NH Senior Games Off to a “Lucky” Start
Area athletes ring up some solid scores in annual Horseshoe Tournament
Nashua, NH: Greely Park was the scene as the 30th annual NH Senior Games kicked off with the annual Horseshoe tournament on Sunday, June 25th.
A dedicated group of athletes competed in singles and doubles with several stand-out performances.
89- year-old Gloria Benjamin captured a gold medal in the 85-89 singles division. The Goffstown resident, who has been taking part in senior sports for many years, says she not only enjoys the competition, but also the camaraderie that comes with sports. “You are able to meet the nicest people at the events,” she shared. “Sports really bring people together.” Ms. Benjamin also competes in Pickleball and Shuffleboard, both of which are competed later this summer as part of the NH Senior Games.
Paul Yankowskas, a sturdy 60- year old from Londonderry, struck gold twice with a gold medal in the 60-64 singles division and a gold medal in the 60-64 doubles division where he teamed up with Harold Turner of Nashua. A veteran of numerous competitions, Mr. Yankowskas has participated in Senior Games in all New England States as well as New York. Among his many highlights was a Bronze Medal in the 2015 National Senior Games in Minneapolis. “I like testing myself in different sports,” he said. That’s for sure! This summer, Mr. Yankowskas plans to compete in several more sports including: track and field events, bowling, shuffleboard and the 5k road race. Early this year, he also walked the Gate City Marathon. “These games are a fantastic way to stay active and social,” he said. “I highly recommend taking part.”
Results from 2017 NHSG Horseshoe Tournament
Singles
60-64: Gold Medal – Paul Yankowskas, Londonderry
70-74: Gold Medal -Brad Topolewski, Penacook
75-79: Gold Medal -Harold Turner, Nashua; Silver Medal – Roger Stevens, Concord; Bronze Medal -Dave Baldessari, Candia
80-84: Gold Medal -Ed Brooks, Salem
85-89: Gold Medal – Gloria Benjamin, Goffstown
Doubles
60-64: Gold Medal- Yankowskas/Turner
70-74: Gold Medal -Topolewski/Stevens
75-79: Gold Medal -Baldessari/Brooks
The New Hampshire Senior Games continue through Labor Day and receive support from major sponsor Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield.
Supporting sponsors include: John Castelot Financial Planning, Lamprey Health Care and Havenwood Heritage Heights.
To learn more or register for upcoming events, please visit www.nhseniorgames.org.
About the New Hampshire Senior Games
The mission of the Granite State Senior Games, Inc. (GSSG) is to promote, organize and effectively develop physical challenges, as they relate to the New Hampshire senior athlete and the 50+ population of the state of New Hampshire, undertake related activities benefitting the well-being of adults as appropriate and focusing on the development of active and healthy lifestyles. Our mission is accomplished by encouraging fitness and by providing athletic competition in a variety of sports, clinics and creative pursuits.
Founded in 1987, Granite State Senior Games, Inc. is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) and New Hampshire Registered Public Charity all volunteer sports and fitness organization governed by a Board of Directors. The Granite State Senior Games' (GSSG's) sporting events are known as the New Hampshire Senior Games (NHSG). We are New Hampshire’s premier multi-sport event for the 50+ population. NHSG is the only New Hampshire organization in the state to be sanctioned by the National Senior Games Association (NSGA) to qualify senior athletes for participation in the National Senior Games held every other year in odd-numbered years. To learn more, please visit www.nhseniorgames.org.