By Terence Faries, Contributing Writer
Raleigh – This fall, a record number of 25 participants from Cherokee and Clay counties joined more than 3,100 competitors from around the state to take part in the Senior Games State Finals sports and SilverArts competitions.
The local group included 12 first-time state finals participants. Participants picked up a total of 28 medals – 14 gold, nine silver and five bronze.
On the sports side, 10 competitors made the trip to compete in 38 events in their respective five-year age divisions, earning 19 medals – 10 gold, five silver and four bronze.
The local contingent included two ladies in their 80s, who both won medals, Marilyn Ogden and Marjorie Swanson. Special mention goes to Michele Preisser, whose four-medal achievement included setting two new state records in the 1,500-meter and 5K Powerwalk events.
The SilverArtists set the standard in many categories. The 16 participants submitted 22 entries and earned nine medals – four gold, four silver and one bronze, as well as an honorable mention.
Here is a list of the local winners at the state games.
SilverArts medalists
- Basket Weaving, Christine Faries, silver.
- Digital Art, Debra Vanderlaan, gold.
- General Fiber Arts, Kimberly Packard, bronze.
- Jewelry, Anne Hastie, silver.
- Photography-Digital, Debra Vanderlaan, gold.
- Poetry, Jan Kirk, gold.
- Pottery, Mike Lalone, silver.
- Stained Glass, Steve Riedel, gold.
- Wood Carving, Terence Faries, silver.
- Essay, Brenda Ledford, honorable mention.
Sports medalists
- 50M Dash, Men, 70-74, Terence Faries, bronze.
- 100M Dash, Men, 70-74, Terence Faries, silver.
- 200M Dash, Women, 60-64, Michele Preisser, silver.
- 200M Dash, Men, 70-74, Terence Faries, silver.
- 800M Run, Women, 60-64, Michele Preisser, gold.
- 1,500M Power Walking, Women, 60-64, Michele Preisser, gold.
- 1,500M Power Walking, Men, 65-69, Bill Battle, gold.
- 1,500M Power Walking, Men, 65-69, John Nicholas, silver.
- 5K Power Walking, Women, 60-64, Michele Preisser, gold.
- 5K Power Walking, Men, 65-69, Bill Battle, gold.
- 5K Power Walking, Men, 65-69, John Nicholas, silver.
- 10K Run, Women, 60-64, Michele Preisser, gold.
- Running Long Jump, Men, 70-74, Terence Faries, gold.
- Standing Long Jump, Men, 70-74, Terence Faries, bronze.
- Bocce Ball, Men, 75-79, Gary Preisser, bronze.
- Cornhole, Women, 80-84, Marilyn Ogden, bronze.
- Cornhole, Men, 75-79, Gary Preisser, gold.
- Mini Golf, Women, 85-89, Marjorie Swanson, gold.
- u Mini Golf, Men, 75-79, Gary Preisser, gold.