

By ROB NUNLEY / Sports Editor for the Southern Standard

Warren County was well represented in the recent Upper Cumberland District Games, which were held April 25-May 6 at various locations around the midstate.

Local athletes brought home a total of 34 medals, including 18 gold, 11 silver and two bronze. The top four district finishers in each event and age group qualified to compete in the 2005 Tennessee Senior Games, which are scheduled for July 15-21 in Franklin. Over 3,000 participants will be competing at the State Games.

Bowling and basketball were the local athletes’ most dominant events, as they accounted for 14 medals.

On the lanes, local bowlers cleaned up, earning seven gold medals, six silvers and one bronze. The basketball players won three gold and three silver medals, as well as two team golds.

James Hutchins won two gold medals and two silvers, while Jean Simmons brought home three gold medals and Patty Womack had a gold and two silvers. Frances Hobbs won both a gold and a silver medal, as did Linda Newby.

James Newby won gold, while Billy Hayes won a silver medal and Gene Money won a bronze.

In basketball, the “Bulldogs 65” and Bulldogs “70 3-on-3” teams each brought home the gold, while Dewey Cantrell won a silver and JoAn Cantrell and Blanche Cook each took the gold. Carolyn Lance won a silver medal, JoDean Ward won a gold, and Jennette Williams took the silver.

Golfers Allen Hitchcock and Paul Watson both won gold medals, while Betty Allen took the silver and Troy Jones brought home the bronze.

On the tennis court, Lester Cowell and Glen Moore had two gold medals each, while Gene Money won the silver.

Watson, Jones and Allen will be competing in the National Senior Games golf competition this month in Pittsburgh, while the “Bulldogs 70” will take part in the National basketball competition.

The Senior Games were designed to promote healthy lifestyles for seniors 50 and older. There are 10 districts throughout the state, with the Upper Cumberland consisting of 14 different counties.

PHOTO INFO:
Senior Games participants earning medals at the recent district competition included, front row, from left, Blanche Cook, JoAn Cantrell, Jo Robinson, JoDean Ward, Frances Hobbs, Virginia Money and Jean Simmons. Back row, Clayton L. Cook, Jack Newby, James H. Hutchins, Patty Womack, Gene Money, Lester K. Cowell and Allen Hitchcock. (Photo provided)