November, 2009, Cheer News & Views

DSO Sports News

By Marion Lisehora mlisehora@mchsi.com

DSO Annual Games: The 2009 games have come to an end after two months of competition in more than two dozen sports! Seniors across the state thoroughly enjoyed the opportunities the DSO Annual Games provided for competition against their peers in so many different sports. Returning to the sports that meant so much to them when they were younger or learning a new sport, now that more time is available in their lives, has been a memorable experience for the hundreds of Seniors who participated in this year’s games. Not only the competition, but also the fun, fitness and fellowship that came along with the participation was immeasurable. For those of you who missed out on the games this year and would like to participate in them next year, check out the up-to-date DSO website http://www.delawareseniorolympics.org/ and browse through the pages. Coordinators for all sports are listed there. A page for every sport includes results from this year and new records in individual sports like track and field and swimming (aquatics). The last twelve months of this column are also posted under Sports News.

Mens Basketball: On Saturday, September 26, three Delaware basketball teams competed in the Sonny Hill Hero Thrill Show 3 on 3 Tournament on the grounds of Philadelphia’s Wachovia Center. Gino’s Delaware Gold 50s, with Jimmy Freel, Rod Moyer, Joey Maguire and Gary Schills, dominated the tournament. In 55-plus bracket action featuring two other Delaware teams, Dorsey Insurance, led by Raul Mercado’s strong post play, knocked off Charlie Ganter's Blue Bombers.

Bowling Highlights: The first sanctioned "Honor Score" was bowled by Mr. Gale Johnson at the Blue Hen Lanes in Newark.  There have been two previous honor scores prior to our being sanctioned by the U.S. Bowling Congress; the first by Charles Laws for bowling a perfect "300" game and the second by Margi Turner for bowling a "299." Coordinator Pete McKay would also like to commend the staff at the Blue Hen Lanes for its help in going far beyond the norm in making our bowling preliminaries a great success.  They even added a nice touch in advertising the games with a welcome sign reading "Welcome Delaware Senior Olympics" on Main Street in Newark.

Co-ed Volleyball: Six co-ed volleyball teams competed at A.I. Dupont High School on September 20 in the first year that co-ed volleyball was part of the Delaware Annual Games. The 50s competition between Mixed Masters and Hintz To Win needed a tiebreaker with Mixed Masters taking the overall gold. In the 60s age group Jersey Shore defeated Delaware Dig This for the overall gold, while Dig This took the Delaware gold. The 65s gold went to Just Friends and the 70s gold was earned by D and M.

Swimming (Aquatics) Records: Ten women’s and eight men’s records were set in the DSO Annual Swim Meet on September 26 at the YMCA in Dover! For the women Dorothy Archer (86), swimming in the 85-89 age group, set new records in the 50 yard backstroke (1:51.22), 100 yard freestyle (3:12.73) and the 50 yard freestyle (1:44.94). Maureen White and Susan Hajec each set two new records, while Marie Neaves and Gertrude Bissey each garnered one. For the men Henry Dewitt (63), swimming in the 60-64 age group, set new records in the100 yard fly (1:06.31), 100 yard free (0:59.16) and 50 yard free (0.27.27) while single records were set by Craig Moore, Chip Hannig, Ralph Swiger, Robert Meader and David Jacobs. For complete results, records and times see the Aquatics page on the DSO website. http://www.delawareseniorolympics.org/

Women’s Softball: Schutte Park in Dover was the site for the DSO softball tournament that drew five senior teams. Three of the teams play Monday nights from April through September at Sports At The Beach on Route 9 in Georgetown. The Delaware Diamonds 50s won silver and the Alley Cats 50s took the bronze in the their age group. An upstate team, Blue Chicks 50s, went undefeated in tournament play to take home the gold. The Delaware Diamonds 60s and the Blue Chicks 65s played each other in a best two out of three series with the Blue Chicks 65s winning. Both teams earned gold, because there were no other teams in either age group. A new 60s team is forming, and the other teams are looking for new players for next year. Some teams may have winter indoor practices. Check the website’s softball page for more information. http://www.delawareseniorolympics.org/

Women’s Volleyball: If you missed getting into the instructional volleyball class this fall, there will be another one starting right after the Christmas holidays! Watch for the Indian River School District Community Education brochure that will come out in late December with registration information. The class is held at Georgetown Middle School from 7 - 9 p.m. on Tuesday evenings. It will run through the end of May.

Gino’s Gold 50s: Jimmy Freel of Gino's Delaware Gold scores two more points against Philadelphia's Tenth Street Legends. The Gold’s Rod Moyer (white shirt) gains rebound position while Joey Maguire (11) cuts to the basket. Team member Gary Schills is not shown.

Anita Angeny: Anita Angeny talks to a walker about the DSO Walk Delaware program while manning the DSO booth at CHEER’s Fall Festival at Trap Pond on September 4.

Dorothy Archer: Dorothy Archer set three new 85-89 swimming records at the DSO Annual Swim Meet held at the Dover YMCA on September 25.

Blue Chicks 65s: The Blue Chicks 65s won gold in their age group at the DSO Women’s Softball Tournament at Schutte Park in Dover on September 26. Kneeling: Barb Sweeney and Paula Klemm.  Standing:  Doris Brown, Frankie Truit, Sue West, Ellen Cavins, Madaline Truit, Betty Faux, June Smith, Dorcy Wilkins,  Bonnie Strang, Charly Neill-Roe, Harriet Mair and Pat Venett.