Hundreds Participate in Peters Township's 25th Annual Senior Games

was the setting Tuesday for the 25th Annual Senior Games, sponsored by the Southwestern Pennsylvania Area on Aging.

The Olympic-style competitions were open to individuals 50 years of age and older, who reside in Washington, Fayette and Greene counties and are members of senior centers within the communities.

Hundreds of participants arrived in the early morning by van and car to take part in the events that featured a 50-yard dash, basketball toss, casting, horseshoes, shuffleboard, bocce, football throw, softball throw, putting a one-mile walk and stationary bike.

Winners of the events were scored, and medals were awarded at the end of the day.

Peters Township High School and the football field was host to the athletes, several of whom are 90 years old. The district worked with Area Agency on Aging officials to prepare for the event.

“We’re very proud to be a part of this," said school board member David Hvizdos, who was among the many district officials attending the event. “We’re happy to be part of it and supply the facilities. The biggest thing though is that if you spend the day you see how important this is to them.”

Many of the participants train especially for the events of the senior games, something that Hvizdos says is incredible in its own right.

“The (school board) is one board that I like to sit on because every time we do something you see the immediate effect. It’s really a lot of fun,” he said.

Opening ceremonies included a welcome from district Superintendent Nina Zetty, and remarks by the Washington County Commissioners. They were followed by a parade of the athletes.

Many Peters Township students served as hosts and guides in the school, and drove participants to the separate events in golf carts.

Also serving as sponsors for the senior games was the Aging Services of Washington County. Major sponsors also included Range Resources, Highmark, Consol Energy and SeniorLIFE.