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Sally Hall competes in the softball throw competition.
Jessica Webb
editor@thesmokymountaintimes.com
The starting whistle blew for the North Carolina Senior Games at the Swain County Recreation Center on Monday morning. This was the first time the games have been held in the county since 2007, so it was a welcome return.
Swain County joins 54 others hosting the competitions for a slew of activities—from basketball to basket weaving. Lynn Harrell, with NC Senior Games, was on hand for the opening ceremony Monday morning and said it was exciting to be here to mark the return of games to Swain County. She also spoke of the excitement surrounding this year’s state games this fall.
Participants compete at the local level and those who earn bronze, silver or gold on the qualifier numbers can then compete at state. From there, silver and gold finishers go on to the national Senior Games held biannually.
Alan Carvalho, of Whittier, was ready for the competition, planning to compete in football and softball throw, horseshoe, shuffleboard and comedy. He attended the opening ceremony dressed for the event—a worn pair of Keds on his feet and the Swain Senior Games shirt from 2007, along with an NC Senior Games jacket and hat. He continued to compete in Jackson County over the past several years, but said he was glad it the games have returned to Swain County.
Tanner Lawson, with the Swain recreation park advisory board, said the last time this happened in the county he was in 8th grade, adding he’s happy to see where it goes. This year, there are about 15 participating in the games in Swain County. Participants can be 50 years old and older and have to be North Carolina residents at least 3 months out of the year.
Kevin Seagle, county commission chairman was also happy.
“I hope to see it grow. The backbone of community is getting together,” he said. “Competition is fun, no matter what age you are.”
The games will go through May 3 in the county, with those who qualify going on to the state games this summer.
Kim Davis and Sally Hall are newcomers to the NC Senior Games, and said they were excited to get involved with plans to participate in softball throw, badminton, corn hole, golf, pickleball and walking.
“It’s needed, and I think we’ve got some good participants,” Hall said.