Forty-six people participated in the Mesquite Senior Games shooting competition April 4 in Hurricane, Utah. There were five categories: Trap, Skeet, Sporting Clays, Rimfire and CenterFire Target Pistol. The Top Gun Award went to Mike Flanagan for the men and Carolyn Hoefe for the women.

Sherry Hill won the silver medal in the pistol category. She has been a gun enthusiast for over 20 years. “I love guns!” she said. She has been active in many clubs and leagues in Idaho over the years. This was her first experience with the Senior Games. “I just turned 60,” she noted, “so I was finally eligible.” She said the range in Hurricane was great and was eagerly awaiting the new one being built in Bunkerville. “I live in Logandale and will willingly travel to compete in gun competitions.” Being a part of the Senior Games was a great experience for her. “All the workers treated us well. I only wish they had more women in the competition.”

The Mesquite Senior Games continued with the softball tournament, which took place over four days (April 5-6 and 8-9). The 50/55/60 age groups played on Saturday, April 5 through Sunday, April 6 at Pioneer and Hunter Parks. The 65/70/75 and 75+ age group competed on Tuesday and Wednesday. After a long losing streak, the team from Colorado took home the gold medal in the 75 age group.

Cyndi Kelly competed in the 75 age group softball. “Growing up, we didn’t have women’s softball, so I had to play on my brother’s teams,” she said. She has been involved with Senior Games for over 25 years “From Maine to Maui, from Canada to Mexico, I have been everywhere competing.” Kelly was inducted into the National Senior Softball Hall of Fame in 2017. “I was also inducted into the St. Louis Hall of Fame and was an active board member until last year. My idol is Jackie Joyner-Kersee, who holds the Olympic Women’s Heptathlon Record. To this day, her record remains unbroken. She has become a good friend to me.”

Christie Nunez caught everyone’s attention when she made a home run.
The teams that competed came from all over the country. Some of the teams have websites where they post upcoming tournaments and what positions are needed. One team, “The Fun Bunch,” has members from 11 states, competing in six tournaments yearly. Many of the team members are good friends. Another team consists of friends from California, Canada, Colorado and Arizona.

“In the 75+ age group there are many women in their eighties,” Shaun Edwards commented. The women agreed that playing softball and being with friends keeps them young.

The Adrenalen Team earned a gold medal, while the Lady Warriors won the silver.
Cornhole Tournament and Bocce

The cornhole tournament took place in the Eureka Casino parking lot on Saturday, April 13. Nine teams competed in front of many cheering spectators.

Steve Hase has been an active participant in cornhole tournaments for five years. He also competes in the bocce tournaments. He and his neighbors enjoy playing cornhole in the streets, weather permitting. Steve Raddatz (his neighbor) stated that Mesquite needs a cornhole league. “There are about six of us who travel to St. George to compete. St. George has three leagues,” he said.

One of the biggest highlights of the tournament was when Gary Graybill scored a four-bagger. Both he and his brother walked away with gold medals.

From April 14 to 17, the bocce court at the Pioneer Center in Mesquite was bustling with enthusiastic competitors and spectators. The first two days, nine teams of four members competed for the medals. Margot Centanni, the president of the bocce club, helped coordinate the events, along with Marge Mongolo, the director of the Senior Games.

On Tuesday, April 15, the Chuckers walked away with the gold medals.
Among the competitors was Dorothy Engdahl, a former two-person state champion, and her husband, Andy.

On Wednesday and Thursday, couples comprising 13 teams vied for the medals. Eric Millilledge and his mother, Betty, were present. Betty is an active pickleball player. Eric, 52, autistic and legally blind, did not let his physical limitations deter him from competing. He competed in the 100-meter walk and the standing long shot. He is also in the Special Olympics, competing in Utah, Wyoming and Nevada. Eric is also a phenomenal singer, belting out Elvis tunes and accompanying Linda Van Dyke in concerts.

Another participant, Barry Bowers, is an accomplished artist who plays the electric violin and viola. Barry is a member of the Southern Nevada Symphony. He has performed in Reno and Las Vegas with famous stars such as Elton John.

There were many familiar faces in this event, with participants from other events, including pickleball and cornhole tournaments, adding to the feeling of comradery during the competition.
“I have made so many friends by attending the Senior Games” was a familiar statement. Participants socialized between the matches and cheered each other on.

The Chiefs walked away with the gold medals; the Ballbusters took the silver and the Norcal Newbies took home the bronze.