May, 2010, Cheer News & Views

DSO Sports News

By Marion Lisehora mlisehora@mchsi.com

Women’s Softball: The Senior Women’s Softball League is now accepting women over age 45 to play on its teams for the summer. For a team to participate in the Senior Olympics State Tournament, though, it must have enough over-50 players to field a full team in the tournament. In tournaments a team must play in the 5 year age group of its youngest player. Age groups are 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, etc. Older players may play down into a younger age group. Two new teams are forming, and they will join the three returning teams in league play, scheduled to start after Memorial Day. Practices for the five senior women’s softball teams have already started at Sports At The Beach in Georgetown on Monday evenings. Games won’t start until early June, so there is still time for you to come out and join a team! It doesn’t matter if you haven’t played since high school! Teams are looking for new members. Contact one of these captains if you would like to play. Diane Milam (new team forming 45-49+) 855-9320, Kit Ryan (New Team 50s) 226-2712, Debbie Estes (Delaware Diamonds 50s) 644-7220; Maureen White (Alley Cats 50s) 226-8080; Sue Brooker (Slammin’ 60s) 644-4094. Marion Lisehora, 934-9512, is the coordinator.

The Eastern Shore Senior Games were held at Salisbury University April 8 – 10. Competitions were in 5 year age groups for both men and women. Many Sussex County senior athletes competed in sports including swimming, volleyball, pickleball, bowling and basketball shooting. Two swimmers from the Rehoboth YMCA, had great days in their age groups. Bernadette Antionelli claimed 3 golds in freestyle and 1 gold in butterfly, while Maureen White earned 3 golds in breaststroke. Marie Neaves, DSO swimming coordinator, also took 3 golds in breaststroke. Four teams from the Senior Lo-Del Volleyball League, that plays in Georgetown every Thursday night, entered the day-long volleyball tournament on April 10. The First Staters (Mandy Bouvier, Doris Brown, Harriet Mair, Judy Stevenson, Marcia Buscher and Lilli Metzger) and the Quick Chicks (Helen Chenoweth, Sue West, Margaret Long, Willa Jones, Grace Pesikey, Cindy Anderson, Jo Ann Pessagno and Judy Duerr) both won gold, while the Small Wonders captured silver. The Rough Edges did not medal, but they were in the very competitive 50-54 age group. Harriet Mair won gold in the basketball shooting competition. Helen Chenoweth and Sue West claimed gold in pickleball. Willa Jones and Sharon Anthony lost to upstaters Jane Fisher and Mary-Tom Gardner in their championship match and had to settle for silver, while Judy Duerr and Margaret Long received bronze medals. In bowling Carolyn Roach and Karen Lewis received gold. For complete results for the Eastern Shore Senior Games visit http://www.salisbury.edu/seniorgames/

Volleyball House Tournament: On March 20, the Small Wonders and the First Staters traveled to Elkridge, Maryland, to participate in a senior women’s volleyball tournament against teams from Maryland and Pennsylvania. Medals were not awarded, and age groups were mixed in this fun tournament.

YMCA Women’s Volleyball League: There are six teams in the league again this spring. Most of the women are seniors, but there are a few younger players as well. After 4 weeks of play, the Rough Edges are still undefeated. The Rough Edges also play in the Senior Lo-Del Volleyball League that plays in Georgetown.

Fundraisers: DSO is planning more fundraisers. It received a percentage from the proceeds of meals eaten at UNO’s restaurant in Dover on March 17. Other restaurants up and down the state will be scheduled by DSO soon, and DSO hopes you will support its fundraisers by attending these events when they are announced.

Dover Downs: DSO is sending its volunteer athletes to help Dover Downs with its pre-race and post-race inventories. In return Dover Downs is donating money to DSO for the hours worked by the volunteers.

DSO Membership: If you have competed in the Delaware Senior Olympics in the past or participated in one of its programs, you already have a membership card printed and waiting for you to join! Even if you are not a participant in any of the DSO activities, you can be a supporter of DSO by becoming a member, and you will also receive the many benefits and discounts. Annual membership will streamline the annual games entry process and eliminate the need to pay a registration fee to enter the games. Your membership will keep you in-touch and involved with the DSO, even if you are not able to participate. Your new membership card will also give you access to discounts from vendors, and free Members-Only events. One recent addition is a $5.00 ticket (half price) to the Blue Rocks 7:05 p.m. home game on Monday, June 7th. Please keep an eye on the DSO website for updated lists of the vendors, clinics, and events. http://www.delawareseniorolympics.org/

Emmett and Pat Venett, two DSO volunteer athletes, are shown counting shirts while helping take inventory for Dover Downs. In return for their hours of work DSO received a donation from Dover Downs.

Marie Neaves counts teddy bears at Dover Downs. She, and many other DSO athletes volunteered to help Dover Downs count teddy bears, shirts, hats, patches, decals, lanyards and numerous other items. In return, Dover Downs made a donation to DSO for all the hours worked by the seniors.

Swat Team: Sheryll McPherson of the Swat Team serves against the Quick Chicks in a YMCA Women’s Volleyball League match on April 14. The Quick Chicks won the match.

Quick Chicks: The Quick Chicks 60+ volleyball players happily show off their gold medals at the Eastern Shore Senior Games on April 10 at Salisbury University. Back: Helen Chenoweth, Sue West, Margaret Long, Willa Jones, Grace Pesikey. Front: Cindy Anderson, Jo Ann Pessagno, Judy Duerr