Torrance County Senior Olympians

report and pictures from Jerry Melaragno: Team Torrance at the recent NM Senior Games in Las Cruces

Left to right, front to back:
Nancy Townson, Frances Addison, Laura Kayser, Colleen Burns; Zona Boyer,
Barb McCune, Jean Stephens; Jerry Melaragno, Ray Terhorst, Larry Foltzer, Billie Stephens.

The Torrance County Senior Olympians were most successful at the 2008 State Games. Here's a quick summary (below) and a complete results table.

Twelve Torrance County senior athletes competed in the 2008 State Senior Olympics held in Las Cruces July 30- August 2. Led by Colleen Burns of McIntosh who participated in 10 events (6 swimming, 3 track, and 1 road race) and won gold medals in all 10, Torrance County seniors competed in 53 different events earning a total of 37 medals (25 gold, 7 silver, and 5 bronze).

Laura Kayser of Mountainair competed in 10 events (badminton, discus, horseshoes, pickle ball, shuffleboard, and table tennis) and earned 7 Gold and 2 Silver medals. Our youngest athlete was Barb McCune of Willard who competed in 9 events in the 55-59 age group (badminton, basketball free throw, basketball 3-point shot, pickle ball, shuffleboard, and table tennis) earning 5 Gold, 3 Silver and 1 Bronze medals. Frances Addison of Mountainair was our oldest athlete, competing in 5 events (air gun, badminton, and shuffleboard) in the 85-89 age group and won 3 Gold medals.

Other sports in which Torrance County athletes participated were cycling, 8-ball pool, golf, and frisbee toss. Of the 12 participants, 9 qualified to represent New Mexico in the 2009 National Senior Games to be held in San Francisco.