Targeting gold
Competitors from across the Northeast compete in 2017 NH Senior Games Archery Tournament
Dunbarton, NH: More than 30 archers-including National Senior Games medalists-competed in the 2017 NH Senior Games Archery Tournament held earlier this week at the Pioneer Sportsmen Club.
“The sport is growing in popularity in all age groups,” said Dana White, who has directed the tournament for the NH Senior Games for more than 10 years. “It is also a sport where people of all abilities can participate and have fun.” Mr. White, an accomplished archer and coach, also took part in the competition.
Among the competitors at the event were Ron and Patti Gauvin of Milton, NH. Ron, who has participated in competitions for many years, has had to alter his shooting style due to a brain tumor which has limited use of one of his arms. He competes by holding the bow in one hand and releasing the arrow with his mouth (a special tab is attached to the string). “I enjoy the competition and the people you meet,” said the 59-year old. “It’s a lot of fun.”
Patti noted that she had watched Ron’s competitions for many years before deciding to try archery herself a few months ago. “I’m now hooked,” she said. “You meet the most wonderful people in this sport. It’s also fun to challenge yourself to improve.” Patti added that Northeast Passage, an organization that provides support and opportunities for athletes with disabilities to participate in sports, has been an immense help in working with Ron to adapt his archery equipment.
In addition to NH athletes, archers from Maine, Massachusetts and New York also took part, including 86-year-old Andy Lakata, who hails from Richfield Springs, NY. Mr. Lakata won the gold medal in the 2017 National Senior Games held in Birmingham, Alabama in June in the 85-89-year-old category. Mr. Lakata first took up the sport in 1954 while a freshman at college. Several decades later, his love for the sport remains strong. “There’s a great camaraderie among archers,” he said. “We all want to win, but good sportsmanship is also a big part of this.”
Area standout Real Levasseur of Hooksett, NH also competed in the event. The 67-year-old captured a Silver Medal in the National Games and already has his sights set on the 2019 National Games in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Mr. Levasseur took up the sport years ago at the urging of his granddaughter. “It’s fun to practice, it’s fun to compete,” he said. “I also like being outdoors so this is a great activity for me.”
Like some of her fellow competitors, Jackie Belanger of Lyman, ME, began participating in archery after trying other sports. “I had volunteered at the Maine Senior Games and was urged by some friends to try it. I really enjoy the focus the sport requires, plus it’s great for your posture.” And what advice would she have for those considering the sport? “Come and try it. This is a wonderful community of people and they will support and guide you.”
2017 NH Senior Games Archery Tournament Medalists include:
Female category
- 45-49 age group
- Gold Medal: Riani Martin, Nashua, NH; score: 675 – Recurve
- 50-54 age group
- Gold Medal: Siobhan Droney, Manchester, NH; score: 752 -Recurve
- Silver Medal: Susan Bock, Old Orchard Beach, ME; score 748 - Recurve
- 55-59 age group
- Gold Medal: Patti Gauvin, Milton, NH; score: 396 – Barebow recurve
- 60-64 age group
- Gold Medal: Jackie Belanger, Lyman, ME; score: 828 – Compound release
Male category
- 40-44 age group
- Gold Medal: Rick Baker, Epsom, NH; score: 885 – Compound release
- 55-59 age group
- Gold Medal: David Weaver, New Boston, NH; score: 590-Recurve
- Gold Medal: Simon Besher, Charlestown, MA; score: 858-Compound release
- Gold Medal: Ron Gauvin, Milton, NH; score:449-Compound fingers
- 60-64 age group
- Gold Medal: Steve Jordan, Exeter, NH; score: 814-Compound release
- Silver Medal: Marc Cooper, Ticonderoga, NY, score: 803-Compound release
- Bronze Medal: Marty Zekos, Charlestown, NH; score: 776-Compound release
- 65-69 age group
- Gold Medal: Real Levasseur, Hooksett, NH; score: 656-Barebow recurve
- Silver Medal: Howard Jones, Gorham, NH; score: 630-Barebow recurve
- Bronze Medal: Chase McNiss, Concord, NH; score: 597-Barebow recurve
- Gold Medal: Hank Sosnowski, Hudson, NH; score: 854-Compound release
- Silver Medal: Peter Belanger, Newport, NH; score: 822-Compound release
- Bronze medal: Mark O’Donoghue, Nashua, NH; score: 804-Compound release
- 70-74 age group
- Gold Medal: Glenn Monesmith, Bedford, NH; score: 867-Compound release
- Silver Medal: Charlie Mead, Queensbury, NY; score: 861-Compound release
- Bronze medal: Dana White, Manchester, NH; score: 775-Compound release
- 75-79 age group
- Gold Medal: Dave Moore, Templeton, MA; score: 656-Barebow recurve
- Gold Medal: Dick Connors, Queensbury, NY; score: 794-Compound release
- Silver Medal: Vinny Fraumeni, Arlington, MA; score: 763-Compound release
- Bronze Medal: John Bidwell, Grafton, NH; score: 748
- 85-89 age group
- Gold Medal: Andy Lakata, Richfield Springs, NY; score: 415
The 2017 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.