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Residents Bring Home Missouri Senior Games Hardware

Bill and Connie Perry

 

Anna and Steve Kilde

 

Two couples who live at John Knox Village in Lee’s Summit, Missouri, recently brought home a lot of gold – gold medals that is.

Connie and Bill Perry and Anna and Steve Kilde participated in the Missouri Senior Games on June 12-13 in Columbia, Missouri. Altogether, the couples brought home 19 gold medals and two silver medals. Steve received a gold in the 1,500-meter race walk. Steve and Anna participated in the softball accuracy and distance events; Steve earned a gold and a silver, and Anna earned a gold medal.

Most of the medals were won while competing in bowling events. The couples participated in the singles, doubles, mixed doubles and team events. They all received gold medals in three of the categories and a silver medal in the singles event.

Steve said there was good competition, and the events were run very well and went smoothly.

“We had fun, and it was a good experience,” Steve said. “It was also quite something to watch people in their 90s competing and doing really well.”

Connie said meeting others from around the state was fun, and they plan to participate again next year. She also said it would be fun to have other Village residents participate in the games!

Steve has participated in several similar events over the years, including in Texas, and planned to last year, but the games were canceled. To prepare for the competitions, Steve and Anna have been training, including walking every day, and going to local ball fields to practice for the softball events. This is the first time Bill and Connie have participated in the events. 

An annual physical fitness event, the Missouri State Senior Games provide active older adults with fun opportunities to compete and socialize. Unlike other Olympic games, participants don’t have to qualify to participate.