January, 2008, Cheer News & Views

DSO Sports News

Awards:

At the Annual DSO Gala, held at the Modern Maturity Center on November 18, five outstanding Seniors were honored with plaques recognizing their achievements. David C. Hubinger, Outstanding Athlete Award: David has participated in the Delaware Senior Olympic Games since 1992 in four different sports, tennis, bowling, golf and table tennis. He has amassed a total of 37 medals, 26 gold, 7 silver and 4 bronze. He was the gold medal winner in tennis either doubles or singles for seven consecutive years, has won the gold medal in golf nine times and holds two age group records. In 1995 he won gold medals in all the events he entered including bowling, golf, tennis and table tennis. David has also been successful in the National Senior Games winning a fourth place ribbon in bowling in Tucson and one in tennis doubles in Hampton Roads. In 1999 at Orlando he captured a bronze medal in tennis doubles and an 8th place ribbon in bowling. David is also active in passing the word along as he instructs young people and adults in the fundamentals of tennis. He has won 25 state championships in tennis.

Robert M. Wagner, Outstanding Athlete Award:

Bob has participated in DSO competitions for 14 years and in 12 different sports or activities including shot put, racquetball, badminton, discus, long jump, javelin, cycling, weight lifting, tennis, running, softball, table tennis and race walking. He also competed in the Polk County Florida Senior Games for 12 years. Bob has won 159 medals in these competitions including 98 gold, 45 silver and 16 bronze. He competed in the National Senior Games four times finishing fourth in cycling and seventh in racquetball, shot put and javelin. For three years he exceeded the American National record for the dead lift in weight lifting. Bob survived a tragic car accident in 1981 that nearly took his life and the doctors said he survived because of his excellent physical condition. In 2007 he was slowed a bit by a hip replacement but we know he will be back to challenge all competitors in 2008.

Rich O’Shaughnessy, Outstanding Volunteer Award:

Rich has been a member of the DSO Board of Directors and has served as the Swimming Coordinator for 7 years. During the 2006 Annual Games registration process Rich came to DSO’s rescue when a computer program crashed. He wrote a new program that saved the day. This year he has worked to streamline DSO’s mailing list and database and completely changed the registration process so that individuals and teams can register online and reports can be generated for each sport coordinator. Rich also wrote the program for the Senior Group Challenge and has made over 13 presentations throughout the state to enlist seniors in the program. Over 100 individuals and 4 senior centers and PUMH properties have enrolled. Rich held the first annual 30-minute swim challenge and has also arranged for the DSO swim event to be recognized as a Masters swimming event this year.

Peggy Olivero, Outstanding Volunteer Award:

Peggy has served on the DSO Board of Directors for eight years. She also has served as coordinator for Women’s volleyball since the sport originally began. As volleyball coordinator she has worked tirelessly to increase the number of participants in the state games each year. She initiated both a Sunday Women’s League which has grown to nine teams and the Annual Coed volleyball tournament which is a fundraiser for DSO. Peggy is the Walk Delaware program coordinator and in 2005 she chaired Celebration 5000 an event that commemorated the 5000th walker to register with DSO and was attended by over 150 people. She is currently highly involved in raising the fitness level of seniors in Delaware through the Senior Group Challenge. So far over 100 individuals and four Senior Centers and PUMH Properties are taking part. Peggy is a tireless, efficient worker who does whatever is needed to get the job done and done well.

Beth Meree, Charlie Marten Memorial Award:

Fifty years ago Beth was told by a doctor to “walk like your life depends on it” because long lines of osteoporoses in her background dictated that her life really did depend on it. She has walked 2-5 miles a day ever since. She has done the Heart Walk every year for 17 years having the highest sponsorship in Kent County for the last three years raising over $3,000 in 2007. Eight years ago, she was hit by an ambulance in Florence, Italy and although nothing was broken she experienced deep bruises and much painful therapy when she returned home. Two years ago she was blown down while walking by a freak gust of wind but after therapy was able to go on a mushing expedition across Svalbard camping on the cold glaciers. Beth just returned from one week in Patagonia and two weeks on an icebreaker in Antarctica to see the breeding Emperor Penguins. This 86 year old dynamo is an inspiration to all of us in the true spirit of Charlie Marten.

GINO’S DSO SR BASKETBALL LEAGUE STANDINGS (12/6)

Springer Jr. High School. 6pm-9pm on Thursdays

(W L)

“A ”

2. GINO’S 50- 3 - 3

1. DOVER 50- 5 - 1

3. TONY’S 50- 2 - 4

4. YOUNGINS- 2 - 4

5. ‘X” MEN - 1 - 5

“B”

1. GINO’S 55- 6 - 0

2. TROTTERS- 5 - 1

3. CHARLIE’S 55- 4 - 2

4. JCC’ERS- 2 - 4

5. GINO’S 60- 0 - 6

Several senior men from Sussex County, along with a 50+ team from Dover are playing basketball in a winter league at Springer Jr. High in Wilmington this year. The 3 on 3 basketball league is for men and women over the age of 48. One of the regulars is 73 years old with a double hip replacement! Many of the players are Senior Olympians. There are players from all walks of life including, doctors, lawyers, business men, corporate men/women, teachers, retirees, etc. The 6 year-old league started its season the beginning of November, and games will continue through the end of April. The league wants to expand to twelve teams. Typically, a team consists of 6 players. If you are interested in learning more, please e-mail Gene Mirolli gjm829@aol.com

Volleyball:

Are you an active woman between 45 and 75 years of age? Do you feel like getting some exercise in a fun way this winter? There is a class just for you! Learn to play volleyball and play games for fun at Sussex Central Middle School in Georgetown on Tuesday nights, 7-9, starting on January 8. Once you learn the game, you can advance to the Senior Lo-Del Volleyball League on Thursday nights, 7-9, also at Sussex Central Middle School in Georgetown. Call Marion Lisehora at 934-9512 for more information.

Pictures:

1. Shown practicing volleyball skills are L to R: Gwen Rash, Barbara Zack, Jackie Wightman, Mary Riale, Willa Jones, Linn Duryea, Maureen White and Nancy Hess.

2. Patty Jones waiting to pass the ball.