“The Power of Age” unleashed at the 2013 Senior Games

23rd Annual Competition Draws record 684 athletes

     There were no Tiger Woods or Phil Mickelson sightings, but for 684 senior athletes, the Delaware County Senior Games was still the biggest show in town.

     The 23rd annual Delaware County Senior Games, held June 10 to 21 at 14 separate venues across the county, were an overwhelming success with a record number of 684 participants age 50 and older. The Games featured ten days of competitive events, medal presentations, and inspiring performances from the participants, 285 of whom competed for the first time.

       The 2013 Senior Games were capped off by a Winners’ Circle luncheon held Tuesday, July 2, at the Drexelbrook Corporate Events Center, where the athletes and volunteers celebrated the highlights of the two-week competition.

       The Delaware County Senior Games are sponsored by Delaware County Council, the Department of Parks and Recreation and the County Office of Services for the Aging (COSA). The games are held yearly at the start of each summer and all residents aged 50 and older are encouraged to participate.

       “In Delaware County, we value our senior citizens for their wisdom, experience and contributions to our community,” said Council Vice Chairman Mario J. Civera Jr. at the luncheon. “We are pleased that COSA and our Parks Department can offer the Senior Games for our residents who are 50 and older. We had a record turnout this year, and we look forward to even more participants next year.”

       The 2013 Senior Games started June 10 with competition in pickleball at the Brandywine Youth Center’s O’Donoghue Fieldhouse in Concord and basketball at the Upper Chichester Recreation Center. The Games concluded June 21 with track and field at Sun Valley High School.

       Pickleball, a combination of elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis, made its return as a regular event after its successful debut in the 2012 Senior Games. It wasn’t quite the U.S. Open, but miniature golf fared just as well with a record-breaking 103 participants and 18-hole golf at Paxon Hollow drew 130 golfers.

        Of the 684 participants, nine have competed for 20 years  or longer, 14 were age 90 or older, and 140 were age 80 or older.

       The oldest athlete, Sye Brandman of Philadelphia, is a young 97 years. The oldest county resident, Richard Bayley, of Glen Mills, is 96.

       Anne Shuster, 84, of Haverford, has participated in the Senior Games for the past 14 years. She medaled in eight events earning an impressive 21 gold medals and 5 silver medals this year alone. 

       The games encourage Delaware County seniors to maintain a healthy level of mental and physical fitness through exercise and social activities with peers.

       Residents can view event results and photos of the 2013 Delaware County Senior Games at www.delcoseniorgames.org.    

Senior athletes celebrate at Winner’s Circle 

Caption 1: Delaware County Council Vice Chairman Mario J. Civera Jr. (center) congratulates Richard Bayley, 96, of Glen Mills, (left) the eldest participant in the 2013 Delaware County Senior Games, during the Winner’s Circle luncheon July 2 at the Drexelbook Events Center. Bayley attended the luncheon with his doubles bowling partner, Charlsie Scott, 80, of Aston. The pair earned a silver medal.

Caption 2: Delaware County Councilwoman Colleen Morrone congratulates Rosa Amsel, 95, of Drexel Hill, the eldest female competitor at the 2013 Delaware County Senior Games. Amsel attended the July 2 Winner’s Circle luncheon with her son Rick Amsel (left).

Caption 3: Delaware County Council Vice Chairman Mario J. Civera Jr. congratulates Anne Shuster, 84, of Haverford, on winning 21 gold medals and five silver medals across eight sports in the 2013 Delaware County Senior Games. At the July 2 Winner’s Circle luncheon, Shuster said she has competed in the Senior Games for the past 14 years.