By By Adrienne McKenzie
Seniors from the Atmore Senior Act for Individual Living (SAIL) center had the opportunity to show what they were made of at the Masters Games Tournament, otherwise known as the Senior Olympics, in Orange Beach, Mobile and Poarch throughout the month of May.
According to Charlotte Purvis, Atmore SAIL center director, the event is something the senior citizens look forward to year-round.
"This is one of the main events that our seniors really look forward to," Purvis said. "It encourages them to stay active and gives them the opportunity to compete."
Purvis said the seniors have been practicing throughout the year for the event, which is hosted by The South Alabama Regional Planning Commission and the Area Agency on Aging.
The Senior Olympics are held every year and are broken down into districts. Atmore SAIL center participants competed against seniors from Mobile, Baldwin and Escambia counties.
On May 9 the seniors competed in Orange Beach, on May 16 they competed in Mobile and on May 23 they competed at Poarch. All the seniors who placed during these three days will compete at a state level.
"All these participants have won a place in the state competition in October in Valley," Purvis said. "They will participate where they placed at the district level against people from all over the state. They will stay for free in Valley. They will compete and have a banquet for the participants."
Atmore SAIL center visitor Jean Wilson placed second in table tennis.
Charles Wilson placed second place in both shuffleboard and table tennis and third place in dominoes.
Jeanette Gibson placed second in the Frisbee(r) throw.
Grady Slay placed first in shuffleboard and third place in the softball throw.
Mildred Hall placed first in basketball, second place in billiards and third place in table tennis.
Eula Sullivan placed second in nerfball.
P.L. Sowell placed second in dominoes.
Christine Sowell finished second in the basketball throw and dominoes and third place in the nerf ball throw.
Frances Dubose claimed second place in table tennis and third place in shuffleboard.
Roy Gibbs won first place in horseshoes.
Alice Gibbs placed the most out the group with first place in shuffleboard, table tennis, softball throw, horseshoes and basketball toss; second place in nerfball and the Frisbee(r) throw and third place in dominoes.
At the Mobile competition on May 16, the age 65-70 horseshoes competition and the softball throw were cancelled due to rain. The competition will be rescheduled for September.